Who has ever tried to prduce a film for free?

Phat Chance · 17 September 2006, 20:30

And did you succeed? I'd be greatly interested in hearing what people think, because I have a great love of making films but I lack any sort of major income.

Devin · 18 September 2006, 14:24

I made a short for "free" once - but it ended up costing e750. Someone on here once asked me a great question about a 'no-budget' production: How much exactly is no budget?

There'll always be something to pay for. Although I got loads of stuff for free (lights, cameras, crew, cast, etc.) I still ended up paying some location costs (had to pay some ******** security guy 250 quid to be there for the weekend - ended up putting him in the film, just to get some value for money) along with some catering (height of rudeness not to feed people, IMO), DV tapes... can't remember what else, to be honest, but it adds up.

Key is the script - no period pieces, no sci-fi dramas, no war epics.

Check out Rebel Without a Crew by Robert Rodriguez, it's a good place to start. I have it, if you're in Dublin you can come collect it (just pass it on to an FN.ie member when you're finished).

marty lynn · 18 September 2006, 14:32

Hi dude, thats exactly what were trying to do at the mo, but i would have to say that it's time constraints more than money that would be my main problem, but thats because were shootin whenever we can weekends and evenings. The next time we shoot which hopefully will be the full length feature, we're blocking it for the first Two weeks of the shoot then shooting for a further Four weekends. As for the funds which is the main thrust of your question i reley on my own and my wifes back pocket first and foremost but we were successful in getting a small award from the local arts council and i mean small but every little helps. But i think the great thing about this web site is that we can share expertise and gear, which should help toward a little of the cost of a shoot

Jason Butler · 18 September 2006, 14:34

I made a 15 second film for that Nokia competition on my camera phone with my brother as "actor." Total cost: zero.

Aaron on here has made a smart little short called "Squelch" that was made for €3 I think and has been shown in a couple of fests. http://www.filmmakersnetwork.ie/foru...read.php?t=143

Budget relates to the type and length of film you're making and how you want to make it.
Kind like asking how much to dig a hole? What size hole? Where? With what tools? Who's doing the digging? ...

Phat Chance · 18 September 2006, 21:12

Well, the only big budget script is a zombie spoof. The one I'm working on at the moment is a thriller, I have a cast, I just need one special location (an office) and I should be able to blag the rest (two kitchens, a living room and a coffee shop) all other shots are in public and filmed at night.

I have two cameras and another cameraman, who is in Dublin at college but back every Saturday. All in all, it's the same story as marty, time.

Sean Wallace · 21 September 2006, 14:48

Film and Overhead costs are what you need to make a movie. Feature length, it would want to be really cleverly scripted to compact it into the short amount of time you'd have to do it ( no-one is gonna commit their free time for a year , maybe over a month ya , but realistically you'll get 4 - 6 days of a shoot there.

If you're shooting DV then just the cost of the tapes ( which is relativly cheap) . If you're clever with location and lights ( borrow a 500w halogen lamp or two) you can still make it a good quality shoot. You'll find no end of people willing to act ( getting them to act well, well that's a challenge for a good director, and the mark of one in my opinion).

Editing is your killer then , if you're lucky enough to have free access to the tools you're laughing , otherwise you need a few pound for rental of a suite and
patience to edit it. I might even suggest iMovie on a Mac ( you're bound to know somebody with one ), but not really. At egomotion this year we've done around 16mins screentime in 3 shorts ( 4 days on location) and hope to have about double that by year end , all done with almost no investment ( I bought breakfast rolls for everyone last time out.) And things are getting quite good. For me it's been way cheaper than a gym membership and a way bigger challenge.

Check out "Woods" on our website www.egomotion.net/filmography for an example of " No budget " shooting Borrowed camera, only the tape was paid for (30 yo yo's) Sound is probably the Killer but we are working on improving our cheap as chips sound set up , it's all a learning curve.

C.Jennings · 22 September 2006, 13:23

If your one of the boys from egomotion... if your renting out the suites in the crawford or something or the film center, i'll be in cork, starting in U.C.C on monday, don't waste your money. I have a powerbook with final cut 5... livetype, shake, compressor, fxhome effects lab pro, particle illusion, soundtrack, logic,istopmotion,dvdstudio pro 4 e.t.c e.t.c. Save your money and give us a bell, all you'll need is your own harddrive, and if you've got an flatscreen TV or display you'll be laughing, dual display,

Aaron · 22 September 2006, 13:38

Now that's what FMN is here for! Good stuff Trendkill - we looking forward to seeing some Egomotion and Deecon collaborations in the near future! Heck Trend - you're starting college so you'll have shit loads of free time for filming and editing and the likes (not to mention sex drugs and violence!).

Hook up and make it happen guys.

Really liked "Woods" Sean. I wish I had a big hairy Frank living inside my head!!! Wouldn't have made it so obvious at the end becasue I thought you nailed it a few scenes before? Good stuff though - well done to all involved.

A.

C.Jennings · 22 September 2006, 13:47

Its my third time in college, going back for the mature student grant to piss a way a year, and get access to the U.C.C drama and theatre studies group... might make some money there from U.C.C, offering our qualified services..... thats all.... All our old film school "chums" are still in Cork, so... hook back up, got all the equipment too so if anyone in cork looking for a hand, there's at least two qualified availiable crew that will be up there doing nothing in college

Sean Wallace · 22 September 2006, 13:52

Thanks Gents !!
Trend , We have our own G5 Set up, not renting the suite anywhere, but It's nice
to know theres someone else available too. While you're in Cork this year
check our forum, there'll be plenty of projects coming up that others might need an editor for. Mail Dan and let him know the score dan@egomotion.net

Aaron, thanks for the compliment, we're dead chuffed with it. any Criticism - tell the Director(he he). Interestingly enough it seems to be only on the Web stream
that people twig it earlier , in audience viewings it hasn't really dropped on people till the end.

Cheers

Phat Chance · 23 September 2006, 20:06

Well I'm half of a small company based in Wexford. Now when I say company, don't cofuse it with "has money"

One of my friends is also into filmmaking, but he harps on about grants, and budgets, buying or renting HD cameras and making feature length pictures. I'm trying to convince him that none of that shite is necessary, a camera, a director and actors are all you need, the rest is trimming.

Thanks for all the help and info guys!

Rob Kelly · 24 September 2006, 20:31

Coming from experience and tight buget concerning editing - do it yourself!! Load everything into a computer with whatever editing software -pinnacle, premier, final cut - even media studio pro, cut it, mix it, grade it yourself. It saves time and money.

I shot a short on film and apart from the transfer from film to tape everything could have been done on a simple editing package, Offline and online. Now fair enough screen scene did a fantastic deal and gave great suppport to the project but it can all be done from your own bedroom.

Just one thing concerning the freebie - feed your crew!!! Hot food!!! A good greasy breakfast (roll) or decent choice of fruit and cerial and a good dinner. Thats where your money, if any, should go.

Well done trendkill for offering your services/equipment - I'm a strong supporter of helping out struggling filmmakers. If any of you guys need an experienced grip or camera op, heck even director, you know who to get in touch with.

'You don't understand Dick, by killing Henry Hill ye'all started a war'

24 September 2006, 20:39

grade it yourself

Of course if i was your DP and you tried that on something i shot for you i'd kill you.

Rob Kelly · 24 September 2006, 20:49

well you know what I mean!! Involve the appropriate party but use your own software etc - ya with me?

rawnervefilms · 20 October 2006, 11:13

you could ask me i make films with no money for a living

17 September 2006, 20:30	#1
Phat Chance Anything Wexford Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 84	Who has ever tried to prduce a film for free? And did you succeed? I'd be greatly interested in hearing what people think, because I have a great love of making films but I lack any sort of major income. __________________ "Freedom of choice, is what you've got. Freedom from choice, is what you want." "The Biro is a wily beast..." Robert Rankin "The Book of Ultimate Truths"

18 September 2006, 14:32	#3
marty lynn trying to be something Monaghan Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 264	im trying Hi dude, thats exactly what were trying to do at the mo, but i would have to say that it's time constraints more than money that would be my main problem, but thats because were shootin whenever we can weekends and evenings. The next time we shoot which hopefully will be the full length feature, we're blocking it for the first Two weeks of the shoot then shooting for a further Four weekends. As for the funds which is the main thrust of your question i reley on my own and my wifes back pocket first and foremost but we were successful in getting a small award from the local arts council and i mean small but every little helps. But i think the great thing about this web site is that we can share expertise and gear, which should help toward a little of the cost of a shoot

18 September 2006, 14:34	#4
Jason Butler Administrator Writer / Director Dublin City Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 3,432	I made a 15 second film for that Nokia competition on my camera phone with my brother as "actor." Total cost: zero. Aaron on here has made a smart little short called "Squelch" that was made for €3 I think and has been shown in a couple of fests. http://www.filmmakersnetwork.ie/foru...read.php?t=143 Budget relates to the type and length of film you're making and how you want to make it. Kind like asking how much to dig a hole? What size hole? Where? With what tools? Who's doing the digging? ... __________________ Watch BUTCHERS on RTÉ Storyland www.tuftybear.com for trailer and other info my short film TUFTY My FilmmakersNetwork.ie profile

18 September 2006, 21:12	#5
Phat Chance Anything Wexford Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 84	Well, the only big budget script is a zombie spoof. The one I'm working on at the moment is a thriller, I have a cast, I just need one special location (an office) and I should be able to blag the rest (two kitchens, a living room and a coffee shop) all other shots are in public and filmed at night. I have two cameras and another cameraman, who is in Dublin at college but back every Saturday. All in all, it's the same story as marty, time. __________________ "Freedom of choice, is what you've got. Freedom from choice, is what you want." "The Biro is a wily beast..." Robert Rankin "The Book of Ultimate Truths"

21 September 2006, 14:48	#6
Sean Wallace Creative Consultant * Cork Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 809	Film and Overhead costs are what you need to make a movie. Feature length, it would want to be really cleverly scripted to compact it into the short amount of time you'd have to do it ( no-one is gonna commit their free time for a year , maybe over a month ya , but realistically you'll get 4 - 6 days of a shoot there. If you're shooting DV then just the cost of the tapes ( which is relativly cheap) . If you're clever with location and lights ( borrow a 500w halogen lamp or two) you can still make it a good quality shoot. You'll find no end of people willing to act ( getting them to act well, well that's a challenge for a good director, and the mark of one in my opinion). Editing is your killer then , if you're lucky enough to have free access to the tools you're laughing , otherwise you need a few pound for rental of a suite and patience to edit it. I might even suggest iMovie on a Mac ( you're bound to know somebody with one ), but not really. At egomotion this year we've done around 16mins screentime in 3 shorts ( 4 days on location) and hope to have about double that by year end , all done with almost no investment ( I bought breakfast rolls for everyone last time out.) And things are getting quite good. For me it's been way cheaper than a gym membership and a way bigger challenge. Check out "Woods" on our website www.egomotion.net/filmography for an example of " No budget " shooting Borrowed camera, only the tape was paid for (30 yo yo's) Sound is probably the Killer but we are working on improving our cheap as chips sound set up , it's all a learning curve. __________________ www.egomotion.net Creative –adjective 1. having the quality or power of creating. 2. resulting from originality of thought, expression, etc.; imaginative: creative writing. 3. originative; productive (usually fol. by of). 4. Facetious. using or creating exaggerated or skewed data, information, etc.: creative bookkeeping. Consultant –noun 1. a person who gives professional or expert advice: a consultant on business methods. 2. a person who consults someone or something.

18 September 2006, 14:24	#2
Devin Writer-director Dublin City Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 1,193	I made a short for "free" once - but it ended up costing e750. Someone on here once asked me a great question about a 'no-budget' production: How much exactly is no budget? There'll always be something to pay for. Although I got loads of stuff for free (lights, cameras, crew, cast, etc.) I still ended up paying some location costs (had to pay some ******** security guy 250 quid to be there for the weekend - ended up putting him in the film, just to get some value for money) along with some catering (height of rudeness not to feed people, IMO), DV tapes... can't remember what else, to be honest, but it adds up. Key is the script - no period pieces, no sci-fi dramas, no war epics. Check out Rebel Without a Crew by Robert Rodriguez, it's a good place to start. I have it, if you're in Dublin you can come collect it (just pass it on to an FN.ie member when you're finished).

22 September 2006, 13:23	#7
C.Jennings Cameraman/Editor Clonakilty Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 495	If your one of the boys from egomotion... if your renting out the suites in the crawford or something or the film center, i'll be in cork, starting in U.C.C on monday, don't waste your money. I have a powerbook with final cut 5... livetype, shake, compressor, fxhome effects lab pro, particle illusion, soundtrack, logic,istopmotion,dvdstudio pro 4 e.t.c e.t.c. Save your money and give us a bell, all you'll need is your own harddrive, and if you've got an flatscreen TV or display you'll be laughing, dual display,

22 September 2006, 13:38	#8
Aaron Writer / Director Dublin City Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 678	Now that's what FMN is here for! Good stuff Trendkill - we looking forward to seeing some Egomotion and Deecon collaborations in the near future! Heck Trend - you're starting college so you'll have shit loads of free time for filming and editing and the likes (not to mention sex drugs and violence!). Hook up and make it happen guys. Really liked "Woods" Sean. I wish I had a big hairy Frank living inside my head!!! Wouldn't have made it so obvious at the end becasue I thought you nailed it a few scenes before? Good stuff though - well done to all involved. A.

22 September 2006, 13:47	#9
C.Jennings Cameraman/Editor Clonakilty Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 495	Its my third time in college, going back for the mature student grant to piss a way a year, and get access to the U.C.C drama and theatre studies group... might make some money there from U.C.C, offering our qualified services..... thats all.... All our old film school "chums" are still in Cork, so... hook back up, got all the equipment too so if anyone in cork looking for a hand, there's at least two qualified availiable crew that will be up there doing nothing in college

22 September 2006, 13:52	#10
Sean Wallace Creative Consultant * Cork Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 809	Thanks Gents !! Trend , We have our own G5 Set up, not renting the suite anywhere, but It's nice to know theres someone else available too. While you're in Cork this year check our forum, there'll be plenty of projects coming up that others might need an editor for. Mail Dan and let him know the score dan@egomotion.net Aaron, thanks for the compliment, we're dead chuffed with it. any Criticism - tell the Director(he he). Interestingly enough it seems to be only on the Web stream that people twig it earlier , in audience viewings it hasn't really dropped on people till the end. Cheers __________________ www.egomotion.net Creative –adjective 1. having the quality or power of creating. 2. resulting from originality of thought, expression, etc.; imaginative: creative writing. 3. originative; productive (usually fol. by of). 4. Facetious. using or creating exaggerated or skewed data, information, etc.: creative bookkeeping. Consultant –noun 1. a person who gives professional or expert advice: a consultant on business methods. 2. a person who consults someone or something.

23 September 2006, 20:06	#11
Phat Chance Anything Wexford Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 84	Well I'm half of a small company based in Wexford. Now when I say company, don't cofuse it with "has money" One of my friends is also into filmmaking, but he harps on about grants, and budgets, buying or renting HD cameras and making feature length pictures. I'm trying to convince him that none of that shite is necessary, a camera, a director and actors are all you need, the rest is trimming. Thanks for all the help and info guys! __________________ "Freedom of choice, is what you've got. Freedom from choice, is what you want." "The Biro is a wily beast..." Robert Rankin "The Book of Ultimate Truths"

24 September 2006, 20:31	#12
Rob Kelly Director The Mun Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 598	Coming from experience and tight buget concerning editing - do it yourself!! Load everything into a computer with whatever editing software -pinnacle, premier, final cut - even media studio pro, cut it, mix it, grade it yourself. It saves time and money. I shot a short on film and apart from the transfer from film to tape everything could have been done on a simple editing package, Offline and online. Now fair enough screen scene did a fantastic deal and gave great suppport to the project but it can all be done from your own bedroom. Just one thing concerning the freebie - feed your crew!!! Hot food!!! A good greasy breakfast (roll) or decent choice of fruit and cerial and a good dinner. Thats where your money, if any, should go. Well done trendkill for offering your services/equipment - I'm a strong supporter of helping out struggling filmmakers. If any of you guys need an experienced grip or camera op, heck even director, you know who to get in touch with. 'You don't understand Dick, by killing Henry Hill ye'all started a war' __________________ Director http://www.bobkellystudio.com

24 September 2006, 20:39	#13
StephenMurphy Posts: n/a	grade it yourself Of course if i was your DP and you tried that on something i shot for you i'd kill you.

24 September 2006, 20:49	#14
Rob Kelly Director The Mun Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 598	well you know what I mean!! Involve the appropriate party but use your own software etc - ya with me? __________________ Director http://www.bobkellystudio.com

20 October 2006, 11:13	#15
rawnervefilms Producer London/Dublin Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 332	rawnerfvefilms you could ask me i make films with no money for a living

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