Making a movie is expensive work and a lot of indie films are lacking in the budget department. I know I’ve had my share of $20 short films, and most of that went to buying duct tape and pizza. Here’s a quick top 10 list of stretching your budget!

One Location

Write the script with only one major location. By one location, I don’t mean in one room (although that would make it even cheaper!) but in one place where you can setup all your gear and not have to move it, like a house or a school. There are a lot of rooms in a house so it gives you ample changes of scenery but because you won’t have to travel from location to location, you can shave off several days of production and travel expense.

Props

When you write your script, keep in mind the free props you might have access to. Your friend has 2 replica AK-47s, then you can write an action sequence where your main character is being chased down. Roto in some muzzle flashes and voila! Production value at almost no expense!

Credit Cards

Don’t finance with credit cards! I know that there are a lot of stories about people using them to finance their films, but the interest rate will kill you! However, if you’re going to use them despite my dire warnings, use a points card. Preferably one that gives you some savings at a grocery store.

Camera and Editing

I have a bunch of friends who are hired filmmaking guns. I’m finding more and more people who own their own lighting gear, camera and editing suites. These are your new best friends and you will shower them with whatever it takes to get them to help you out.

Barter and Trade

A lot of times you can barter and trade one thing for another. Want to shoot in a location that you can’t afford? Why not give them a production point. If your film does well, they will get a piece of the profit.

Haggle

When you have to pay for something, ask for a lower price. Sometimes all it takes to get a lower price is just to ask! Other times it’ll take a bit more persistence.

Rehearse

The less time you spend working stuff out on set the faster the production will go. Tape and harddrive space may be cheap, but time isn’t! Try to get your team working as a well oiled machine and plow through production as fast as you can!

Coupons

Never underestimate the power of coupons! Food on a no budget film becomes currency, and never ask your cast and crew to pack their own lunch, you will have a riot on your hands. So cut those coupons to keep that catering budget as low as possible! Oh, and those points on your credit card for the grocery store? Yeah, here’s where they come into play too!

Cold Cuts

By cheap cold cuts and generic sliced bread. The key to this one is get the deli to cut the cold cuts as paper thin as possible. Stretch that meat as far as it can go!

Pay your Cast and Crew

Sounds counterproductive doesn’t it? The fact is that non paid cast and crew are more willing to abandon your project then a paid cast and crew. The cost of reshooting half your movie because the actor playing your main character quit halfway through production may be more than paying your actors from the get go. You may not even have to pay them that much, just the act of paying them for their work shows how much appreciate them.

Any tips on stretching your budget? Let us know in the comments!