Hellbender Media

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.

Production, Tip

Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #163

by scrappy Oct 26, 2024

Aw…. busted!

If a prop or setpiece or other object breaks, immediately let someone know.

Production, Tip

Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #159

by scrappy Oct 26, 2024

Hot Set

Know what part of the set is Hot Set.

Production, Tip

Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #133

by scrappy Jun 26, 2023

And it’s rarely in HD.

You might think having a setpiece that consists of video monitors tracking action all over a location is a cool thing, and in a lot of ways it can be, but think of each one of those video feeds as a completely separate short movie you have to make before you make the movie.

Production, Tip

Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #126

by scrappy Feb 20, 2023

Explosive charges might not be a good idea.

Actors should never be allowed to take costume gear off set. You don’t have to keep their clothes hostage, but it can help.

Production, Tip

Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #124

by scrappy Feb 20, 2023

Eating’s kind of disgusting to watch.

Continuity’s even more important: Dinner scenes are really, really challenging because you have to make sure chicken legs don’t magically heal from one scene to the next. Pay close attention to who is eating what — or just plan to shoot around the plates.

Production, Tip

Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #122

by scrappy Feb 20, 2023

Or none, for that matter.

Continuity’s still important! If you’re using a revolver in your movie, make sure the bullet counts are accurate. Nothing makes you look more dorky than a character talking about how she only has one bullet left when the viewer can plainly see five.

Production, Tip

Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #121

by scrappy Feb 20, 2023

And always look at jewelry.

Continuity’s important. For each “movie” day, make a quick sketch of what each character’s wearing and make sure you double-check that sketch against what you’re shooting. This is not something you can easily fix in post.

Production, Tip

Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #90

by scrappy Jul 19, 2021

Somewhere, there’s a big box of tribbles.

Having extra props means you have extra gifts at the end of production to give particularly hard-working people. People love souvenirs. Sure, maybe they end up selling them on e-Bay, but think of it as trickle-down economics.

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.

Production, Tip

Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #88

by scrappy Jul 19, 2021

A tip o’ the hat…

Unless there’s something hidden under the hats, avoid hats on characters. All you’ll get is a lot of hat-acting.

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, 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.

Production, Tip

Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #38

by scrappy Jul 1, 2021

Yes, even a nuke.

If you must have a live weapon on set, such as a pistol, or a shotgun, or a nuclear weapon, have one expert dedicated to babysitting that object. They must never let it out of their sight. Pay attention to what they have to say. If they say the actor is being unsafe, fix the actor — don’t shush the expert.

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.

Production, Tip

Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #3

by scrappy Jun 28, 2021

Of course, without a broom, you’re hosed…

Get it right on set – fixing it in post takes ten times as long and is twenty times as expensive as doing it again right there. Probably more, by the time you read this. Yes, I’m guilty of saying “we can fix that in post.” And for each of those instances, yes, I suck.