As a would-be filmmaker also born and raised in New Jersey, I consider Kevin Smith my filmmaking mentor. And he has given me the motivation to make films here in The Garden State. In fact, I am hoping that my dream of owning a Jersey-based production company becomes a reality in 2025! Thanks, Kevin Smith! And thank you for this video, @StudioBinder!!
I love how this was released just as I'm working on the script for my dad's newly published book as a promo 😅 it won't have any financing to it as it is basically just me and maybe some people just having fun and trying stuff out with our skill sets. Big thanks StudioBinder!
Omg this just released as I'm making my final short film summative for my media class lol Of course, as a highschool we have no budget, no money, and 4 kids with a camera and a dream but this is nice to have lol
I remember my college film-making project was so much fun but it was also a constant nightmare. We had no budget, loaned equipment from the community college and local public access TV station, our cast were fellow students, and the only location we could get (a local fast food place) would only let us film during business hours, despite the scene taking place after closing time. I was proud of the final product, but it wasn't near the quality I would have hoped for. Wish I still had a copy of it too - my master tape was destroyed in the back of a hot car.
I love this video. I shot my first short film around a year ago. I had one actor, plus myself, a GH5 II, Sinne Besuch audio and lighting gear, and a bedroom. A romantic scenario was out of the question, for a variety of reasons, so I went for a dark interrogation scene instead. I got a helper to point the camera at us, but ended up doing the lighting and post production myself. I'd also add that good audio will make your production look way more professional, as well, so don't be complacent when it comes to sound!
6:42 I made my first film in 2024 and I sincerely appreciate "the power of collaboration". My film came first position in the competition I entered for and this is a great motivation for me to do more and leverage more on collaboration 🙏🏼
Thank you, thank you, thank you for being so detailed and helpful about making low budget films in this video. You guys give out the best advice for independent filmmakers such as myself compared to every other TH-cam filmmaking channel I stumble upon. I'm planning out my next horror short film, and these tips have really helped a lot. I'm hoping to film this later in the year.
i've been starting off with films casting mostly my classmates and props either from the dollar store or made from whatever i can find. i've been wanting to expand my production value, so thanks for making this video.
That's great! Honestly, people think starting with low budgets is bad but it forces you to be creative, which will then make you better filmmakers when you DO get a budget.
The subtle way you reference your product in these educational TH-cam videos elevates them far beyond “just” StudioBinder. I don’t even use StudioBinder, and I’m not writing movies-yet! 😉
Love this! I wrote/directed/produced a feature called Contracted that was released by IFC and became the #1 streamed movie on Netflix back in 2014 -- we made it for $50k!
I just googled A Ghost Story's budget and astonished that it was only 100,000 USD. Didn't feel like it. I mean- a movie like My Dinner With Andre which I'd EXPECT to be budget because it's literally a movie of two people having a conversation over dinner is close to 500k but A Ghost Story? It was one of the more impressionable movies I've come across that impacted me and it was that budget? What a bargain
I have a feature script I have been attempting to make a proof of concept for. The problem is the budget. Pitching to private investors is the best choice but I wouldn’t know where to start!
Can you make a Video for Film Festival process like DCP Format, Shipping, Screening Fees and If we have low budget film how can we attend film festivals and book hotels to stay its huge and its compulsory to attend film festival if we don't have enough money to attend film festivals ?
We cover festivals here but we didn't cover some of those exact questions. Maybe we'll do a Part 2! th-cam.com/video/ZB2LV1wHHzM/w-d-xo.htmlsi=97ZI9v_5tReFhHXV
Yeah, it was low budget compared to his normal productions. To save money he used most of his TV crew and kinda shot it like an extended episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents.
I’ve been in Ghana for fours years and got citizenship, I know people who ‘s been there for months and got citizenship, people who have Been there for years and didn’t get citizenship
I think that starting with a low budget is a major problem, as it limits making a mark at a higher budget. A studio with deep pockets wants to know that you can handle a higher budget. 😢
You're saying that casting roles should be based on who is right for the job instead of sking color or orientation or their opression points? You're reasy to be ostracized from hollywood for that obvious perspective, right?
Who goes and says to themselves "I think I'll watch an indie short film tonight"? Nobody. Nobody wants to watch short films. They're never good. People watch tiktok. The problem for most would-be filmmakers is that they see the great cinema of the past and they say to themselves, "I want to be the creator of that kind of thing." But they are really consumers, not producers. They aren't doing the things that make people artists - including reading a lot. Nobody reading this comment will ever write anything as good as the first page of any Coen brothers film - it's largely because kids don't read books, and the Coen brothers built their intelligence as children, reading. You can't make up for that now. Consequently 99.99999% of scripts don't deserve to get shot, even with the lowest budget, but the world is clogged with people who want to "be" filmmakers. It's more of a psychological problem than a filkmmaking problem. If you spend the next 10 years not looking at the internet, you might stand some small chance of having an idea - because that's what all the greats in the past did.
There is a lot of truth to everything you said and even more so if you did have the time put in for learning the craft you are up against an oversaturated market 100 %
We appreciate this perspective. Things are changing (and fast) so beginning filmmakers now vs. then are facing very different circumstances. Reading is essential, no argument there. But if a filmmaker wants to connect with the culture, they have to know the culture. If "TikTok" is the culture, they have to know TikTok...and then ELEVATE it. But you're totally right that most people won't be the next Joel or Ethan Coen, and that's OK too. Some people are happy just to work on their projects without aspirations to be the best of the best. You're also right that mindset and work ethic are important. Staying focused in 2025 is tough but we gotta do it!
As a would-be filmmaker also born and raised in New Jersey, I consider Kevin Smith my filmmaking mentor. And he has given me the motivation to make films here in The Garden State. In fact, I am hoping that my dream of owning a Jersey-based production company becomes a reality in 2025! Thanks, Kevin Smith! And thank you for this video, @StudioBinder!!
Good luck!
That's so cool! Good luck with the prod. company.
I love how this was released just as I'm working on the script for my dad's newly published book as a promo 😅 it won't have any financing to it as it is basically just me and maybe some people just having fun and trying stuff out with our skill sets. Big thanks StudioBinder!
Woohoo! That sounds awesome, good luck with the project!
As an independent filmmaker from Houston, this is great know and reiterate! Thank you
Thanks! Shoutout to Houston!
Aye, H-Town rep!
Omg this just released as I'm making my final short film summative for my media class lol
Of course, as a highschool we have no budget, no money, and 4 kids with a camera and a dream but this is nice to have lol
None of that really matters. Obviously you just have to put minorities in every role and then you suceed. WELCOME TO HOLLYWOOD!
I remember my college film-making project was so much fun but it was also a constant nightmare. We had no budget, loaned equipment from the community college and local public access TV station, our cast were fellow students, and the only location we could get (a local fast food place) would only let us film during business hours, despite the scene taking place after closing time. I was proud of the final product, but it wasn't near the quality I would have hoped for. Wish I still had a copy of it too - my master tape was destroyed in the back of a hot car.
Perfect for my short films I'm about to produce.
That's great! Good luck on your shoot!
I love this video. I shot my first short film around a year ago. I had one actor, plus myself, a GH5 II, Sinne Besuch audio and lighting gear, and a bedroom. A romantic scenario was out of the question, for a variety of reasons, so I went for a dark interrogation scene instead. I got a helper to point the camera at us, but ended up doing the lighting and post production myself. I'd also add that good audio will make your production look way more professional, as well, so don't be complacent when it comes to sound!
6:42 I made my first film in 2024 and I sincerely appreciate "the power of collaboration". My film came first position in the competition I entered for and this is a great motivation for me to do more and leverage more on collaboration 🙏🏼
This is an excellent way of showing off what Studiobinder can really do for independent filmmakers.
I can't thank you enough for sharing this knowledge, eternally grateful to you StudioBinder.
I'm a member of a film collective; we utilize members who are actors, writers, producers, directors, et al.
A true band of multitask guerrillas is what you need
That sounds awesome!
I love when you Narate I like that it changes :)
This is what I been waiting for🤩🤩
Yay! Glad to hear that.
Working on a short film for college soon, your videos have been great help!
I always try to do it! Thanks a lot!!!
You're welcome!
Thank you, thank you, thank you for being so detailed and helpful about making low budget films in this video. You guys give out the best advice for independent filmmakers such as myself compared to every other TH-cam filmmaking channel I stumble upon. I'm planning out my next horror short film, and these tips have really helped a lot. I'm hoping to film this later in the year.
Thanks for that and good look on the short! All the best!
i've been starting off with films casting mostly my classmates and props either from the dollar store or made from whatever i can find. i've been wanting to expand my production value, so thanks for making this video.
That's great! Honestly, people think starting with low budgets is bad but it forces you to be creative, which will then make you better filmmakers when you DO get a budget.
Very helpful indeed. I understand filmmaking a bit by bit as long as I stay with studiobinder by its side. Thanks... Looking forward to new chapter
Thanks, glad it was helpful. Stay tuned for the next episodes.
The subtle way you reference your product in these educational TH-cam videos elevates them far beyond “just” StudioBinder. I don’t even use StudioBinder, and I’m not writing movies-yet! 😉
Thanks! We definitely try to be tasteful about it. And what are you waiting for? Start writing!
That's the series I want ❤❤❤
Love this narrators voice!
6:50 Wild YMS appears!
Shoutout to YMS!
An excellent summary! I love your classes so much
Aww, thank you. We love doing them!
Needed this. I’m a filmmaker in Australia and using George Millers Mad Max approach 🙏🏼🎥
Great! We need more Millers in the game right now!
Perfect for me and my projects.❤
That's awesome!
Love this! I wrote/directed/produced a feature called Contracted that was released by IFC and became the #1 streamed movie on Netflix back in 2014 -- we made it for $50k!
That's incredible! What was your biggest lesson from that project?
@ build around what you have - turn your limitations into creative decisions!
Hell yeah Adam from YMS.
I'm working towards filming my first short. Fundraising is DEFINITELY the hardest part.
nolan's following and aronofsky's pi, both shot in black&white and released in 1998, are both very good examples of low budget works in storytelling.
For sure! We'll cover them more in future episodes.
You guys should do a video on documentary filmmaking techniques in regards to editing, writing etc!
We actually have something in the works as we speak. Stay tuned!
Thank you for the great episode..
You're very welcome! This was a fun one to do.
Great video.
I would love to see a video from studiobinder about different kinds of "foreshadowing" and how it is used in film making.
Got ya covered: th-cam.com/video/JOas2BLjPR4/w-d-xo.htmlsi=CoxMDFg-K8Q1nGDI
@StudioBinder I will bow down to you, the masters of TH-cam 😅
Jane Schoenbrun mentioned I am so happy
Makes us happy to make you happy ❤
@5:28 PEAK CONTENT HERE 😂
💰
just on time
This is great (re)encouragement that we are on the right track with our community. Thank you for the inspiring content you keep creating
Thank you! Will do!
I just googled A Ghost Story's budget and astonished that it was only 100,000 USD.
Didn't feel like it.
I mean- a movie like My Dinner With Andre which I'd EXPECT to be budget because it's literally a movie of two people having a conversation over dinner is close to 500k but A Ghost Story? It was one of the more impressionable movies I've come across that impacted me and it was that budget? What a bargain
Very impressive what Lowery did with that movie.
The timing of this couldn't of been better as i start to look for funding for my new sci-fi short.
Thanks. For me "Pi" of Darren Aronofsky is best low budget movie ever.
That's for sure. Such an impressive debut.
The Best Way to start Filmmaking is by making Low-Budget Movies. Thanks StudioBinder for explaining it with this instructive video.💯💯
It's where we all start. Thanks for watching!
I have a feature script I have been attempting to make a proof of concept for. The problem is the budget. Pitching to private investors is the best choice but I wouldn’t know where to start!
This channel is so damn good....sincerely thank you
We appreciate you!
YMS! - Uhhhumm... yeah :)
💯
I almost didn't recognize your video because of the long title. I think it will look better if it was shorter, maybe just "low budget filmmaking Ep.1"
Can you make a Video for Film Festival process like DCP Format, Shipping, Screening Fees and If we have low budget film how can we attend film festivals and book hotels to stay its huge and its compulsory to attend film festival if we don't have enough money to attend film festivals ?
We cover festivals here but we didn't cover some of those exact questions. Maybe we'll do a Part 2! th-cam.com/video/ZB2LV1wHHzM/w-d-xo.htmlsi=97ZI9v_5tReFhHXV
@StudioBinder Thank you 🤝
didnt Psycho get made for 800K dollars?the studio didnt even give Hitchcock Panavision camera with colour film to shoot with!
Yeah, it was low budget compared to his normal productions. To save money he used most of his TV crew and kinda shot it like an extended episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents.
Awesome
Thanks!
I want screen play class......❤❤❤❤
Watch our Page to Picture series: th-cam.com/play/PLEzQZpmbzckXeB51uPexULfYV3mX7DCdv.html&si=Jc_NVdTYr7_Ml2_n
I’ve been in Ghana for fours years and got citizenship, I know people who ‘s been there for months and got citizenship, people who have Been there for years and didn’t get citizenship
I need to hire a Crowdfunding Campaign Manager for a project of mine.
It's definitely smart to find someone with experience in that area. Good luck!
@StudioBinder Thank you!
I think that starting with a low budget is a major problem, as it limits making a mark at a higher budget. A studio with deep pockets wants to know that you can handle a higher budget. 😢
One day I'll do it. One day. I don't care if I fail. I need to do it
Do it!
so where did the old narrator go missed his voice
We rotate between narrators these days but don't worry, he'll be back.
Third!
Not bad!
make every penny count
Absolutely!
You're saying that casting roles should be based on who is right for the job instead of sking color or orientation or their opression points? You're reasy to be ostracized from hollywood for that obvious perspective, right?
👍
🙌
Was narrator changed?
We switch between narrators often.
I have two feature films on my channel, one no-budget and one approx. £5k. Feel free to check them out, am happy to give any tips for new filmmakers!
Fantastic! Thanks for sharing.
Who goes and says to themselves "I think I'll watch an indie short film tonight"? Nobody. Nobody wants to watch short films. They're never good. People watch tiktok. The problem for most would-be filmmakers is that they see the great cinema of the past and they say to themselves, "I want to be the creator of that kind of thing." But they are really consumers, not producers. They aren't doing the things that make people artists - including reading a lot. Nobody reading this comment will ever write anything as good as the first page of any Coen brothers film - it's largely because kids don't read books, and the Coen brothers built their intelligence as children, reading. You can't make up for that now. Consequently 99.99999% of scripts don't deserve to get shot, even with the lowest budget, but the world is clogged with people who want to "be" filmmakers. It's more of a psychological problem than a filkmmaking problem. If you spend the next 10 years not looking at the internet, you might stand some small chance of having an idea - because that's what all the greats in the past did.
There is a lot of truth to everything you said and even more so if you did have the time put in for learning the craft you are up against an oversaturated market 100 %
We appreciate this perspective. Things are changing (and fast) so beginning filmmakers now vs. then are facing very different circumstances. Reading is essential, no argument there. But if a filmmaker wants to connect with the culture, they have to know the culture. If "TikTok" is the culture, they have to know TikTok...and then ELEVATE it. But you're totally right that most people won't be the next Joel or Ethan Coen, and that's OK too. Some people are happy just to work on their projects without aspirations to be the best of the best. You're also right that mindset and work ethic are important. Staying focused in 2025 is tough but we gotta do it!
First
Second 🥈
🏅
So this gives you all the WORST advice in the form of "TODOs".
We always appreciate feedback but could be more specific?