How to make a zero budget short film?

About

For all the movie lovers who are going to make a movie for the first time, there is suspicion about how to make a zero budget film, in this post we talk about it.
There are three different stages in film making
• Pre-production
• Production
• Post-production 

Pre-production

• Lock a proper script

In the case of the first short film, we will have to make it in a zero budget. So do not set up an extravagant plot. Which will consist of sequences in the airport, malls or any expensive locations or it consists of explosions, chase sequences which involves a lot of technicalities..please avoid them. Only strong writing will help in making a good film 

• Find a proper camera

Good visual quality is necessary to get the audience attached to the film. Your friends might own a DSLR which you could borrow. you request them to work in your film if they are not interested to work but are willing to lend you the camera. Spending a day with a camera is enough to learn the basics. A filmmaker must have to learn about the shot divisions watching a movie itself will help you learn the different types of shots used.
If u want to make a good film, watch good films. learning only the basic is enough to handle the camera yourself

• Casting

Most of the mistakes happen in casting only casting your friend in a much older role than his actual age will appear to be weird on-screen because the protagonist and his father will be of the same age group.it will look distracted on screen. Spend enough time in getting a good cast many aspiring actors looking for a role might do it for free in your short film

• Fix all the location

Like I have told you in my first point in case of a low budget, look for available locations. write a story set in your home or your friend might own a café or a restaurant that might also help . in case you couldn’t find any of these.. outdoors will help.

Production

While making your first short film, make sure it is shot in a span of 1 or 2 days because this is the first time you will be exposed to the world of film making. Shooting for a longer period might look tiring make sure your short film is 10 mins long or shorter.try to rehearse all the scenes with the actors before shooting outdoors and also shoot it in minimum period

Post-production

• Editing

Regarding in the editor you can ask some of your friends, few might have enough knowledge in editing otherwise there are many Softwares 

1. Abobe premiere pro
2. Cyberlink power director
3. Final cut pro
4. Sony vegas pro

•   Dubbing

If a movies visual contributes 50% then the remaining 50% is the audio so while recording live sounds .. if the audio quality is good you can use that in the film otherwise if the recording gets disturbed due to external factors or if a passing car causes disturbance to your dialogue  you can record it in your phone and place it manually using your editing software 

• Background score

Not all the short films will require background score. Many websites are offering free background music you can download many background score for free.

• Colour grading

Color grading is to give your entire movie a proper look. Because of the lighting might differ for every shot, we will be shooting our first short film in available light only. We can maintain the same look for the entire film by color grade it. instead of using separate software, the editing software offers few functionalities like color correction by using it shot by shot the entire film you can be given the same look.

Related short films

                                              

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