Making Your Film Happen

Every film production needs finance of some form or other. Even the most basic short film needs finance. Finance pays for the cast, crew, equipment, post production, music, creature comforts and locations. All film productions cost money.

However you can be very clever with how you make your film happen. I personally have made three films where three months out from the first day of shooting, we had no money. Due to our commitment, we raised about $50,000 Cash Budget and about $500,000 of Contributions on the first shooting day. Where there is a will, there is a way. When you set a deadline, everything will fall in your way to make the film happen.

The Principal of Micro Budget finance works on the fact that

• every contribution

• every free location

• every crew member who works as a co- owner and

share holder

• every actor who works for a percentage

• equipment that you can get at a reduced price

is essentially Finance for your Film.

This is your Non Cash Budget and should be 80% or more of a total budget for your micro film budget

It is difficult to get everything donated, if you are making a professional standard Film. Minimum professional Standards imply that you look after the crew and cast and feed them and treat them well. This costs money. Sometimes a location will cost money. Sometimes you have to pay for Equipment and hire Editors. Here is a great rule of thumb and only a guide.

Budget Categories:

Home Video $ 0 - $100

Amateur short $ 1,000

Professional Short $2,000 - 5,000

Micro Budget Feature $ 50,000 - $100K

Low Budget Feature $200K-$1millionK

Low budget Feature with a B Star $1 millK - $4millK

Mid Range Feature $4 mill - $10millK

High Range $10 million plus,

Studio Big Budget $50 - 200 million

If you are starting out, think about jumping to Professional Short level. It is ultimately more fun and the audience will appreciate your film. Also you will be accepted into film festivals around the world.

How do you do that when you are starting out?

Work on a professional film in any position possible and work your way up.Complete a film School or professional course. Make sure that you actually make a film on the course as this is the only way to learn how to make film product.

Ultimately it will come down to your passion and commitment and your desire and will to succeed.

Colm O'Murchu is the owner of International Film Base in Sydney Australia.
He is currently written directed and produced The Makeover Feature Film.The Film screened at the recent Cannes Independent Film Festival in France and won Best Film at the New York City Film Festival. The Film is currently on release in Australia and has sold to Pay TV in Europe. Colm has created the micro budget online film School that helps emerging film makers produce their own films with no budget. For more about Colm O'Murchu please go to International Film Base.com

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