1000 Dollar Film

If you are a filmmaker, you definitely want a director of photography who you can trust.

Some of the most famous directors out there came out of poverty; lack of funding is no excuse to refrain from movie making.

Many first-time movie makers start with horror or sci-fi films. It could be because they’re appealing to a large crowd; they can be a big success even if they’re not considered “quality films.” Of course, it could also simply be because they can be very cheap to make!

If you’re looking for a way to learn how to shoot a movie but have no money to do so, DIY Life’s Film School series may be just what you need. As DIY points out, a video shot with a steady hand and a $250 camera is much more welcome than bouncy, grainy footage coming to you from an $18,000 one. Be sure to check out their series for how to do just that.

Remember that the key to keeping a movie cheap is to keep your script simple. Simple does not, by the way, mean less powerful, meaningful, or interesting; it simply means less razzle-dazzle effects and more plot and good direction.

The first thing to do in creating a movie on the cheap is to make sure your script is simple enough to budget for. If you are shooting an alien movie, a script akin to Signs with its simple location and effects is much cheaper to do than, say, one in the realm of Independence Day.

Whether you need a scepter for Satan or sash for Miss USA, you’re likely going to need props for your movie at some point. That said, you don’t want to spend a fortune on something that may only be in one scene–or that you’re only going to use for this one movie.

If you’re on a tight budget, the last thing you want to worry about is the makeup and costumes for your movie. You won’t be able to spend a fortune on wardrobe when you’re stretched on equipment as it is.