going from no budegt to mid 5 figure budget

B

BennyMonday

Active member
OK, oddly I am just finishing my second short ... and am in pre-production for a feature with a budget of $50K. I know that isn't a lot in the grand scheme of things but compared to the last budget I had ... $800, it's a very different game.

fyi I have no formal training or a film background ... just some common sense and a lot of reading and research on the web ... but mainly some great people I've met that are in the biz and seem to have faith in me and my vision.

I'd like to hear from others who make the jump from no budget to being able to pay a full crew. What should I expect? Other than more expensive headaches LOL.
 
Well when I did my first music video with a full crew, about 18 people plus cast and extras, it was a lot different experience. The main thing I think I took out of it was the importance of the hierarchy that Hollywood has established. I used to pride myself on being able to interact with everyone on the crew, doesn't matter if they were a grip or a DP, and I thought I'm a cool director because I treat everyone great and I don't act snobby about my position, etc. But then I realized with an 18-person crew and a tight shooting schedule, I simply had no time to talk to anyone who wasn't the DP, the 1st A.D., my UPM, or my main actors pretty much. I was busy with constant questions from the department heads, and trying to figure out how to make this shot the best it can be. It wasn't like I tried to ignore everyone else, but I simply had no time to introduce myself to the grips and electrics, or talk to the makeup person that much, I was too busy. I didn't even know a lot of peoples' names, which was weird for me. I started to understand why this hierarchy is necessary because on a film shoot with a large-ish crew (18 is still small compared to a feature obviously, in general), you only have so much time, you have to delegate properly and focus on just your job.
 
Sorry I can't answer your question, I was just wondering if you could quickly describe how you went from the $800 budget on your last project to $50k. :)

Cheers.
 
Sure Chris, I had a great crew work on my last short. Everyone worked for food and credit, and worked hard. We all had a good time and the resulting product is really great. With a great team like that, I just bring them with me to the next gig .... now we all make a buck and have some more fun and make something even better.

With that under my belt I happen to have access to people who invest between 50K to 100K in businesses we sell. So I had an idea that maybe asking one of our Sales Reps put some feelers out for any interested parties, paying him a commission of course. This led to a small group looking to invest in my next project ... "if I can do this with $800, imagine what I can do with $50K", was my sales pitch. Of course I have a full prospectus and business plan in hand.

I do have an extensive business background so producing is my natural niche. I think I'm a pretty good organizer and relate well to people, bringing in quality people that make up for my short comings was just a natural move.

I understand this isn't the norm for how things go, but maybe just some luck on my part and a couple really good story ideas.

I guess I would have just rather had Spielberg call and say "hey great film, want me to back your next project?" ..... but that would be the point I wake up frantic not knowing where I was.
LOL
 
The biggest thing I would recommend is clarity of vision. I'm sure this is already part of your method but I cannot recommend it highly enough. Have a simple, specific way of explaining what you want, and know what you want to begin with.

Clarity is key, because your ideas are going to pass through at least one other person before they hit the people who will put them into action. Know what you want.
 
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