How to make a full length feature film for 100 pounds!

[Janne]

Edit the trailer down to one minute.

[PMiddy]

Hey matt,

Don't get me wrong, this isn't a trailer for a box office smash. If I gave you the film (that was shot for a 100 pound) even you would hesitate for a while before making the first cut for the trailer. All I'm saying is, this was film, acted, edited and authored (the first copy anyhow) onto DVD for a hundred quid! - I wouldn't walk into a shop with an Asda DVD player for 30 quid and ask to exchange the remote. You seem to be comparing this to a big film. All I'm saying is that it is possible to produce something for a small amount of money. The reason, (you may be asking yourself) is why Pete is getting so upset about his trailer when you haven't even seen the film... Tell you summat mate, the trailers far better than the film!! - But hey, how many times you seen a film made from a large budget that wasn't up to much?
Cheers - love the chat!
Pete

[mattias]

this isn't a trailer for a box office smash

so it doesn't deserve to be good? i see what you're saying, i just don't believe in it. it's really hard to take criticism sometimes, i'm pretty bad at it myself, but i hope you're still listeing. when your slightly sore ego has healed a bit maybe you'll reedit the trailer anyway. that's how i work. ;-)

/matt

[PMiddy]

Escubria,
Thanks for your input. I personally think it looks okay for a 100 quid budget myself (to say the trailer has been extracted from a DVD including several special features along with a full cast and directors commentary. I only did this one for promotion, not profit.
cheers,
Pete

[escubria]

Hey matt,

Don't get me wrong, this isn't a trailer for a box office smash.
Pete

No, but an audience never sees it that way, they'll always just see it as another film. If it's presented properly and at the end of the day it entertains them, they'll forgive you most things.

If you're doing it for self-promotion, it doesn't matter either way, someone has to see it -clients, exec producers, investors, whoever- and they will always make a criticism and suggest changes.

As I said, it's no mean feat to shoot a full feature, it's something most couldn't do.

[PMiddy]

Thanks escubria. I did have some post production issues that forced me to re-shoot 70% of the entire film in regards to somebody withdrawing his props and because of that it took me 3 years to make! - If I hadn't have done it myself it would have definitely been written off!!
Cheers for the reply,
Pete

[mattias]

I only did this one for promotion

which is exactly why you need a better trailer. as a matter of fact no trailer at all would promote the film (and/or yourself) better than this one. posting on a few web boards that you've made a film for a hundred quid obviously creates interest, a bad trailer doesn't.

/matt

[woods01]

C'mon man get real you easily have spent over a 1,000 quid on your own food over the months it cost to prep, shoot & edit!

I don't support making your own cast & crew bring their own lunches.
These people are doing YOU a favor by working for free. A nice hot lunch
and a coffee pot, keeps people happy and is small token of respect and
appreciation for their help.

[mattias]

These people are doing YOU a favor by working for free

and he did them a favor by working for free as well. it's called a joint effort. not every production has to be a one man show.

/matt

[BigBeaner]

Sorry, but this looks great, the trailer is too long (I was bored and didn't finish watching it) and same time I can care less that you only paid 100 quid, which is what, a little under $200 american?

Not really impressed and it's been done - maybe it'll impress people outside of the business but you kept beating that fact with a stick . Show me the budget breakdown exactly, and remember that should include post production, then maybe we'll be talking. Gas and food should be included (usually you can get food donated too) in the budget, regardless who paid for it. Besides, how large was your actual cast and crew?

It's the same thing with Robert Rodriguez's El Mariachi, ya sure it cost a few thousand to SHOOT the film but the post production work costs far outweighed the original budget of the film. If you really finished and mastered this film, I don't think it would just be 100 quid. Congrats in finishing a feature though, just think of a different way to market this.

[escubria]

The average viewer doesn't care how much a film costs, only whether it's watchable.

[mattias]

It's the same thing with Robert Rodriguez's El Mariachi, ya sure it cost a few thousand to SHOOT the film but the post production work costs far outweighed the original budget of the film

have you read his book? the $7000 was including post. they later redid the post when it got picked up but rodriguez himself thought they were spending insane amounts for no real reason and if you look at the original version, parts can be seen in the 10 minute film school, it looks pretty good. sure, he got lots of freebies and everybody worked for free, but i'm pretty sure the $7000 was all the cash that was really put into the film.

/matt

[BigBeaner]

The average viewer doesn't care how much a film costs, only whether it's watchable.

That hits the nail right on the head. I'm going to be an elitist too, this was video taped not filmed. All of those DVD extras you put up on youtube too made me laugh my head off.

[Scotness]

please remember that now this film is being spoken about (a little like were doing now) was probably why I managed to get so many fine actors on board for nothing!
Pete

But Pete it's not being spoken about. I've read this entire thread and I have no idea what the film is about.

What's being spoken about is various techniques and definitions to do with how you made this film, not the film itself.

The truth is hundreds of people have made films for next to nothing - and if that is it's main claim to fame then it's not going to get anything more than just a few mentions on some film makers discussion boards.

As a few have pointed out you're talking about what the film cost you, not what the film cost.

Personally I think what ever the film cost is irrelevant - the dollars or effort aren't the point - the feeling and way it can effect the audience, and what the film illustrates or presents is.

Having said that I'll look at the trailer now and let you know what I think - but I've certainly learnt nothing of great importance about the film from this thread.

Scot

[mattias]

btw my own first feature that's currently in production has a budget of $20,000 including post. it's very tight but certainly doable. btw i'm paying everyone including myself. what you do when you talk to investors is to show that you've put up some of your own money already, but you don't have to stress that you're taking it back as salary even, ehrm, before you've even put it up. :-)

/matt