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

[BigBeaner]

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

Woah woah woah no need to start a fight here. I'm not referring to the original cut but to that maxed up one you refer to later. I think most of the money went into prints and sound work myself but ya the original cut was $7k, but the one we mostly all watch isn't but still marketed that way.

[BigBeaner]

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

Another really great post that hits the mark! I still not fully sure at all what the film is about and thats what I thought was funny about a whole "special feature" about the maker! I hate all those commentaries and making of documentaries for small indie productions because I feel they're justself agrandazing and subtracting from the movie itself, thats why I didn't have one for my recent film. Which was a good thing because the documentary might've eclipse the film.

[Scotness]

Okay Pete - just watched it - I'm not surprised it was only made for 100 pounds - in fact there'd be something wrong if it was made for more.

Think about it - contemporary settings, costumes - simple locations - shot on video - of course it's not going to cost much.

It looked fairly well made and the acting looked good - I thought some of the cuts early on were too quick - before the action and horror kicks in.

I hope it does well for you - it looks like you know what you're doing - except for the marketing! And remeber you're competing in an area (indie horror) where every film is made for next to nothing - you'll have to find something else to make it stand out from the crowd.

Good luck

Scot

[mattias]

Woah woah woah no need to start a fight here. I'm not referring to the original cut but to that maxed up one you refer to later

ok, sorry. i know a lot of people saying that it's impossible to make a video release for that amount as well, so my post was really designed to counter that myth. it's the same with primer, and it all boils down to people having a hard time accepting that you can shoot such low ratios and still have a coherent product.

/matt

[cortometrajes]

Can You share the technical information for this movie, (equipment,film,etc).
It looks pretty decent.
Thanks.

[Clapton Pond]

Not sure why everyone's giving the lad such a hard time; he's got off his backside, roped in some willing participants and put in a lot of time and effort to make a feature which he's hoping will get him noticed and financed for bigger and better things, so give him some credit, please!

Sure, the film cost more than the £100 he himself spent (that smashed car window in the trailer probably doubled the budget...) - so what? £100 or £10,000, it doesn't matter. The thing is finished, that's what counts - finishing a project seems to me always to be the hardest thing of all to accomplish.

I agree about re-editing the trailer - it could easily be half the length without losing meaning. I'd redo the captions too as they seem a bit too comical and nonsensical, like in a Monty Python skit.

As for the marketing, I'd spend some money on this if you can - it's the important bit in deciding whether your film gets seen by the public rather than talked about in forums. I wouldn't tell people it cost £100 either - nobody will take that seriously and it's irrelevant in the final analysis. As somebody else said, you need to make people aware you've got a good film (not a cheap one), as that's all that matters to them. If it were my film, I'd lie and say it cost £5 million... then you'd be taken seriously. (You might be given a good kicking by the critics, but at least you'd start on a level footing with everybody else...)

Good luck with it.

ian

[mattias]

Not sure why everyone's giving the lad such a hard time [...] I agree about re-editing the trailer

duh...

/matt

[Clapton Pond]

Not sure why everyone's giving the lad such a hard time [...] I agree about re-editing the trailer

duh...

/matt

I meant with respect to his status as evil movie mogul, exploiting those poor unfortunate actors / teller of tall tales concerning making a feature for £100...

Re-editing the trailer is obvious - probably only take half an hour...

ian

[mattias]

I meant with respect to his status as evil movie mogul, exploiting those poor unfortunate actors / teller of tall tales concerning making a feature for £100...

"everyone" is indeed criticizing the trailer, but only very few have anything against the low budget, even though those that do are pretty loud. :-)

/matt

[BigBeaner]

My problem outside the trailer is the bragging about the cost of the film which I don't think matters at all. My question still hasn't been answered about how many cast and crew actually worked on this thing and by seeing the making of, there was no DP/camera team.

[Mitch Perkins]

I only did this one for promotion [...] and funding for a much bigger film.

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.

Yes, in fact, does Pete need to "promote" this film or even sell it or have it play anywhere? That is, could the funds not be raised by simply taking the finished film to prospective investors as proof he is capable, determined even, to finish what he starts?

Just a thought.

Mitch

[Scotness]

I guess the good thing is it won't have to turn over much to recoup it's budget!

Just kidding Pete! - I know there's alot more on the line than just that! (which may indicate why boasting about the budget is stepping off in the wrong direction)

Scot

[PMiddy]

Hey, Driftwood is beginning to turn into a pretty good debate!

To start with in answer to bigbeaner's question (oh, and thanks for watching!) he asked about how many of us worked on this. We had 11 cast members and 2 main crew members, including myself.

Furthermore, it was a project to show off the acting ability of the actors taking part. The more debate the film gets, whether its good or bad, exposure is good.

If your making a film on a shoestring budget, practically everything needs to be free. I blew my budget on tapes and petrol - everything else was free, even the promotion - I'm doing that as we speak!

Cheers,
Pete

[mattias]

Yes, in fact, does Pete need to "promote" this film or even sell it or have it play anywhere?

exactly. why make a trailer if you don't need one? especially a bad one? it can only hurt, no gain at all.

/matt

[PMiddy]

Thanks Scotness,
Good point though, I've spent more on a night out!
Cheers