You don't! Here is how it gets done cheaply and easily. First you need to get a filmscript written. But do not worry, you do not have to purchase film script software anymore or mess around writing your work with a Word template like the good old days of Scriptor. Instead go to
Celtx and nab a free copy of film and tv production writing software. It is totally free, no catches and works across the major platforms and in fact it works collaboratively in real time. It even does storyboarding, how's that for free and that is just the start of many new features.
Now you will need a digital camera and that will require a bit of investment. Why digital? Why not! The main industry has shifted in that direction and you can too. Make sure to get a high quality tripod for it. For a digital camera there are many out there, but my favs have always been Cannon especially some of their cameras with FX. The field is wide open and a good one will set you back on sale about 500 bucks give or take. Make sure you get one that has the ability to capture higher frame rates for motion. There is nothing worse then blur in a film especially with High Definition Widescreen Plasmas. These days motion can be caught and captured digitally. Also talking about widescreen, make sure the camera shoots in that as the main shoot usually at 16.9 format or the older 23:1 format works well too.
When you wrote your filmplay, you kept it smart, simple and low budget, very low budget. You can do a story with just a few folks if they are committed as you are. There are many starving actors who would almost do it for nothing or for a share of profits. So consider carefully and also make sure you get everything in writing. Getting people in writing negates problems further down the road especially if they are to be paid. If they are doing it for nothing, then remember the old motto 'nothing for nothing', so beware if they walk out half way through a shoot you paid them nothing and have to start over so try and get things in writing, always so there is no waste and no hassles in making your very low budget flick.
Tricks of casting. The above is especailly important during the actor casting phase for your flick. If they are family or friends, then you might not have too many issues to deal with, but do cast carefully for what you will be shooting.
Locations make or break a good flick just as the editing does. Make sure you can find great locations. If they are out of the city, then no permits might be needed if they are general public areas however within many cities limits usually securing a low cost filming permit can be of great benefit. If you are a two person crew then it should be neat and fast to get the backdrops you need.
Editing is perhaps where many films have flubbed up. A perfect example comes to mind with Arnie baby in "True Lies" where he is in a jump jet chasing arabs in the back of a cargo van. One of them calls out Motzeltoff aloud. That is not an arab word at all, but it is in the film and I blame the ditor for this. Editing software is the best. I would recommend if you can afford it Vega Video by Sony software. For more professional editing if you are using Macintosh or Windows, you might use "Final Cut Pro" though be aware the costs are a bit high. A free video editor for mainly straightforward video editing with a few features that works on all the major computer platforms is
Avidemux which you can download and install for free, no charge at all.
You might also want sound editing software and boy oh boy do we have a freebie for you that will allow you to customize sound files and record them with little effort. It takes
Audacity to do that. For something that is so free and easy to use and wickedly powerful, you cannot beat this application.It rivals some of the many top professional recording solutions and is well work using especially since it costs you zilch, zero, zippo nada!
Once you have created and producer your first flick, it is time to create it into a streaming video. You video editor can do that for you especially Avidemux, and not only can you place streaming media online at a small charge but you can use the Avidemux app to burn it directly to DVD, just like the big studios are doing. Want fancy schmancy menus, then just go and grab
DVD Styler which allows you to make just the neatest DVD menus for your custom film flick.
Distribution. The best way to distribute it is probably through
Amazon.com and you can easily setup a free business account with them at any time through their Amazon Advantage account. As long as you have a business license and bank account you are good to go.
So I say, if you want a flick that badly, and it can be done for a low budget or even a nearly zero budget and done well, go for it and here I have provided you an example. This is the start in the 21st century and there are great times and things ahead technology wise for the Indie and I do mean the very small Indie to create some great work to entertain others. Like our favorite motto in
TPB3D "The Future Is Ours," and it always will be when you take the first steps to make it happen.
American Author, Poet, Songwriter and Filmwriter
"Mark Paul" Sebar
The Power To Write The Best!
