Film Budget question...

HueyFilms

HueyFilms

Active member
First off sorry if this posting is in the wrong place, I couldn't really find a place for pre-production/budgeting questions...

I am wondering what you guys would do with a $100,000 budget?

What kind of film can I make for this money realistically

I own an HVX200 with a 35mm lens set-up, however assuming I want a better image what camera would you guys opt to shoot with that fits within this budget - of course a rental would probably be the smartest choice.

I just need someone to point me in the right direction as to how I should use this money, I've never shot with this kind of budget before and I am looking to make the smartest move.
 
Do you have budgeting software? I would do a budget first and see what you might have for rentals, crew, post ect. 100 grand doesn't go very far.
 
It all depends on the story you are trying to tell, if its dialog driven, will you be relying on expensive special effects etc...

Personally if I had that budget for the feature I am currently working on I would be shooting on a Red One but we dont have that kind of funding so we are sticking with the HVX which I am still very thrilled about using for this feature.

Don't skimp out on your talent, find great screen talent and pay them well. Hire a great DP that shares your vision and is someone you can spend 10-12 hour days with for a long period of time.

Unless you have a script in mind it is really hard to determine where to divide your money for best results. Which is another thing, are you hiring a writer? That is another thing you might have to factor in.
 
Also pick up the book "The Complete Guide To Making A Movie: Low Budget & Beyond by Lorene Wales. This is a great book for any budget, has checklist of what you need and who you should hire based off budget size and the included CD is loaded with needed production forms including a budgeting spreadsheet.

You will be surprised how quickly things add up, like craft services, once you start jamming in some estimates into your spreadsheet and look at the total. Also its very important that you set aside about 10% for contingency funds incase you do bust your budget.
 
It all starts with a script, which is broken down by a line producer into a detailed budget.

Your movie won't be dictated by the amount of money you have, the script dictates what you need to make the movie happen. How you work around the amount of money you can raise is a different question.

Therefore, an accessible single location feature script without heavy effects, stunts or other complications would probably represent a better candidate project than one with multiple locations, period details, large cast requirements and so forth. The script comes first, then the budget.

Camera choice and other "incidental" tech requirements shouldn't enter the discussion until you're budgeting and securing investors.

e
 
Hey Guys thanks for the reply,

I am a dp/director/writer like most of us here on the forums. However for this project I will write and direct and looking to hire a more talented dp than I. I am writing the feature now its a character driven drama think Squid and the Whale, no need for special effects.

I attended the American Academy of Dramatic arts so I know some talented actors....
I do not own budgeting software- any recommendations for mac?

Thanks guys for all the help.
 
You have to break down the script first and pull out every little piece that will affect your budget. I budgeted 2 features and they were around $300,000 - $400,000 each with everything they wanted including favors and free stuff. You can definitely make one for $100,000 but you have to see what you are looking at and then you see where you can cut or get for free to bring it down.
 
As a tip, I'd plan on 10% of that budget going toward making the set a nicer place to work. I find I get better help from well-fed volunteers than poorly paid semi-professionals.

The cool thing about movies and money is if you already have starter cash, you can usually find more. Use your $ to sign some D-list talent, so you can be sure you'll at least make your budget back in the direct to DVD market.

Find a producer and line producer. They should be the ones to tackle the budget concerns.
 
The starting point is people have made movies for $20K or less. I've read all the books and cannot figure out how this was done in reality.

The feature I'm shooting this spring is going to cost about $200K - and this is based on a very moderate but paid crew at standard LA rates. it is an 18 day shoot, and all actors besides the three stars will get $100 per day. I own all my own equipment including grip truck, 3 ton lighting / grip, cameras, dollies.....you name it. No rentals.

Right now I am at $156K and that does not include locations, so I figure $200K ought to do it.

It's pretty pricey. I can't figure out a realistic way of making it cheaper without asking people to work for free or pack a lunch.
 
taormina said:
The starting point is people have made movies for $20K or less. I've read all the books and cannot figure out how this was done in reality.

The feature I'm shooting this spring is going to cost about $200K - and this is based on a very moderate but paid crew at standard LA rates. it is an 18 day shoot, and all actors besides the three stars will get $100 per day. I own all my own equipment including grip truck, 3 ton lighting / grip, cameras, dollies.....you name it. No rentals.

Right now I am at $156K and that does not include locations, so I figure $200K ought to do it.

It's pretty pricey. I can't figure out a realistic way of making it cheaper without asking people to work for free or pack a lunch.
Click to expand...

I cant imagine anyone making a decent film in LA for under 20k, seems like that city milks filmmakers for everything they have. Take that same money and bring it to a different city and it can go alot further. Some states even return a % of your budget when you film most or all in that state.
 
A lot of states won't pay attention to filmmakers working under about a quarter mil, even if they say they're film-friendly. They want to bring Hollywood east, not deal with 10,000 $50,000 filmmakers.

One feature I'm working on has a $35k budget, shooting in Wisconsin. Actors get meals and some get points (with the exception of established talent which gets points and a daily rate), four crew members get stipends for 2 months. Everybody else is free. Most of the budget goes to equipment buys or rentals, costumes, props. We get all rehearsal and most shooting space donated.
 
HueyFilms said:
First off sorry if this posting is in the wrong place, I couldn't really find a place for pre-production/budgeting questions...

I am wondering what you guys would do with a $100,000 budget?

I just need someone to point me in the right direction as to how I should use this money, I've never shot with this kind of budget before and I am looking to make the smartest move.
Click to expand...


Don't even think about budgeting or producing a film yourself with that kind of money if you're not experienced doing both. Sure you can get the tools to create budgets, but without producing experience you will end up throwing much money in the toilet instead of putting it on the screen.

At the very least, HIRE someone to create a shooting script, create a script breakdown (if you have a script...), and create a budget. Once you have these things, you can proceed in a much more well equipped manner.

Contact me if you need help. I have contacts on both coasts and I work on both coasts.

.
 
Last edited:
like they say in the business... if you want to make a million dollars in Hollywood, then spend 2 million.


100 grand is a lot of money outside and inside the business. The advice you've gotten is great and the other point I'd make is to walk away with things. Buying a decent camera, lights, grip stuff, computer are all things you'll get value out of from when you are done. Don't put all of your eggs in one basket since the odds on turning a 100k project into a blockbuster is not on your side. So just be smart where you spend it and try to make every dollar end up either on the screen, in your pocket, or in some gear that you own afterwards..
 
If you want an indepth education about making a film and the budgeting process I would recommend a DVD seminar series by Dov Simens. He is a very authoritative Hollywood insider and will give you the basics of all of the aspects of making a film including the budgeting process for both above the line and below the line. I would definitely buy the DVD seminar because attending the seminar, like most seminars, is exciting but you retain very little of the detailed information. The link for this is at http://dovsimensfilmschool.com/homepage.html
Good Luck
 
Last edited:
Film Scheduling and Film Budgeting software can be had for free off the Axium International site. They went bust but you can still download a trial version and it won't crap out on you. The Budgeting is only worth it if you need a professional 'look' to raise some more money, otherwise just list out everything on Excel and scratch what you can. I agree with Adam C that you'll still have to ask your friends to work for free - get a DP and a Line Producer who knows locations and equipment.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top