Ways To Create An Indie Film With No Money

This post is about how to get started in Lower Budget Indie Film Making. The goal is to inspire you to begin now. We will discuss the script, resources and equipment needed, production, post-production, and what to do once you’re finished. Our aim is to convince you that even the busiest and financially limited individuals can create a feature film. If you’re not organized, it’s time to get prepared. Start by purchasing a notebook for 99 cents and allocate an hour a day. If you can’t find an hour, let’s start with 20 minutes.

The movie script is the most crucial element of any film. Without a great story, you have nothing. There are many resources and excellent content on movie-making, so try visiting your local library and find Syd Field’s book. Consider spending 20 minutes a day reading his book while you develop a story concept to work on. Your script should be relatively simple, like a stage play. Limit the number of characters and locations. Choosing locations on a small budget can be one of the most challenging obstacles to getting your film made. Try to develop a story set in a specific place that you have access to. Minimize the need for props and anything else that would cost money. Even if you have ample funds, I still recommend keeping things to a bare minimum for your first project. Keep things as simple as possible.

As for equipment, you will obviously need a camera to record the film. If you can afford one or have access to a semi-professional HD camera (with a microphone jack and sound adjustment controls), it will enhance your production value. If you can record on a camera with a 35MM lens, it will provide the best end product and production value. You’ll need three lights. Remember, when shooting HD video, you only need three softboxes. You can manage with two softboxes, and your third light can be a practical light. Microphones will greatly improve the production value; good sound is essential for a professional-looking film. Even if you can borrow everything else or work with just practical lighting and the microphone on the camera, you will still need media to record and store the film. I highly recommend investing in a backup of the film saved on a hard drive. This is the one thing you should spend money on. Trust me, if you only have one drive, there’s a chance it could fail, resulting in the loss of all your footage. Never skimp on creating a backup of your footage when making a film. The only other point I strongly insist on is that if you’re directing, you should not also be acting in the film.

To get your creation started, make sure you have a compelling story. I recommend sharing your story on Trigger Street to receive feedback from independent filmmakers. If your story is well-received on Trigger Street, it’s time to move forward with pre-production. Ideally, you have a friend who wants to pursue acting, and you wrote the story with them in mind. If you need actors, Craigslist is a good place to explore. Another option is to network with local filmmakers and cast actors from their projects. Local festivals and film contests can also be excellent avenues for finding actors. If you come across a short film featuring an actor who would be suitable for your project, not only can you obtain their contact information from the director, but also a reference. If you don’t have a budget, you can serve as the sound, lighting, and camera operator, but it would still be beneficial to enlist a friend or someone to be a producer and assist you with other aspects so you can focus on directing the film. When directing, it’s common to begin with an establishing shot and then move in for coverage. I also recommend capturing at least two takes, and I prefer shooting with a ratio of at least 1:15, meaning each scene is shot 15 times. This allows for different angles, close-ups, and reaction shots.

Post-production is often considered one of the most challenging aspects of filmmaking. If you don’t have much experience with computers, it may be helpful to involve someone else to assist you. While filming, it’s important to keep a log of every shot and mark your preferred takes. Make notes of any exceptional moments. This will be helpful when you have a 90-minute film with 15 takes, which amounts to over 1,300 minutes of footage to review and edit. Aside from assembling a rough cut, other aspects of post-production include sound editing and color grading. These elements significantly contribute to the production value and can make or break your film. At the very least, they will help make your film more watchable.

Once your film is completed, consider seeking a producer’s representative to assist you in marketing and distributing the film. They can negotiate with potential buyers and help secure screenings at film festivals. They typically work on a back-end commission, and their experience can greatly increase the chances of your film being seen. There are hundreds of film festivals out there, so be sure to seriously consider local festivals, as films often get acquired from such events. It’s also a great opportunity to network and lay the groundwork for your next project.

Manuel Marino

Manuel Marino is a seasoned Senior Producer, Music Composer, and Artist with over a decade of experience. He specializes in branded entertainment across various mediums, including video games, films, and advertising campaigns. With 20+ years as a game music composer, Manuel has worked on numerous platforms, creating diverse orchestral soundtracks. HIRE ME