Money involved with these films

[Thomas Lew]

I've been reading through all of the threads people have posted about their films currently being shot for lossfest, and it seems that mostly everybody is running a relatively higher level of production (such as using real actors compared to friends you know, renting out places for sets, etc.)

Coming from my standpoint, an amateur student filmmaker in college, I am pretty much in awe of the level of production being used in these films.

So I was curious about something.. how is money involved with your lossfest film entries? (to the people currently entering)

Are you paying your actors?.. your crew?

Are you paying to shoot in certain locations?

Do you profit off of the produced films?

What happens to the films after lossfest? Do you run them through other festivals?

[Mark Harris]

Many of us do make these films with a longer life in mind. In my thread, I talk about that with my entry.

As for money, many people do put some money into them I guess, but much is also voluntary. Many people crew for one another. As for actors, I happen to have relationships with some, so they usually like to work with me.

Same with locations. I will have some good ones in this film, but they are all coming through friends, so costing me nothing.

But the amount you spend means nothing to how good your film will be.

[ZazaCast]

Check this thread out: http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=148314&highlight=budgets

[Zak Forsman]

Are you paying your actors?.. your crew?

Are you paying to shoot in certain locations?

Do you profit off of the produced films?

What happens to the films after lossfest? Do you run them through other festivals?
1. Deferred.
2. No.
3. Not immediately, no. But this segues into the next question...
4. They will be part of something bigger. :lipsrseal

[Morox]

Has any past winning entries had low to no budget? I am curious about that...

[Mark Harris]

Has any past winning entries had low to no budget? I am curious about that...

My first entry ever, in HorrorFest 2006, won 2nd place and had a budget of about $300.

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

Although the last few winning films have been shot with a RED. :grin:

[Mark Harris]

Really? Even Jason's? Which also was shot probably for next to nothing.

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

Really? Even Jason's? Which also was shot probably for next to nothing.
I said winning, not placing. Last 3 wins I believe were shot with the RED.

I'm just playing though. :beer:

[Mark Harris]

Yeah, gotcha. Still doesn't matter. Zak's film, which didn't even place, has gone on a life much longer and more successful than any winner I can remember...

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

Yeah, gotcha. Still doesn't matter. Zak's film, which didn't even place, has gone on a life much longer and more successful than any winner I can remember...
Exactly! Getting us off our collective asses is what matters.

[Morox]

Yeah, gotcha. Still doesn't matter. Zak's film, which didn't even place, has gone on a life much longer and more successful than any winner I can remember...

Which film is that?

[Jeff Anderson]

I F*cking Hate You - that's the name I dont actually hate you Morox :)

[Zak Forsman]

spent $37 on Indian food to feed the cast and crew. the six minute cut "unofficially" came in fifth at LoveFest. nine minute cut won six jury and audience awards at various fests in Los Angeles, London and elsewhere. acquired a sales agent who has provided several distribution opportunities. knock yourself out...

offical site... http://www.sabipictures.com/ifhy/

available at amazon... http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001PBJGPS

convinced the only way to actually make money on a short is to create bonus content and "how to's" and market directly to other filmmakers. but i'm not likely to do that. the chapter on IFHY is done.

[Darkline]

'Halfway' came third in horrorfest and we spent $60ish on a strobe light and a sack; filmed in a pub roud the corner of my house with 2 people in total (sometimes 3) who also doubled as actors in it.

I remember one shot where Mark needed to be in it but I also needed to writhe in the sack so we had no-one to op camera. It was all a handheld short, so I had to lock the shot off on a tripod, push record, get into the sack, and add 'shake' in post to make it fit with the rest of the footage. That's not an uncommon way to work in these fests.

However 'Broadcast' cost more like $1600. In some ways it was intentional to spread out a bit, and the script called for many different locations, some were free, some I had no choice but to pay for ($500 for the studio shoot). Also to film in the free locations we needed public liability insurance for the year which we have never paid out for before - big chunk.

But it all adds up, a few props here and there. 4 days actor travel on the train, 5 days food for crew, a slap up meal to celebrate. The one thing I learned was next time to pack lunches for everyone.

If I enter Lossfest it will be a return to more like the $60 budget, shot in a friend's house. It's always doable if you keep people close to a microwave :-) The theme of loss I think will mean there are lot more imtimate and therefore cheaper entries this time round.

[chaconkevin]

i believe the beauty of independent film is that it challenges the auteur to give an unforgettable experience without the silverscreen budget.
it makes you be creative with shots, with what you do show or cant show due to budget. In "Survival" (film i enetered for TimeFest) we didnt show how the main actress died. we didnt really show the aftermath either, we just simply resumed with the story as if everyone knew she had been killed.

as far as budget goes, ive helped on some nice indie film, but my own, or my most of my friends, for the most part, keep our range from 100-300 big un's

Besides if it was so easy, everyone would be doing it....

:laugh:

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

Yeah, gotcha. Still doesn't matter. Zak's film, which didn't even place, has gone on a life much longer and more successful than any winner I can remember...This also shows that Zak's film was obviously overlooked by the DVX Academy. :huh:
i.e. The majority of us here. Or those who took the time to vote.
It's surprising considering how good the acting was.

I personally have never entered one of my films into a real Festival. I've been in the finals here 3 times, maybe I should send some DVD's out already.

Although I doubt they would fair half as well. I still have much to learn.
Either way, this is a great place to practice your craft.

MAH

[Richard J. Johnson]

My Twilightfest film "Foresight" was shot for $50.00. I had to the pay the bartender $40 to open up the bar for us and another $10 for blood making supplies.

"The Puppeteer" is actually being shot for about $100.00. Craft Services taking up most of that. the rest is just Blood making supplies again, a few other things, and 1 Can of soup.

My list for the puppeteer:
1. Blood making supplies- $10.00
2. Handcuffs-a friend - $0.00
3. Clip Board-got from work -$0.00
4. Airsoft Guns-own them - $0.00
5. Spent Shell Casings-Went to gun range they gave me a bunch for free-$0.00
6. Nurse Scrubs - $10.00 at walmart.
7. Police Badges-Friend - $0.00
8. 1 can of soup - $2.00 I will eat it later
9. Craft Services - $50.00
10. Fabric Glue - $6.00
11. Wrap Beers - $20.00

TOTAL:$98.00

I really Can't see sinking a ton of money into a short. But that's Just me. I guess the idea is to make it look like you did. Because If Darkline would not have said it I would have never in a million years believed that "Broadcast" was shot for so little.

[Mark Harris]

Wow, I am putting entirely too much money into my movies!

One thing I tend to spend on is rehearsal space. I never feel right asking actors to rehearse in my home, for example.

But yeah, for the original poster, check it, lot of people making good stuff for nothing.

[Richard J. Johnson]

Wow, I am putting entirely too much money into my movies!

I think it's relative to how much money you actually have.

If was a millionaire and decided to drop 10 grand into a short it would be nothing. and to me Not Being a millionaire and dropping $100.00 into a short is nothing.

I don't know how much you spent on RPDM but it deserved every penny.

[Mark Harris]

That one was more. Everyone was volunteer, but we had a big crew, so I know it was several hundred dollars in food alone. Plus, the DP wanted a certain camera, so he rented that. And the plane ticket for me to fly there to work on it. And we licensed the music for $300.

So that one def added up.

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

That one was more. Everyone was volunteer, but we had a big crew, so I know it was several hundred dollars in food alone. Plus, the DP wanted a certain camera, so he rented that. And the plane ticket for me to fly there to work on it. And we licensed the music for $300.

So that one def added up.What about the prosthetic of the man with half a face? Wasn't that a fairly large sum?

My Nephew has an old man mask and it was around $600.00
Looks AMAZING though! It's the real deal.

He's always creeping people out with it. He went to his buddies work and really had them going. They had no idea it was him.

So far I have spent $25.00 on a room to audition in at the local library.
I'm having a bit of a rehearsal at my place today and one person is coming over for an audition because they know someone who already has a part in it.

Food will end up being the biggest part of my budget.

[Mark Harris]

No, the make-up guy did that for us for free, well in trade. joe was doing sound mix on one of that guy's films in return. I think we paid him back for the fake blood?

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

No, the make-up guy did that for us for free, well in trade. joe was doing sound mix on one of that guy's films in return. I think we paid him back for the fake blood?Wicked deal! He did an amazing job. :thumbup:

[Richard J. Johnson]

Wicked deal! He did an amazing job. :thumbup:

Yes he did. Why do these damn Actors have to eat anyway?

[Tim Joy]

If it's your first film, (or one of your first) I say make it simple and cheap. It's a learning experience and you shouldn't have to risk next years rent, but for those that think of filmmaking as anything more than a casual hobby, I think it's good to pay people as much as possible. If filmmaking is your chosen profession, then isn't it necessary to put money into it, to create our own little Economy of sorts? Get some cash flowing around?

If we look it purely as business, shorts are usually not good business decisions, but they can sometimes break even, like in the case of Broadcast, if you count their prizes as income. More often than not, they are losing propositions.

In the case of Anti De Presence, we spent about $1200, which ended up mostly in the hands and bellies of the cast and crew. The actors mentioned to me several times how appreciative they were of the nominal pay, and they probably wouldn't have auditioned if it was a freebie, so I think your chances of getting a better cast and crew are much greater if pay is offered, and your movie will be better because of it! It's win win, and I wouldn't do it any other way now.

I think it would be great if we started a "promising filmmakers fund" or something like it here on DVXUSER that we could all chip in a voluntary 5-10 bucks to a few people so they can have a budget to work with. Maybe even have it as a prize or something? The "winners" of the money would then be able to hire professionals from their area.

[Morox]

Either way, this is a great place to practice your craft.

MAH

It's actually quite amazing. There are people on here that want to be scriptwriters, cinematographers, lighting screw, etc. Having these contests gets people to collaborate and practice their skills. If the film is a success story, those individuals are successful as well. Even if the film doesn't happen to take flight, it's still nice to know you were apart of a film and that's a success in itself.

[Thomas Lew]

If it's your first film, (or one of your first) I say make it simple and cheap. It's a learning experience and you shouldn't have to risk next years rent, but for those that think of filmmaking as anything more than a casual hobby, I think it's good to pay people as much as possible. If filmmaking is your chosen profession, then isn't it necessary to put money into it, to create our own little Economy of sorts? Get some cash flowing around?

If we look it purely as business, shorts are usually not good business decisions, but they can sometimes break even, like in the case of Broadcast, if you count their prizes as income. More often than not, they are losing propositions.

In the case of Anti De Presence, we spent about $1200, which ended up mostly in the hands and bellies of the cast and crew. The actors mentioned to me several times how appreciative they were of the nominal pay, and they probably wouldn't have auditioned if it was a freebie, so I think your chances of getting a better cast and crew are much greater if pay is offered, and your movie will be better because of it! It's win win, and I wouldn't do it any other way now.

I think it would be great if we started a "promising filmmakers fund" or something like it here on DVXUSER that we could all chip in a voluntary 5-10 bucks to a few people so they can have a budget to work with. Maybe even have it as a prize or something? The "winners" of the money would then be able to hire professionals from their area.

Some great and inspiring advice there man! Thank you!

Seems I started kind of a heartwarming thread unwittingly lol.

[FDL film music composer]

Hello Mark,
If you interested for next project I can score for 50$..It's my basic payment for DVX user

[Richard J. Johnson]

Hello Mark,
If you interested for next project I can score for 50$..It's my basic payment for DVX user

Total bargain for his quality of work.

[FDL film music composer]

Total bargain for his quality of work.
thank for your support ...
I'll happy to work with you for next film

[Norm Sanders]

The majority of my films have been just a few hundred dollars or less. WHERE SILENCE FALLS (2nd place - Drama Fest) was less than $400. My current entry is also less than $400, I believe. Pretty much try to attract folks on the basis of them being a part of something of quality, having a good time with no drama on set, and being valued for their input & part in the process.

BERLIN is my only big spend so far, with a total production budget of approx $4,500, but you can see it on the screen with all the set design, equipment, and a lot you can't see on the screen with food spent to feed such a large crowd, and insurance costs for locations & rentals.

[kevinkshah]

Are you paying your actors?.. your crew?

No, but meals & copy, credit, the usual.

Are you paying to shoot in certain locations?

No, all guerilla, but permits aren't really needed in New Zealand.

Do you profit off of the produced films?

I hope to on Dust Request, but it may be ahead of its time.

What happens to the films after lossfest? Do you run them through other festivals?

i'm going to post it everywhere for free for anyone that can spare their time

[/QUOTE]

[kevinkshah]

Pretty much try to attract folks on the basis of them being a part of something of quality, having a good time with no drama on set, and being valued for their input & part in the process..

I agree totally

[Zak Forsman]

Do you profit off of the produced films?

I hope to on Dust Request, but it may be ahead of its time.

What happens to the films after lossfest? Do you run them through other festivals?

i'm going to post it everywhere for free for anyone that can spare their time


some might see these two as a contradiction. I don't.

[KickTheMoon626]

Are you paying your actors?.. your crew?

Are you paying to shoot in certain locations?

Do you profit off of the produced films?

What happens to the films after lossfest? Do you run them through other festivals?

1.) Nay
2.) no
3.) Hopefully.
4.) Yes, more festivals. The SF Asian American Film Festival, etc.

[seductivepuppy]

1. How is money involved with your lossfest film entries?

2. Are you paying your actors?.. your crew?

3. Are you paying to shoot in certain locations?

4. Do you profit off of the produced films?

5. What happens to the films after lossfest? Do you run them through other festivals?

1. i think we spent about 5 dollars total. 2 on candle sticks, and 3 on a prop i won't reveal now...

2. noo. we are the actors and crew at the same time. we are one entity. we destroy.

3. HAHA.

4. It usually gets me a few bucks off at the grocery store.

5. It will be in a fuller version online in a web series I am producing. May put into other fests though if people on here dig it.

[Barry_Green]

So I was curious about something.. how is money involved with your lossfest film entries? (to the people currently entering)
Not entering LossFest, but the prior films we've done usually cost around $3,000 each.


Are you paying your actors?.. your crew?
ALWAYS. Even if it's only $100. Sometimes quite a bit more. People can and do work for free; I've worked for free on DVXFest films for others before, but when it's my production people get paid.


Are you paying to shoot in certain locations?
Sometimes. Usually people let you have it for free. Sometimes you have to pay. LMTF was shot in my garage and in my yard. Unawakening was shot in my yard and in a brand new model home that they let us have for free. Cold Calls was shot in a multi-million-dollar "mansion" that we had to pay a location fee for.


Do you profit off of the produced films?
Depends on what you mean by profit. Do we make money off the sale of the films? Nope. Do we get to be the opening-night premiere film at Slamdance (and into another top-10-in-the-world film festival, which we can't announce yet until they do)? Yep. Will that lead to hugely profitable things in the future? Maybe. The first short film I really put money into back in 1999 cost $10,000. Never sold it, never made a dime off it. But I did get an investor to back us in writing the screenplay for a feature film version of it, and that investor put up $60,000. Wouldn't have gotten that sixty without spending the 10, so I consider that one highly profitable.


What happens to the films after lossfest? Do you run them through other festivals?
Yep, plus other things that will eventually hopefully lead to bigger things.

[Guy_Cochran]

It's actually quite amazing. There are people on here that want to be scriptwriters, cinematographers, lighting crew, etc. Having these contests gets people to collaborate and practice their skills. If the film is a success story, those individuals are successful as well. Even if the film doesn't happen to take flight, it's still nice to know you were apart of a film and that's a success in itself.

That's why DVeStore loves to sponsor the fests. We enjoy encouraging people to go through the entire filmmaking process; pre-production, production, post-production, and delivery. Props to all of those that have completed an entry - especially on a low budget. Future props to all of those that will be completing an entry.

[Dustin R. Rogan]

my film cost absolutely nothing. this is a first for me, feels good to make something w/o spending anything!

Rogan

[Zak Forsman]

keeping to my nano-budget traditions, LoveFest = $37, LossFest = under $100 (more mouths to feed).

[Jeff Anderson]

Hotels for actors + food + gas money are going to come close to $400. Have been doing some teleconferencing with everyone as well that will probably cost $50 by the end of it all. Equipment is being paid for by other jobs, crew of 2 and cast of 2 are working deferred. Locations are borrowed. Without the hotels I'd be much closer to 100-150.

[Rodney V. Smith]

FALLING UP: coffee, donuts, pizza, water and coke (see a trend here?) $90 - $100 total
KEEPER OF THE LOST: dinner, coffee, lunch... about $150 tops. A new record in spending for me.

[Zak Forsman]

FALLING UP: coffee, donuts, pizza, water and coke (see a trend here?) $90 - $100 total
KEEPER OF THE LOST: dinner, coffee, lunch... about $150 tops. A new record in spending for me.

telling zak forsman he sucks....... priceless. :beer:

[Rodney V. Smith]

Hey Zak! You suck!

Oh wow... that was priceless.

Seriously though dude, you got me beat with the nano-budget. And I usually spend very little on my stuff. What you manage to pull off with just talent and sheer nerve (or should I say "nerves") alone... that's truly priceless.