Do you think it's possible to shoot an AMAZING feature for under $10,000?
- Thread starter filmmakerguy
- Start date
J.R. Hudson
Spirit Animal
But we were just about too achieve FLOW.
David G. Smith
Steak Knife Member
Hi all, just checking back in to see where this thread has gone.... Holy sh*t!!!!
It is very possible that some unexpected accident could happen during the making of your amazing micro budget feature and, in our highly litigious society, you could be sued and loss everything you have ever worked for, or will every work for. It is also possible that some unexpected accident could happen during a barb-b-queue you host and supply the beer for, or after inviting the neighborhood kids over to swim in your pool, or while driving co-workers home after work, ect, ect, ect... where you could be sued and loose everything you have ever worked for, or will every work for. WELCOME TO THE MODERN WORLD. If you are embarking on any business venture, whether it be a house painting service, a shoe shine stand, a computer graphics company or making a micro budget fictional narrative film, the possibility of legal liabilities has to be one of the thousand or so considerations you need to deal with. If you want to do what you want to do, then you will will have to deal with that. If you do not want to deal with that, then you will probably not do what you want to do.
I am not a lawyer, and this should not in anyway be construed to be legal advice. .... I am just sayin'
It is very possible that some unexpected accident could happen during the making of your amazing micro budget feature and, in our highly litigious society, you could be sued and loss everything you have ever worked for, or will every work for. It is also possible that some unexpected accident could happen during a barb-b-queue you host and supply the beer for, or after inviting the neighborhood kids over to swim in your pool, or while driving co-workers home after work, ect, ect, ect... where you could be sued and loose everything you have ever worked for, or will every work for. WELCOME TO THE MODERN WORLD. If you are embarking on any business venture, whether it be a house painting service, a shoe shine stand, a computer graphics company or making a micro budget fictional narrative film, the possibility of legal liabilities has to be one of the thousand or so considerations you need to deal with. If you want to do what you want to do, then you will will have to deal with that. If you do not want to deal with that, then you will probably not do what you want to do.
I am not a lawyer, and this should not in anyway be construed to be legal advice. .... I am just sayin'
ullanta
Veteran
Right... as you say, we (most people, anyway) are insured for all that!
Watchu talkin' 'bout? There were a thousand posts of flow.
David G. Smith
Steak Knife Member
at which point you change you phone number and tell your kids not to answer the door!!!
...I am not a lawyer, and this should not in anyway be construed to be legal advice. .... I am just sayin'
David G. Smith
Steak Knife Member
Real ZEN flow man, ZEN flow!!!
...I am not a Hippie, and this should not in anyway be construed to be real eastern spiritual advice. ....
pulpfiction007
Veteran
Very few micro budget films do things the way they are supposed to be done - look them up, they all had to do some imaginative things to make their films. That is the premise of this thread - An amazing micro budget film. Not an amazing $50,000 film or $100,000 film. I do agree that IF you are THE person in charge, and it's not a collection of people making the film together EQUALLY....then you should have all your ducks in a row and make sure you have the resources to cover yourself and your crew.
Oh and someone said shoot with available light....2 of the films on the list we have floating around here did just that, or close....The Following used available light and El Mariachi used a couple of desk lamps - (Just one more example of not doing it how it's supposed to be done)
Let me start by saying that I know absolutely nothing about the people who posted this ad, or if it is even legit, so respond at your own peril, but I found this recent Craigslist posting to be in the spirit of this thread:
"Micro-Micro Budget Feature Scripts Wanted (Hollywood)" - http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/tfr/2377673191.html
"Micro-Micro Budget Feature Scripts Wanted (Hollywood)" - http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/tfr/2377673191.html
David G. Smith
Steak Knife Member
RUN, RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!!!! .... from an add like that. IMHO. I just don't think that even a decent micro budget film can be produced by the soliciting of scripts on Craig's List. It seems to me that the secret to the success of well received micro budget flick is the burning enthusiasm of a writer/director who can bring together like minded individuals to strive above and beyond to craft a unique creative work. Now, I am not advocating the abandonment of all standard industry practices, but I think that standard industry practices are secondary in importance to the group dynamic that the leader of such an endeavor as a the production of a micro budget feature film can foster in their collaborators. I am very doubtful that this element could be incubated by soliciting scripts on Craig's List.
While I generally agree in the sense that, as a writer, I think the story in a micro-budget film is the key part of the recipe... I do understand that not everyone is an "idea" person.
These could be passionate filmmakers who are looking for a story to be enthusiastic about, or they could be scam artists... I don't know.
I just found it interesting that the ad popped up today while this thread was going on. For all I know it was placed by somebody on this site who was inspired by this thread.
pulpfiction007
Veteran
Every 100 posts or so....we think the thread has run it's course! But then a new avenue is explored - We've covered insurance, hard drives, marketing, pre planning, Barry has said 2 projects are in the works, we've had debates....that's a lot of stuff.
Myself and others have mentioned the idea of a micro cast/minimal location concept and script, but what about practical everyday things to keep the budget down. These are some things that have been done by many already.
1. Skateboards/RC cars/rolling chairs as dollies
2. Using work/shop lights - although there are some great deals on ACTUAL lighting kits out there
3. Put an ad in the marketplace and check OLD pawn shops/thrift stores if you need -Props/phony guns, costumes etc.
4. For soundtracks - BELIEVE ME, there are a ton of talented musicians who would consider their stuff being in a film payment in and of itself....just make sure to do a simple written agreement with them granting you the permission. (and that they maintain their ownership rights yada yada yada)
5. Since someone in the thread mentioned it - make double sure to have backups (of some sort) for your material - it's cheaper than re-shooting.
6. Have your shot list extensively planned out - it will save time/money.
7. Use your ingenuity...whatever you can make or use in the place of buying - do it.
8. Think about the impact of what ISN"T shown working FOR you in some cases - where a shot would just cost too much, find a clever alternative.
I'm sure others have more ideas....
Myself and others have mentioned the idea of a micro cast/minimal location concept and script, but what about practical everyday things to keep the budget down. These are some things that have been done by many already.
1. Skateboards/RC cars/rolling chairs as dollies
2. Using work/shop lights - although there are some great deals on ACTUAL lighting kits out there
3. Put an ad in the marketplace and check OLD pawn shops/thrift stores if you need -Props/phony guns, costumes etc.
4. For soundtracks - BELIEVE ME, there are a ton of talented musicians who would consider their stuff being in a film payment in and of itself....just make sure to do a simple written agreement with them granting you the permission. (and that they maintain their ownership rights yada yada yada)
5. Since someone in the thread mentioned it - make double sure to have backups (of some sort) for your material - it's cheaper than re-shooting.
6. Have your shot list extensively planned out - it will save time/money.
7. Use your ingenuity...whatever you can make or use in the place of buying - do it.
8. Think about the impact of what ISN"T shown working FOR you in some cases - where a shot would just cost too much, find a clever alternative.
I'm sure others have more ideas....
J.R. Hudson
Spirit Animal
This idea is in good hands; I'll leave it at that.
David G. Smith
Steak Knife Member
I concede, that is interesting. You may be right on that. I am caught with my pants down... to make a micro budget feature, no rules apply. Sorry to have perpetuated rigid thinking.
CallaghanFilms
Veteran
El Mariachi isn't an amazing film. It looks like a direct-to-video Spanish market thriller. It just happened to set Rodriquez on the career path that he wanted to be on. And especially nothing about the visual aesthetics belies its origins.
Another thought that came to mind: Human Centipede had a 1.5 million pound (as in British) budget, and yet we're talking about being unable to dredge up more than $10k? Is that really what you want to say about your product?
And as how things are supposed to be done, do you want to open a factory and ask people to work for free for a few weeks/months just so they can put it on their resume? That's not how that's supposed to be done. What would be valid for one process but not the other?
El Mariachi is a damned good film, all things considered. No, it's not amazing, but for a film with completely amateur actors and a horrible dub, it is surprisingly compelling entertainment. It is worlds better than any low-budget, direct-to-video movie I've ever seen. You could tell even back then that Rodriquez had promise.
And I'm not sure what you mean by the "it just happened to set Rodriquez on the career path that he wanted to be on," as if that's a negative thing. I think most of the people interested in making one of these $10K films would love to make a film like El Mariachi that, like Rodriquez, sets them on the career path they want to be on.
Talk about attacking a straw man. Those things aren't even remotely comparable.
David G. Smith
Steak Knife Member
I understand that analogy, but I just don't think it really is appropriate for the production of a micro budget feature film. While, yes, you are asking people to "Work" for you, you may also be giving them an opportunity to do something that a lot of people just dream of doing, such as act in a feature film, or take higher responsibility for some technical aspect of the production of a feature film than they normally do. While a lot of folks may scoff at that, it is definitely an element of the appeal of working on a micro budget feature, for SOME PEOPLE.
I doubt that there are anyone who dreams of working in a factory that would do it for free. However, there are lots and lots of low or no paid apprenticeship and internship programs out there that offer similar opportunities for work experience in the "Real World".
Ok, queue all the, "Trusting inexperienced people will be a disaster" responses.