While budding filmmakers may be familiar with stories of Hollywood pictures that cost millions of dollars to make and rake in even more at the box office, many great films are made on shoestring budgets. Low-budget filmmaking forces directors and their staff to make a quality picture on a budget that is incredibly small compared to the kind of finances Hollywood can leverage. To do that, low-budget filmmakers must pursue an array of funding opportunities.
Instructions
1. Create your film's projected budget. Write down all the expenses you expect to incur on an itemized list. Make reasonable estimates for the costs you can't put an exact dollar value on at this time.
2. Fit your budget into a larger project or business proposal. A business proposal that outlines who you are, the film you're making and your budget can be a powerful tool to sell potential investors on the film. Start your proposal with a brief bio that includes the credentials of you and your team. Follow up with a synopsis of your film and what type of film you want to make. End the proposal with your budget.
3. Pursue investors. Investors, especially for low-budget filmmakers, don't have to be high-profile businessmen; they can be friends, family and acquaintances. You'll want to approach several investors, in case some say no and because soliciting many investors means you can ask for less money from each. Present investors with your business plan and a face-to-face sales pitch. Practice this pitch extensively before you begin knocking on doors.
4. Search for film making grants. A variety of public and private organizations provide sums of money to film makers to make the films of their dreams. While these grants are typically not exorbitant sums of money, for low-budget films, they may cover much of the budget. To give you an idea of just how little money you need, consider that Robert Rodriguez's now-famous film El Mariachi was made in 1992 for $7,225, according to Peter Broderick's article in Filmmaker Magazine.
5. Explore alternative options to raise more funds. When it comes to securing your movie's budget, you should have a variety of fundraising plans in place. Consider creating an austere budget in your own life to save money for your movie. Also, organizing fundraising events, such as garage sales, bake sales or other types of events, can help you raise money. Explore other ways to cut costs as well. You may have friends with camera or production skills that you might be able to use in exchange for your own services.
Tags: your budget, business proposal, film making, low-budget filmmakers, proposal with, sums money