To Make "Little" Movies You Need Free Shit

I've seen a number of articles where filmmakers are giving their top ten tips for "micro-budget" filmmaking. And, for at least the articles I've read, there's a glaring omission.

If you want to produce a feature-length movie for next to nothing you have to start with a list of your resources - the things you KNOW you have for free. That includes equipment, props, costumes, food sources, vehicles, locations, virtually anything that can contribute to your production for NO DAMN MONEY.

Once you have that list you need to write and produce TO that list. Otherwise, you're speculating too much and your budget will bloat in a hurry.

You probably noticed I didn't include cast and crew as possible sources of free labor. Take advantage of that if you want/need to, but I would always advise paying people at least $50/day. Now, even $50 is a bit of an insult, but at this budget level you're usually hiring people who have other means of income or live with their parents or both. Still, pay them something.

Otherwise, get a list of your free shit and utilize it. Just make sure everyone gets thanked in the credits, a copy of the movie and an invite to the premiere.

Scary Guy in a Nightgown

Recently, on our Facebook page we posted a behind the scenes pic of our lead actor wearing a nightgown that plays prominently in the movie (the nightgown does, not the picture). Since that posting we haven't picked up any new fans. Coincidence?

Some background on the photo: we were well into our shoot and we were just about to wrap for the night and I jokingly asked Juan if he'd put on the nightgown for some pictures. Obviously, he did. As per usual during our production, Juan gave us a great laugh and kept the set loose. He's the best kind of collaborator: talented, fearless, generous and very hairy.

May 25th south loop Update

We just finished color correction and the mix should be done in the next two weeks. I can smell it. And it smells pretty damn good.

A word to the wise (independent filmmaker): test your workflow early in pre-production. Then test that shit again. You can never be too sure.

For the uninitiated, I'm referring to the technical processes behind shooting, editing and exporting footage while taking into account the multiple pieces of software you'll be using. You need to consider the file type your camera generates, will that work natively with your editing system, what should you export settings be to go into your sound editing software, etc.

Thing have gone smoothly enough for us in post , but they should have been smoother.

Jafar Panahi Reportedly Released

I've been meaning to comment on this for some time, but now may be as good a time as any. Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi has reportedly been released from prison.

The director of such masterpieces as The Circle, Crimson Gold and Offside, Panahi had been imprisoned for unidentified "offenses" by the Iranian government. He was first detained after visiting gravesites of some Iranians slain during the Green Revolution.

The imprisonment that apparently just ended was reportedly due to Panahi's intention to produce a film based on that revolution.

Rightfully so, a number of powerful American filmmakers signed a letter imploring the Iranian government to release their colleague.

It seems that has happened and it's about damn time.

south loop Trailer

Here's our trailer:

And Now the Website, Please

The official website for south loop is up. Check it out to see the trailer, stills from the movie and updates on the movie's release.

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