Hellbender Media

Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #175

by scrappy Feb 9, 2025

Music to my ears!

It’s hellaciously cheaper to find a Local Band you like who’s looking for exposure than to try and secure the rights for that “perfect” song from Popular Band. Plus, Local Band will probably enjoy the exposure you will give them.

Development, Preproduction, Tip

Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #168

by scrappy Oct 26, 2024

Not that I’m pointing fingers, mind you…

In your genre script, you don’t have to worry about explaining each and every little detail.

Preproduction, Tip

Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #166

by scrappy Oct 26, 2024

Plus, Toys are Awesome.

If you don’t need a detailed hero prop (one that looks extremely realistic), you might find something that works great at a toy store.

Development, Preproduction, Tip

Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #165

by scrappy Oct 26, 2024

And it’s Worth Every Penny!

It’s easy to think you don’t need a script, or that a script is a pain to deal with, or that writing is easy. None of that is true.

Preproduction, Production, Tip

Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #164

by scrappy Oct 26, 2024

“Shot on location — in my bathroom!“

Try to avoid making a movie that takes place in a cramped location, such as a bathroom stall.

Preproduction, Production, Tip

Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #156

by scrappy Oct 26, 2024

This requires depth, however…

You can rehearse until you’ve lost the feeling in your genitalia, but unless the Actors understand and have integrated the characters, the performance will never be better than memorized lines. The Director must work with them to help them understand the characters.

Preproduction, Production, Tip

Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #153

by scrappy Jul 15, 2024

Permission trumps forgiveness.

Always make sure your permits are in order before lighting anything on fire. If you’re not sure if you need a permit, find out first. A pleasant phone call and a $35 permit fee are much preferable to a steep fine or worse.

Preproduction, Production, Tip

Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #147

by scrappy Jun 26, 2023

Target: Good boundaries!

If you want to get a little experience under your belt, browsing online classifieds (such as Craigslist, Mandy, etc.) can help you find productions in your area that are crewing or casting. Usually, they pay little or nothing, but if you’re just starting to learn, this sort of experience can be invaluable.

Postproduction, Preproduction, Tip

Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #142

by scrappy Jun 26, 2023

Really, Beware of Thunder!

Before you plan a shoot, record the ambient sound from the location and go somewhere else and really listen to it. Make sure you aren’t missing something that’s going to bedevil you later, such as an elevator, nearby crowd noises, crashing sounds from across the street, whatever. It’s usually easier to find a new location than to clean up crap audio.

Preproduction, Production, Tip

Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #140

by scrappy Jun 26, 2023

Study the Secrets!

A great source of quickie tutorials is the B&H site: BHPhotoVideo.com.

Development, Preproduction, Tip

Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #131

by scrappy Jun 26, 2023

Your mom always loves your work.

It’s okay to run a script by a buddy or two, but don’t go overboard.

Preproduction, Tip

Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #118

by scrappy Feb 20, 2023

It still beats low-budget CGI!

A dog isn’t a werewolf, but careful application of camera angles, cuts, reaction shots, and good interesting sound can fool most anyone.

Preproduction, Tip

Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #112

by scrappy Feb 20, 2023

Time for a gritty remake of Empty Room?

The fewer the actors, the fewer the sets, the fewer effects, the simpler the movie will be to make. Be realistic about what you can chew before you bite.

Preproduction, Production, Tip

Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #91

by scrappy Oct 6, 2021

Nobody wants to use tubes.

The easier it is to get in and out of your ground-breaking weird sci-fi costumes, the less the actors will curse your name whenever they have to pee.

Preproduction, Tip

Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #89

by scrappy Jul 19, 2021

…or lost in a lake. Just sayin’…

If you have a special hero prop, try to make twice as many as you might need. If you need four “phase pistols,” make eight. You definitely won’t regret it.

Preproduction, Tip

Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #76

by scrappy Jul 8, 2021

Cinder blocks are sturdy.

Make your props out of something sturdy. Cardboard and balsa wood will shatter if you look at it cross-eyed.

Preproduction, Production, Tip

Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #68

by scrappy Jul 8, 2021

Choose Wisely

Trust your Assistant Director. If you can’t, then at least figure out what your expectations should be and make sure the two of you are on the same page. If your AD is both untrustworthy and unpredictable, get a new AD.

Preproduction, Tip

Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #62

by scrappy Jul 8, 2021

But order it in advance!

If you have to rent a van, rent a van. It’s only about a hundred bucks a day, but think of what that hundred bucks gets you: You don’t have to worry about who’s bringing what piece of gear. Everybody just brings everything the few nights before to one location, and the night before, you pack it all in one van.

Preproduction, Tip

Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #59

by scrappy Jul 4, 2021

Call it “Gravitas”

If you are using any miniatures (whether motorized or not, but especially if motorized), fill ’em with lead, wax, anything that’ll dry solid.

Preproduction, Production, Tip

Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #51

by scrappy Jul 4, 2021

The “Scotty Method” isn’t real.

If the makeup you want is going to take half an hour or an hour to apply, plan for that time. Don’t assume your makeup person is lying about how long it’ll take.

Preproduction, Tip

Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #33

by scrappy Jul 1, 2021

The patient net saves $$.

Over time, you can find practically any prop you need at a thrift store, or even the bins store (where the thrift stores dump their excess inventory). The sooner you tell your Art Department what you’re looking for, the cheaper the whole thing’ll be.

Preproduction, Tip

Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #27

by scrappy Jun 30, 2021

In a nutshell: Watts = $$

If you find extension cords for sale, especially long ones, get a bunch. Use a sharpie and write your name and contact information on each one, at each end. If you can, get a weird color (I have a purple extension cord that I have never lost), but if not, definitely mark them at each end. And it’s probably the case that you can’t have too many.

Philosophy, Preproduction, Production, Tip

Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #18

by scrappy Jun 28, 2021

I keep losing my Personal Priority List.

There’s nothing wrong with getting paid, or with volunteering, or with accepting credit and copy. Some people need money, some people need a fun activity, and some people need to build up their portfolio. Everyone has to take care of their own soul, and no one ought to be lording it over anyone else.

Development, Preproduction, Tip

Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #4

by scrappy Jun 28, 2021

Sand makes for a terrible foundation

Make sure the story makes sense and the script makes sense before you start. Cause and effect should make sense. Motivations should be pretty clear. What happens at different times and places should be obvious. The script is the blueprint, and everybody uses it. Where it’s weak, everything else is weak.

Preproduction, Production, Tip

Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #1

by scrappy Jun 25, 2021

Safety Third!

Avoid the use of real guns. You can buy fake guns that look just as good as real guns and make realistic sounds in post. It’s practically impossible to hurt someone with a fake gun. Fake guns are cheaper, so you can buy more, which is useful because they often fly to flinders.