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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

4k Feature Film shot for under 5k

- Paul - We used some older Russian Lomo prime lenses (18, 28, 35, & 50mm mostly)

- Shane - Thanks! I agree. I think we all kinda get caught up in the technical aspects of everything and forget that the "masses" just want a good story and a compelling narrative.

- Richard - Thank you. I just got tired of waiting for a "budget" to come to fruition. I had been in development "hell" for a couple years: reading every actor in Las Vegas for a year and a half, re-write, after re-write, broken financial promise, after broken financial promise. Finally, I woke up one day and said to myself I have access to this camera/equipment and I have some wonderfully talented friends and I have the post production know-how... so... I'm just going to put my head down and start shooting and hope for the best. 6 months later... a couple of pick up shots left and here I am :)

- C - Thank you.

- Zhibo - Thank you. A year ago, I would have thought the same thing. I've discovered that I think I have a "knack" for the producer thing :) I was so passionate about the film that I guess others picked up on it. ALOT of favors... ALOT of negotiating... ALOT of phone calls. I cannot begin to tell you how stressful, difficult and rewarding it has been. When all is done... I'll sit down and write the whole thing down :)
 
can you be more specific about what falls under your 5k budget? are you including insurance, travel expenses, food, etc.?

how do you get 200+ extras and not feed them?

i believe you. i just want to learn.
 
Joe G. said:
Very impressive. I would that you include more conflict in the trailer.
Click to expand...

Yes needs conflict/action...pretty lighting..pretty locations..and pretty people gives a soapy feel.
Am sure it's a good script since it got so far in Proj. Greenlight...just bring more of it out.

Also 200+ extras was that a music or strip club scene...always
wonder how people get so many speaking actors to show up over
a period of months. Sometimes the hardest part of it..is just getting
people to wake up and then show up.
 
- Craig - My out of pocket expenses may actually be well under 5k. It just sounds strange to say any less than that. I had a previous short film/project that covered me (my company) from a insurance standpoint. All of the cast & crew paid their own way and fed themselves... mostly. The 200 + extras is a collective number throughout the whole shoot. The most I had at one time was 40 (and they fed themseleves that day). On other days when I had extras I would spring for pizza for anywhere from $60-$100 but that was only for about 4 shooting days. All of the locations were free (except 1 day at a motel that cost me $150). I did supply bottled water every day though :) My crew ranged from my friend and myself (most of the time... not recommended) and a couple of close friends... some days I had a couple volunteer film students. The biggest thing is... I was determined to use ALL local crew and TALENT especially. "Call sheets" turned into "phone calls" eventually. Like... "hey, do you mind coming down for a couple hours so we can shoot a scene?". I could go on and on.... about pushing a doorway dolly, holding a boom in the other arm, and simultaneously trying to listen and direct but I'll save that for the book :)

- Joe - Thanks Joe... I agree! I'm all about conflict :)
 
- Steve - Agreed. Towards the end of the shoot I could feel my "talent" reaching their wits end. Thankfully, most are good friends and don't completely hate me now :) The script... well.... yes... I have more conflict than I know what to do with. The strip club and the Dealer School scenes were the only days with more than 10 + extras and collectively that was about 3 shooting days. As far as the teaser... I had just finished a rough edit and just put the some clips together to show everyone who had worked so hard and sacrificed so much... that they had done great work. A small payment if you will? Because for 6 months... they had no idea.
 
Looks very pretty, though i can't tell what it's about.

148 scenes?? Do your scenes last 45 sec apiece?
 
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