Ultra Low Budget Film-Making 101

One of the fun things about being a wannabe film-maker in this crazy world of Youtube (aka The Land of We're All Film-makers!) is figuring out how you're going to make your illustrious epic... with the contents of your pocket. Let me tell you, you can't but an HD cam on lint.

So, you improvise. A lot. Hence why I am making a mockumentary. Basically my work is:

Ask permission to use character (a blog for the future...)
Look over old footage from previous uni films and figure out how to fit them in
Ask everyone who can vaguely act if I can interview them using my digital camera

Then it's a case of making excuses for the quality. Not much footage to use? Why, an elaborate story of disaster fills the gaps! Light, sound quality below par? Well it's a documentary! We don't need Avatar style looks, just visible people talking (even then, optional)! Crap editing software (damn you Windows Movie Maker!) well hey! Just make something easy to cut together!

In the end, in my opinion of course, it's the quality of the material which should elevate even the dodgiest looking stuff. But even then, if you're looking to descend Room-style technical tat, play it off. Make out that it's supposed to look bad silly! It's all a satirical commentary on the indie film scene!

And then after you say that, find a dark room and cry for your failures. You suck.

Seriously though, everyone starts somewhere and even with the bare, bare, BARE bones budget and such, you can make something to show your raw talent. Be it very raw. And painful to watch.

PLDM

NB: In continuance of showcasing my goods, here is the trailer for Greatman, a film starring the star of T to the Who?: TubbZ