Sound Design

I want to be sure you think about sound when making your movie.  Sound is really important and a key element in increasing the production value of your film.  If you didn't get great audio during principle photography that is ok.  You can fix it in post.  It's not ideal to ever fix anything in post and personally as a producer of numerous low budget films I think its lame.  But the reality is that it happens.  You can Automated dialogue replacement  (ADR) or loop the dialogue after you have your rough cut.  You get the actors to redo their line again and just edit in the better audio track.  The other element is Foley.  If you don't have good audio of objects landing or people walking you just replicate and edit that into the final edit.  It's probably the aspect of post that is easier to do.


If you want to read more about Sound Design On Low Budget Films check out my Video Film School Site.

Filming Your Movie

There is more information on how to do this at the Video Film School site. but basically you need a camera blank media to record on, actors, and a location.   You want to be sure to get enough footage.  The best thing to do is one scene a day for a few hours until your finished. If your working a full time job you could work weekends and maybe squeeze in some short scenes evenings after work.  No one is getting paid so work around their availability.  It's a puzzle all you need to do is get each piece in the right place.

Low budget Scripts

Low budget scripts take place in only a few locations.  One location is best.  They also have very few actors or extras.  Two actors is best.  Six actors is ok.  More than 6 and your making things to complicated.  Focus on directing not productions.  Try to tell a story that requires no props or clothes that you do not own. Low budget movies are 90 minutes long.  The longer the story the more work and the more expensive.  Keep you movie to 90 pages and 40 scenes. You need to come up with something high concept.  This is particularly important because your not going to have anyone involved in your project with a name.  You need a great title and and interesting concept.  You want the logline on the movie poster to get peoples attention. your goal is to get people to watch your movie so you can build on your first project to a bigger project.  Maybe this small low budget film can get your financing for your next project.  The goal is to keep working on bigger projects as your learn.  Keep in mind your goal is to finish this project and learn something in the process.

What is recommended on writing a script is to come up with one idea each day.  You might spend the rest of the day thinking about that idea and putting the puzzle together but get one idea a day.  Any movie is just a serious of ideas.  So 30 minutes might be all you need.  

How To Get Started Making Your First Movie

Our recommendation to becoming a film maker is getting started today.  Set a goal to spend one hour every day or at least 5 days a week.  If you do not have an hour how about 30 minutes.  Maybe if you wake up a little early and have a cup of coffee and sit at the kitchen table your self for 30 minutes to start your day.  The first thing you want to do is figure out what resources you have.  Do you know any one who wants to be an actor.  Do you have a location or two that you can use to film your movie in?  What kind of props and equipment do you have already.  Do you need to get someone to loan you a camera?  How much money can you afford to spend.  Do not mortgage your home or cash in your retirement to get started. Do not max out credit cards.  It's the twenty first century and computer are fast enough to edit HD video.  HD video cameras are not very expensive.  If you have an apple and an HD camera your ahead of the game. If your not a computer person your going to need to find someone to commit to doing the post for you.  Post production is the toughest part of the process.  The most important part of the process is the story.  So lets get you started today with the most important part of the process.

What Is The Video Film School

The video film school is a free online resource for film makers.  The mission is to provide all the information you could ever need to get started as a film maker.  No need for expensive film schools to learn how to become a movie maker.  Our main mission is to get you started today on fulfilling your dream.  How to come up with a good concept for a movie.  What type of equipment will you need.  How can I afford to make a movie? How long does it take?