Okay, this question isn't about the cost of making a movie, per se. But I'm struggling to find a way to create a short film locally here in Michigan. I was chatting with some local film folk at a screenwriting competition/film festival I attended and I mentioned this. I want to shoot something fun and easy (was inspired by two young guys who shot a feature now on Tubi for $600).
One guy who works regularly as a videographer says "You need at least $150/day for food" and another holds up their phone and says "You can shoot something easily with this."
So, why would I spend $150/day on food for a crew if I'm shooting on my phone? I'm curious how people would go about trying to get people together to work for free just to shoot for fun. I'm not looking for anything more than to get back into filmmaking (haven't done it much since film school).
Thanks all!
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If you're not paying anyone for the time, energy, equipment, expertise they're bringing to a set, then good food is a must! You can call in a lot of favors but feeding people, as well as safety things (like Covid safety and permits), can make or break a project.
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Dunno what's economy situation in America (nothing would surprise me these days) but here we take camera/cell/even tablets nowadays have camera/, gather some friends and shoot the thing...then some festivals, exposition and even some awards + recognition...all that on 0 spent and some "Stobi Flips" for meal (you might have them in NJ too)...
So what's the prize? Well, you have something to show, you did some scenes cool way, some techniques without anything, you are showing what you are capable of on minimum...
It's not the idea that get's you job...it's capability to perform the idea...
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I don't know if this helps. But last year our team and a couple of friends got together and shot a short as a proof of concept for a TV show.
We have some equipment and everyone worked so that we could get the show funded, which looks like it has a good chance of happening now.
We spent just around $180 for transportation costs and food.
Of course everyone that was part of it will get payed if we get the show funded but we still called in a lot of favors. Thankfully my partner and I also do a lot of favors for people so that wasn't much of a problem.
You can read a little more about it here: https://www.stage32.com/blog/How-to-Produce-a-TV-Pilot-for-Next-to-Nothing
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Well, there's a difference between amateur and professional productions, at every budget level. Professional ones tend to create much better content and by definition they pay people for their efforts (though how much is up to negotiation). If you don't want to spend anything and just want to start creating something, use your phone and your best friend. Otherwise, figure lunch at $15/person plus $5/person for water, crafty, etc.. Why would you spend that? Because no one will work for you unless you do, and because they are putting 10-12 hours a day into your project - as human beings they need fuel to run on - and there are other very good reasons. A reasonable budget on a short, non-union, ULB film is $6k/day and can get you people with the skills you need to make a viewable product, without stealing anyone's labor.
We're basically on the same page Shadow. All I have available is amateur talent but I push 'em hard to get professional results. I do this to give them the training & understanding of the truths of the real world - a lot of people can't handle the truth. I won't pay 'em but I allocate $25 per day for lunch and I four-wall a small venue with a wrap party.
Doug Nelson I think we are on the same page, yes. It's all about respect, and give and take, really. People need some experience in this industry to get anywhere and where else can they get it but on ULB sets? On the other hand, the concept of "professional" implies something of value going from each party to the other. The amount of that value is up to the parties and so long as both are happy with the value, it's no one else's business. But it's a very important legal, cultural and psychological symbol and by itself helps to foster a professional and businesslike attitude on all sides.
Good food = good attitude = good day shooting. Even just for fun, if you are the one producing the project, take good care of your people! Good luck and have fun!