So You Wanna Make a Movie

So you wanna make a movie.

I do. But how?

Well, if you don't care about it being good -- if you just want to learn -- pick up or borrow the nearest video camera, grab your friends or family members and go shoot it. Edit it in camera. Have fun with it.

But I want to make movies that could get into festivals -- major festivals.

Then you're going to need some time and some money.

Read more...How much time? How much money?

The time to make a feature can be anywhere from a year to never. The cost to make a feature is a big debate. We're always hearing about the Blair Witches and Primers that cost next-to-nothing and won festivals and got national releases and made a lot of money. But most indie films never make money, especially first features. So it pays to be economical. Some books say you can make a movie for as little as $10,000 -- some for even $7,000. 99% of major festival movies cost a lot more. My advice is, don't bother raising any money until you know how to spend the money. Invest in a digital camera, a small light kit and basic computer software, then use what you have around for sets, props and costumes. Do some short movies. Your ambitions will naturally push you to learn and improve with each project.

Budget quotes from the press can't be trusted. Budget is a sensitive issue for most indie film producers, since if it becomes known that the budget was very low, distibutors will use that information as leverage to pay the filmmakers less for their film. Once a distributor has bought a film, however, it makes a great story for the press if you low-ball it. Figures quoted often are just how much money was spent on film, and mostly leave out the hefty marketing, PR, and insurance costs.

Shouldn't I go to filmschool first?

In a word: no. I've studied at NYU and USC. I have friends who have studied in Florida, Texas, Kansas, North Carolina and at AFI. There's nothing you'll learn there that you can't learn from reading a few books and from going out and playing with film equipment. The money you sink into a formal education is money that could go into your film budget.

But won't it help me get a job?

I thought you wanted to make a movie. If you want to make money working in 'the industry' then yes, school is great. Not necessarily for what you learn, but for the 'networking,' the relationships and connections you forge there that you can't as an outsider. The bottom line in film is that you have to have films to show off. And the way to have films is to make them yourself. So do it. Right now. I'm not kidding.

I need ideas.

Try the Six Obstructions Challenge.

Why should I listen to you?

Still here? You shouldn't listen to me. You should seek out older, more experienced, more knowledgable people. You should go to the library. You should watch, really watch, other people's movies. Click around the website. There are links to all kinds of filmmaking resources plus reviews of books, cameras, and equipment.

Making a movie is really about telling a story -- your story. Don't listen to me -- listen to yourself.