How to Shoot a Feature Film for Under $10,000

How to Shoot a Feature Film for Under $10,000
Author: Bret Stern
Publisher: Harper Collins
Total Pages: 324
Release: 2002-08-20
Genre: Performing Arts
ISBN: 0060084677

Right now, you're wondering, "Gee, what kind of information is in this cute yet stylish guide?" Sure, there are a bunch of other books that will take you through the filmmaking process, and if your name is Beaver Cleaver, you might be interested in them. But you should know that filmmaking is a war, and this book will lead you through it like no other. These pages contain information learned from years spent in the filmmaking trenches. Anyone with a credit card can rent a camera and buy film stock -- but who can: Rent a camera for two weeks and pay for only two days? Set the exposure on the camera without a light meter? Feed a crew of twenty with yesterday's chicken soup? Not many. You want more? Then turn the book over and crack her open. Still here? Fine -- we'll do it the hard way: This book will tell you how to shoot a sex scene, tell you what a stinger is. And if you need help writing your script, we'll give you some scenes to copy right into your screen-play -- and yes, we even provide the characters. In short, everything you need to know about filmmaking in the real world is in this book. Everything. We'll even help you select the proper baseball cap so you can look like a big-time director. Now start reading. Let's make film history.

Feature Filmmaking at Used-car Prices

Feature Filmmaking at Used-car Prices
Author: Rick Schmidt
Publisher: Viking Adult
Total Pages: 264
Release: 1988
Genre: Performing Arts
ISBN:

Independent producer and director Schmidt discusses the techniques of creating and financing low-budget feature films. Since for him the low-budget level hovers around $6,000 his advice is well-directed to both students and beginning professionals who want to test their filmmaking skills. Schmidt starts with the most basic element--the concept of the film itself--and shows how the idea is developed from scripts and other reproduction aspects to actual filming. Editing is discussed along with other post-production activities before the promotional elements of filmmaking are explained. Throughout, Schmidt balances technical considerations and aesthetic issues. A final chapter is devoted to the video format. ISBN 0-670-82264-7: $18.95.

Naked Filmmaking

Naked Filmmaking
Author: Mike Carroll
Publisher: CreateSpace
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2010-04-02
Genre: Low budget films
ISBN: 9781450510264

Award-winning filmmaker Mike Carroll guides you through his proven step-by-step process of how to single-handedly make a feature-length film without going bankrupt in the process. Mike has single-handedly made three features as writer-producer-director-cinematographer-sound recordist-editor, all of which have played in film festivals on the big screen. "This is not so much a How-To book for making movies, because there are plenty of those out there-almost all of which seem to say the same thing. This is a How-I-Do book, how I make a film-from concept to production to editing to how I design the poster for screenings-because I think my method is quite a bit different from most other filmmakers. And a heck of a lot less expensive!"In this book Mike walks you through his process for writing a script for a film that will essentially require no money to make it, then on to his unique style of casting, choosing the right camera and getting locations. He also discusses how to shoot a film using only the light that is there, as well as how to light a location at night so that it doesn't look like it is artificially lit at all. His method of directing actors to get great performances, the kind of microphones to use to record perfect dialogue audio, and how to start editing it all together. Then what he's learned through screenings, both good and bad, at film festivals & selling his films to the World. You've read all the screenwriting books. Attended the writer's workshops. You've got that great, perfectly-formatted script for your Sundance debut film. Only one problem: nobody will read it. Thousands of scripts arrive in Hollywood every week - never to be heard from again. Stop banging your head against the wall. Make Your Movie Yourself. Illustrated with 150 photos - behind-the-scenes and frame blowups from the films themselves. Also including script extracts. Mike's films "Dog Soldiers," "Year" and "Nightbeats" are all available on DVD and as digital downloads from Amazon and make perfect filmmaking companions to this book. Each DVD includes in-depth audio commentaries and "Year" and "Nightbeats" also include making-of documentaries and detailed alternative examples of how sequences were edited. For more information visit mikecarrollfilms.com.

Cheap Movie Tricks

Cheap Movie Tricks
Author: Rickey Bird
Publisher: Mango Media Inc.
Total Pages: 178
Release: 2017-05-23
Genre: Performing Arts
ISBN: 1633535444

Want to know how to make a movie on a tight budget? How to make a movie: Filmmaker Rickey Bird and screenwriter and novelist Al Guevara are on a mission to help indie moviemakers everywhere. Today’s indie film market is growing by leaps and bounds. At the same time, many aspiring filmmakers are running into their share of problems: • not enough money for crews • over budget and more than likely making the wrong movie • can’t get the attention of an indie studio • should have started with a short film to gain attention Cheap Movie Tricks: Film school numbers aren’t down. They’re increasing at more than 2,600 film-related courses worldwide. You probably didn’t even realize 48% of all film schools are in the U.S. and U.K. Thousands of aspiring filmmakers are literally learning how to use cheaper, widely available filmmaking technology, as well as the craft of making movies from books pulled from bookstore and library shelves. They’re totally DIY and the most creative people you will ever meet. Rickey Bird’s Hectic Films is a Southern California enterprise that is building a filmmaking empire on a budget. His short films, feature films, micro docs and tutorials have landed in some of the biggest American film festivals and been seen online throughout the world. The result? Millions of views worth of exposure from films online, in festivals and creative marketing literally on the street. His many projects have seen leading B actors like Hulk Hogan and Vernon Wells (Mad Max Road Warrior), make-up artists from the TV show Grimm, and stuntmen from the Call of Duty games. What you’ll learn inside this book: • how planning and shooting a short film today can lead to a feature-length project tomorrow • everything you need to know about writing a movie project on a burger budget • tips on how to find locations and not get arrested • shooting tips galore for building exciting scenes • sound and film editing tips and all kinds of special effects wizardry, including puppetry • screenings, promotions and juicy tips on film festival strategy

The Complete Guide to Low-Budget Feature Filmmaking

The Complete Guide to Low-Budget Feature Filmmaking
Author: Josh Becker
Publisher: Wildside Press LLC
Total Pages: 222
Release: 2006-02-01
Genre: Performing Arts
ISBN: 0809556901

Most books about film production assume that you have an idea and a script to shoot. Most screenwriting books are geared to how to write a script that you can sell to Hollywood (as though the authors of these books had the slightest clue) and do not take into consideration that you might be shooting the script yourself, possibly with your own money. This book is about how to write a script properly that you can rationally shoot, how to shoot it, how to finish it, how to sell it, and also how to get it shown.

Shooting Movies Without Shooting Yourself in the Foot

Shooting Movies Without Shooting Yourself in the Foot
Author: Jack Anderson
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Total Pages: 338
Release: 2012-11-12
Genre: Performing Arts
ISBN: 1136040498

Shooting Movies is the book for all those film enthusiasts who can't get on a professional set or can't undertake studies at an expensive film school. This book approaches the subject of cinematography from a 'hands-on, in the trenches' viewpoint, as though the reader were an apprentice on the set. It's a book about learning to shoot a film without making an idiot of yourself and wasting lots of time and money. It's a book about how to take artistic inspiration and make it a reality. A breezy writing style mixed with practical, interactive exercises geared for both film and video give filmmakers the experience they need to take their work to the next level. Beginning with fundamental techniques and concepts of cinematography, the author shares his many years of experience with the reader, imparting invaluable advice and guidance on how to avoid common pitfalls, and more importantly, learn from mistakes. This title provides a mentorship-in-a-book approach not found any of the other technical guides to cinematography, using both film and video exercises. It is written for filmmakers working on a budget. Unique exercises throughout the book provide the reader with an interactive experience that will give them a higher level of expertise and will improve the quality of their shooting, lighting, and reel - all on a budget. It helps you learn the realty of filmmaking from the cinematographer's perspective. Companion website showcases video samples, visual demonstrations of the exercises in the book, and further video explanations of the concepts that are better explained visually.

Naked Filmmaking: How to Make a Feature-Length Film-Without a Crew-For $10,000-$6,000 Or Less Revised and Expanded for DSLR Filmmakers

Naked Filmmaking: How to Make a Feature-Length Film-Without a Crew-For $10,000-$6,000 Or Less Revised and Expanded for DSLR Filmmakers
Author: Mike Carroll (Filmmaker)
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2013-03-13
Genre: Low budget films
ISBN: 9781475027488

Whether your goal is to break into Hollywood or the local film festival, post to the Internet, or simply to prove to everyone (and yourself) that you were meant to make films. Stop banging your head against the wall -- Make Your Movie Yourself! "Naked Filmmaking" is newly revised & expanded for DSLR filmmakers, with more than 50% more information than the first edition of Naked Filmmaking (first edition contained 65,000 words - new edition contains over 101,000 words) and over 100 new photographs. One-Man Filmmaker MIKE CARROLL guides you through his proven step-by-step process of how to single-handedly make a feature-length film without going bankrupt in the process. Mike has single-handedly made three features as writer-producer-director-cinematographer-sound recordist-editor, all of which have played in film festivals on the big screen. Mike shows step-by-step how to: Write a script that you can afford to make. Cast & direct actors. Choose cameras & lenses. Shooting methods & lighting. Know the difference in microphones & record perfect sound. Editing - it's more that just cutting shots together. Finding music & creating sound effects. Build a website to promote your film, design a poster & publicity for festivals. Self-distribute your film to the world. "This is not so much a How-To book for making movies, because there are plenty of those out there-almost all of which seem to say the same thing. This is a How-I-Do book, how I make a film-from concept to production to editing to how I design the poster for screenings-because I think my method is quite a bit different from most other filmmakers. And a heck of a lot less expensive!" Mike even includes detailed budget breakdowns of his two feature films to show exactly how you can make a movie for $10,000 - or $6,000 - or less! 20-page screenplay extract - with frame blow-ups - from Mike's film "Nightbeats." Illustrated with over 250 photographs.

How To Make A Feature Film For Less Than A Grand (The Making of Dark Matter)

How To Make A Feature Film For Less Than A Grand (The Making of Dark Matter)
Author: Mol Smith
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2014-10-30
Genre: Low budget films
ISBN: 9781503039612

Many books exist to help film makers create their feature films, especially on low budgets. My one tells you how to do it without harping on about things you don't need to know and are probably out-of-date. This book is about how I made two feature films - one called 'Tainted Love', the other called 'Dark Matter'. Both are available on streaming sites like Vimeo On Demand. The second film, I decided to cut through all the filming processes with a sharp knife. As an analyst for many years looking at processes for one of the largest companies in the UK, I could see glaring issues in why it was so difficult to finance and make my first movie. I decided to plan and make a top-notch looking movie for just £1000. This is much less than most people look for to make a 10 minute short, let alone a well made full length feature. I did it. I can't say it was easy, but I wrote it, produced it, directed it, shot it, and edited it. And... I financed it! You can do it too. My book tells it the way it is: the problems I encountered, their solutions, every aspect. It includes the script too so you can understand the movie against how it was written. You will find out how to edit without an expensive editing suite, what minimum gear you need to shoot it, and all the forms to help you plan it and shoot your movie via a link published inside. Nothing is hidden. There is no arty hedonistic dialogue, no regurgitating of 'Film-School' processes -- just practical easy to understand cut-to-the-chase method. A proven method. My method. You can do 3 years plus in a film school for thousands of pounds, wait years afterwards trying to get a chance to make a film, or you can wise-up, step up, read my book, watch my movie and have yours in the can within a year or less. And all that for less than £20. Three years ago, I'd never made a film. I have now produced 2 feature films, and 6 shorts, all inside 3 years. I never went to film school. I'm not boasting. I'm saying there is nothing gifted or talented about me. If I can do it, if I can learn and achieve it from scratch, so can you. I bought all the books at the start too. Few of them really helped. Most of them were out of date and out of time due to the rapidly advancing technologies at our disposal. Mine is bang up to now! You don't have to dream about making a movie any longer, you can simply do it! It isn't the money you need: it's the method!

Movies Without Baggage

Movies Without Baggage
Author: Alain Silver
Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
Total Pages: 288
Release: 2014-12-01
Genre: Low budget films
ISBN: 9780715645901

With the rise of 3D, CGI, and nine-figure budgets, the movie business has never seemed more expensive than it does today. But, in reality, making a movie for next to nothing has never been easier. In Movies without Baggage, longtime filmmaker Alain Silver shows how twenty-first-century technology makes it possible to produce high-quality, full-length feature films for less than $50,000, $25,000 or even $10,000. There has never been a book like this written by a filmmaker with so much experience on both sides of the camera. Silver covers everything from finding/creating the right script; budgeting, casting, and signing contracts; scheduling, crewing, and shooting; post-production; and finally marketing and securing distribution. Richly illustrated with stills from his own ultra-low-budget films, Movies without Baggage is the ultimate guide for the aspiring guerrilla filmmaker.

Feature Films on a Low Budget

Feature Films on a Low Budget
Author: John Randall
Publisher: Butterworth-Heinemann
Total Pages: 160
Release: 1991
Genre: Performing Arts
ISBN:

Offers tips for successfully writing, directing, producing, and distributing a low budget feature. It contains practical examples of contracts, forms, and budgets, and real-life samples drawn from an actual film produced and distributed internationally by Mr. Randall.