Article by NoBudgetFilmmakingInfo.com
Let’s face it, anyone who has created a low, or no budget film knows there are quite a few more than 5 steps in making a no budget film. For simplicity’s sake, I’ll group many of the smaller, individual steps into 5 main categories:
Development
If there is no story, there is no film. You simply cannot make stuff up as you go along. In this step, we’ll cover all things dealing with the script and the story, such as:
writing your own script
working with a writer
optioning material for a script
character creation
story development and structure
Preproduction
Preproduction is one of the least thought out phases of no budget filmmaking. Many an independent film has fallen prey to failure for lack of sufficient planning. The topics we’ll discuss are as follows:
setting up a “command center” (workspace or office)
legal considerations (lawyers and legal forms)
budgeting, and why you shouldn’t fund your own film if you have other means at your disposal
shooting schedules (scene breakdowns, number of shooting days, daily schedules)
insurance, and why you MUST have insurance
securing shooting locations
auditioning actors
putting together a production crew and dealing with unions and guilds
determining and procuring necessary shooting equipment
production design (sets, props, and wardrobe)
Production
As mentioned in the previous section, you will have devised plans in regards to a shooting schedule. Those plans will determine the who, what, where, and when of the necessary locations, equipment, props and wardrobe, and actors which are needed on a day-to-day basis. The production phase of no budget filmmaking is where the “rubber meets the road”. It’s game time! It’s time to make all of your well-laid plans into an actual film. We’ll discuss:
dealing with actors
directing
cinematography
audio recording
hair and makeup
craft services and catering
Postproduction
Nothing sounds sweeter to any filmmaker, whether they are Steven Spielberg, or a student filmmaker, than the phrase, “It’s in the can”! Here’s where all your planning and perseverance pays off. You have raw film footage, now what? Here are some of the things you need to consider:
editing your film
digital effects
postproduction audio
music score
I realize the four items above are rather terse, but I assure you they are some wide-ranging topics, and will probably be covered each individually in their own future articles.
Distribution
It doesn’t really matter how good (or bad) your film is if no one sees it! Now it’s time for you to get your baby out to the masses. We’ll cover distribution of your film using the vehicles listed below:
film festivals
domestic distribution
foreign distribution
internet distribution (you would be crazy NOT to start here first)
attracting distributors
As you can see, there are quite a few things a no budget filmmaker needs to consider while planning, filming, and distributing their own film. Over the course of the next several weeks, we will cover all of the topics listed above in greater detail. Please check back often for updates.
For more information about low budget and no budget filmmaking, please go to www.nobudgetfilmmakinginfo.com
www.movieinmonth.co.uk has a chat with Andrew Ireland from Bournemouth University Media School about making low budget films and how they can be good!
Video Rating: 3 / 5
Question by danfanmac: How do I stop this internet addiction if I’m a low budget filmmaker who uses the internet as a resource?
ou see, I’m a filmmaker and I love to write scripts and edit video. Yet, every time I try to work on something I find myself wasting hours on the internet (mainly on youtube). I tell myself I’ll be on for just 30 minutes or that I need inspiration and then I lose that time, always rationing “just a few more minutes.”
Unfortunately, I love all kinds of music and feel like I need to have something playing to move me forward. Because the easiest way to find music to listen to is Youtube, that’s where I spend my time the most…
Believe me, I would quit using the internet a while back if that wasn’t how I connect with fellow filmmakers, friends, etc…It’s also my main resource for low-budget filmmaking tutorials. On top of that my teachers give out homework over the internet and my employer contacts me over mail…
I’ve gone on week long internet fasts if there were things I had to get done…those worked, but I always fall back into the habbit once I get back….I was timing myself for a while, but I slowly found my way out of that one…I’ve even tried it where I keep accountable to my own parents (who I’m still living with), but they can’t see over my should the whole time…
I feel like I’ve tried everything…I feel like this has wasted my potential for years now, but I’ve finally started really fighting back this year…but now I feel like I’m at square 1 again…
If my main profession and hobby requires mainly a computer and the internet is one of the best resources, how do I deal with this addiction?
Much appreciated…
Best answer:
Answer by JCM
This has changed most my friends lives. It allows you set a timer for your internet, as well as reward yourself for
http://macfreedom.com/
Here is another app, that allows more control, and allows remains active after a reboot.
http://visitsteve.com/made/selfcontrol/
here are some more
http://www.cspohio.org/PressRoomDetails.aspx?dg=684133ed07eb41d2ae98e113961d443c
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
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Christine Vachon has produced some of the most acclaimed US independent films, including Safe, Kids, Velvet Goldmine, Happiness, Boys Don’t Cry, and Far From Heaven (nominated for four Academy Awards®) amongst more than forty other features. Along with partner Pamela Koffler, she runs iconic New York production company Killer Films. Christine’s upcoming releases include Todd Haynes’ Bob Dylan feature I’m Not There, starring Cate Blanchett, Richard Gere, and Heath Ledger; Tom Kalin’s Savage Grace starring Julianne Moore; and Helen Hunt’s directorial debut Then She Found Me, starring Hunt, Colin Firth, and Bette Midler. This session was filmed at the AFC’s IndiVision Project Lab 2008, at which Christine was an advisor.