How To Keep the Quality High and the Budget Low on Your Indie Film
Hosted by Sara Elizabeth Timmins (Educator)
$49
On Demand Webinar - Available for immediate viewing and unlimited access.
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Hosted by Sara Elizabeth Timmins (Educator)
$49
On Demand Webinar - Available for immediate viewing and unlimited access.
Webinar hosted by: Sara Elizabeth Timmins (Educator)
Producer at Life Out Loud Films (HBO, Starz, Showtime) & Education Producer at Stage 32 & No Film School. No Trust Fund. No Problem.
Sara Elizabeth Timmins established Life Out Lout Films to create quality, inspiring impact films that champion women. Her films have been seen theatrically as well as HBO, Hallmark Channel, Starz, Showtime and internationally. She has worked with talented actors like Jane Seymour, Ellen Burstyn, Chris Cooper, Josh Lucas and Mackenzie Foy and writers like NY Times Best Selling Author David Baldacci. Most recently, she produced McMillions, an HBO docu series for Mark Wahlberg’s company which premiered at Sundance 2020 and is in development on several feature films and series. She also works as a consultant for both films and filmmakers and has produced national campaigns for companies like Meyer Natural Foods & Laura's Lean. She believes she has a responsibility through film to spark conversations, that spark action, that spark change and remains dedicated to encouraging the work of talented writers and championing female leaders behind the camera while providing strong female roles on camera. She is a member of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, SAG and both DGA & PGA eligible and was a Qualified Independent Producer for NBCUniversal/IFTA. Full Bio »
Webinar Summary
Learn from a producer whose films have been in theaters, on HBO, Hallmark, Starz, Showtime, and more.
Low budget filmmaking is all the rage these days. But unfortunately, many people equate low budget with low quality. And if we're being honest, that's because most producers and filmmakers don't understand how and where to spend their money to stretch their dollar and make sure the quality is up there on the screen. In short, you don't have to compromise on your vision if you have a smaller budget to work with. Even though you may not be playing with studio level money, you still have the ability to make a high quality film without skimping on spending for what matters. If you are clever in your planning, approach and execution of minimizing costs your will walk away with a movie you will be proud of and that will play much larger than the budget. And this will allow you to stand out in every way, from festival submissions to attracting sales agents, distributors and more.
Thinking smart about your indie film must begin at the script stage. There are many tips and tricks successful producers and filmmakers use to ensure that a project will not run amok financially once you start developing and shooting it. You must think outside of the box to be able to find cost-effective ways to assure you get everything you need to make your production go smoothly and on schedule while keeping you in line on your budget. Once you master a few tips and tricks of the trade, you'll assuredly have money left over to spend on what really counts and make your film look and sound like you had money to burn. So, how can you evaluate your script, avoid the common pitfalls, and assure that you avoid the myriad issues that can stall a production or push it over budget? We have the answers.
Sara Elizabeth Timmins was a field producer on the hit HBO series McMillions, which was produced by Mark Wahlberg and premiered at Sundance 2020. Her films have been seen in theaters, the Hallmark Channel, Starz, Showtime and internationally. She has worked with talented actors like Jane Seymour, Ellen Burstyn, Chris Cooper, Josh Lucas and Mackenzie Foy and writers like NY Times Best Selling Author David Baldacci. Throughout her career she has learned how to attach award-winning talent and turn a profit on every single one of her films.
Sara Elizabeth will teach you the 3 key elements you must not skimp on in order to get your film to come out looking the best possible way. She'll share how she's been able to secure and manage professional talent and crew on a low budget. She'll take you step by step with great examples of where you can minimize costs in the script and development phase, as well as once you're in production. She'll even share things to think about when it comes to transportation, lodging, craft services, locations and more. She'll also give you 9 common production dangers that can sabotage your budget - you'll want to know each one of these before you even say "action!" This is information you'll want to come back to time and time again and can help you for every single production regardless of your working budget.
PRAISE FOR SARA'S TEACHINGS:
"What clever information Sara Elizabeth. Thank you a million for your insights into your process producing. You gave me so many things to think about that I never would have considered. I'm excited to put this into practice on the film I'm doing next year!"
- Robin M.
"Brilliant. Just brilliant. I feel like I just got the secret sauce."
- Timothy K.
What You'll Learn
- How Changing Your Thinking Can Help You Get a Quality Low Budget Film
- The 3 Key Elements You Must Not Skimp On
- Securing & Managing Professional Talent and Crew on a Low Budget
- How to Minimize Costs
- 4 Key Tips In the Script and Development Phase
- Uncovering and Leveraging the Assets You Already Posses
- Examples of Where You can Keep Costs Low
- Preparation and Schedule Tips
- 3 Key Tips In the Production Phase
- The Importance of Prep in Keeping Costs Low and Quality High
- How to Think Outside the Box to Save Money
- Tips to Save on Transportation, Lodging, Craft Services, Locations and More
- 9 Common Production Dangers that can Sabotage your Budget
- Tips on Post, Unions, Shooting Days, Contingency, Overtime, Production and Post Production
- Q&A with Sara Elizabeth
About Your Instructor
Sara Elizabeth Timmins (Educator)
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