Do you dream of being a filmmaker? These days it’s more possible than ever! Check out these great tips to make your own movie today!

It seems that more and more people are choosing to fulfill that dream, making all sorts of movies, as an amateur or on their way to hopefully making it big.

While the global film industry continues to grow to a tune of nearly $50 billion in 2020, according to Statista.com, you can make any movie you like, it doesn’t have to be something Oscar-worthy.

Tips to Make Your Own Movie

Making a movie can be a fun weekend thing to do with friends, a school project or the step to doing something you’re passionate about while earning a living. These tips can help you learn how make your own, whatever the reason, without spending a bundle.

Budget: Determine How Much You Want to Spend

If you hope to make a film worthy of submitting to festivals, you’ll need to have some serious cash. Even a micro-budget film can cost a half-million dollars. If it’s just a fun movie for you, your friends and/or family, you can easily get away with spending very little to meet a tight budget. Keep in mind that the shorter the film, the cheaper it will cost to make.
Put the money into what’s most important, like proper sound and lighting. If the actors can’t be seen or heard, due to background noise or poor visuals, it’s going to be difficult to watch. Actors for hire via a booking app can be a great way to get skilled, experienced people to star in your film without paying a lot as there are agent commissions to worry about. Plus, it’s a good way to discover new talent.

Crowdfunding

If you need to raise money to make your movie, turn to Crowdfunding sites like Kickstarter. You may be able to get a good amount that can be used to pay the cast and crew, for sound and lighting, wardrobe, etc.

Avoid Wasting Money on What You Don’t Really Need

Keep in mind that a top-of-the-line camera and other high-quality equipment may not be necessary. You can even make a movie using your smartphone. For example, 2015’s ‘Tangerine’ on Netflix received greater than average reviews and was all shot using an iPhone. If you need better zoom capabilities, you can purchase a relatively inexpensive add-on lens that clip on for easy use.

Location: Shoot When Businesses are Open or Use Free Places

If you’re using key locations for filming, like a cafe, retail store, yoga studio, bakery and so on, and they have to shut down so you can get your shot, you’re going to have to compensate the business. Shoot while they’re open and they probably won’t charge you anything. After all, it may be free advertising. If necessary, try to search out a quiet spot for playing out scenes after getting permission from the owner.

For small-budget films or those you are just shooting for fun with friends, you can use your home, a friend’s house a public park or even the beach.