Filmmaking is a perhaps the supreme art form. It is grand in scale, and can resonate on the truest of human levels. It makes sense that every year more and more people are drawn to making films, and telling a story of their own.
Unfortunately filmmaking isn't the most affordable of art form. Its collaborative nature, and ever growing technological aspects can make a film of substance very difficult.
Creating a piece of cinema that connects to an audience is your cross to bear; the price tag shouldn't have to be. So here are a few things to keep in mind for when you dive headlong into your short film...
1. DON'T SHOOT ON FILM
There's a reason this is number 1. Yes, I respect your candor. Film is a great medium. Counterpoint: Film stock isn't free. Film developing isn't free. Film transfers aren't free. Make something great digitally first. If this is a deal breaker, you don't actually want to shoot a free film, you're just grouchy it isn't free.
(Sidebar: If you can get all that for free, you had better be shooting on film)
2. COLLECT FAVORS
The film community is very synergistic, and the best currency is the working relationships people share. Relentlessly be there to help when favors come up to cultivate these relationships with skilled professionals who may also have material resources. If you don't have film pals already, hop on Craigslist or Mandy.com, and scope out new connections.
An important note here is to not be the dude who keep score and holds it against people. That's the best way to not get what you want, and alienate yourself. If you do keep a mental tally, do so to make sure you're doing enough for others, not the other way around.
3. USE "COOLNESS" OF THE PROCESS TO YOUR ADVANTAGE
Making movies is cool, especially to those who have never seen a working set. There are hoards of people who would love to experience just being there. To some, holding up a bounce card, or running cables is an exciting prospect. And let them hit the red button? These folks may not be the most skilled on the set, but they'll totally drink the Kool-Aid.
Being able to say "I helped with 'X' on that film," is something that most everyone loves to say. Whether that help be in material goods, or labor, leaving this resource untapped means leaving money on the floor.
4. BARTER/TRADE-OUT
You're making a film. You have a skill. Offer up that skill in return for a good or service. Offer to take pictures of the menu items of a restaurant you want to shoot in. Give a company that may like your final product the opportunity to have their name be the first thing on screen (Example Company, Inc. Presents...), if they'll loan you some props.
the single image that served as a location fee from a restaurant (plus it brought in future paid business for us)
As long as you're not asking a person or establishment to take on a hard cost, or inhibit their ability to conduct business, there are myriad ways to incentivize their involvement.
5. FIND PUBLIC LOCATIONS WITH NATURAL LIGHTING
Look around your area for public places you can shoot in. Parks are a great place to start your search. Just make sure you check with the necessary park department to make sure it's all legal. Sometimes the difference between being allowed or not is as simple as whether you plan to mount your camera on a tripod.
6. SKIMP
In my experience this is the least fun thing you can do: water down your needs. Of course we all want to shoot with the most cutting edge equipment with name actors, but at the rate of free that's next to impossible.
Robert Rodriguez famously made El Mariachi, a full length feature film, for $7,000. Take a look at every item that costs money and figure out how to slash that cost. Rodriguez used a total of two lights from the hardware store. He refused to budge on one can of spray paint to repair one side of a damaged guitar case. Say no to paying for solutions.
Trust those that have gone before you, and that there is almost always a work around. Check out Shittyrigs.com for some prime examples of people out there making it work.
Borrow props. Use wardrobe you already own. Redecorate and recycle locations.
The Sleazeball Retail Borrow: Buy a thing you need, use it (very delicately), return it. This is almost certainly against the law, but it's a thing people do. I don't condone it, but it is something people do when they have no other option.
7. UTILIZE THE CURRENCY OF TIME
They say their are three dimensions to filmmaking: High quality, Low cost, High speed. You get to pick two.
take your time, and do it right
You're trying to take advantage of high quality, and low cost, so high speed should be of little to no concern to you. Keep the crew smaller but plan to take more time getting quality set ups. Get an editor that will do a good job cutting the film, but give them ample breathing room on the deadline.
Spend the days or weeks leading up to the shoot doing all your own prep work (costumes, props, storyboards, finding gear) rather than outsourcing that to someone else. This will also prime you to be more individually prepared to troubleshoot problems that arise yourself.
Taking a little extra time may be the only difference between finding the freeway, or paying the toll so-to-speak.
Remove as much speed as you can from the equation so you can focus on the other variables. Relish the fact that if you do forge a career in film, you'll never get this luxury again.
8. ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS GIVE IT A SHOT.
Never assume you can't get something for free. Never assume something won't work, or that it's too far fetched. ASK.
I have always been shocked at the things I've gotten from a warm smile and a polite request. From the keys to a silver smithing studio (filled with silver), to using a brand new upscale restaurant, to storage facilities, to camera gear, to free food for the crew. The list goes on.
People truly in their hearts like to support the arts, and that's the most important aspect to all of this. Approach every turn humbly, politely, and enthusiastically, and doors will be opened.
On behalf of artists and filmmakers everywhere, don't squander the opportunities at hand. Respect everyone that gives you anything, even if it's just five more minutes of not mowing their lawn while you get that last shot.
Now go out there, shoot that thing you've been talking about for weeks, and make sure you pay for NOTHING...
In the next post, I'll talk about my experience in post-production, or as I like to call it, the part where geniuses thanklessly, invisibly polish my turds.
-T
*For any questions on the process, or any of our short films, feel free to hit us up over on our contact page.