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How to Hire Crew for Your Feature Film Under $1,500,000
How to Hire Crew for Your Feature Film Under $1,500,000
Taught by Erika Arlee & Kristi Ray
On Demand
$49.00
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Summary

Learn from a filmmaking duo who have produced over a dozen films! 

PLUS! You will receive a case study sample budget and crew list!

Congrats! You’ve reached a significant milestone in your filmmaking career: you’ve secured capital for your feature-length project, and now you want to make sure you stretch every dollar to achieve the highest production value possible. One of the most important ways to do that is by assembling the right crew. In this exclusive Stage 32 webinar, you’ll learn how to hire a talented, reliable team that fits your budget and will help bring your film to life. Whether you’re an experienced filmmaker or just starting, this webinar is packed with expert advice on how to maximize your resources and build a strong foundation for your project!

Many filmmakers in the indie world make the mistake of underestimating the importance of a solid crew or fail to negotiate fair compensation for everyone involved. Navigating these waters can be tricky, especially when working with a limited budget. Without the right strategies, it's easy to hire out of desperation or compromise quality for cost. In this webinar, we'll uncover how to avoid these pitfalls by understanding compensation, building out departments effectively, and knowing when to hire based on potential rather than just experience.

That’s why we’re thrilled to have Erika Arlee and Kristi Ray, co-founders of the award-winning Honey Head Films, as your instructors. Erika, a writer, director, and cinematographer, has built a career specializing in ultra-low-budget filmmaking and has a proven track record with critically acclaimed films like A Song For Imogene, which has won multiple awards. Kristi, a producer and actress trained at Lee Strasberg, has been a force in independent film for over 15 years, championing strong, female-centric narratives. Together, they bring a wealth of experience and a passion for empowering filmmakers with the tools they need to tell their stories effectively, even on limited budgets!

In this webinar, you’ll gain practical insights into how to hire a talented crew within your budget. You’ll learn how to evaluate talent, build departments, and approach crew members with professionalism and clarity. By the end, you'll have a solid understanding of how to use your resources effectively and make smart crew hiring decisions that contribute to your film’s success!

 

PLUS! You will receive these exclusive handouts for you to keep:

  • Case Study Sample Budget
  • Crew List

 

What You'll Learn

How to Build the Crew You Need

  • Understanding emotional currency

  • Empowering collegiate interns and volunteers

  • The "name talent" of it all and how it impacts crew size

  • Why authenticity and sweat equity matter

  • When to stay skinny and when to scale

 

Understanding The Types of Rates You Will Pay

  • Questions you need to ask yourself about your project when crewing up 

  • An overview of the types of roles you need to budget 

  • An overview of what you will pay for them

  • Hiring on potential over proof

Low Budget Nuts And Bolts

  • How to “fix it in prep” 

  • Maintaining a positive set atmosphere

  • The benefits of investing in teaching and giving back 

  • Checking egos at the door

  • Putting together equipment packages that make sense for your crew size

 

Case Study

  • Sample $1.5M film- (Name redacted for confidentiality)


Q&A with Erika and Kristi

Who Should Attend

    • Independent filmmakers
    • Directors and producers
    • Aspiring filmmakers
    • Filmmakers of all levels

Executive

Erika Arlee & Kristi Ray
Erika Arlee & Kristi Ray
at Honey Head Films

ERIKA ARLEE - WRITER/DIRECTOR


Erika is a critically acclaimed writer, director, cinematographer and co-founder of the award-winning production company, Honey Head Films. Her work spans genres while maintaining a character-driven approach to avant-garde storytelling. A constant receptor to lighting bolts of inspiration, Erika is the author of 10 narrative short films, 4 feature films, a TV pilot, and has written multiple commission screenplays. Erika specialized in ultra low-buget filmmaking. 

Her feature film, A SONG FOR IMOGENE, premiered at Bentonville Film Festival before going on to win Best Feature at The Rhode Island International Film Festival and open Cucalorus Film Festival. It was awarded Best Narrative Feature at Oxford Film Festival and screened in competition at the Atlanta Film Festival.

She heads Honey Head Films' annual summer camp, Shoot Like A Girl, which equips young women with the tools and confidence they need to hone their creative visions while pursuing an interest in film.

 

KRISTI RAY - PRODUCER/ACTRESS


Kristi Ray is a multi-hyphenate creative who’s been making waves in the independent film scene for the past fifteen years. Classically trained at Lee Strasberg in New York City, her work as a leading lady gravitates toward dynamic characters and strong, compelling, female-centric stories. She has won several awards for her work in cinema, including Best Actress, Best Narrative Feature, Best Supporting Actress, Outstanding Performer of the Year along with many other nominations.

She co-founded Honey Head Films - an award winning, female owned production house with a mission-driven approach to narrative filmmaking. As a creative producer and actress Kristi Ray is intentionally moving the needle forward for marginalized voices in cinema - both in front of and behind the lens.

She stars in a number of feature films including the latest award-winning Honey Head feature film A SONG FOR IMOGENE. 

Testimonials

Praise for Erika and Kristi's Previous Teachings with Stage 32:

"I thought Erika and Kristi's class was great. It's a whirlwind, a fire hose of information but that's what I wanted, for my purposes -- a sample of everything you need to think about when producing a film. And while some such an overview can be intimidating (and to truly delve into it would have taken weeks!), they presented the subject in a very calm way, with examples and helpful hints.  I don't know that it could have been handled any better. They rock. " -Lise P

"Erika and Kristi were very knowledgeable and competent. But most importantly, they were able to share their passion and enthusiasm for making low budget movies without compromising standards. As a tag team, we got the benefits of both Erika's directing and Kristi's producing specialties. I have reviewed my project plans based on the insights I gained in this class. Great job!" - Dele F

 

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