Filmmaking is costly, and this is the case even for short films. The overall cost of making a film is contingent on many different elements. Generally, depending on the film, it can cost anywhere from $500 to $50,000, and up. Let’s take a look at the breakdown of the costs associated with making a short film.
Pre-production costs
At the outset, this is where all the preparation for the movie is key. Typically, this is around 10% of the overall budget of a short film. It needs to include looking for locations, getting insurance for the film and any workers, and finally in finding the talent for the film be they the actors, writers, or even director.
Getting into production
This is often around 30% of the overall budget and is the initial main section — i.e., it’s when the movie is actually filmed. For this part, you need to factor in the cost of all the equipment, compensation and pay for the crew, and costs for being on location and filming.
After the camera has rolled
Post-production is typically also around 30% of the budget, and a ton of work gets done at this juncture as well. It’s where the crafting of the movie actually takes place. Here you need to ensure that the movie is edited properly, sound mixing is done efficiently and effectively, with color sorted, digital effects added and so on.
Getting it out there
Finally, there is the distribution and marketing phase. Often, this is overlooked, but marketing can be one of the most costly parts of making a film, even a short one. Usually you’re looking at 20% of the budget being spent on marketing, getting the film out there and noticed. This can include the costs of getting the film into festivals, general publicity, and even the creation of short trailers.
Once all this has been laid out, you need to add a contingency fund of 10% to the budget for when things go over. All of this should be carefully planned and noted, which is where the best reporting software can be useful for keeping track of expenses and general finances.
Further considerations
There are some numbers that can be outlined here too. Generally, if we factor in inflation, short films cost around $700 to $1500 per minute of screen time. So, if the film is ten minutes long, then you should be thinking of a budget running from $7000 to $15,000. Depending on the quality, cameras are around $350 per day, and lenses can be as much as $150. It’s essential to have good sound unless going for a silent film. With sound, typically, you’re looking at $200 per day of filming as well. Editing is very costly, with editors commanding prices from $500 to $1500 a day depending on their expertise and experience. Similarly, upper-end sound design can set you back $1000 a day.
All of these costs will differ depending on the location of the film, how available equipment is, and the requirements of the project itself. As such, careful research is needed to get specific quotes that actually meet your project’s needs. An accurate budget is crucial if you want proper funding and to get your movie project off the ground.
If the budget is potentially getting out of hand, then you can also consider cost-cutting strategies to help you save. For instance, instead of purchasing, rent the equipment. Renting means that you get insurance, protection and even guidance when it comes to the tools you’re using. However, if you plan on making regular short films, then some items are good to have permanently in your arsenal, saving you some costs for a future project.
While it may be tempting to have a large crew, careful crew selection can mean both efficiency and budgeting. Generally, a solid team of 5-7 professionals can accomplish the same thing as a larger, less-polished team. Make sure your team includes a director, cinematographer, production designer, and sound recordist as a starting point. The best team members will be able to operate and contribute across many different film sectors.
Where to get funding
Armed with your budget, the next step is to find the money. Depending on your network, a good place to start can be a crowdfunding platform such as Kickstarter, which is great for getting artistic projects and short movies off the ground. Being prepared is essential though, and a strong support base is needed in advance of the actual shooting. Grant opportunities and product placement can also be beneficial.
