NationStates Jolt Archive

My friends and I have contemplated making an indie film, about 90 minutes long. I have enough of the script written to make it. In fact I have several ideas. The major problem is funding, currently the budget is $115.00...not enough obviously.
Here are some of the film ideas:
<An atheist goes to a psychiatrist because he is depressed, well not really but his evangelical girlfriend thinks so, and after taking the medication is visited by God, a crude and nonsensical individual. Its about illusion and reality. Most of the film is an experiment with using stream of consciousness in a movie, which is difficult to make into dialogue.
< After murdering her husband a woman and three others go to an old mental hospital to wait out the night, with the money. Soon after arrival the grouo begins to be killed. In the end it turns out that the husband wasn't dead, only unconscious. However, the cameras will notshow him killing, it will seem as if they are doing it to themselves.
Any ideas, suggestions, and help about how to acquire funding.
Note: I can't take out a loan because I'm not 18.

Do a google search and see if anyone has a fund for supporting indie films. If they do, they'll probably want you to send them your script to see if it's worth funding. If they think it is, boom, you have money. It might help to include the fact that you're a teenager with aspirations.

If there's no one on the internet that gives out money for that then you could try asking local businesses to fund you. For this to work you either need a damn good idea or an idea that's something (The word just slipped my mind and for the life of me I can't remember it. I'll just say relevent. Interpret that any way you like; it'll be correct).

Failing that, you could just go door to door and ask people to contribute how ever much money they'd like to a bunch of poor actors and directors aspiring to be features at the sundance film festival. Even $1 from a person is great considering that you can knock on doors all day.

Do a google search and see if anyone has a fund for supporting indie films. If they do, they'll probably want you to send them your script to see if it's worth funding. If they think it is, boom, you have money. It might help to include the fact that you're a teenager with aspirations.

If there's no one on the internet that gives out money for that then you could try asking local businesses to fund you. For this to work you either need a damn good idea or an idea that's something (The word just slipped my mind and for the life of me I can't remember it. I'll just say relevent. Interpret that any way you like; it'll be correct).

Failing that, you could just go door to door and ask people to contribute how ever much money they'd like to a bunch of poor actors and directors aspiring to be features at the sundance film festival. Even $1 from a person is great considering that you can knock on doors all day.
Finding actors is no problem, and they will probably work for free. Cameras and editing and such will be the most costly.

Finding actors is no problem, and they will probably work for free. Cameras and editing and such will be the most costly.

Then you might want to try my ideas for fund raising.

Eh, personally, I don't really like your movie ideas. Too dull and abstract seeming, really.

you need to work up a realistic budget. until you know how much you need you cant ask anyone for the money.

it doesnt have to have great production values, think "the blair witch project". figure out what stuff you can do for yourself and what you need to pay for. if you can make 20 minutes of compelling movie, you can get money for more.

Eh, personally, I don't really like your movie ideas. Too dull and abstract seeming, really.
The first is meant to be abstract and is a dark comedy.

you need to work up a realistic budget. until you know how much you need you cant ask anyone for the money.

it doesnt have to have great production values, think "the blair witch project". figure out what stuff you can do for yourself and what you need to pay for. if you can make 20 minutes of compelling movie, you can get money for more.
The latter idea would be the cheapest. The costumes and props I could find at Good Will or other thrift stores, relatives will probably contribute. I estimate that at around $50.00
I don't know what the rates for cameras are, but I assume it will be in the hundreds for a rental.

My friends and I have contemplated making an indie film, about 90 minutes long. I have enough of the script written to make it. In fact I have several ideas. The major problem is funding, currently the budget is $115.00...not enough obviously.
Here are some of the film ideas:
<An atheist goes to a psychiatrist because he is depressed, well not really but his evangelical girlfriend thinks so, and after taking the medication is visited by God, a crude and nonsensical individual. Its about illusion and reality. Most of the film is an experiment with using stream of consciousness in a movie, which is difficult to make into dialogue.
< After murdering her husband a woman and three others go to an old mental hospital to wait out the night, with the money. Soon after arrival the grouo begins to be killed. In the end it turns out that the husband wasn't dead, only unconscious. However, the cameras will notshow him killing, it will seem as if they are doing it to themselves.
Any ideas, suggestions, and help about how to acquire funding.
Note: I can't take out a loan because I'm not 18.

Thats great! I'm happy to hear that your going ahead with this and not just daydreaming about it.
It's funny, I'm trying to get some funding for my film too and hear are some ideas for you.
If any of you are 'connected' use that conrction to help you, for i.e. if any of you have family that own a company, are rich, etc. use that.
Try asking companies for funds, many companies give grants to artists.
Your local government, the people that run your home town that is, also should have an 'artist funding' program and give some money about once a year to people that have good ideas, projects etc.
The thing with companies is that they are allways looking to see what they get out of the deal, goes without saying really, but what you can do is to try to work one of the 'companies stores' (if it is a store chain) into your screenplay, i.e. have a scene happen infront of one of their stores...that way people can see their logo and that is an advert. So thats what they get...an advert in the film...also you could ad them to the credit list and say 'Special Thanks too....blablabla.' They like that.
Good luck...p.s. just TG me if you want to ask something about filmmaking, i have made a few shorts and adverts so I could help.

My uncle is great with a computer and already agreed to help with some ediing.

My uncle is great with a computer and already agreed to help with some ediing.
There you go. Any help you can get is great, that way youll have more time to focus on the things you can do well. Take some time to learn from the people that are helping you like your uncle, might help you in the future. :)

There you go. Any help you can get is great, that way youll have more time to focus on the things you can do well. Take some time to learn from the people that are helping you like your uncle, might help you in the future. :)
can you give me some advice on camera shots? How to make the people being killed looked as if no one is there but them.

can you give me some advice on camera shots? How to make the people being killed looked as if no one is there but them.
Sure....Dont understand what you mean, sorry. Do you mean like the person who is being killed is being killed by a ghost or something?

Sure....Dont understand what you mean, sorry. Do you mean like the person who is being killed is being killed by a ghost or something?
Person X is being killed by Person Y, however I don't want to show Person Y entirely in the shot. I want to make it seem as if they are all killing themselves.

Person X is being killed by Person Y, however I don't want to show Person Y entirely in the shot. I want to make it seem as if they are all killing themselves.
film it through the POV of the killer?

Person X is being killed by Person Y, however I don't want to show Person Y entirely in the shot. I want to make it seem as if they are all killing themselves.
Okay, what you need is good actors. Have Person X stand in the left or right corner (you pick) and leave a wide space infront of them, 2/3 or something, that way you could have person Y stab or shoot or whatever Person X in the back or front (depnding on what you want) and leave Person Y out of the shot. The 2/3 of empty space will make it look like no one is in the room but Person X. Youl need goo acting and I would have the shot close. Dont let the actor arch his or her back or front like he or she is being stabd or shot or whatever it is you want because that will give the notion that someone is behind the actor killing him or her from an angle you cant see and that I think is something you dont want.
You could shoot from any angle really if you do this but remember to leave the empty space. Its just weird if they are being killed in the middle of the shot and there is no one else on screen that people can see.

Thats one idea by the way...plenty of other options.

Okay, what you need is good actors. Have Person X stand in the left or right corner (you pick) and leave a wide space infront of them, 2/3 or something, that way you could have person Y stab or shoot or whatever Person X in the back or front (depnding on what you want) and leave Person Y out of the shot. The 2/3 of empty space will make it look like no one is in the room but Person X. Youl need goo acting and I would have the shot close. Dont let the actor arch his or her back or front like he or she is being stabd or shot or whatever it is you want because that will give the notion that someone is behind the actor killing him or her from an angle you cant see and that I think is something you dont want.
You could shoot from any angle really if you do this but remember to leave the empty space. Its just weird if they are being killed in the middle of the shot and there is no one else on screen that people can see.

Thats one idea by the way...plenty of other options.
That is very doable. Thanks for the help. :)

That is very doable. Thanks for the help. :)
Oh, good. :) Like I said you can TG me if you need help. Im working on my project and it's going to take all summer so ill be online often.

use a digital camera and edit it all on computer. dont rent studio quality cameras. leave that for film school.

There are a couple of questions here, I'll lend what I can to those I can remember:

I'm pretty sure you can find a screenwritting template for word somewhere. If you can't let me know and we can arrange to send the template I use. It was built for me so it's not stolen software. If you are using something other than word really look for a template. At this stage in the game don't waste money on things like Final Draft.

Here's why screenplay format is helpful: The way it is structured it means that it comes to about a minute a page, so you have a fairly good idea of exactly how long your movie is going to be. Second, the layout is made to make it easily understood by everyone involved in the production so they know where to look. Finally, this organization will increase the impression that you know what you are doing. Now, as I'm sure someone will point out, because you format the script correctly doesn't mean that you do know what you're doing and formating it wrong doesn't mean that you don't-but impression is important when trying to pry wallets. This is your first big step, get it in format.

You'll also need a treatment. There are several styles and templates used, and a google search will give you a ton. Find the one that best represents your work. Find someone you can trust to read it and tell you if it all comes across. Movie making is not like novel writing, you are really just writing 'plans' for other people to put together what will eventually become the movie, so it is very important that your vision comes across in these 'blueprints.'

Now, as someone mentioned, you need to know how much money you need. More than you can get, I imagine. Thats fine. 3CCD 'Prosumer' cameras (Canon XL-1, Panasonic DV-100A, Sony PD-150, etc) rent for @$150 for the weekend, sometimes more. Then you need mics and lights and defusers. Some of this can be 'improvised,' specificly lights and jibs and the sort. There are plenty of sites that tell you how to build your own jibs and dollies. Even some that tell you how to build a make shift steadycam.

Go through the script, know what you want to do and look into ways of doing it. That will tell you what you need. Then figure out how much it will cost to do it. Raw material usage will go down if you reherse. I know thats a dirty word in film, but dammit, it helps. (Look at the current Project Greenlight shows for evidence of that)

Now you have a recongnizable product and an idea of what you need. You've done enough work that the people with the money think you might finish this monkey.

Since you are a teen there are actually a number of 'young filmmaker' funding sources available to you. Apply for all of these grants, regardless of whether you think it applies or not. Waste your time. You never know which one will strike oil. As North Island mentioned, your local community should have some sort of funding available. See if there is a film commission in your area and see if they know of any youth programs.

Make a short, a trailer or a scene. Have something to show people. Everyone thinks they can make a film in the same way everyone thinks they can write. You need to prove it some people.

Posting fliers at local colleges might get some people with tech equipment and skills to volunteer their time. College students are desperate for a 'demo reel' and if you can give them something for that they'll be all over it.

Filming the killing without the killing is a staple of film. I can't remember the film, but there was a silent film where instead of showing a gun being fired they showed a flock of pigeons being startled and taking flight. The shower scene in Psycho contains not one frame of nudity or of a knife going into the woman but is one of the most horrifying scenes in film. Suggest, we'll fill in the blanks.

Thats all I can remember as far as questions go.

use a digital camera and edit it all on computer. dont rent studio quality cameras. leave that for film school.
How high should the quality be? i am not knoweledgable in that area.

$115 may be enough. Get your friends to act in it, as you can probably convince them to do it for free. If you're not afraid to break laws, you can film in basically any public place; just fake an accent and a loose command of English if the police come. Film on digital (not looked down upon at all in the independent film community) and edit with iMovie. A friend of mine just made a movie on $60 and is touching it up for editing. It looks like it'll be about 40 minutes long and looks pretty professional (if you overlook that the stars are all 18.)

How high should the quality be? i am not knoweledgable in that area.
'Prosumer' 3CCD camera is your minimum if you want to show it to anyone without appoligizing. 28 Days Later was filmed on digital, though I doubt something like a Panasonic DVX-100 (but thats a damn fine camera, sells for @$3500. Rent. Unless you have a rich uncle who wants to buy your love.

'Prosumer' 3CCD camera is your minimum if you want to show it to anyone without appoligizing. 28 Days Later was filmed on digital, though I doubt something like a Panasonic DVX-100 (but thats a damn fine camera, sells for @$3500. Rent. Unless you have a rich uncle who wants to buy your love.
I will rent one. I was thinking of presenting the script to the teacher who runs the drama department at my school and perhaps he may help.
For the script I am currently using a Word document.

I will rent one. I was thinking of presenting the script to the teacher who runs the drama department at my school and perhaps he may help.
For the script I am currently using a Word document.
Great-get a template or make one from a guide you can find at any bookstore-or if that doesn't work you can use mine (just don't go and tell everyone my real name).

Here's a great opportunity-When I started out I had ideas but no money and no time or hustle. I took a playwrighting class because the description allowed for me to write a screenplay. The teacher talked me into adapting the screenplay for the stage. Nine plays and twelve productions and a handful of awards later I'm getting calls from other filmmakers looking for material. AND-I've found that I like the narrative possibilities of the stage as a complement to the screen. Theater and film are more related than their theorists have to seperate the two. Learning to tell the story crosses modes. Then it's about learning the specific tools-but the narrative is the spine no matter how you tell the story.

I was thinking of presenting the script to the teacher who runs the drama department at my school and perhaps he may help.
Thats a great idea, you should do that and get some feadback.

How high should the quality be? i am not knoweledgable in that area.
i disagree with cannot. you arent going to make a masterpiece that will be shown in every theater in the country. you can make a compelling little movie good enough to show your friends and family and maybe someone in the biz if you want to get into film school. something good enough to put on the net or on cd/dvd to show around. the content, direction and camera technique will be much more important than the quality of the camera.

it is going to take many many many tries before you understand what works and what doesnt work "on film". the art of telling a story in video is not obvious and will take you quite a few tries. (not to mention the need to shoot each scene many times to get the right performance out of your amateur actors) renting a professional quality camera will bust your budget.

you can use what money you have to establish a website (or get a free geocities one) and acquire a paypals account(or similiar web donations thingy), using the website, advertise your aspirations wherever you can, if nough people get wind of your cause and needs then the only real problem will be getting the money to STOP.

i disagree with cannot. you arent going to make a masterpiece that will be shown in every theater in the country. you can make a compelling little movie good enough to show your friends and family and maybe someone in the biz if you want to get into film school. something good enough to put on the net or on cd/dvd to show around. the content, direction and camera technique will be much more important than the quality of the camera.

it is going to take many many many tries before you understand what works and what doesnt work "on film". the art of telling a story in video is not obvious and will take you quite a few tries. (not to mention the need to shoot each scene many times to get the right performance out of your amateur actors) renting a professional quality camera will bust your budget.
Complete consumer cameras do not offer enough control over the image to really understand the narrative function of the camera. It's a lot more than putting it in the right place and hoping it doesn't fall over. If he is working from a 'no camera' perspective, then renting a quality camera is going to be better than buying a substandard camera. Pre-production done well can minimize the amount of time you spend with the camera and will cut your costs. The more exact you are with what you hope to accomplish in your day of shooting the better off you are. If you spend what is the negligable amount to go up from 'any camera' to a 3CCD you will improve the quality of your film by leaps and bounds and increase the chances that you'll get those finishing funds.

you can use what money you have to establish a website (or get a free geocities one) and acquire a paypals account(or similiar web donations thingy), using the website, advertise your aspirations wherever you can, if nough people get wind of your cause and needs then the only real problem will be getting the money to STOP.
Hmm, I already I have a website I don't use for anything.

I did direct one project for school, my friends kind of became irritated because I shot one scene around 20 times.

Hmm, I already I have a website I don't use for anything.

I did direct one project for school, my friends kind of became irritated because I shot one scene around 20 times.
That's why the pizza is on you. And-REHERSE. It helps. (the aforementioned Psycho scene has 70 some cuts, imagine how many times that scene was shot...)

Here (http://www.studiobfilms.com/rentals/cameras.html) is the site of a rental place around here (NorCal). They seem a little expensive to me, so you want to shop around. The package you'd want here is the DVX-100A package. They, of course, have way more than what you need here. Only get what you need.

I belong to this (http://www.filmarts.org/) orginization, if you can find one like it that would help you a bunch.

All I need is funding and I could make my film. I am now looking for art organizations that may help.

All I need is funding and I could make my film. I am now looking for art organizations that may help.
It's going to have to be local, so you have to look for them yourself. Also, you can contact the people who have the gear you need to see if they have any grants or the like. One of the groups filming a script of mine got money from Panasonic for their pre-production. To give you an idea-they are film grads with good demo reels with a script adapted from a play that has won awards and they've still had to spend the last year getting funding. It's the biggest thing you'll have to do. It'll take time and hustle.

EDIT: I should add, too, that it's a 15-minute film. And last I checked the budget was @$15,000. They, unlike me, are very good at the hustle. I've kinda had to pimp myself out to those types until they make a body of work for me that I can use to get ahold of the ship myself.

A mate and I often manage to make films for nothing. My last two award winning shorts cost me nothing but my own time. Never be afraid of asking people to help out with your production because it's suprising how many will say Yes. It's usually these people who are able to source tapes, lights, cameras, or whatever for free (or close to it).

The usual process to getting finance is; Make cheap but good shorts (these you can show to people), get a job 'running' with an Ad agency (lots of people and equipment - hehe and cocaine), and apply for every grant under the sun. That's about it...

Oh, if you're going to use digital always spend hours with your camera working out how to light for it. There's not much worse than seeing a good script that looks like a high school project simply because nobody took the time to work out how to light for a digital camera (it's a bit of an artform).

I could make a few short films, I wouldn't mind either.

A mate and I often manage to make films for nothing. My last two award winning shorts cost me nothing but my own time. Never be afraid of asking people to help out with your production because it's suprising how many will say Yes. It's usually these people who are able to source tapes, lights, cameras, or whatever for free (or close to it).

The usual process to getting finance is; Make cheap but good shorts (these you can show to people), get a job 'running' with an Ad agency (lots of people and equipment - hehe and cocaine), and apply for every grant under the sun. That's about it...

Oh, if you're going to use digital always spend hours with your camera working out how to light for it. There's not much worse than seeing a good script that looks like a high school project simply because nobody took the time to work out how to light for a digital camera (it's a bit of an artform).
And sound-for some reason that one bothers me more than anything.

And he's right-rub up against people with their own equipment as much as humanly possible. Odds are, too, that they really know how to use it and will make your film look even better.

I keep thinking this but not typing it: Public Access. They offer free classes and will allow you to meet other motivated individuals to conect with. Crew someone elses shoot and gain the experience and friends that you need to really do a better job than the money you have.

All I need is funding and I could make my film. I am now looking for art organizations that may help.
*gives kervoskia the look*

you dont know which story line you are going to use, you dont have a script. you dont have equipment nor do you know what you need. you dont have locations scouted out. you dont have a budget worked out.

you need much more than just funding.

Short films are like poetry... Have to contain just as much sentiment as a novel but without all the lead-in.

*gives kervoskia the look*

you dont know which story line you are going to use, you dont have a script. you dont have equipment nor do you know what you need. you dont have locations scouted out. you dont have a budget worked out.

you need much more than just funding.
Pretty much, you got a long way to go before asking people for money.

Shorts are really where you start.

check these guys (http://www.channel101.com/) out. Also-This (http://www.microcinemascene.com/) for the DIY Guerilla cinema community.

And sound-for some reason that one bothers me more than anything.

There's no two ways about it!! Always pay for a Pro. when it comes to sound, well, at least have a friend who's a Pro.

im not trying to discourage you in this. i think its a great way to spend the summer and i hope it leads to good things for you. its just that the more of the basic preparation you do the smoother things will go.

good luck with it.

Pretty much, you got a long way to go before asking people for money.

Shorts are really where you start.


This may sound a little harsh, but unfortunately it's reality. Find one of your friends who is ultra organised and start giving them assignments (and a associate producer credit ;) )

This may sound a little harsh, but unfortunately it's reality. Find one of your friends who is ultra organised and start giving them assignments (and a associate producer credit ;) )
Oh yeah. It's what I do. Remember, everyone wants to be in pictures. Look at the whoring they'll do just to get on reality tv. Give them any job and they'll be happy to do it just to be involved in making a film.

Oh yeah. It's what I do. Remember, everyone wants to be in pictures. Look at the whoring they'll do just to get on reality tv. Give them any job and they'll be happy to do it just to be involved in making a film.

I just want to be a Staaaarrrrr :D

Pull something like that save Toby the rabbit by donating money crap. It seems to work.

I did that with my Mum, it only got me a gaol term...