Top tips for making a zero budget short film

There’s no doubt that your average cinema film and tv show costs a fortune to make, but don’t let that put you off. Good films are always about the story and the storytelling, rather than the kit it was shot on. If you want to make a film it’s totally possible to shoot a great film for little or no money with little compromise.

Cameras

Filmmakers love the latest cameras and the sharpest lenses, but if, like virtually everyone, you don’t have access to them, you can make a great film with much simpler cameras. Smartphone cameras are improving all of the time and, with a bit of care and attention, it’s totally possible to capture great images. Don’t just take our word for it – directors such as Michel Gondry, Zak Snyder and Stephen Soderbergh have all used iPhones to make films to great effect.

Grip Kit 

Movement can make a shot, and if you have access to drones, cranes, Steadicams, and dollies you can achieve almost any movement you can imagine. But what if your budget is zero? Improvise. Imagine the shot and do what you need to to get there. Blogs such as this one from Adorama, will take you through a bunch of hacks. and if you have a small budget, there are some great reasonably priced iPhone stabilisers available.

Lighting 

Good lighting is a wonderful storytelling tool but can be expensive. If you have no money then it’s often best to use available light as much as possible, assisted by reflectors if possible. For interiors where there is little available lighting, then use whatever light sources you have – table lamps, even phone lights can be very effective.

Sound

Many low-budget films that look great can be let down by dodgy sound recordings. If you’re shooting on a phone or small camera, then it’s often best to record audio on a separate sound recorder – get the mic in position, set the levels so it doesn’t peak, and monitor the sound throughout. If you have a zero budget and you’re recording your film on a phone, try using a second phone to record the audio, and then sync up the files afterwards.

Sets And Locations 

Locations are so expensive. Why? Because it’s a great source of income for a venue, and let’s face it, crews are disruptive. So, how do you get a location for free or cheap?

The easiest rule is to go back to the writing process. If you can write a film that can be shot in the spaces you have access to, you’re well on your way! One of our favourite location stories is Kevin Smith’s first film, Clerks. He was working as a clerk in a convenience store when he wrote the film and wrote the film to be shot in the store. His boss let him use the location for no cost as long as he could do it at night. This was great news, except for the fact that it would always be dark outside the window. So, he just wrote an extra shot at the beginning of the film to explain why they couldn’t open the roller shutter at the front of the building. Location sorted.

Cast 

Actors (professional or amateur) may be happy to help out on a low-budget film. But don’t be scared of getting friends and family involved. Robert Rodriguez (Alita Battle Angel, From Dusk Til Dawn, Spy Kids) made his earliest short films with his family. Our favourite is Bedhead – the film he made immediately before his breakthrough film ‘El Mariachi’. Christopher Nolan’s first feature starred his university friends.

At Chocolate Films Workshops, we have a range of cameras and we can also help you make films on your own equipment. We regularly help people make their first films on our Script to Screen Workshops. Find out more about them here.