This first blog is a personal blog about working on an independent film. In relation to everything we have heard about the techniques of independent filmmakers versus the Hollywood filmmakers (often pulling unlimited amounts of cash out of the studio’s pocket), you will see my experience is very much the independent route.
This past summer, I worked as line producer on a feature film called “Backwoods Bloodbath.” I got this position by meeting a friend of a friend, and was asked to help out, as the director was scrambling to get his production together. I learned a horror film is a great independent film to start out with to earn a profit for your next larger budget film. They are relatively inexpensive to make and turns out there is a larger market for “B” horror films than I previously thought before agreeing to do this film. Our film is about a whole bunch of kids who head up to the north woods to relax and instead find themselves on a creature’s menu. Yes, this has been done before, but I would like to think we have an original plot twist (you will just have to see the film to find out)!
The actors were found through acting websites and a theater group in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. Other actors in the film and our ‘B’ characters were all of the director’s friends. Working with actors was difficult, especially when they were receiving only meals and accommodations. Everything we bought was financed by the directors and producer’s family. Since actors and even crew were not getting paid cash, they would not cancel their previous plans if we needed them for a day and were very unaccommodating. I lived off of McDonalds for weeks during this production. One great resource to use in productions (especially if you’re in a small town like Rhinelander, WI) is the community. Many local businesses are VERY excited at the prospect of a feature film being filmed in their town. A lot of the places I called around to donated food for our cast and crew!
Another thing we did to ensure we maintained our practically $0 budget, is to shoot the 90 minute feature in only three weeks (which means less time to feed people too). We had minimal locations as well: a barn in Prairie Du Chien, Wisconsin, a cabin in Rhinelander Wisconsin, and a bar in Pewaukee, Wisconsin. All of our locations we used were given to us to use for free.
The most money that was spent on production was for editing and sound design. Film festivals and of course film buyers are very particular when it comes to sound quality. It is expensive to get all of the blood gushing sounds and eerie footsteps and door creeks in a horror movie!
The methods the company I worked for used to keep finances to a minimum is very similar to those we learned about in class – turn to friends, family, and any family friend who will help finance. Also, self marketing played a huge role in this film. Because the director and I marketed Backwoods Bloodbath to prominent horror websites ourselves and did many interviews, it increased the asking price for the film when it came time to sell it!
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This was a very interesting post to read. I learned a lot about how low budget films work from a peer. It is hard to imagine that anything is free. But there cast a crew worked for nothing which also made difficult and Inconvenient. This summer a few of my friends decided to audition for a low budget horror film. They worked for free and had long and late hours on a regular basis. They said that it was really tough but it was a great experience. It also looks great on a resume.
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