Trying to get your movie made can be almost as expensive as getting it made as most of us at Stage 32 already know. Fees, equipment, and software can quickly run into the hundred$$ of dollars. I wanted to share 3 tips to make sure you don’t bust your budget before you have one!
1-IS IT RELEVANT? Does a Writer need Film Editing software? Does an Indie Filmmaker need an annual subscription to a production database? Make sure you NEED and WILL USE whatever you plan to download.
2- SET YOUR BUDGET. Decide EXACTLY how much you can afford to spend. Many Creatives get frustrated because they’re paying for various subscriptions and don’t feel they’re getting anything back. Set a realistic budget and don’t exceed it.
3-WILL IT PAY OFF? You live in New York and want to enter a film fest/writing competition based in Missouri- is that wise?? Some contests tend to favor home grown talent so don’t pay entry fees willy-nilly unless there’s a good chance of being recognized.
Feel free to add your own tips to save other Stage 32 members time and money!
Colette
credit card the production. you gotta believe you will make $ doing this as an occupation. Pay off bill like a 36-month car payment.
Hmmm Dan MaxXx believing in yourself is important but maxxing out credit cards (which leads to debt) often causes people to resort to extreme measures to pay them off. I would rather someone set a realistic budget and timeframe to complete the project. It keeps the stress down and the bills!
5 people like this
Colette Bee Good reminder. There is a HUGE industry that has grown up and is still growing, whose business model is to monetize the hopes and dreams of writers. I am against this entirely. A writer needs a script and anything else is potentially a colossal waste of money, time and energy. I am especially alarmed at the recent trend to sell writers on "proof of concept" trailers. That's absolutely absurd and unbelievably unethical. To put it the words of the president of a large film funding source I spoke with recently: "If this proof of concept doesn't actually have THE talent you want, isn't directed by THE director who will do the feature, and doesn't have THE production design of the intended feature, and if it isn't perfectly executed, it's a complete waste of effort." Why? because, duh, it isn't the actual show you want to sell.
1 person likes this
Shadow Dragu-Mihai good point about the “proof of concept”. I’ve been wondering about that ever since a Stage 32 member mentioned trying to raise about $10k to make one! At that time, the discussion focused more on how to raise the money rather than question the expense.
You are right to point out the trend to “monetize the hopes and dreams of writers”. That’s why I caution everyone to only do what is economically feasible. It’s way too easy to get caught up in the “pay to play” game and end up paying out tons of cash buying things that don’t give a concrete return.
1 person likes this
Development funds are real! Great post Colette!
1 person likes this
Can't even recall I've ever met person this side of Atlantic giving his money into filmmaking...character in a movie once said "Businessman never invests his own money" pretty sure it's picked up on some real life experiences...
2 people like this
Kiril Maksimoski Haha! We don’t like paying but don’t have much of a choice! The entertainment system in America is set up so that everyone has to pay for something. Actors have to pay for acting classes, writers have to pay for writing classes and producers have to pay for union fees. You should watch the movie “Hollywood Shuffle” -it explains what we go through! :)
1 person likes this
I think this is very relevant and I want to just give here all the things I use that are on subscription: Adobe suite- I only use photoshop, Adobe effects and premier pro., IMDb pro, Vimeo pro, google, word for Mac, larger email box for my email, Dropbox, womeninfilm and tv(uk) (shooting people I gave up), spotlight. Canva pro. Other apps I use for a month then cancel. If anyone can tell me a way to cut back I’d welcome it.
Appreciate your transparency Jane Sanger ! It sounds like you are properly using all your various tools. Hopefully, everyone follows your lead and gets rid of unnecessary expenses.
1 person likes this
I'd also suggest using StudioBinder for scheduling and storyboarding.
It's free and there are many ways around the subscription fees which I am happy to share privately.
1 person likes this
If you are pressed for cash, you can use open source or online tools.
It is pretty easy to find screenplay templates for any word processing program, and if you know what you are doing it is pretty easy to turn any spreadsheet into a film budget. I never saw the point of storyboard software, it is easier for me just to use pencil and paper or whatever drawing app is available to me.
I would suggest trying the free trial first. Is it really any easier than the tools you already have? Is it fun? Most of the time, you will find that it is just a gimmick and that OpenOffice or whatever Office suite you have does the job better.
That said, if you are not strapped for cash, specialist software can save a little time. I like the way screenwriting apps tend to guess the character names for you.
I don't see the point of IMDB pro or most of those paid memberships. Even if I were a billionaire I wouldn't give a dime to IMDB Pro, it is the biggest rip off ever. Mandy looks like a ripoff too. LinkedIn and Facebook are much more effective.
1 person likes this
Very good tips @VascoPhillipdeSousa! I think you addressed the pros and cons very clearly. Buyer beware!!
2 people like this
I like StudioBinder as well, Simone Neviani !