Realistic 35mm Costs?

Larry Rutledge

Larry Rutledge

Fest Master
I'm in the very early stages of research for a feature. I'm checking into costs to see what will work best, but I'd love to be able to shoot 35mm.

Am I being realistic to assume that $100K would cover the costs of a DP w/crew, equipment rental, stock, telecine, and whatever other associated costs directly related to the camera/film I haven't considered yet?

I've heard figures like $50K for stock alone for a feature, is that a fair figure? Would the remaining $50K cover the other associated costs, or am I really understimating at this point?

And to be clear, I intend to get hard figures long before I get to the shoot...I'm just trying to get a ballpark for now :)

Thanks for any and all feedback, info, etc, etc.

Peace,
Larry
 
You're asking a hard question to answer, without knowing the overall budget level. I mean, are you talking fresh new film stock, or recans & short ends? There's a price difference of about 5x as much depending...

And what's your shooting ratio? If you're shooting 4:1 (which is incredibly tight) that's obviously going to cost so much less than 15:1.

And, will your budget cover stock and processing and transfer to video, or is that for all the way out to a release print?
 
I was afraid of that...I think I'm asking too early before I understand enough :)

My gut reaction "overall budget" is $500K, but that is bare-bones minimum because it (I know this makes it extremely expensive) is a period piece. I intend to continue doing a lot of research, and talk to a lot of people, so I have good information. But I was hoping to get a rough ballpark.

If possible, I guess I'd shoot recans/ends in order to shave costs where possible...based on my "extremely limited" experience shooting short films on DV I generally have a 4-6:1 shooting ratio, I probably would plan for 10:1 (if the money can be raised) just to allow for mistakes since it would be my first foray into film.

And the figure I'm trying to get a ballpark on is the full process. So stock, people, equipment, processing, transfer, etc, etc, at least to an answer print (I'm not sure how much additional cost/processing there is between an answer and release print).

And, again, I'm just starting down this road with film...so I know there is a lot I don't know yet. So some of my comments may not make any sense to those of you that are familiar with film...sorry about that :), but I am trying to figure it out as quick as I can.

Peace,
Larry
 
your feature

your feature

I think the first thing you need to know is...
What your budget?
And I'm not talking of how much money do you have, but how much money do you think is going to cost you looking at your script, and what you want for you project
For example I'm making a feature next year and my first draft was telling me that this was going to be a really expensive effort( around 5 Mill) and then later on I started adjusting here and there, made 5 more drafts and the picture changed totally to my advantage
For example
I made deals with the people that will do sound for me for free ( experimenting with a new type of sound technique making it the first feature using this)

I decided that Super 16 was going to be better for this movie than 35 because of how cheap and the exact look that I was looking for with what S16 gave me, so It was cheaper that way... and for the next features I will be using 35mm but for this one I'm happy with s16

I found 3 well know actors that they are willing to support my film (as far as their rates go)

And I'm still writing so... my best advice is secure The Great Script first and then start thinking about what format you are going to shoot at
Remember, people will think of you and your film, not because of your format or what camera did you use, but of the overall quality of your film ( story, actors, picture, music and so on....)

Good Luck

Best

Martín Yernazian
http://imdb.com/name/nm2270693/
 
I'm a little confused about something that you both have alluded to. How does the overall budget affect the hard costs associated with shooting on film? Whether the ultimate film budget is $500K or $200MM, wouldn't it still cost the same to shoot it (or am I being naive)?

And I agree with your comments about great script, etc, etc... I don't expect to shoot this until 2008 at the earliest. I will be writing it over the next year or so. This is more a "in the meantime fact-finding mission". Partly because I'd like to know how feasible it would be to shoot on 35 and if so, give me opportunity to start talking to DP's and other crew over the course of the next year.

Thanks,
Larry
 
Larry R said:
I'm a little confused about something that you both have alluded to. How does the overall budget affect the hard costs associated with shooting on film? Whether the ultimate film budget is $500K or $200MM, wouldn't it still cost the same to shoot it (or am I being naive)?

And I agree with your comments about great script, etc, etc... I don't expect to shoot this until 2008 at the earliest. I will be writing it over the next year or so. This is more a "in the meantime fact-finding mission". Partly because I'd like to know how feasible it would be to shoot on 35 and if so, give me opportunity to start talking to DP's and other crew over the course of the next year.

Thanks,
Larry
Click to expand...

Dear Larry
That's a great plan ... and I think you are in the right track
But ... Pictures are done in different proces... you can pull a picture really cheap if you know what you are doing and you know how to cheat the money system....
For example you can make a deal with your lab telling them that your overall budget is 50k and if they can help you in any way... 3out 4 they will take your money and help you out.... ( they want it and they will adjust to you.... resonably off course

I mean Pi was done for 60K.... or Sex Lies and Video tape was done for 1M..... there other pictures that are pretty similiar technically and they cost more....
Is all about the budget that you have .... is not like a store that you go and buy stuff and is always the same price....
ok I will stop preaching....hehehehe good luck
and remember you can always make deals instead of paying money
I hope my english wasn't that bad hehehe

Best

Martín Yernazian
http://imdb.com/name/nm2270693/
 
One thing to remember is that there are what I call "Catalogue rates", which all rental companies, post houses...etc... advertise and then there are the reel rates that will mostly always be different from one project to the next. A lot of post houses I worked at in L.A. will offer great rates to young or first time directors, but you will have to do your work at night with the Junior guy when he isn't booked on something else... If you rent equipment during the weekend, you usually pay for only one day, Sunday is free... The more flexible you are the more you can find great deals. Your attitude is key as well, people need to like you to want to make that extra effort.
 
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