How to Save Money When Making a Movie

Video Transcript

"Scott DuPont, Film Producing 102. Welcome back to Expert Village. One of my all-time heroes, Roger Corman, he's produced over 400 feature films, and the guy is still producing. I don't know how he did it, but he is my hero. Roger, if you're seeing this, I bow down to you. One of the tips I got from reading one of Roger Corman's books is he said the easiest dollar to raise -when you're raising money for a feature film- is not to spend it. If you're trying to do a hundred-thousand dollar film, if you can trade out some of the equipment, or if you can get some free film stock, or you can get some free labor or work out some sort of arrangement with cast and crew, you don't have to spend that money. So that's less money you have to raise and you're not - what I like about it - is your not risking more money to your investors. How you can save 20 to 50 cents on the dollar is go to equipment vendors and say, "Look, I know that you can rent out this camera, these lenses, pretty much everyday of the week for all these commercials that are shooting, but somebody told me that you're not always renting out your camera on a Sunday, for example, or on Saturday nights. Would we be able to come there on the weekends and get a huge discount?" Or you might go to some restaurants and say, "You know what, I don't want a free meal, I don't want to impose on you, but could we get a really good discount if we buy all of our food for you for the next six weeks, like maybe 50 cents on the dollar, if we put a big restaurant sign or some kind of exposure for your restaurant in the film?" So, that's the overall thought process here is trade, barter, wheel and deal, and you will save money, I guarantee it. More tips on Expert Village, Film Producing 102 coming right up."