Riverside Studios

Be Realistic

First up, set realistic goals for the project. Keep your budget in mind when working on the screenplay, planning, and pre-production.
It helps to consider the limits of your equipment and plan your shots accordingly. Complicated camera moves can be appealing but may not be possible with your equipment. Being realistic in this phase is important to have a smooth and successful production.

Choose Fewer Locations

When making a low-budget film, it makes sense to shoot in fewer locations. Don’t try to shoot in hundreds of places, especially if you’re working with multiple actors. Moving the cast and crew from one location to another is time-consuming and expensive, regardless of your budget. Consider shooting in your backyard, in the woods, or the neighborhood parking lot, without having to pay a venue.

Rent the Equipment

So, you can’t afford to buy professional cameras? You’re not alone. Most people can’t because high-end film cameras are expensive. Cheap cameras and film equipment can be found on Craigslist or eBay. You can also rent them from trusted sites or from other filmmakers you may know. Look up renting services online and offline, and don’t be afraid to negotiate. If you’re renting from an established company, consider renting on the weekends.

There are also many DIY ways to shoot films these days, including incorporating smartphone footage or working with an old camcorder.

Use Natural Lighting

When choosing locations for the shoot, keep the place’s lighting in mind. Areas with lots of natural lighting can help you cut costs and save on large lighting setups.

Thrift Shops or Actors’ Closets

Do not go all out buying new clothes or costumes for the film. Check out local thrift shops, and chances are they will have everything you need. Also, go back to your wardrobe and ask your actors or crew members to pick clothes from their wardrobes too. You’d be surprised what you or your actors have in the back of your closets. Another great idea is to borrow props and costumes from school drama departments and local theater groups around you.

Crew

Filmmaking is a team effort. Even if you’ve written the script and have planned out the production, you’ll still need talented professionals to help you pull it off. A small crew makes things much more accessible, portable, and much less conspicuous. As a filmmaker, it is essential to take care of your cast and crew. Consider their time and needs while planning the shoot, as well as on set.

Minimize Special Effects

Consider special effects that are possible with your budget. With a limited budget and time, you may not be able to pay a seasoned professional for special effects. However, you can still rely on sound effects and clever use of editing software to help achieve some of the same effects.

Use Film Software

Don’t spend a ton of money on this. There is cheaper and free software available these days. The purpose of film software is to manage all of the moving parts and stay organized. If you avoid planning out your shots or you decide to wing the schedule, you’ll probably end up wasting way more money.

Remember, having a lot of money does not guarantee a great film. We all know of reputable producers and studios who have spent hundreds of millions of dollars making terrible films. At the same time, today’s digital cameras, special effects software, and affordable sound editing tools have made production affordable for independent filmmakers. Sean Baker’s memorable and award-winning film Tangerine, for example, was shot on an iPhone.

Having a script that translates into a realistic budget is the first step toward actually shooting your film, rather than only dreaming about shooting it. So what are you waiting for? Get that script out of the closet and get ready to hit the floor!