I recently finished writing a script and pitched it over to a production company here in Panama...which by the way, the owner is somebody I kind of know. One thing some of you must understand before I go on would be, production in Panama is different from other countries. People hardly get their movies financed unless you personally know the "executive producer". Panama probably has two "real" movies done which is very unfortunate considering that we're one of the most advanced countries in Central America.
Now in my case, when I walked up to these studio executives and told them I wanted to make a short movie, they asked me how much money do I have to make this short movie. I refused to give an answer that day but pitched the possibility of a close family member of mine financing the whole movie. We ended up meeting up with this close family member and the studio and both parties agreed in giving my short movie a seven thousand dollar budget. Don't forget this though, the production studio is renting us their camera's, editing room, editing services, they got crew and among other things.
I'm gonna have to conclude this post because it's getting too long, sorry guys and gals. I'm a little concerned about all this, I mean seven thousand dollars for a short movie? I know this all depends on the script but trust me, it's not seven thousand dollars. It's a twenty minute sci-fi short movie packed with dialog and absolutely no major special effects.
Have any of you seen Primer? If you haven't, look it up on IMDB.com. That movie was made with seven thousand dollars and in film. Now the film they used wasn't the best quality but check out the trailer and tell me if this film looks like a seven thousand dollar movie.
I need some advice because the financial contract is getting the appropriate signatures in a few days. If any of you have years of experience, hopefully more than me, what would you do? I need some serious, serious advice. The project is amazingly ambitious, I want this short movie to look top notch (don't we all?), no matter what it takes. I acknowledge the fact that the more crew you have, the less work the director has so he can focus on directing. Any help is appreciated and thank you so much if you went this far in my post 🙂 Cheers!
What are you financially responsible for with your seven thousand dollars?
I know it isn't a lot, but it sounds like you don't need it for much.
Well in a way it's "my money" and I can do what ever I want. I'm not in charge of producing it though. In way I believe I should produce it...get my own people, I'm very confused actually.
quote:
?i?Originally posted by Marco?/i?
One thing some of you must understand before I go on would be, production in Panama is different from other countries. People hardly get their movies financed unless you personally know the "executive producer".
That isn't any different than here in the States. And all the
filmmaking frineds I have in the UK have told me the same
thing is true there. So it seems to me that Panama is no
different.
I've seen "Primer" and you are right - it was made for $7,000.
Another $350,000 was spent getting it up to distribution standards.
quote:
Now the film they used wasn't the best quality but check out the trailer and tell me if this film looks like a seven thousand dollar movie.
I think it looks like they spent much more. They used their
minimal budget well.
But I'm confused, Marco. I don't understand what financial
advice you need? Do you think $7,000 is too much? Not enough?
Do you not want this production studio to use their crew?
What would I do if I were you? I would sign the deal, let the them
spend the money and make my movie.
=============================================
The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)
=============================================
The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)
I actually thought $7,000 was too much for a short movie...considering that full length movies were shot with the same amount of money or maybe a tad more. In any case, I appreciate your advise, I found it to useful. I'm definitely letting everybody sign the appropriate documents and focus on just making my movie.
Let's hope for the best, thanks to all 🙂
quote:
?i?Originally posted by certified instigator?/i?
?br?quote:
?i?Originally posted by Marco?/i?
One thing some of you must understand before I go on would be, production in Panama is different from other countries. People hardly get their movies financed unless you personally know the "executive producer".That isn't any different than here in the States. And all the
filmmaking frineds I have in the UK have told me the same
thing is true there. So it seems to me that Panama is no
different.I've seen "Primer" and you are right - it was made for $7,000.
Another $350,000 was spent getting it up to distribution standards.quote:
Now the film they used wasn't the best quality but check out the trailer and tell me if this film looks like a seven thousand dollar movie.I think it looks like they spent much more. They used their
minimal budget well.But I'm confused, Marco. I don't understand what financial
advice you need? Do you think $7,000 is too much? Not enough?
Do you not want this production studio to use their crew?What would I do if I were you? I would sign the deal, let the them
spend the money and make my movie.=============================================
The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)
I'm curious, what are you planning to do with the completed film?
Marco,
$7000 is not very much when you are talking about renting equipment, editing bay, crew, cast, food, etc. That sounds like a good deal. Most films budgeted at only $7000 would have free use to all of the above and be paying for food and transportation only, etc. Shoot it!
Hi,
This all depends so much on the talent involved; some people can make $7000 go a long way, others can spend it in a few minutes.
Features get made for sums like $7000 through luck and skill of producers, they get people to work for free, steal equipment, use their own etc., and like someone else on here said when they sell it someone else spends $300,000 getting it up to distribution standard just like Blariwitch and the shark thing I can never remember the name of.
So these guys obviously aren't going to do that or they would need less, but if you really want top quality production values, here's some sample prices which if anything are conservative;
HD cameras, (each per day) ?400-500
Director of photography ?400
Director ?500
Cameraman ?250
Actors ?300 each x?
sound guy ?300
sound kit ?200
Assistants ?100 x?
Lenses ?300-500
Lighting ?600
Set building ??
Post production ?400 per day offline, ?1000 per day online
There you go, ?7000 or more gone in a single day and this is all pretty cheap compared to what good crew cost, and I haven't included make up, costume, tripods, dollys, insurance, catering... you get the idea, it depends on how the money is spent, some features may cost $7000 but others cost $200,000,000.
So what you need to do is ask these guys to talk you through the budget they've drawn up and how they're approaching it an how many days they're shooting and then you know where you're heading, they could very easily spend $7k and come back with a piece of crap or a total masterpiece, it depends on them.
Steve
www.coffeefilms.com
Steve Piper
Coffee Films
www.coffeefilms.com
www.myspace.com/coffeefilms
Steve Piper
Coffee Films
www.coffeefilms.com
www.metacafe.com/channels/coffeefilms
quote:
?i?Originally posted by Marco?/i?
I actually thought $7,000 was too much for a short movie...considering that full length movies were shot with the same amount of money or maybe a tad more.
Now I see that $7,000 includes purchasing all the equipment
including lights, audio and even hard drives. In that case seven
large isn't nearly enough. I thought you meant only the
production costs.
The movie you mention - Primer - didn't include equipment
purchase, shipping and taxes in that $7,000 budget. That was
ONLY production costs.
=============================================
The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)
I am totally confused. You said in your other post that IF you buy the equipment then you will have a 50k budget. Does this include the $7000 for production. Then Certified instigator said that you must buy the equipment with $7000. Their is a big difference here.
I take it the 50k is not yours and belongs to the production company, therefore you do not keep the equipment when you finish. Also why do you need to completely buy new gear. Surely you have some suitable equipment and therefore could possibly save money for the shoot.
If the 50k is not yours and you dont keep the equipment Be VERY CAREFUL and keep your $7000 completely seperate. You do not want to get it mixed up so that you end up having used part of your $7000 for their equipment. Also be careful when signing any contract.
This whole things sounds very suspisous (sorry cant spell) to me. This could well be down to my poor understanding though.
Thanks
Rob - UK
Rob - UK
