I’ve searched the web from wall to wall for inspiration from the DIY world. Barely a pot to piss in. We know the reason.
We’re not even DIY. God bless ya boys but we can’t relate. We immediately gloss over any blog posts involving money and/or budgets. Even the no-budget companies have budgets! Suggestions like “hire a cheap grip crew” or “barter with a catering company” fly straight out the window. You know our strategy? Ask a teenager from Mike’s landscaping crew if he wants to be a “sound engineer” and throw a couple bags of Doritos in the groceries for the week.
Look, we love what we do and how we do it. But is there anybody out there that is “no budget” in the truest sense?
If so, we’d love to talk.
We do like this little speech. Check it.
{ 1 trackback }
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Truly, the days of Harvey W. and Miramax snapping up scripts and deep-pocketed foreign distribution deals are gone… It’s easier to raise the dead than money.
Although, i have found a few people willing to invest $10K-$20K in a trailer or proof-of-concept short ala “Slingblade” or “District 9″ (both originally shorts).
The only other thing i’ve learned is that a good take w/convincing acting is priceless. Everything else is just technique. the goal of any director is to get a really good performance out of their talent. What do you guys think?
Thanks for your thoughts Matt. I completely agree with you. The big money is disappearing but a new, less lucrative model seems to be emerging. Mastering this new model is another story!
I think you hit it on the head with good take comment. The audience knows when you hit the note, which is really cool. Another form of success is people buying into the flick. This starts with convincing acting but the story has to be mixed in there. I even think a good story can serve as a patchwork for brief moments of faulty acting. It’s not ideal, but I think the audience will forgive. Do you agree?
No budget in the true sense would be me. I have no ties to the film making industry. Zero experience or street cred, which means no one is interested in giving money.
I’ve started scrapping together enough money to start a business, to hopefully buy equipment or rent, and reach out to others for help (who have less knowledge than I do!!).
Bootstrapping without straps is slow work.
Mostly it boils down to doing the work, myself, for free. Finding odd jobs to help pay for whatever I need next. It is a step by step process. While I work on scripts & development ideas I save for the equipment, when I have enough money for the equipment I’ll start gathering help, once help is gathered I’ll have to organize filming, after filming I’ll edit, find music, and figure out how to get it into the world.
What I have learned is the story I want to tell is my responsibility to make happen. Reading books, blogs, talking to people, watching films, watching how to videos and podcasts, finding others who have built equipment from scratch on the cheap. It’s mine to figure out.
Story, acting, presentation are all part of it. Being realistic about the limitations of money allows me to figure out how to tell the story the best way I can. Stories are timeless, passed down generation to generation.
People are always interested in hearing a good story regardless if it’s wrapped in a 10k budget (which would be a dream if I even had a budget to work with). All the stories you hear on a daily basis from friends, family, or strangers may not be presented the best way but if it’s an interesting story… people pay attention. With $0 budget, it’s the only advantage I have. Telling a story people are interested in.
Killer stuff Nick. Thanks for kicking in your thoughts and letting us know you’re running the same race. The reason Vanish started was because we had stories to tell and we were too stubborn to listen to the pessimists. I love the challenge of creating a movie without the budget. Although it takes awhile, I never felt trapped by anything. I’m officially addicted.
Comment anytime you want Nick. We like the cut of your jib.