No-Budget Film School
Welcome to the MicroCinema Scene No-Budget Film School - an ever expanding archive of articles filled with real-world knowledge about now to make a movie with little to no money. Armed with this knowledge and some basic moviemaking tools, you should be well on your way to completing and screening your first MicroCinema epic. If you have questions about a topic not covered here, visit the discussion forums or use the comment system at the end of each article.
What To Do If You Can’t Afford Film School
Film school is expensive. Digital video tapes are cheap. Here’s a practical plan for teaching yourself how to make movies.
DVD Film School
Use the Special Features and Commentary tracks of your DVD collection to learn how to make movies.
Independent Film Grants and Financing Sources
An up-to-date list of independent film grants and other financing sources for independent filmmakers. Don’t max out your credit cards to make your film before you apply for a few grants!
Screenwriting: Keep the Padding Out
Is your script properly optimized for your budget? Here are some tips for trimming the fat out of your draft and keeping your script tightly focused on the essential story.
Creating a Shot List
You’ve got your screenplay polished and ready to go. Now it’s time to translate the printed word to the visual image. Learn how to create a Shot List in an organized and orderly way so that you are truly prepared for the camera to roll.
Auditioning Talent
As moviemakers, we are always burdened with finding actors to appear in our movies. Where do these elusive beings live? How do we get them to be in our movies? How will we know if they are right for a role? The answer is simple: hold auditions.
Creating the Right Cast
There’s more to casting than finding a bunch of attractive faces. In order to complete your MicroCinema masterpiece, you’ll need a cast that can work together and survive the tribulations of no-budget moviemaking.
Location Scouting
Unless you’re shooting your entire project on greenscreen, you’re probably going to need a few real locations. Learn how to secure locations, get the proper paperwork signed and keep your shoot moving smoothly.
Contracts and Low-Budget Movies
Without the proper paperwork, you could make the next Clerks or El Mariachi and find out that your movie is impossible to release.
8 Simple Rules for Making a Movie
From scheduling enough time to properly feeding your crew, these rules may indeed seem simple - but they can make or break your production.
Communication Skills for the Low-Budget Moviemaker
Whether you are a writer, producer, director, actor, boom operator, cameraperson, best boy or all of the above, your ability to communicate will be directly related to the success of your movie.
Sound: The 50% So Many Forget About
How to record high quality audio during production of your movie.
Low-Budget Secrets
Controversial filmmaker Rock Savage sings the praises of Halloween stores, unusual sources for props and shooting without permits.
Time Code
A simple technique for preserving the life of your camera and/or digital video deck.
NOT Editing Your Own Movie
The pros and cons of working with an editor on your movie.
Musicians and Low-Budget Movies: A Practical Guide
Tips for both movie-makers putting together a soundtrack and musicians looking for new outlets to showcase their work.
Successfully Screening Your Movie
Now that your movie is finished, it’s time to show it for an audience. Here are some tips on how to book a venue, get press coverage and successfully screen your movie.
I Was Bigfoot’s Shemp! [Part One] [Part Two] [Part Three]
In 2003, indie screenwriter (and MicroCinema Scene co-founder) John Oak Dalton watched a movie called Blood Red Planet and was introduced to the strange world of legendary cult filmmakers - The Polonia Brothers. Little did he know that this low-budget space epic would lead to a collaboration that continues to this day. He has since gone on to write several movies for the Brothers and in 2003, travelled to Wellsboro, Pennsylvania for the production of Among Us - a movie about Bigfoot!
