Hello,
I am weighing up my options for my first fiction film (out of many ideas) and am slightly confused as to how to proceed.
My first film was a relatively successful documentary (it got into good festivals (though not the big 5), was nominated for an award, received acclaim from big titles and got distribution, albeit not with a huge company).
I then wrote my first screenplay, with the intention to finance it myself (at the time, I felt I could realistically raise about $70k). I showed it to some contacts who advised that it would really need as little as $140k and as much as $700k, and suggested getting an experienced producer on board. That project had/has a lot of SFX (mainly gore—it’s quasi-horror) and many locations.
Subsequently, I felt deflated about the whole thing (I can't see any film funding organizations backing it due to its subject/content, and I have very few contacts), put it on the shelf to work on other projects and decided not to go back to it until I’m in a position to either finance it myself, or wait for a point when I have more experience behind me and more contacts to fund things or open doors.
Since then, my financial situation has worsened and I will be very lucky to raise as much as $70k for another project. I could realistically put together about $35k, possibly more.
I am now looking at my slate of potential projects, trying to pick a different one that is actually doable on a tiny budget, and am wondering—what are the things to look out for when selecting a no-budget film project in order to keep costs as low as possible and make it viable?
I own most of the essential pro gear (camera, sound) and will be able to work with a skeleton crew, non-professional actors and no lights. But I am wondering what sort of elements will ramp up costs significantly (meaning that certain projects will be out of consideration).
For example—are convincing SFX very expensive? A lot of my project ideas are very over the top and have a lot of gore, creatures (as well as animals), car crashes etc. that I don't want to create digitally.
I am also wondering if quality costumes are also costly? A number of my ideas have period settings.
Sets—are even basic building projects (like bespoke cabins/huts) out of the question?
And an original score, by a quality composer?
Some of my sparest ideas look quite feasible—i.e. one or two characters, in one or two locations, with limited, or almost no, SFX etc. However, these projects are not the most appealing to me, so I am wondering how broad my options are (e.g. will it be possible to go with the projects that have some big SFX, some quality costumes etc.).
Alternatively, I could just finish screenplays of dream projects, hoping to find funding, but having spent so long with the first one (I was trying to limit myself, to an extent) for it to get stuck, I think choosing a project that I can make myself with what I have is likely the best route.
Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.
I am weighing up my options for my first fiction film (out of many ideas) and am slightly confused as to how to proceed.
My first film was a relatively successful documentary (it got into good festivals (though not the big 5), was nominated for an award, received acclaim from big titles and got distribution, albeit not with a huge company).
I then wrote my first screenplay, with the intention to finance it myself (at the time, I felt I could realistically raise about $70k). I showed it to some contacts who advised that it would really need as little as $140k and as much as $700k, and suggested getting an experienced producer on board. That project had/has a lot of SFX (mainly gore—it’s quasi-horror) and many locations.
Subsequently, I felt deflated about the whole thing (I can't see any film funding organizations backing it due to its subject/content, and I have very few contacts), put it on the shelf to work on other projects and decided not to go back to it until I’m in a position to either finance it myself, or wait for a point when I have more experience behind me and more contacts to fund things or open doors.
Since then, my financial situation has worsened and I will be very lucky to raise as much as $70k for another project. I could realistically put together about $35k, possibly more.
I am now looking at my slate of potential projects, trying to pick a different one that is actually doable on a tiny budget, and am wondering—what are the things to look out for when selecting a no-budget film project in order to keep costs as low as possible and make it viable?
I own most of the essential pro gear (camera, sound) and will be able to work with a skeleton crew, non-professional actors and no lights. But I am wondering what sort of elements will ramp up costs significantly (meaning that certain projects will be out of consideration).
For example—are convincing SFX very expensive? A lot of my project ideas are very over the top and have a lot of gore, creatures (as well as animals), car crashes etc. that I don't want to create digitally.
I am also wondering if quality costumes are also costly? A number of my ideas have period settings.
Sets—are even basic building projects (like bespoke cabins/huts) out of the question?
And an original score, by a quality composer?
Some of my sparest ideas look quite feasible—i.e. one or two characters, in one or two locations, with limited, or almost no, SFX etc. However, these projects are not the most appealing to me, so I am wondering how broad my options are (e.g. will it be possible to go with the projects that have some big SFX, some quality costumes etc.).
Alternatively, I could just finish screenplays of dream projects, hoping to find funding, but having spent so long with the first one (I was trying to limit myself, to an extent) for it to get stuck, I think choosing a project that I can make myself with what I have is likely the best route.
Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.
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