My No-Budget Film Tips!

I finally finished creating my film! Even if I created just an opening, I'd learned a lot from the short production I made. I thought it would be nice if today, I shared what I learned with you guys, and how it helped me throughout my film-making journey. Let's dive in!

Pre-Production

 

1. Write for Avaliability

My first tip is to base your film's story off of locations, props, and actors that are accessible to you. For mine, I didn't hire any professional actors or use "high-tech" equipment. Instead, I used friends and family members that were avaliable on weekends to help me film. We used our phones and reliable editing programs to compile the clips and produce our final product. Writing for what is available guaranteed that our film gets made instead of stuck in development.

2. Minimize Locations 

My second tip is to stick to one to three filming locations. This saves money, time, and prevents shooting schedules from getting too complicated. I did this for my movie. My friend and I filmed at both my house and her house. This was easy to do because we live very close to eachother. Additionally, actors may not be up for traveling or have the flexibility for it. Having a small, but safe amount of locations ensures everyone can stay on-board and increases efficiency. 

3. Have a Reliable Script  

My third and final tip for this stage would be to have a concise, reliable script to base your film off of. Don't try to overcomplicate it or "fluff-it-up." This reduces the amount of time wasted on the actual day of the shoot. With scripts, everyone has a clear-cut idea of how the film will play out, allowing for things to go smoother. Small tweaks to the script or changes in plot direction can then easily be made.

Production

 

1. Maintain a Small Crew

Having a small crew ensures utmost efficiency and agility on set. It allows the filming process to move faster, increasing the amount of time you can dedicate torwards editing and promoting your film! My movie's crew was especially small. I only needed two actors for my script. So, we took turns recording eachother's scenes--doubling both as film recorders and cast members!

2. Ensure High-Quality Sound 

Sound is an integral part of film. When you don't have a big budget or access to high-quality sound systems, it is important to prioritize! A good microphone should do the trick. I simply used my iPhone's microphone to record my film's audio and dialogue, showing that you don't need fancy equipment to ensure your production sounds good. You can also integrate ready-made sound effects and download music to enhance your film's effect. This is something I recommend to make it feel more professional. 

3. Use Natural Lighting to its Advantage 

My final tip is especially important. Make sure you don't sleep on natural lighting! It really helps set a mood and and creates atmosphere without requiring special ringlights or LEDs. For my film, I used natural lighting along with the lighting I already have. I have fairy lights and LEDs in my room that created a moody atmosphere for my main character's room, mimicking her grumpy, "reserved" personality. But, I used soft and ambient sunlight when introducing my second protagonist, painting her as a vibrant character whilst giving my film visual interest.