| There are first time filmmakers that never get a | | | | financing then the sky is the limit, but if it that |
| movie off the ground because they put together | | | | doesn't happen you're stuck playing the waiting |
| an unrealistic "dream budget." What I mean by a | | | | game for money to shoot. That's a mental drag. |
| "dream budget" is a budget based on what a | | | | You want to be able to come up with an indie |
| filmmaker wishes they had to spend as opposed | | | | movie budget that works. |
| to what they can spend. | | | | This increases the chance of attracting money |
| These "dream budgets", from a indie film | | | | you need to make your movie now, not later. On |
| perspective, aren't grounded in economic reality. If | | | | smaller budget films it's better to put a budget |
| you don't have access to a helicopter for a daring | | | | together based on actual resources, not a "dream |
| rescue scene then why have a helicopter scene in | | | | budget" bursting elements that are not realistic to |
| your movie? If you can't afford to block off a | | | | include in an indie film. The saying "champagne |
| street and have a shootout scene, then why | | | | taste on a beer budget" comes to mind. |
| have that type of scene in your movie? Those | | | | If you're going to make your own movie you |
| types of scenes cost money that most | | | | already have a pretty good idea of how much |
| independent film budgets cannot absorb. | | | | money you can raise through friends, family, and |
| It's a huge long shot to find a major movie studio, | | | | your own bank account. That's a solid starting |
| producer, or production company to put up the | | | | point for coming up with very realistic and sensible |
| money for an independent film. Especially with a | | | | budget. |
| first time filmmaker unknown in the business | | | | A good indie movie budget reflects the actual |
| running the show. | | | | dollar amount you can put together to complete a |
| It's even a bigger long shot to find movie | | | | movie. The benefit of a realistic budget is it spells |
| investors outside of the entertainment business | | | | out in numbers the maximum money you can |
| to put up big money for a film that has a large | | | | spend to make your movie allowing you to plan |
| budget. Trying to raise a million bucks as an indie | | | | your shoot using good common sense. This is |
| filmmaker takes dedication, skill and a little luck. | | | | indie filmmaker Sid Kali typing FADE TO BLACK. |
| But it does happen. If you do find big dollar film | | | | |