Make A Movie With No Money - Part 2

Brought to Us By Jason at www.NoBudgetFilmmaking.com


A lot of people ask me about what kind of film they should make. While there are many different kinds of films, and it would take me forever to go through the pros and cons of all of them...there are 2 major types that I want to discuss. Short films and Feature Length films.

Most filmmakers think they HAVE to start out making short films. Others want to start with a short to test their abilities on a smaller scale. But, making a short may not be all it's made out to be.

A lot of film students think that the road to making a feature is paved by short films. They think that if they make a short film, it will get them noticed, and lead to someone offering them a job directing a feature...or it will lead to someone giving them money to make their own feature. I have to say that from what I have seen, this is a rare occurrence.

The reality is that it is very hard to get noticed from a short film. There are thousands of film students spending thousands of dollars making shorts, but are they really getting anything out of it?

Sure, if you make an amazing short, and win a ton of awards, it will make thing easier on you when it comes time to try and raise money...but is it really worth spending all that time and money on a short for that slim chance?

Personally, I think too many people waste time making short films. They do it either because they think they have to...or because they are scared to take the risk of making a feature length movie. The truth is, if you can make a short...you can make a feature. Why not skip the short and go straight for the feature?

The benefits of making a feature way outweigh the benefits of making a short.

For one, there is almost NEVER any money to be made out of a short film. So, if you are going to spend the money, why not put it towards a feature that will be profitable...giving you money to make another film?

You do not HAVE to make a short in order to make a feature!

If you think making a short will get you noticed and suddenly people will be begging you to make a feature for them...good luck. That is a tough road to take.

If you think it is easier to make a short...you may be right. But it isn't that much harder to make a feature. So why not go for it? Besides, if you think people will be impressed with your short and offer you a feature...just think of how impressed they will be that you actually made your own feature?

Who do you think someone would rather give money to? Someone who made an artsy short film...or someone who has successfully completed a feature length movie on a budget?

I don't know about you, but if I was a money guy, I would go for the person who has proven his/her ability to complete a feature!

So, to sum it up...my advice is to skip the short, and focus on the feature. In my No Budget Filmmaking Ultra-Pack, I talk more about this, and discuss HOW you can make that feature for the same budget you would have spent on a short. :)

Now get out there and make a movie!!!
Jason
www.NoBudgetFilmmaking.com