5 Things That Make A Movie Look Low Budget - Shane Stanley
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- Опубліковано 11 січ 2021
- Shane Stanley is a producer/author/instructor/screenwriter known for numerous film and television projects including Desperate Passage (1987) starring Michael Landon, The Desperate Passage Series (1988 to 1995) starring Sharon Gless, Edward James Olmos, Marlo Thomas and Louis Gossett Jr. Street Pirates (1994), Gridiron Gang (2006) starring Dwayne Johnson and Xzibit, A Sight for Sore Eyes (2004) with Academy Award nominee, Gary Busey. Shane is also the author of WHAT YOU DON’T LEARN IN FILM SCHOOL: A Complete Guide To (Independent) Filmmaking.
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Cinematography, sound, actors, editing, location. So pretty much the whole film.
What I thought 🤣
Those are technical aspects that will legitimize the film and people will only mainly focus on the story
It's more about the importance of those pieces. The thought process behind them. And how to navigate each one with wisdom instead on instinct.
Yes-ish. What it means is you don't have to have explosions and car chases and giant robots destroying cities to appear credible as a professional movie. That it appears professionally made, irrespective of content, is what's really at the heart of when an audience member notices that a movie is "low budget". Problems with those key areas will sink your movie.
Most movies boil down to people talking somewhere. Now if those two people are Scarlett Johansen and Chris Pratt then a lot of money was paid for those two people. But what if you could get just as good a performance with lesser known actors willing to work for a lot less money? If the audience buys the reality of those two characters -- all other technical stuff held equal -- they won't be thinking that one version of the same scene cost more than the other.
But if the technical part is shit in either case, they won't think of the version with the A listers as being big budget. They'll think ScarJo and Chris were slumming in some no budget flick.
Just laughing at that
"The location" is a sneaky secret here. "take people places where they can't go, where they wish to go, or where they're afraid to go." Well said! Thanks for sharing Shane.
Conversation filmed at a table vs same conversation filmed at the top of the Eifel Tower. Makes sense. :)
That's an utter lie!!
@@santiagoescobar9801 I dont think he is saying that is the lone aspect....
honestly it's the only bit i disagreed with...most of my fav films are bottle films shot in a diner or bedroom. I've never seen a first film, esp no budget, that did crazy/varied locations. Maybe Rodriguez's but that movie is all over the place and certainly lacking in the others, especially sound, editing. Wait, acting as well. lol so a lot!
make a location that don't exist hehe
I'd put lighting and writing before locations. Locations are important, yes. But good lighting, writing, and cinematography can make a weak location seem better than it is.
I think oposit.... A amazing location, with Ok light, is better than a ok location with amazing light
Once again, sound is overlooked 🙄...your picture can be off, even a little, your sound matching picture should NEVER be shortchanged. I can't emphasize this enough.
@@CineastaIndie whole heartedly disagree, lighting can turn an average location in a visual masterpiece. A great location with cheap lighting is just that.
Nah a basic location still looks basic w great cinematography. Especially in an era when good cinematography is easy to imitate. A charismatic location w not the best lighting or dialogue wins most ppl over every time. My example is the show "Betty".
@@dagoelius understand your point, but its impossible argue with you without FRAMES to show my point.
But LOCATION wins ALWAYS...
50% of the budget of my films is location hahahaha
Excellent casting quote, “Are you in this to showcase a whole bunch of friends or are you here to make a career…”
I'm glad that he didn't say spend money, he encouraged filmmakers to be more creative, and to work towards more. I really appreciate that.
I wish he said production design instead of location. There’s a lot that can be done on a small budget by art directing a location that would be ordinary otherwise.
I agree with this for sure!
I had no idea people even spent budget money on wrap parties. Usually the wrap party is just what ever is left over from craft services
Lenny
It’s a new thing. Millennial gonna do the dumb, self indulgent thing a millennial gonna do. ….. then make excuses why they fail
@@bobmcbobson8368 "Millennial gonna do the dumb, self indulgent thing a millennial gonna do. ….. then make excuses why they fail"
You don't know what you're talking about. First thing, do you know how old Millennials are? 24 to 40. That's a pretty big gap between being a couple years out of college, and being middle-aged with a mortgage and children. Second thing, you're acting like tens of millions of people (just in the USA) all act the same way. The truth is you're and old, out of touch blowhard, babbling about things you don't understand and blaming a generation you mistakenly think are irresponsible kids.
@airlockengage "They see the caricature of the opulent Boomer and say "I can't do that" while they have a $2000 tattoo appointment the next week and a booze cruise booked the week after that."
The Median age of a Millennial is 32. Millennials are everyone born between 1981 and 1996. It is ridiculous to think that that many people can be accurately described by anything as specific as what you just said.
Unexpected takeaway:
Need a criminal character? Hire the real thing.
eyy... but don't blow your budget.. get an amateur.
Ask your drug dealer to be the drug dealer.
That's how Danny Trejo started his career.
Hire a criminal, but make sure that he doesn't "steal" a scene. LOL
I think the one thing that drags us to become filmmakers is also the one thing most of us never master. Its the pacing and the true moments it creates. We are so obsessed with "writing properly the way others tell us", that we drift away from the purpose of a script to something very one sided and mechanical, that doesnt work on screen or for everybody on the set. Stuff like "How a logline should be" "how the stakes should be raised" "how a problem should occur" and we dont get a very basic thing right "does this feel real?" For me what makes a movie look low budget is, whey I'm constantly aware that I'm watching a movie. When the movie cant create a true moment. Also in trailers. All the "smart" twists and "scary" plots you come up with are very much like a big explosion. An effect to catch attention but not interrest.
I have actual beefs with all of the expected beats of a script and even a three act structure. People all try to conform and it makes very.. produced.. film.
You said it all ! Spot on you've put your finger on it honestly I definitely feel that, most of us do! Great cinema makes us feel "truth" in a way that completely takes us out of ourselves!
That's what they call "the editing" and it's mentioned in the video.
Well said
One thing I learned auditioning was never choose an actor without seeing them on screen - preferably in an earlier work. You can’t judge the all-important “screen presence” by their personal charm in the real world.
You’re totally right. When I’m casting I take the audition with a grain of salt. Some people are really good at auditioning only and most actors get so nervous it’s not a good tell of their skill. Looking at their past works helps a lot, even if they are in a bad film you can see if they have potential and presence.
@@jacobrobertdesio9265 As someone who uses asmr roleplays as an excuse to work through my acting chops. I found this comment really insightful/helpful thanks!
Or off audition tapes. I’ve seen great audition tapes for people to be a trainwreck or unprofessional on set
Five good points. The importance of sound certainly gets over looked all the time. Although I think the number one thing that ruins a movies is a bad script.
A good script enables actors to be good. A bad script cannot be saved by any actor.
I've seen some crap stories with beautiful visuals tho
@airlockengage I think writers and directors should take acting clases. Beeing and actor helped me so much at writing realistic dialog.
@@magvad6472 Nicholas Cage agrees with this
This video is not about what makes a good film, it is what makes a film look low budget. Now that you have your good script, what makes a film look low-budget...it's a question that is independent of the script, because it is about one aspect of creativity not all aspects of making a good movie
IMO lousy sound is without a doubt the No 1 killer of amateur films. To some extent I can put up with dodgy camera work, and not so good acting, but a $3 sound track is an instant switch off for me.
I guess amateurs don't realize how much pro film audio is looped, and why so.
I thought the same thing watching this, I'd take so-so cinematography over shit sound any day.
actually a lot of pro film sound ISN'T looped, it's just recorded by world class production sound engineers who know how to capture studio-quality sound anywhere on location. And then it's edited by world class sound editors to clean up any imperfections. Looping is extremely expensive and often detrimental to the performance- and while a necessary tool, is avoided at all costs
Im generally not too picky about non-narrative stuff, but I really need to be able to hear the actors without losing my hearing to the background noise.
I got called to a set where the DPs girlfriend had been doing the sound and she got sick and couldn't make it. I didn't have time to pack up my gear, and the director said they had their own gear, so I just headed out to the location. They had a really cheap electret condenser shotgun mic on a 3 foot pole attached to a Zoom H4N with $10 headphones. It's a good thing I'm 6'2" with long arms. Even with this inferior equipment, it was obvious when the film was done who was operating the boom at each scene.
I agree, sound is soo important and you can't get cheap here. And I also think great cinematography isn't only about the equipment used but intentionality in shot choices. Why are you focusing on this rather than that. What purpose does your framing have and so on. If you can answer those questions you can go a loong way with cheap filming equipment.
"Locke" is about Tom Hardy in a car talking on the phone during the whole movie. "Buried" is Ryan Gosling in a coffin during the whole movie. Alfred Hitchcock's "Rope" takes place in one single location, an apartment. So I guess "locations" are not that important if you have a good script and good actors. Kind of funnny he didn't even mention "having a solid/original script" as the most important thing before doing a movie. I can forget about technical problems if the story is interesting, but if the story is boring or the characters are badly written I don't care if it's a big budget movie, a shiny turd is still a turd.
He is talking about the "Low Budget Look" wich is a visual (or actually aesthetic ) aspect. Those Locations you mention, simplistic as they are, are perfect for the story they need to tell. It's not about "the most important thing to make a GOOD movie", the topic here is "Look". Wether that's important to you or not.
The location of those movies are integral to their plots. The production design and cinematography of those locations is great. I don’t understand what’s hard to get
ur lying if you say a movie with bad visuals or audio doesn't ruin the experience completely
Isn't Buried a Ryan Reynolds movie? Pretty sure it's not Ryan Gosling who starred in it.
I don't think he was talking about making movies in general just "5 Things That Make A Film Look Low Budget". Like of course, the script is important. Also the locations you mentioned are awesome and unique locations which were very carefully chosen.
Number 1 is quality of script, 2 is sound and then the rest….. there is some great advice in this video. Worth a listen!
right on
Nope, he's talking what makes a film look amateur. No matter how great of an script you have, if shoot a film with bad cinematography, bland location, terrible actors and awful sound, the film will suck.
The more I hear Shane talk the more I realize I need to research more before I take the next step... but, Shane's advice always seems so practical and real to me. Looking forward to hearing a more detailed breakdown of all 5 of those 'things'.
Thank you Altair. Much success to you and your endeavors. Don't rush it BUT at the same time keep moving forward and learn from each and every project. You've got this!
If we're specifically talking about the technical side of things, sound is the number one thing that will make a film look low budget. I think there is far more flexibility in how a film looks than how it sounds. There have been some great films that used nothing but available lighting and simple camera work but have terrific audio. I think it was Gareth Edwards who said that an audience can forgive a bad picture but they can't forgive bad sound. He's absolutely right.
Bad sound is the top number one issue with most indie films - shorts especially. It's been repeated time and again but novice film makers simply won't listen. I call it CGI syndrome. Because we can do almost anything with video, film makers think Sound is the same way because we have RX, we are still decades behind visuals in terms of pulling of magic with fixing sound.
So basically everything in film making is important to get right.
Except wrap parties*
Yeah, the dude picked literally every bracket element of making a film...and the only thing not important to making a film are things that don't make the film...like sorry, you have to be more specific given the prompt. It's nice that he elaborated but it felt like a cop-out and seemingly ignored the question.
Like, imo, it's always bad framing/lighting and audio...the rest slowly starts to creep in but I immediately shut my brain off when I hear shit audio and the framing is bland and unintentional.
He didn’t mention the script
Yeap - think of a symphony orchestra. There are no small parts that can overlooked. Everyone has to be in tune and practiced.
I think, a counter to finding good locations is to take a boring location, and make it interesting using a combination of cinematography and art department.
Think of the early Jean Luc Godard films.
Acting is 100% one of the biggest that helped some of my films in film school rise to the top. And at that point I was just posting on Craigslist my synopsis. My first film there I got a very classically trained actress for one role, and a completely untrained, but very committed girl who just was like the character she was playing for the other role, and it was brilliant. Then I got connected with the classically trained actress's film school for the next film I did and it was amazing. I pulled a few friends and less trained actors for tiny roles, but all four main roles and some small roles had legitimate actors and it was amazing.
I also got very lucky with my main locations to find some really perfect gritty spots. This is super solid advice.
I saw a lot of fellow classmates do the more standard - everyone is in each other's films and shooting at each other's houses or in the school, and their films weren't as good. Knocking on all the doors till you find the right people to bring the vision to life is everything.
Certainly there were massive flaws in my films that make me cringe now, but for where I was in my filmmaking journey, I saw them escalate massively by finding the right actors, locations, props, and cinematography style.
I can forgive a lot but bad sound pulls me out of the movie more than bad acting.
yeah true, sound is key! any equipment you can recommend to pick up good sound im on a budget about of about £150
@@jv8studios Sanken COS 11 D omni mics,- AKA hide-a-mic, that mounts flush underneath clothing. Not cheap, about $400 per mic, but great for actors wearing wireless UHF body packs and they sound very clean and not compressed. I own a couple of them in my fleet.
As a sound guy, hire a sound guy. He/she has $10,000 in gear, and you get him/her for a few hundred a day.
@@jv8studios hire a sound guy.
@@HollywoodConnection-JAST hire a sound guy for less.
This guy is solid.
Thank you, Kent. You're in the will :) Best to you and your endeavors my man!
@@officialshanestanley Oh wow. How old are you again? Feeling alright? :D Thanks, buddy, and I look forward to reading your book.
Totally.
@@kentjensen4504 I'll be 50 in June, and yes never better! :) Thank you for the kindness and support. I hope you enjoy the read as much as I did the write.
Great video. Nice to hear it how it is. Such a hard craft to get into. Been doing it for 10 years and I love it
Also lighting ☺️
Handled in Cinematography (the 1st thing mentioned). :)
included in cinematography by default...
Yeah, but as others mentioned, I feel that good cinematographers would catch that.
that’s part of the cinematography
part of cinematography numb nuts
Dang we need more Shane. Hes the blunt truth that people need to meet.
There's a lot of ego driven assholes on set but also some great people that work hard and are dedicated. 🙏🏽🎬
I think audio can have a tremendous negative effect. You know it’s good enough when no one notices anything about it.
Exactly. And it is a skill that takes years to learn.
So basically, if you want to avoid making your film look low budget, don't have a low budget. Brilliant advice.
Great video! "All Eyez On Me" was so low budget! They did exactly what Shane said. They spent more on the wrap party than the film itself. Movie was horrid!
It happens...
so they spent over $40 million on the wrap party?
More important than any of these things is the script. A lot of modern “independent” films have much much much better sound, editing, cinematography, setting, and lighting, but the scripts are worse than ever. No good structure, not interesting, and can’t be bothered with revisions.
I’m so angry when I come across a film where they worried 15 times more about the lighting than whether or not the story was compelling. Editing does go a long way in helping this, but it’s obvious filmmakers rely way too heavily on editing to save them.
Story is first. People forget a movie is still a Story. Without the Story you have nothing.
I remember my friend in college used to draft me into all his oddball film projects because he liked that I could remember all the lines, improve some stupidity, and generally be animated on command. Guess 4 yrs of high school theater helped
Ha ha... So, the things that will make your movie look budget are...drumroll... all the things that make a movie.
Yep. It goes to show how much of a system a film production is. It falters if one component of the system won't work well.
People always talk about what's the most important role in making a film but ultimately, it's about what should be the priority during what phase you are in the production process.
2:33 “Places that they can’t go” - right now in this new world (COVID) order, that’s: EVERYWHERE!
I was invited to a low budget film premier a few years ago and a lot of money had been spent on plying about 200 people, myself included, with wine and canapés in a swanky location. The film was dire, really bad, but we all congratulated the film makers and actors and reserved our criticisms for the journey home. So I agree with this guy - put the money into more important things and definitely don’t cast the girl you fancy, who can’t act, in the lead role, as this director did.
Usually a director puts his personality into a movie very heavily. The director is responsible for tone and the type of acting in the film. Often times how much you enjoy a movie seems to really depend on whether you like the director's style or note.
"Come up with three ways to do something, and come up with the fourth."
Would this apply to writing, too?
Absolutely, check out 3:44 of this video m.ua-cam.com/video/A2BhItk6Fo0/v-deo.html
Absolutely. I think more in writing than anything. Good luck!
@@officialshanestanley thank you!
@@notactuallywill3620 So welcome, Gabi (not) Gabi
@@officialshanestanley Hahaha
Thank you for the insight Shane. Humble, real, professional. All the best for 2021!
And to you, Rod. Appreciate it my man.
Sofia Coppola ruined Godfather 3, Jaden Smith ruined After Earth. "Stop hiring family members as actors." Best advice ever given.
Godfather 3 was a mess for a LOT more reasons than just Sofia Coppola, not to mention she was a kid and has grown into a very capable and talented director.
Not to mention sacking Robert Duvall because he wanted a pay rise! I mean he was by that stage an academy award winner…
@@planetdisco4821 Yet another dumb Hollywood decision.
Sage Stallone in Rocky V.
But the film still would have sucked either way.
the attitude of Michael Corleone was even worse
One way to learn how to make good movies is to watch a lot of bad movies. It's much easier to identify what is wrong with a movie than what is right.
Loved everything he said, EXCEPT: this is the first time I've heard someone in the business say social "behind the scenes" isn't going to help sell your movie. I wish he'd said more, because it's both counter intuitive and opposite from common wisdom.
Loving the 5 points. I feel like I got an enormous education in a few moments.
Thanks for sharing...
Thanks Jesse, glad you found this one helpful.
great advice, man, what a great video - as usual ;) Keep it up Film Courage!
Great advice here - will definitely consider these when I make my next short films.
As for wrap parties, get sponsors to pay for them.
Love this from Karen and Shane. All manner of incredible filmmaking insights. Not the easy answers, the RIGHT ones. Practical and brilliant from Film Courage, as usual.
Luckily my wife was the ultimate choice to bring my audiobook to life. That being said, I totally get your point about hiring Uncle Bob to star in your 🎥 film.
*Shane is ALWAYS so Golden!*
Please, tell my father. I'm on his sh^t list - LOL. Thank you JR. Appreciate the kindness. Have a great one!
Wow very helpful advice and tips! Thanks for sharing this inspiring experience. Learned a lot here!
You can shoot any movie anywhere & it can still look cheap. It's really all about the cinematography.
Great talk. I could listen to him all day.
Cheers Comic Power! Here is everything we have published with Shane thus far - bit.ly/3qJiA0s
There is no magic bullet here. It depends on what kind of film you are making and the needs of it. Creativity of being on a budget can make you produce wonderful things you didn't know were possible.
The only thing for sure is if you aren't born with the gift of "the vision", then you need plenty of practice/experience and study of great films.
Great stuff! Thanks Shane.
I really love these, thank you so much!
I never realized how locations matter until he said that it’s “a place you want to go” as opposed to a place you already are or a “normal” setting. Tv shows are famous for their unrealistic sets (particularly home-based sets) but it’s a fantasy and it does not detract from the best shows; it adds to them. Frazier’s apartment, Jerry’s apartment, the Friends apartments, the Brady house, etc. The fans of those shows don’t mind that those sets make no sense. It’s a fantasy world that mimics the “real” world.
About a year ago I got home from a long day at work to find my whole street blocked off by catering vans and a film crew doing a shoot at the pub in the corner. As I stood there watching them film a scene a girl who I thought was just walking home from the tram stop passed in front of the cameras. “I think you just ruined their shot” I casually remarked. “Do ya reckon?” She snarled at me and walked off in a huff. It was at that moment I realised she was an extra for the film lol.
1) having a low budget
"Friends and lovers"- classic. Too true!
This info are just great. GREAT!! You gotta love Shane Stanley. Every time he gives away gems of advice.✨💖
"Afraid your girlfriend will leave you if you don't put her in the film" - What if you're afraid to give her a role because of the possibility of her leaving you in the middle of production, forcing a recast and having to start over?
🤡
Oh the other hand, if you're basing a character around someone you know, and are hoping a film school actor can do an impression of that person, that usually doesn't work either. :)
I love these Kind of videos! I love the channel🙏🏻The Question And titles are also amazing !!!! Thankyouu for helping us young dreamers! Stanley Is Very Underated on social media ! People just go with the noise idk why
Shhhhh.... I prefer it that way :) Thanks Fitt. All the best.
@@officialshanestanley 🤫😆! Thankyou Big Sir!!'
I once did a short film providing my sound editing and Foley and mix skills for free. There was no budget for post but I needed credits. I found out they hired the largest LED bill board in Europe for the films poster (not at all how you market a short any way) and hired an expensive theatre in the city, pro photographer, red carpet, repeater banners and bottles of Champaign. But....they couldn't afford to pay me for my services. Thankfully, I've learned since.
Greaaaat blunt advice!!! Love it and thank you
Wrap party and wrap party gifts seem sooo fun. I’ve seen so many of them posted on social media.
6:00 That point he raised about using friends, lovers, family members & whomever you're chummy with in your films, really resonates with a lot of fillmakers in their beginning. Unfortunately, he is absolutely right about it! It is not the right and "professional" way to go. Personally, I have done it and I would do it again, but only if they do small cameos or secondary roles- and also, there's got to be a power and a presence to that face, so if I can't make them talk, at least I always have that.
Very good video
"Film is 60% sound." -heard this once, agree
Personally, i think that's BS. Script is always king....next to good actors.
Charlie Chaplin.
@@seanwebb605 I am, in fact, aware of silent movies. I thought it was clear I wasn't referring to them but I was wrong and I apologize. I should have said that "There's a rule of thumb that in movies with sound, '60% of the movie is sound.;"
@@yewtoob2007 It's worth mentioning that as much as people praise the old silent movies there haven't been many people crazy enough to try to produce a retro style silent movie.
I am not into making film, but I really like to watch these videos. So interesting.😊
nowadays with high performance film cameras being so affordable and with help of drones you can get such amazing shots by strapping cameras to them, im really surprised there isn't more independent low budged movies that make it big.
This is such good advice
Writing a documentary, this advice will come in handy
This is KEY!!
This is good advice, I see this so much, wannabe photographers and film makers where you can instantly tell they're shooting or taking artsy pictured of their friends and relatives always in their backyards and neighborhoods.
Hearing him talk about locations right now is funny because my class's short film projects are restricted to our houses because of our school's COVID insurance policy. LOL
Same here. Had to use my room for my from project for a sound design workshop just this July.
I appreciate these videos so much
Doing our best, glad you found another good one Chris!
I really did .. I’ve been writing a script for over a year .. this helps me dump tons
Or at least keep writing and plan out a 5-9 with what I have .. trim the fat.. this helped a lot
My rather limited experience is that filmmakers prioritize the five:
1. Actors
2. Cinematography
3. Editing
4. Locations
5. Sound
1. Story.
It has to be sound mixing. A good sound desing and mix, makes the whole difference.
Sooo... basically every single aspect of the film. Thanks, I'll keep that in mind. If I ever make a film and want it not to look low-budget, I'll make sure it doesn't look low budget.
Some great advice. The locations really jumped out for me. Try to find the most interesting locations to shoot in, especially if you're filming that location for most of the film.
As a film maker all I can say is I agree 100% with everything Mr. Stanley says here.Budding filmmakers take note, lots of wisdom here.
Didn't mention production design/art department/make-up. You can have the best camera in the world, lighting etc, but if there is nothing there to shoot,it'll stick out, and worse when the resolution is high.
Talking to acting schools to work with students? Why didn't I think of that? That's a great idea!
So every part of a movie then, deep insight!
I like how the 5 things are listed in the first 10-15 seconds
If you don’t want your film to look low budget write something worth doing. The number one thing that drives and defines all other aspects is the script. The story is king. Write a good script. Then write a good breakdown of that script and solve as many problems you can while they are on the page before you get to any set.
Successful low budget filmmaking in a way requires more skill - because you lack resources so it must be executed with greater efficiency. Write a good script. Make an efficient plan for executing that script. The plan includes surrounding yourself with the best people feasible in key positions. If you have a good script you can attract good people. Cinematography, Sound, Art Direction, Locations, Casting - all are important and all should spring from the script. Did I mention write a good script?
If people could write good scripts, then they wouldn't need to make Indies. They would be courted by Hollywood.
@@ronaldmayle1823 The road to being “courted by Hollywood” is extremely convoluted and varied and not always determined by quality. Hollywood essentially makes only Super Hero movies now. I guarantee that there are many great scripts out there that have never seen the light of day - because they are ignored by Hollywood. Indie filmmakers need to find great original scripts first and foremost.
@@LiteShaper1 True, now that you mention it, I have seen a lot of garbage coming out of Hollywood.
As a sound designer I wish more movie makers would take note of this aspect - and there is a reason they don't..... because they don't notice it.
If the sound is good you will never spot it - do it bad - and EVERYBODY notices it!!
Somewhat surprised at the negative comments by viewers. The man is sharing what he knows. I am pretty sure he knows “story is king”.
As for the great nuggets of knowledge and Easter eggs shared, take from what you will. This is real world experience shared, so thanks!
Sound is #1 and editing is amazing how it can change. Look up star wars first edits and you will see what we almost got and it would have been one movie if that would have been the draft pushed out.
I can accept his stance on wrap parties, but I would emphasize the importance of good catering. I've seen firsthand how quality food can kill a mutiny on a low-budget film. If I ever get back in the game, I'll never skimp on the food.
But I think he's making too light a situation on moonlighting professionals. Sure they exist, but finding out who will do it is rather difficult given how careful people have to be of the unions and other people finding out. It could affect their employment and rates down the line. It's known, for instance, that top-shelf industry people do (or used to until the mid-'10s) the stunt, firearm, and costuming work for big-budget porn movies that parody superhero movies on the side, but damned if their names ever get out. Kimberly Kane's Wonder Woman suit was built by somebody who actually did work on the Marvel movies (the materials the suit was made out of give that away) but nobody says who it is.
"The best way to solve a problem is by not having a problem" is the mantra I've always needed to hear and I will use that for the rest of my life.
Proper plans prevent poor performance. - Cdr Richard Marcinko US Navy ret, ⚓. I agree on having good craft services, avoid snow, cold weather, avoid complex stunts, FX etc. Do not treat the cast, crew like dirt. Make sure HR, payroll, schedules work smooth. Do not screw people or not pay vendors, crew, actors. 💲.
What's the sixth thing that makes a film look low-budget?
Some might say it goes under location, but I say art design. Putting in some effort towards making the set or location interesting and believable can make as great a difference as good cinematography.
the art department doesn't have a quitting time... hire the most enthusiastic people in line, not necessarily the most experienced.
story is too small? bad writing?
@@kentjensen4504 I've seen tons of shorts shot in someone's apartment where no attention is paid to the set decoration - plain white apartment walls, sparse furnishings, etc. If that's the location you need, spend a little money on some plants, hang some cheap thrift store pictures on the wall, etc.
One interesting tip I heard on a podcast a little while ago was to furnish your location with a rental company - Rent-A-Center, Aaron's, etc. You can furnish a whole living room for a few hundred bucks for a week, including delivery and pickup.
@@hawksoob That's an amazing tip. I will find out if we have that kind of rental companies here in Norway. Cheers.
What he said about actors is so true its actually fairly easy to find good actors. they are everywhere and just want to have the ability to act and be in a project you just have to search for them use the power of the internet to find them. Location and sound I feel might be the hardest.
Is the character role they play also a factor?
He makes a great point about being afraid of asking real talent to work with you.
Hah I'm at the level where my 'wrap party' is buying people a pint in the pub afterwards (lockdown permitting)
Lighting too. Doesnt have to be 3-point all over the place, but really flat lighting can make audiences think its cheap.
hence why big films have electric, lighting, gaffer, and camera departments. Electrical controls power to the lights, lighting controls lights to the shadows, gaffers control shadows to the lens, and camera runs lens to the camera. They work in tandem to create, not the greatest look, but the standard look. Indies have to try and reach that standard look because that's what audiences are used to. Again, its not about one look, its about an informed look. every choice informed: backlit, one point, 2, 3; naturalistic, on-location, tungsten, florescent, LED, etc.
Cinematography is photography across time, and photography means light record. What's key is story, visuals (lights, shadows, movement, cinematography), performance, then sound (as the silent era proved audio augments the visuals, and aren't always required).
This vid should be required in film school. Physical film and developing kept independents few. Now with vid everyone thinks they are MGM. Trade outs like a fancy car if the dealers gf gets a walk-on, are smart. Trade outs are essential. The one thing I can't stand is lousy sound and worse, to have the sound track so strong dialogue is lost.
Thank you. You can read that and 10 chapters covering everything from 'concept to deliver' here: whatyoudontlearninfilmschool.com
Don't watch Tenet. Worst sound ever.
Story is king and sound is Queen.
Filmmakers Pay Attention! THIS just might be THE BEST FILM COURAGE VIDEO EVER! And, it may seem like common sense, but you'd be surprised how many people avoid common sense in our industry. Just look at all of the not-so-great indie films in the indie film graveyard. Most of them are shot terribly on a cheap low-rent camera with poor sound quality. What Shane said about actors is TRUTH! While I primarily direct and produce features, I still work on shorts, as well. I have produced a good amount of shorts for young directors and gotten them recognisable faces and major character actors - and even helped them license music - and still they seem to want to put their significant others in the short, treating it like weekend fun. Now, if your significant other TRULY IS A TALENTED ACTOR, OK. But, if they work in Corporate America and are not thespians, then, NO, don't give them a role. In addition to being a writer, director and producer, I have my own acting school in addition to my own production company. And, what he said is SO TRUE - REALLY IS! There are so many talented actors out there in classes, workshops and schools - some of whom work in episodic and independent films regularly - that would LOVE to be a part of your project. This really is a useful video - very much so. I hope many independent filmmakers truly hear the message and take advantage of it.
Using FX you can almost afford! Cheers Film Courage!!
I wonder if they rented out a bowling alley after wrapping up The Big Lebowski
So you need great sound, great actors, great editing, a great DP and good locations.
Who knows what other eldritch wisdom we are yet to discover?
Eldritch wisdom is basically all that is left after that guy covered everything.
I think he missed stunt people. Richard Attenborough tells of his experience trying to skimp on this. Quite recently too.