Can i do a movie with just $ 3500??

[Markpolish]

Last year i was watching many of the early films from latin directors like Guillermo del Toro, Jaume Balagueró, Jesus Franco, Narciso Ibañez Serrador. I think they are who make a lot of the most creative horror films ever made. They have very low budgets Now i was looking for information for more directors and examples of big horror movies with low budget, and i found a guy in Uruguay (?¿) who made a big horror film with just $ 3500. So can this be? I saw the trailer on youtube and looks pretty awesome. The feature is Verdad/Consecuencia and the director is Pablo Kolodziej. Does anyone know something about it?

I´m writing my first short film but i think i need at least $ 2500 to do it well. If anyone can help me to get more information i would appreciate it because i like to learn about other examples of low budget films.

[Straker]

I'd say your budget is ample, but you will obviously need to do alot of reading to make sure you get the gear that is going to suit what you want to do. The film from Uraguay you are talking about was done on a Canon 5d, I think, and looks impressive. That said, it is a DSLR, a photography camera, it will have its advantages and disadvantages. Even with a big lump of glass on the end they are lighweight. It has a huge sensor and is essentially a light bucket meaning it will be great for low light conditions, hence the reason they are seeing more use for filmaking. On the other side of things you could easily get something like a canon xl2 (think its an xl2 or something similar) which is the camera used on 28 Days later. There's a bunch of nice lower budget cameras out there too which offer great value.

Remember to consider all the other things your going to be spending money on too, don't blow your budget on a camera. You might even want to rent gear. A camera is a good place to start so you actually have something you can film with. Just do as much reading as you can and you'll soon work out what you need.

To be honest though, most of what I have just said is irrelevant. Just get yourself whatever camera you can afford and have a bash. Lots of people out there could probably scrape together a budget for filmaking, but its about applying yourself more than throwing cash at it. I've seen some great stuff done with cheap kit and some shocking stuff done with expensive gear. You can take all that with a pinch of salt though, I only watch films, I don't make 'em.

If you want to see what a canon 5d can do, check the short film Reverie, linked below. Before you get too excited though, check the list of lenses used though, that is some serious money just on lenses.

http://www.usa.canon.com/dlc/controller?act=GetArticleAct&articleID=2326

Good luck.

[ChronoGrl]

The team behind Colin did it for $70.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Movies/05/21/Colin/index.html

[kninemark2]

Its more than possible, i often do movies of sub $1000 and I am currently working on a zero budget digital feature. An early question would be why are you making this movie? Are you looking for it to be a showcase or would you like to make money from the venture. If its a vanity project its a different direction to a commercial project.

Dont fall into the trap that because its low budget its not commercial. Also dont believe any of the holywood hype on low budget movies. Yes PA was made for $15,000 but it had a multi-milllion marketing spend. Which i am guessing you dont have.

First and foremost you need a good story, its all about story story story.

Then cast you film well - easier than you think for horror junkies

Then plan your shoot, plan everything the more you plan the less you will spend.

And my number 1 advice start planning to sell your movie now.

All that said i am more than willing to help with anything you need

k9

[Caenxavier]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thankskilling

[Ghatt Prod]

Well I'm making a film for under $3,000 and i built a cave set and am paying most everyone except for myself, so its totally possible. I'm shooting HD with a 35mm adapter as well.

[Ghatt Prod]

Thankskilling had a $20,000 dollar marketing campaign though. That fact is left out in the wiki.

[bwind22]

Markpolish, you'd be wise to shoot your 1st short film on a budget of a couple hundred dollars or less. Why? Because it will suck. No offense. But if it's your first film, you are going to be learning a lot as you go so why not learn for free or cheap instead of dropping a couple grand to learn? I've shot 3 short films, one with a $20 budget, one with $100 and one with $40 and I'm still making mistakes and learning as I go. Once I feel like I'm up to par, I'll drop some cash on the nice equipment and hire some real actors. Until then, why spend the money?

[ProfondoXxRosso]

Last year i was watching many of the early films from latin directors like Guillermo del Toro, Jaume Balagueró, Jesus Franco, Narciso Ibañez Serrador. I think they are who make a lot of the most creative horror films ever made. They have very low budgets Now i was looking for information for more directors and examples of big horror movies with low budget, and i found a guy in Uruguay (?¿) who made a big horror film with just $ 3500. So can this be? I saw the trailer on youtube and looks pretty awesome. The feature is Verdad/Consecuencia and the director is Pablo Kolodziej. Does anyone know something about it?

I´m writing my first short film but i think i need at least $ 2500 to do it well. If anyone can help me to get more information i would appreciate it because i like to learn about other examples of low budget films.

3500? Dont listen to anybody if theyre saying you can do it on that. You cant even produce a small budget porno with that. This isnt the 70's.

[aceofspades70]

You most certainly can shoot a feature on 3500, but you must have great resources to do it, and plan on marketing the film all by yourself.

And it won't be a masterpeice by any means, but a great learning experience.

[Doc Faustus]

There's a great new book out on the subject. It's by a guy who worked with Charles Band and then went off on his own. There's interviews with some great people in it.

[aceofspades70]

from Lloyd Kaufman

http://www.amazon.com/Make-Your-Own-Damn-Movie/product-reviews/0312288646/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

[Scarebaby]

If the cast and crew are willing to work for free/food/sex then I see the possibilities.

[Doc Faustus]

from Lloyd Kaufman

http://www.amazon.com/Make-Your-Own-Damn-Movie/product-reviews/0312288646/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

Lloyd Kaufman, Roger Corman and Robert Rodriguez's books are all worth checking out.

[Caenxavier]

Thankskilling had a $20,000 dollar marketing campaign though. That fact is left out in the wiki.

Curse Wikipedia, making me think you have all the answers. It's the Myth busters of the internet.