How Much Should a Short Film Budget Be?
If you’re interested in making movies, a short film can be the perfect place to start. When you start researching how to make a short film, you’ve probably run into the fact that making a film of any length can get pricey fast.
So how can you make a short film budget that’s realistic for you?
The first step is to understand all the various costs associated with short film production. Next, it’s time to find where you can cut costs.
Let’s take a look at what you need to know about film budgeting.
The Factors That Impact a Short Film Budget
How much it costs you to make a short film will depend on a number of different variables. According to Newbie Film School, the average cost of a short film is between $700 and $1500 per minute. However, if your story calls for production that is much more significant, it can be as much as $25,000 per minute.
While this might seem overwhelming, these numbers are based on a short film that meets a feature film standard of production. In the next section, we’ll take a look at how to save money while making a short film. First, though, here are some of the costs that you should be aware of when budgeting your short film.
- How long the film is
- The short film production design
- Location
- Cast
- Crew
- Equipment
- Sets
- Other production costs
- Post production
- Advertising and promotion
This list can give you a sense of what you should be thinking about when making a short film budget. Also, be sure to check out the pre-production checklist at https://rock-creek.com/pre-production-checklist/ to make sure you have your ducks in a row ahead of time.
How to Save Money While Making a Short Film
Of course, anyone can make a short film these days with just an iPhone and some editing software. That being said, you shouldn’t expect the finished product to be feature film quality.
There is a lot of room to save money when making a short film. Some of the things you might consider include:
- Using existing locations rather than building sets
- Having your friends act in the movie
- Set reasonable goals
- Find ways to fundraise
- Only buy the gear you need
- Keep the number of characters small
- Shop at thrift stores for costumes and props
By planning ahead and being creative, there are a lot of ways you can keep the cost of making a short film down.
Are You Ready to Make a Short Film?
Making a short film can be an awesome way to produce a creative product you can enjoy for years to come. If you’re happy with the finished product, you might even consider entering your film into some festivals!
Did you find this article about making a short film budget helpful? If so, check out the rest of our blog!
