If you had to go low on something...

L

lachefilms

Well-known member
I plan to shoot a feature film...and I plan to do it on little budget, the only thing I plan to spend money on is the editing. What else do you think I should spend money on?
 
I do have a camera...lol I may be using two dvx100b....my question should be what are the ingredients for a low budget film?
 
What type of film is it? Check out the DV Rebel's Guide book, it has lots of good info on low-budget filmmaking.

With some legwork, you can usually find some great-looking locations for free. If you do some networking, you can also find excellent actors willing to work for free as well. There should be no excuse for crappy acting and bad locations. You can get a long way with lighting for $100-200.
 
A drama...about a 100 minutes long. I plan to spend money on:


Editing
Food
DP
someone who knows about lighting...lol
 
Lighting and sound are easily as important as anything else. Look in the audio section for advice on good low budget mics. Lighting can be done fairly well on a low budget. Work lights from home depot go a suprisingly long way towards improved films.

My advice: spend a few hours just browsing this forum.
 
A sound man....that's likely the most important person...I'm thinking, should I use a dat recorder instead of a mic connected to the camera?
 
Blaine said:
Hair/Makeup person with kit.
Click to expand...

Absolutely! I've seen way too many low budget indie flicks where the actors have blotchy skin and red ears. Yuck! It's a movie, not real life!:D
 
lachefilms said:
A sound man....that's likely the most important person...I'm thinking, should I use a dat recorder instead of a mic connected to the camera?
Click to expand...

Personally I wouldnt recommend a DAT recorder. Just means more post work. A sound guy is a good idea. But I would suggest that a sound editor is more important when you have to choose one or the other.

For budget sound I would recommend mic to premixer to cam. (Know how to correctly set the premixer). AND, a boom operator, not your mate, an actual boom operator.

If you can get the following on an indie crew your path will be much happier. (of course there are many more things that could be included and should be - but youre on a budget)

Assuming your directing/producing

1/ DP
2/ Sound guy willing to boom (sound guy willing to boom with his own stuff is even better :) )
3/ Screenwriter or at least a bunch of people willing to scrutinise your words that are completely honest with you and have no agenda (almost impossible to find) - when you find them keep them.
4/ 1st AC.


There are so many more things. But something like makeup can be less or more important depending on what your script calls for. But put it this way Id rather have good images, good lighting, good composition, good sound, good story than makeup on a guys face, than a perfect set, than a perfectly dressed set, than a million other things that in a perfect world you should have. But the world isnt.
 
Sound and lighting. If you can afford a 35mm lens adapter for soft focus, that would be third. With good lighting you can make the stock 24p footage look awsome.
 
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