Category: Preproduction

Child of tip – Preproduction

  • Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #33

    Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #33

    The patient net saves $$.

    Over time, you can find practically any prop you need at a thrift store, or even the bins store (where the thrift stores dump their excess inventory). The sooner you tell your Art Department what you’re looking for, the cheaper the whole thing’ll be.

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  • Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #27

    Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #27

    In a nutshell: Watts = $$

    If you find extension cords for sale, especially long ones, get a bunch. Use a sharpie and write your name and contact information on each one, at each end. If you can, get a weird color (I have a purple extension cord that I have never lost), but if not, definitely mark them at each end. And it’s probably the case that you can’t have too many.

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  • Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #18

    Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #18

    I keep losing my Personal Priority List.

    There’s nothing wrong with getting paid, or with volunteering, or with accepting credit and copy. Some people need money, some people need a fun activity, and some people need to build up their portfolio. Everyone has to take care of their own soul, and no one ought to be lording it over anyone else.

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  • Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #4

    Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #4

    Sand makes for a terrible foundation

    Make sure the story makes sense and the script makes sense before you start. Cause and effect should make sense. Motivations should be pretty clear. What happens at different times and places should be obvious. The script is the blueprint, and everybody uses it. Where it’s weak, everything else is weak.

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  • Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #1

    Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #1

    Safety Third!

    Avoid the use of real guns. You can buy fake guns that look just as good as real guns and make realistic sounds in post. It’s practically impossible to hurt someone with a fake gun. Fake guns are cheaper, so you can buy more, which is useful because they often fly to flinders.

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