Making a Film on a Budget

Local Film Crew Debuts Web Series
Donald Lierman
Contributing Writer

Many think making a film is easy: just turn on some lights, point the camera and yell, “Action!”

But making a good quality product is a lot more difficult than one might think. It takes a lot of pre-production planning, countless takes and hours in post. Yes, making a film is definitely a lot of work. Not to mention expensive.

A group of local filmmakers are taking on the task to create a coming of age comedy Web series, called “Part Timers,” about locals saddled with temporary employment. The series is proof that a small budget does not preclude a professional product.

What does it take to bring that cinematic dream to the screen?

“The script is where it all begins,” series producer Ryan Falcheck said. “Without a good script to begin with, the production is doomed from the start.”

Next, comes the assembly of the production team.

“The producer guides the projects from beginning to end: from pre-production to post-production,” Falcheck said. “They (also) secure the funding for the film.”

Equipment has always been a big deterrent to novice filmmakers, but the cost of good quality cameras has dropped in the past few years. With the right network of resources, a filmmaker may be able to borrow other invaluable filming items.

“We used a Cannon 7D to film “Part Timers,” he said. “In a previous film I worked on, the cost of the camera was about $10,000. The Cannon 7D allowed us to shoot a quality film for much less. The Cannon provides a simple lens set that allows us to shoot the full spectrum: close up, medium shot and long shot.

“The only problem with the Cannon is that you can only shoot on 4GB flash cards, that only allow 12 minutes of taping at a time.”

Other fundamental pieces of equipment include microphones and an audio recording device to capture sound.

Lastly, a proper light kit is a preferred, yet not essential for filming Falcheck says.

“The light kit will help you shoot in low light,” he said. “The Cannon 7D shoots well without bright light, but going in without a light kit reduces the daily shooting schedule.”

It’s important to have a good crew too. Crew members are the ones behind the scenes, typically not seen in the movie, unless, as in “Part Timers,” cast members double as crew.

“I’ve never been lucky enough to work with a full crew,” said Falcheck, who has worked on several films. “But if I had my wish list, I would have at least two grips (crew handymen), two production assistants, an assistant cameraman, at least one sound operator (who runs the sound mic through a sound board) and a script supervisor (who watches for continuity).”

Continuity is the flow of the movie from scene to scene, to ensure movements flow and props stay in the same place.

“What I would like to have, which I’ve always had to do without, is a first assistant director,” Falcheck said. “He is the person who holds every together on the set.

There’s also the director of photography. “He comes up with the visual vision for the film and the shot list. Finally, the Director keeps the vision of the film on track.”

When completed the film goes into post production.

“An editing program is essential,” Falcheck said. “I prefer Final Cut, although if the budget is especially constrained Movie Magix 16 is an option.”

When it’s all is completed, the final step is to get the movie noticed – via press releases, newspapers, internet and film festivals.

To see the Falcheck and his crew’s final product, log onto the series' Facebook page.