If you want something that looks like a professional film that you’d see in theaters or on Netflix, the camera alone will run $15,000 to $20,000…….
Cost of Making a Independent film!
It really depends. The first cost is your camera. A DSLR capable of shooting something at least good enough to go online (something like monetized YouTube distribution) costs around $500 to $600 with two lenses.
That being said, people have made some nice-looking footage for online distribution with just an iPhone and careful usage of lighting, apps, and rigs to hold the phone steady. 
I was filming a scene and our steady-cam broke down and we did not have a dolly for the regular camera so we put the camera man on a trash can dolly, yes I said a trash can dolly. You do what you have to in making an Independent Film and it worked.
If you want something that looks like a professional film that you’d see in theaters or on Netflix, the camera alone will run $15,000 to $20,000. You’ve also got lights, which can range from desk lamps or iPhone flashlights to expensive professional rigs, and microphones, (once I actually use the headlights of a vehicle shining in the windows for atmosphere).
From there, it’s how much you’re willing to spend. Are you buying clothes off the shelf for $20 to $200 an item, having custom clothing commissioned for everyone, or having actors wear their own clothes? Are the cast and crew being fed? Are you paying actors at all, and are you paying hourly wages or a set amount per day? Do you even have a crew or are you and the actors doing everything yourselves? Do you need to pay for actors to be trained on driving a stick shift or shooting a gun?
You’ve also got lights, which can range from desk lamps or iPhone flashlights, (once I actually use the headlights of a vehicle)…..
TOP WORLD FILM FEDERATION POST
Why Lighting Is Important?
Lighting is a fundamental to film because it creates a visual mood, atmosphere, and sense of meaning for the audience. Whether it’s dressing a film set or blocking actors, every step of the cinematic process affects the lighting setup, and vice-versa;
*Lighting tells the audience where to look. The lighting setup guides the eye to a specific actor, prop, or part of a scene.
*Lighting reflects the psychology of characters. The amount, size, color, and harshness of light surrounding a character can be adjusted to match their emotions.
*Lighting defines and supports the genre of the film.
*Lighting is the tool that conveys mood most clearly. For example, one of the film genres most known for its distinct lighting style is film noir, characterized by stark contrasts between light and dark, dramatically patterned shadows, and unique framing and composition choices.
THE BIG SLEEP
The funniest use of a lamp, though, occurs when Bogart is in a bar. He’s pondering what to do next, and just as he has an idea – aha! – the barmaid in the background turns on the light above his head. PING! A lightbulb moment!
MAKEUP & WARDROBE
Makeup-a really important part is the makeup. Do not take any shortcuts, if your actors do not look good, your film won’t look good. People will notice the makeup on an actor right away. Take the time to set up for Makeup and wardrobe, it is a must.
You can buy authentic wardrobe for less than $20 an item at a second hand store and sometimes you can have your cast or crew donate to the film. You will be suprised at what is out there just for you to use.
NECESSITY IS THE MOTHER OF INVENTION
There’s no real solid way to work it out. On a Sy-Fi film I made, I payed the actors by the hour and having minimal or zero crew to minimize costs. I also gave each member of the crew and cast a copy of the finished product as well as all outtakes they were in for their video reels. We then shot fast shots that I’ve pre-planned to make filming days short and simple, which also removes catering cost because I can bring snacks and drinks instead of a full lunch break for an 8 to 12-hour day.
My camera is one I already own, so there’s no need to add that to the budget, and I’ve made a fig rig from PVC pipe and a screw to hold the camera steady while running. A blank gun and a box of ammo for one scene will cost about $120 total, and I keep the gun and remaining ammo for future films.
All of this could be done with greater expense. 
A big RED camera on Steadicam harness, highly paid actors making $1000 a day, a full crew operating lights and sound, etc. But you don’t need that to make a pastiche of 1970s low budget slashers.
The main point is to “JUST DO IT”, you will never know what you can accomplish until you try, heck you may be the next Steven Spielberg!
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LF_KohlThey call me "SHORTY" I have owned and ran multi construction companies in home and business construction. Business Consultant.United Kingdom
johnharviemorrisJohn studied theatre at the prestigious Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. He has since travelled extensively performing Theatre, television and independent film productions in the United Kingdom, Ireland and in his homeland Australia. In recent times John has been involved in numerous film projects produced out of Australia and abroad. John’s short film “Safe House” was invited to screen at the prestigious 61st Cannes Film Festival Short Corner achieving much praise and kudos. Safe House was later produced in Hollywood as a feature film starring Denzel Washington. It was in Cannes; France that John met Richard Wayne and henceforth began formulating their idea and concept of creating an international hub for independent film makers, known as World Film Federation. John’s dynamic source of energy, enthusiasm, passion and life experience bring a focused discipline in realising the success of World Film Federation. The solid business relationships he has sustained globally is a testament to his loyalty to others which will continue to make World Film Federation a force to be reckoned with for years to come and a beacon for industry professionals the world over to aspire and partake in the global independent film community in the pursuit to assist all members become successful in their chosen career path.6000PerthWestern AustraliaAUSTRALIAPRODUCER, PRODUCTION
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Andrea-intlE-mail Address: [email protected] Film Careers: Distribution Country: United States USA State: California We guide you through cultural pitfalls around the world and help you protect your film and brand in the markets you desire. Cultural Pitfalls helps film production companies, studios, and executives avoid getting their movies banned in foreign markets. We do the same for products and services attempting to launch in international markets. Shirin Drost has fifteen-plus years in the entertainment business, specializing in film, TV, and new media content. She is also helps film production companies in avoiding cultural pitfalls—getting their film content banned—in foreign markets. For development executives, she creates financial development and marketing strategies, and supports the film financing process by arranging pre-sales, including raising development and equity capital. For producers, she consults on the placement of the completed content into distribution. For buyers, she sources content–obtaining the finest content at the best prices. For sellers, she provides pre-market, at-market and general consultation services–with a special emphasis on new media and viral marketing. Ms. Drost also provides content sourcing services for buyers of content–such as TV program services and VOD companies.United States-
RICHARD WAYNE STUNTSRICHARD WAYNE STUNTS Men and women who don't mind taking risks and love the thrill of danger may want to consider this as a career choice. No specific certification or degree is required to become a stuntman or stuntwoman. It would be very beneficial to have somewhat of a diversified background in various activities, such as gymnastics, fencing, sky diving, scuba diving, rock climbing, martial arts, dirt bike racing and stage combat to name a few. The most important skills required are physical fitness, stamina, strength and coordination. Stuntmen are the "faceless action heroes" of film and television. They work the scenes of the movies that are risky. They do live action stunts that make all of us action film lovers drool. Imagine dangling from a helicopter, driving a Ferrari in a high speed chase on windy mountain roads, jumping off rooftops, slashing an evil doer with a sword, crashing an 18-wheeler, or falling off a cliff. This is just a day in the life of a stuntman. Not everyone can be a stuntman. Stuntmen are highly trained professional performers who take risks as part of their jobs. Every stunt is executed exactly as planned, practiced, rehearsed, rehearsed, rehearsed, rehearsed and reviewed. Stunts are designed to be as safe as possible. A beautifully choreographed sequence is amazing to watch but in reality takes days or even weeks to set up. Stuntmen average $70,000 per year. If you’re newer to the industry, you may only make $5,000 per year. It all depends on how much work you manage to find. The highest end stuntmen can make up to $250,000 per year. All it takes is one stunt to make money – the highest paid stunt ever was $150,000 for jumping off the CN Tower in Toronto. That’s about a $15,000 per second. Stuntmen love their jobs. They get to do death defying stunts and get paid for it. So if high speed boat chases, ninja fights in temples, diving with sharks, parachuting into lakes, walking on walls, or climbing a building sound better than staring at a computer screen, you should look at a career as a stuntman.JordanMaynoldiBad Friend is a full-service production company based out of New England.
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Ozwood entertainmentTony Estephen is a Managing Director at Enviroshield Waterproofing based in North Strathfield, New South Wales. Also owner of Ozwood Entertainment, producing internationally acclaimed films in New South Wales, Australia.
INDEPENDENT FILMS NETWORKINDEPENDENT FILMS NETWORK funds and produces independent films, independent movie, indie film, or indie movie including feature films ,short films, and web series outside the major film studio system, in addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies.
pabloesparzaESPARZA FILMS We make MOVIES WITH LATINO FLAVOR. The first movie we produced in 2000, made it to the New York Film Festival, "Machete" and it is now for sale at Amazon. com. ----- We have also produced: Los Caminos de Dios, Tribaleros, Carretera nfernal, El Racista, y Mano Negra. ----- Our Mission is to continue making films that in certain ways touch people's souls. -------- CTC acting school has been open since 2015 in Grand Prairie. Workshops are on Wednesdays @ 7:00 PM and on Saturdays @ 10:00 AM We teach: How to act on camera for Film and TV Monologues, improvisation skills, Cold reads, Auditioning skills, how to construct a character, how to read scripts and understand what they want from you as an actor. An actor as a business person, how to behave in auditions, and how to read from voice overs or radio, and finally, how to understand the film industry and make sure that is what the actor wants to do...-
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FatKid Films2015 Melbourne Queer Film Festival - World Premiere, Official Selection, The Dream Children, Australia
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