Filmmaking on a Shoestring Budget

Coming after the success of the "Blair Witch" or "Paranormal Activity" movie serials and success, ultra low budget films are gaining in popularity. The reality is that Hollywood is as cash tight as Fort Knox and independent film makers have to find their own way to make their film dreams a reality. While most of us don't have rich uncles or millionaire grandmothers to fund our films, there are still creative ways to make films with little to no money.

To make a film, you need more than an idea. You need actors, crew and locations. You need props, cameras, and lighting equipment. You need agreements, releases and a great deal of patience. While some of these things don't cost much, they cost.

For legal forms and other items, you can rely on film resource websites. Most have standard location releases, talent releases, materials releases and the like.

Sometimes, film competition websites, such as the 48 Hour Film Project, have useful samples upon which you can model your forms.

As for crew and cast, consider what they want and what you can offer. In the absence of money, you can offer them a film credit, which is helping in their getting more industry related work. You can offer a copy of their work, a DVD, which helps them develop their talent reels. Many excellent talent and crew want experience and willing to trade their time for these things.

The first scene cannot be shot without a camera, film or lights. While most filmmakers may have their own equipment, some newcomers may not. While cameras and the like can be rented, another way to save on costs would be to contact videographers and video companies willing to trade their time for a film credit or co-producer title on your film. Often, crew will donate their equipment for use during filming. Editors will have their own software and programs and offer those in exchange for a film credit.

Arranging for locations can be a complicated part of organizing a film shoot. If you have no money, you have little to no money to spend on film liability insurance, and many locations want guarantees that your talent and crew will not wreck their homes, businesses or other property. For locations, the gift is in the getting. Friends are often willing to have their homes or businesses showcased in a film. The trade will be special credits and thank yous about the locations in your film.

If you don't have friends who can offer great locations, simply approach smaller companies and businesses that don't mind offer space for publicity or a trade in services. You can offer a 30 second spot or a copy of the film for the business to show or share.

While a man cannot live on bread alone, a film crew and cast cannot produce a film on an empty stomach. Producers can offer meals as part of a payment for their film team. Many companies offer low cost meals or free meals in exchange for film credits under the special thanks or catering services section.

Most states, such as the Commonwealth of Virginia, offer sales tax breaks to all filmmakers. In purchases, be sure to have the appropriate documentation to show merchants in order to get the tax relief.

Making your first or your fiftieth film can create an amazing sense of accomplishment; however, limited resources do not have to make you limit your dream. While your script was born out of creativity, film production will also require some creativity if you have little to no money to make your film a reality. Bartering, food, and acknowledgments should not be underestimated, because for the independent filmmaker, they have made many great films possible.