If you want to create a movie, but don't have a lot of money to spend, do the following:
Steps
Step 1. Decide if you really want to make a movie
You must understand that it has a high cost, it is a company that will leave you little time to go out with your friends and have fun. On the other hand, if you want to make a low-budget movie, what better way to do it than to do it with your friends, being the center of attention and having fun?
Step 2. Come up with an idea for a movie
It doesn't even have to be original - it could be a remake or parody of another movie. Who cares? You can always use a book for inspiration - any work published before 1900 is in the public domain. If you want something coherent, you have to forge a story. Or, well, you can make up the story on the fly (David Lynch did this for the movie Inland Empire)
Step 3. If you have a plan, write a script
It doesn't have to be perfect, and you don't have to follow it 100%. It simply provides you with an outline to get started. If you want, you can write different scenes and have the actors improvise their dialogues.
Step 4. Use your creativity
Step 5. Make a list and draw or create a storyboard
This process will help you to know what you are going to tell throughout the film, before doing something silly. Storyboards don't have to be drawn by an artist. They can be simple drawings or photo compositions on paper or in a software program. Again, this will provide you with a basic outline of what you need when filming.
Step 6. Get actors and start rehearsing, rehearsing, rehearsing
This will allow your actors to get a real idea of the scenes before acting and will avoid wasting time. In this way they can learn the text together, or see if the text allows them to improvise or can solve any doubts they may have with the script.
Step 7. Hire a team
I mean a group of people who may or may not know what they are doing. If you are a serious person, put an ad in the newspaper and find a couple of people who have some knowledge of lighting, sound recording or working with the camera. As a director, you have to be able to bring together people who really know what they are doing. If you want to be more practical and are appreciating, you can use your friends. In this way you will learn more and appreciate the resulting work more.
Step 8. Make a shooting plan and maybe a budget
Calculate how much money you can spend on the movie and find out the best way to spend it. Remember that you will need something to record the sound, you will have to get a simple lighting kit and a camera. Anything beyond that could be too complicated. You will also need food for the cast and crew, means of transportation, or you may have to pay for locations. You will also need a program to help everyone, because they have to know where you are when they need you.
Step 9. Get all the things you can for free
Are you at school? Ask if they have a camera. Make friends with the tech teacher. Do you know the owner of a hardware store? They can provide you with some lights and accessories. Tell them you're making a movie and see if they can give you a discount. You need a place to record, do you think you could get one without paying? Say you are making a movie, some people will collaborate with you selflessly. People like movies and they want to be a part of one. If you explain the situation to them, many will collaborate with you.
Step 10. Be organized
That is simple.
Step 11. Stay true to your vision
Step 12. Start shooting
Be nice to everyone and try to explain what you want to them without making them feel stupid. It's supposed to be fun. no?. So try to make others have fun too. Check the footage to make sure everything is okay. Then, if not, you may be surprised and you may not have that place to record again. Don't lose your cool and think of it as a fun activity. You are not paying your actors, so don't forget to treat them with respect. Remember, take notes and use the clipboard. There is a lot to learn, but you can take risks and innovate. Just have fun.
Step 13. Learn to use video editing software
Most of the programs are easy to learn and will allow you to sync sound and music seamlessly. Don't rush, editing takes time. It is advisable to use software that incorporates effects such as FX or FX vision (which cost about 200 Euros).
Step 14. Create the movie credits
Step 15. Show the results to your friends as you record
If you are hesitant, do some covers and show them to people. They will have seen a lot of movies, and they will tell you what works and what doesn't.
Step 16. Burn your creation to DVD so everyone can watch it at home
You are now an independent film director. People will like that.
Step 17. Explain to your boss why you haven't worked in the last few weeks (just kidding)
Advice
- Read lots of scripts or books about cinema and movie making.
- Find out if there are production companies in your area. If not, ask if you can work as a production assistant. They don't get paid, but you're on set and you learn a lot.
- Make sure you have fun