When doing a feature to short film does a camera really matter in the end or how expensive your equipment is? If your one that answered "YES" to this then you've answered wrong. Do you really believe your average film goer that is watching your respective film or any film is saying "Gee I wonder if they used the RED ONE or a Canon 5D Mark II to shoot this film". If you think that then really you have no purpose being in the business. Here's the truth when it comes to filmmaking. You don't have to have a lot of money. You don't have to have the best equipment. No what you do need is an original idea that will capture your audience. A good story is the key. Unless your a studio film because they in fact can afford to blow $250,000,000. But even in Hollywood through word of mouth if a story is well done people will goto it. Granted there are a lot pop corn flicks circulating amongst us but again those are studio driven films and they can afford to present effects driven movies to the public because usually even if its poorly done they still do manage to cut a profit. But now going back onto the subject. Cameras don't make your film. A good story does. Wether its about your dog Skippy. Or about your insane Aunt Dora. It doesn't matter as long as its a great story and its presented well. So when listening to some who say well the Canon 5D is better then your mini DV. Just remember its also whose behind the camera as well and again the camera your using isn't important. I've seen brilliant films shot on 8mm and saw others shot on a RED and they were horrible. They thought well I'm using what the Hollywood big shots are using that its going to be the best film out there because of the equipment. Yet it doesn't work that way. One of my first film shorts I submitted came in the top 4 out of like 66 other entries. It was shot on DV. Mind you yes HD does make your picture look sharp and the quality is fantastic. But it was the story that caught every bodies attention.
Well low budget filmmaking is simple and easy when you really have no money you look around you. If you know somebody that has a home or you have a place yourself you take advantage of that. Just like if they own a pacific car you love and you want to shoot it then you simply ask. If they are great friends 9 times out of 10 they'll be all for it. The key in low budget filmmaking is saving money. First thing first...
- Writing & finishing your script
Of coarse this is important. You need a script if you plan on having actors a part of it and its a serous project.
- Small Crew
Keep your crew small but hope they are devoted to your projects. I've ran into a few problems myself where some skipped out even though I was giving them an AD credit in my film(s). Usually just out of film school grads are looking for the experience.
- Actors(Mainly non union)
There are a lot of actors looking to get a fresh start and work on their craft. The ones that are looking for any on camera experience are the ones you want because both of you benefit. Although if you can afford a little bit of money to offer an actor with more experience this to is beneficial to your projects as well.
- Pre Production meet & read(s)
Usually blocking shots before shooting is your best bet. I've been on a lot of cold shoots and as a cinematographer that often is annoying. It's manageable if you have to but if you get the chance to do blocking then in the end it will be a better experience for your cinematographer and yourself if your the director. Plus do a storyboard or shot lists. Less stress on yourself and your D.O.P./Cinematographer.
It's also good if you have a pre read before you goto camera. Or ask your actors to do a monologue for you to see their strengths on camera. If in person you can work on it there. Often if you have an actor that you have just going strait at it with out any prep it takes them awhile to get it right and it waste a lot of time. And this in turn is not good if you have a location for a limited time only.
- Green Screen It
If you can't get a location you so desperately want. Then simply green screen it. It's a cheap and easy way to create locations that you want.
- Doable Locations and then there's Gorilla
If you have a home, apartment, shack etc Then use it. Or if you have friends with the same take advantage of that. Like said great friends will let you. I mean if they own a bar or a muscle car or have a smoking hot relative you want to use then go for it. Use what you can and you have access to.
There is also doing it Gorilla style. Means going to a location you want and filming there with out a permit and then getting the heck out of there fast :)
The whole deal here is to save money if your an Indy filmmaker. You don't need expensive equipment. We have a lot of great tools out there to help us out. The true key is your imagination.
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