3 Tips for Making a Great Movie on a Small Budget
There’s no denying that the bigger your production budget is, the more you can do with your film. It’s also true that audiences are no longer only impressed when a movie costs hundreds of millions of dollars to make – it’s just the way Hollywood is. Even so, you may be like many producers who just don’t have pockets that are that deep. Does that mean you are automatically ten steps behind your peers who are better-financed? Are you destined to turn out mediocre films simply because you don’t have a huge budget to work with? Fortunately, the answer is no. I’m going to give you a few suggestions that I have learned from my own production career in the independent film industry. I think you’ll see that to overcome a small budget and make a fantastic movie, it all begins with you and the tone you establish when you’re on the set.
Know what really makes your movie worth making.
In Hollywood, we are all just as human as anyone else, so it’s exciting when we receive financial backing for our projects. That kind of confidence in the film can be validating and reaffirm our decision to make it.
Yet, think of all the ideas that never get financed or that struggle to attract backing even though they are just as good as those that do. If that’s you (and we’ve all been there many times and will be there again), then here’s my point: it’s not just the amount of financing that you receive that determines how good your project is – it’s the quality of the story you’re telling.
So, your first step to making your movie on a small budget is to have faith in your idea. Money is money. Ideas are gold.
Expect the best out of your cast and crew.
Just because your budget is small does not mean you don’t have great actors and crew members to work with. Very often, the reverse is true. Talented people are attracted to film productions like yours because of two things: the heightened creativity that is found on smaller projects as well as more chances to contribute to the film on different levels.
Also, remember that having a small budget should in no way affect the level of professionalism and dedication that you require from everyone, including yourself. Expect that every person involved in the production is on time each day, knows their lines, and follows through with their duties. Anything less will only make the film more expensive to make.
Be the calm in the center of the storm.
It’s just a given that sooner or later, something will go wrong on set. There will be a freak storm right in the middle of a crucial beach scene. A major actor will get sick. Something in the ‘real world,’ like a pandemic, will disrupt life as we know it.
When it does, everything can either fall apart, which will ultimately drain your limited financial resources, or the production can get back on track quickly, saving the budget. Which will it be? That’s largely up to you. Decide now to keep things steady no matter how crazy it might get, stay the course, and protect your finances.
You’ll notice how all of this has been about you, the producer. While it will take the efforts of all of your cast and crew members to produce your film on a small budget, you are at the center of it. Everything will flow from you, so if you are gearing up for producing a movie and don’t have a lot of financing, remember to believe in your story, the people around you, and in your ability to get it done no matter what happens. Be the consummate professional that you are, and your film will be everything you have dreamed of seeing on the big screen.
