When you’re embarking on making your first movie, money is going to be at the top of your mind. Budgeting for a feature film can be really complicated.
You want to have the best end product on screen, but you also want to have enough money to finish the movie.
Today, we want to go over the expensive mistake you could make, tell you how to avoid it, and give you some general advice when it comes to making your first movie.
Sound good?
Let’s dive in.
There’s No Such Thing As The “Right” Camera
When it comes to making a feature film, there are a ton of things to worry about on set. It can be overwhelming.
But the thing you need to remember is that it’s not the cost of everything on set that makes a good movie…it’s the skill and dedication of the people involved.
That’s why we would recommend not renting the most expensive equipment for your first movie, specifically not the most expensive camera.
That can drive insurance up and it can become a pretty big line on the budget.
There are so many good cameras out there. Work with your DP and rental houses to see what you actually can afford based on what your needs are, not what you want to tell people you shot on.
Look for deals, grants, and other things to offset this, but also be okay with settling on the tool, because you know the person who wields it
A great camera is a fun idea, but you may want your money to go further into other items, like overtime, extra shoot days, and food.
The thing is, the most expensive toys are not going to make your movie better.
You should really put the most time and effort into developing the script. People want to connect with a story, they don’t usually care about how clear the visuals are. And if you have saved some money, you can probably afford to do more takes as well.
As a first-timer, you want everything to be perfect, but perfect comes from prep, not from paying a ton of money.
Take your time, work with your crew heads, and be patient. It took you so long to get here, to this moment, trust your instincts to get you through to the next moments.
Summing Up
It’s important to remember that filmmaking is a learning process, and mistakes are inevitable.
They happen in every movie, no matter the size!
However, by being aware of these common issues, first-time filmmakers can increase their chances of success.
And their chances at making a second movie.
Let me know what you think in the comments.
Author: Jason Hellerman
This article comes from No Film School and can be read on the original site.
