5 Essentials For A Low Budget Short Film.
Being a filmmaker is hard work. Making short films can be hard, let alone making a feature film. A lot of time and effort can go into even the smallest of productions. Having made a whole bunch of short films myself I decided to compile a list of the most essential things that I wish I had when going into my next filming project. Now, obviously I’m not Tarantino or Scorsese, but these ‘essentials’ are the best lessons I’ve learned from my projects and have saved me time and anguish when working on the next one.
A SCRIPT
Now I know this might seem obvious, but I don’t mean it in the most literal sense. It doesn’t have to be a correctly formatted script written in Final Draft with a bunch of added transitions and stage direction - unless you have a large production for your short film with a moderate budget. I’m talking low budget! Now this could be a bullet point list, a group of scenes placed together or a storyboard of what needs filming. Just something that offers a blueprint for what you’re shooting. If it has dialogue in it then you can still add this without going through the usual script format.
Your script doesn’t have to be super professional
2. Storyboard your scenes
I’ve kind of cheated here because I know this could be part of point number one, but along with a script blueprint of some kind you need to show a storyboard. It saves so much time on set when your Director Of Photography knows and understands the shot list, without you floundering around, wasting time, trying to explain it. The storyboard needs to be the best representation of the shot so your DOP can light the scene and set it up as best as possible without any additional explanation from yourself. Thus leaving you to get creative with your cast of actors and actresses.
Storyboard as accurately as possible
3. Minimal Locations
When you’re working with a tiny budget and time is against you, you need to think about where your film is going to take place. If you have multiple locations, interior or exteriors, or even just in different rooms then you’re going to have to move all of your equipment, as well as we relight the scene. You’ll want to cut down on this so that you have the room set up ready with props, set dressing and lighting. You don’t have to pack it all up to move it to the next place because time is a-ticking. You want to shoot as much as possible in the one location. Setting up and packing down kit takes the most amount of time on any shoot, which is why minimising this is essential.
Always try and use as fewer locations as possible
4. Minimal Cast and Crew
This tends to be a simple one of logistics and budgeting. The more people you have, as cast and crew, the more you will have to pay - or even just feed. Most cast and crew on low budget short films know that they might not get paid to be there, but having to keep all these people happy and engaged on set becomes increasingly harder the more people you have. The more characters you have in your film means more time in make-up, more scheduling time, more costumes to source, more mouths to feed. I know it sounds harsh but try and limit your characters to just a small handful at most.
Choosing friends and family as your cast and crew reduces cost
5. SNACKS! BRING SNACKS!
Probably the most essential part of any low or high budget film shoot. Always have plenty of food for both the cast and crew. If you’re working on a super low/no-budget film, then make sure you bring snacks. This could be anything from drinks to crisps to chocolate bars to sandwiches and sausage rolls - because food makes everybody happy. There’s nothing worse than being on set with grumpy people hanging around with nothing to do but get bored. Eating and drinking forms a comfort for people and allows people to relax and fuel up. Do not underestimate the power of food and drink for morale boosting on a film set. Plus, you can do this cheaply for your short film and should be exactly where a portion of your budget is spent.
Don’t underestimate the power of buying snacks for everyone helping you
