Hiring/Finding a DP

[sageandchocolate]

Hey everyone! I'm new here.. obviously lol since I'm in the Newbies thread. So a little about my situation - when I say newbie, I mean it. I've decided to be overly ambitious for my first project and do a historical feature on about a $10,000 budget (pending funding). ...It's less of a 'my calling is to work in film' and more of a 'I was born to tell this story and it needs to be on film' sort of thing. There are also certain personal reasons why the film needs to be made this year - otherwise it's very doubtful it will ever get done. I'm a stay at home/work at home writer with plenty of time to work with the small details for pre and post production and I've got a clear vision of what I want. Organization and planning is something I excel in. I'm willing to learn to do what I can (I'll be doing the editing in post, for example) and I've been researching like crazy...

However, I'm afraid to shoot it myself because I lack experience. Also because there's no way I'm not making myself one of the actors So the question is, how do I go about hiring a DP to shoot the film for practically nothing? I was thinking of approaching different professionals in my area (several wedding videographers, for example) on the off chance that they would agree to a drastically lowered rate or be able to point me in the direction of a promising student who would. If no responses come in from the pros (and I know, it's a long shot!), then approaching the local colleges.

I feel like I should begin this process now? The more time in planning, the better, I was thinking - especially if it takes a while to find someone or if my first choice falls through. If all goes well, I'd be funded by the beginning of April and I want to shoot in May. Since the budget is terrible, I was hoping I could find a DP for $1000, spend $1000 on a camera to use for the shoot (and keep it afterwards), as well as $1000 for the sound production mixer (and I honestly have even less of a clue how to find one of those!) Any extra room in the budget would go towards padding the salary of the pros.

What questions should I ask? That's probably the point of this long posting, lol. I know that I want the film shot digitally on the camera I'll provide (though if they want to use their own, I'm not against it) and I anticipated having to spend money on certain equipment, though like I said, I'm still a novice and would need the input of my DP as to what equipment to buy.

 

[Sweetie]

So the question is, how do I go about hiring a DP to shoot the film for practically nothing?

Start at the top, ask lots and lots of people until you get a yes (which will probably be close to the bottom). You may even be lucky enough to find someone who has their own equipment.

What questions should I ask?

Do you have low self esteem?

Do you mind if I use Jedi mind tricks on you?

Do you have any experience being a slave?

Do you mind working for someone who doesn't know what they're doing for little to no money?

Do you really expect to be fed while working on a movie?

You don't mind paying your own way, right?

But in all seriousness, you can find crews to do what you're looking for if you're incredibly charismatic, even if you're totally clueless like you admitted. Just realize that you'll need others to fill the skills you lack. Just make sure you're well organized or have someone who can organize people very well otherwise you'll be looking for replacements regularly, which may happen anyway.

Good luck and chase your dream.

 

[sageandchocolate]

Thank you Sweetie!

Your list of questions made me laugh

And for what it's worth, I know I won't be able to pay my actors, so I do intend to feed everyone as best I can!

Do you think that approaching people through email first is an okay way to begin? Maybe if I attach a video talking about the project? That way I won't leave anything out at first, there's still a face to face component kinda sorta, and I could follow it up with a phone call?

 

[Modern Day Myth Prod. LLC]

Do you have any friends who are experienced filmmakers that you can ask to mentor you on your first productiom?

More important than Sweetie's concerns is that there are sharks who will leave you bleeding and gutted finamcially, if you don't know what you are doing.

 

[samwagner1000]

My experience as a no budget filmmaker tells me this:
1. Use Craigslist for casting and crew calls.

2. Be honest about budget, you'll find people interested who want experience or fun anyway.

3. Borrow gear from local universities (sometimes a crewmember or castmember must go to that school in order to check it out), lots of times this gear will be professional quality, just well worn (beat to shit)

4. Have a very strong script. If that means hiring someone to rewrite and rewrite, do it. People will be interested in it no matter what if the story is strong and well told.

5. Buy a lesser camera instead of a lesser lens.

6. Feed everybody.

7. Don't work long days unless ABSOLUTELY necessary. As a volunteer on no-budget projects, I have fun, until the day goes longer than 10 or 12 hours...

8. Scout all your locations.

9. Ask for favors in return for favors. (If I can use your business for my location this day, I'll take photographs for your Christmas card next year)

10. Don't be shy. Call and walk into fabric places asking if they have scrap leather that you can take off their hands (for costuming). Talk to store managers about shooting before or after hours at their place of business.

11. Don't skimp on audio.

Basically just put in the leg work. If you work hard and show drive and a fun attitude things will come together.

 

[Zensteve]

I'll be doing the editing in post

That's when it's traditionally done... just sayin'

I was hoping I could find a DP for $1000, spend $1000 on a camera to use for the shoot (and keep it afterwards), as well as $1000 for the sound production mixer (and I honestly have even less of a clue how to find one of those!) Any extra room in the budget would go towards padding the salary of the pros.

Why buy a camera? You can get a lot of value just renting what you need. You could even have enough money left over to rent lighting, so your cam-op can really make that rented camera shine. Or maybe the camo-op has his/her own suitable camera to start with. You could bump their rate a wee bit, and still have a bunch of the budget saved.

As to how to find one... personal recomendations are usually a good way to start. Also, where do you live? Some cities are just gonna have more of them than others.

Lots of broad questions. The answers may be a bit easier to find, when more focused.

 

[Modern Day Myth Prod. LLC]

Try a film school for your cast and crew. That may be your best bet for a first timer with no money. See if you can work something out where they can get some class credit and it gets shown in their school.

That can get you both people and equipment for free.

 

[Sweetie]

Your list of questions made me laugh

And for what it's worth, I know I won't be able to pay my actors, so I do intend to feed everyone as best I can!

Do you think that approaching people through email first is an okay way to begin? Maybe if I attach a video talking about the project? That way I won't leave anything out at first, there's still a face to face component kinda sorta, and I could follow it up with a phone call?

I was in a little mood when I wrote that, sorry.

During this weekend was the first time I worked with an entirely volunteer cast and crew (since film school) with a total peep count of about 35. I came in about a week out from shooting as the First AD. We had a very wide range of experiences ranging from their first shoot to over a decade of experience. We even had our DP who pretty much had most of the equipment needed for the shoot (I think all he was missing was a boom/mic). So you can find people with the gear who are willing to volunteer. There's a local kid here who has a Red Scarlet volunteering all over the place.

Organizing these people was rather difficult and there were some no shows (which happens on non paid gigs). The director organized all these people either from personal contacts, through Starnow.com and/or through the contacts of those who had already volunteered. He told me most of them came from starnow and he was very clear that it was for no pay positions.

Email was the most used way to contact, though email is very slow and can be imprecise if not used well. Throughout the weekend, I figure I was also on the telephone about 8-10 hours just getting to know people, getting a feel of people and organizing schedules and what's needed. I also used a lot of SMS.

The problem I see you're going to have is your crew. When volunteering, your crew is rarely likely to be experienced in the position they're applying for. If they were experienced, they're usually looking for paid work unless they really get excited and love your project. For instance, you'll find a camera operator who wants to get DP credit, Editors who want to try their hand at Directing, PAs wanting to be a producer, runners being grips and so forth. This works quite well if A) you can organize everything well and know this before hand and B). You know their job and can help them get what you need. Your inexperience might limit who you can accept.

Actors are in a similar boat where great actors won't come on unless it's a passion project for them. The good news. There are lots and lots and lots of people who want to become an actor. Just tap in to that base of people. There are also a lot of people who haven't made it and are happy to do work for no pay to build a reel.

If I were you, I'd find a way to volunteer (a runner or PA, or if you know something about food, catering would probably work well) to get on to set and see how things go. Learn things. Learn about pre-production too. It's extremely important.

Ask questions on Indietalk too.

 

[sageandchocolate]

Thanks ya'll! I'm syncing all these ideas and making a plan forward

To answer some questions....

I don't live in a major city, but I'm not in the boondocks either. Near enough to Greenville, SC to draw from there and the surrounding area.

Camera... Like I said, my passion is this particular story that needs telling, but I've always been entranced by film-making, so I figure owning the camera will help as an impetus to actually learn more of the shooting side at some point. Keep my options open? Plus, when not in use I wouldn't mind shooting a 'behind the scenes' thing myself - some experience, but if it sucks it's not a big deal.

 

[Alcove Audio]

The cranky, crabby, old fart, party pooper Uncle Bob always has to put his weasel words...

The first is painfully obvious... You are completely ignoring sound. Your PSM/boom-op is at least as important as your DP. If your audience cannot clearly hear the dialog without effort and distractions you've already lost them.

Who is going to do the audio post? It is a very complex task which also requires a bit of skill.

Your picture will only look as good as it sounds, because
"Sound is half of the experience."​

Your $10k is going to have to be very carefully invested. In fact, if you have a $10k budget you only have a $9k budget. "Put aside" 10% as an emergency fund; trust me, you will need it.

I'll assume that you already have a carefully honed script that's been vetted by a few objective professionals. Do you have a preliminary shooting script with storyboards? And how about a detailed budget analysis?


As to your original question, you need to watch lots and lots of indie projects, both shorts and features, to find a DP/cinematographer whose style(s) and look(s) you like. You also, once you have whittled the list down a few likely prospects, spend some time with them; a great resumé is not enough, you need to be compatible. The same applies to your other department heads.



One last piece of advice - you need a creative partner (line producer or whatever title you want to give them) to handle the "business" side of the production while you concentrate on being an "artist" and directing your cast and crew.

 

[knightly]

I would also add that directing and acting takes an amazingly talented person to pull off effectively. I wouldn't necessarily try doing both on your first go around. You'll be shocked at how much each of those takes in terms of mental effort. Doing each will make the other suffer.

 

[Sweetie]

Thanks ya'll! I'm syncing all these ideas and making a plan forward

To answer some questions....

I don't live in a major city, but I'm not in the boondocks either. Near enough to Greenville, SC to draw from there and the surrounding area.

Camera... Like I said, my passion is this particular story that needs telling, but I've always been entranced by film-making, so I figure owning the camera will help as an impetus to actually learn more of the shooting side at some point. Keep my options open? Plus, when not in use I wouldn't mind shooting a 'behind the scenes' thing myself - some experience, but if it sucks it's not a big deal.

Another point is you're often better learning on someone elses dime. Or at least on the coattails of other talented people. Use your strengths (perhaps your eagerness to act) to get on to local sets. Almost every city has some sort of independent film making groups, sometimes it is just a little tricky to find them.

In regards to your story, you really need to ask, is it a story that YOU really need to tell or is it a story that everyone WANTS to see? If it's the later, it really needs to be made. If it is the former, no one is really going to care. The difference is really important. I have a friend who has a story that strictly falls in the former category and she's having troubles getting the project off the ground.

What Alcove said is mostly true you need to know why. If you look at the credits of a Hollywood movie, you will see thousands of people in the credits. Are these people needed? Yes and no. Each movie has its own special requirements of personnel, equipment and resources. While you do need all these, you can still make a movie without it all. Just realize that each and every bit you cut out, removing a named actor here, removing the crane there, using cheaper video and audio (or not using it at all for audio that some do) equipment and so on changes the final quality of the movie. Take out too many items and you'll cross the line to the point where your production value is below what the audience is expecting. Once you cross that point you end up with a final product that has no real commercial value.

If your goal is to just get your story out there and have a few people watch it, go for it. Make the movie and learn from the experience. You may find in the end that you love or hate the process. If you love it that can be your motivation to learn and grow into an exceptional film maker. We all hard to start somewhere. You're somewhat ahead of the pack: Most don't even have the $10k to make their first.

 

[stef]

I was hoping I could find a DP for $1000, spend $1000 on a camera to use for the shoot (and keep it afterwards), as well as $1000 for the sound production mixer (and I honestly have even less of a clue how to find one of those!)

You might save yourself $1k... Offer the DP a budget of $1000 to improve his existing gear instead of payment. As payment upon finishing the film, he gets to keep the hardware. If you still want a $1000 camera, you can just go buy one new.

I'm going to be shooting a series shortly, and I just told the guys "buy me an EVF", and that's only about $750. Yeah, it's not much, but there's a reason I'm in the "newbie" section.