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Cheap Movie Tricks: How To Shoot A Short Film For Under $2,000
Want to know how to make a movie on a tight budget? How to make a movie: Filmmaker Rickey Bird and screenwriter and novelist Al Guevara are on a mission to help indie moviemakers everywhere. Today's indie film market is growing by leaps and bounds. At the same time, many aspiring filmmakers are running into their share of problems: - not enough money for crews - over budget and more than likely making the wrong movie - can't get the attention of an indie studio - should have started with a short film to gain attention
Cheap Movie Tricks:
Film school numbers aren't down. They're increasing at more than 2,600 film-related courses worldwide. You probably didn't even realize 48% of all film schools are in the U.S. and U.K. Thousands of aspiring filmmakers are literally learning how to use cheaper, widely available filmmaking technology, as well as the craft of making movies from books pulled from bookstore and library shelves. They're totally DIY and the most creative people you will ever meet. Rickey Bird's Hectic Films is a Southern California enterprise that is building a filmmaking empire on a budget. His short films, feature films, micro docs and tutorials have landed in some of the biggest American film festivals and been seen online throughout the world. The result? Millions of views worth of exposure from films online, in festivals and creative marketing literally on the street. His many projects have seen leading B actors like Hulk Hogan and Vernon Wells (Mad Max Road Warrior), make-up artists from the TV show Grimm, and stuntmen from the Call of Duty games. What you'll learn inside this book: - how planning and shooting a short film today can lead to a feature-length project tomorrow - everything you need to know about writing a movie project on a burger budget - tips on how to find locations and not get arrested - shooting tips galore for building exciting scenes - sound and film editing tips and all kinds of special effects wizardry, including puppetry - screenings, promotions and juicy tips on film festival strategy
- GenresFilmNonfictionAudiobook
288 pages, Paperback
Published May 23, 2017
42 people are currently reading
130 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 17, 2024
As a huge newbie in the film world, this was a great start to scratch the surface of film making! I'm excited to use some of Rickey's suggestions and advice for my next film project!
July 31, 2019
I listened to the audiobook version.
I should have figured this was meant more for beginners, but I still find some value in film reference books because you never know what you might discover. This is still a good start for people new to making short films and interested in doing so on a tight budget.
There were a few things that didn't work for me. For example, the narrator definitely pronounced a few film terms incorrectly, though since i was driving when I was listening to the book I can't recall what they were.
I also noticed a couple instances where the author just got something a little wrong. For example, he talks about how to work in the outdoors if you don't have professional lighting modifiers and suggests using a piece of poster board. "Viola, you've created diffusion." No, you haven't. That's a flag. Diffusion would be the example you use with the wax paper on the bell light. A flag is solid, modifying the light by keeping it from hitting a subject. Poster board is a handy tool for this of course. Black poster board for flags, white for bounce and silver for reflectors. Arts and crafts stores can be very useful to the budget film maker!
I noticed at least one out of date reference. Since the book was published in 2017, the author couldn't know that the next year, Withoutabox would announce they'd be phasing out their service. Film Freeway is the way to go to submit your film to festivals.
The book gives an insight into how even you can create a film for under $2000. The only thing I'd like to add in case he didn't mention it (he most likely did though but again -- I was driving at the time) is to treat your actors and crew well. If they're working for cheap or free, you best make it worth their while. Treat them well, feed them, and don't keep them for insane hours. But most of all? Make something that you can all be proud of or enjoy being a part of.
I should have figured this was meant more for beginners, but I still find some value in film reference books because you never know what you might discover. This is still a good start for people new to making short films and interested in doing so on a tight budget.
There were a few things that didn't work for me. For example, the narrator definitely pronounced a few film terms incorrectly, though since i was driving when I was listening to the book I can't recall what they were.
I also noticed a couple instances where the author just got something a little wrong. For example, he talks about how to work in the outdoors if you don't have professional lighting modifiers and suggests using a piece of poster board. "Viola, you've created diffusion." No, you haven't. That's a flag. Diffusion would be the example you use with the wax paper on the bell light. A flag is solid, modifying the light by keeping it from hitting a subject. Poster board is a handy tool for this of course. Black poster board for flags, white for bounce and silver for reflectors. Arts and crafts stores can be very useful to the budget film maker!
I noticed at least one out of date reference. Since the book was published in 2017, the author couldn't know that the next year, Withoutabox would announce they'd be phasing out their service. Film Freeway is the way to go to submit your film to festivals.
The book gives an insight into how even you can create a film for under $2000. The only thing I'd like to add in case he didn't mention it (he most likely did though but again -- I was driving at the time) is to treat your actors and crew well. If they're working for cheap or free, you best make it worth their while. Treat them well, feed them, and don't keep them for insane hours. But most of all? Make something that you can all be proud of or enjoy being a part of.
January 25, 2022
When it comes to content, this book would be helpful for beginners or/and those who'd love to know more about the filmmaking industry before (or without) getting into film school. And since I've studied film and media production in college and had some experience in filmmaking, I haven't learned anything new. But this does not mean this book wasn't helpful. It definitely helped me refresh my mind a little bit.
However, this could've been a series of blogs instead of making a book out of it. Especially because this book is FULL of blank spaces and images that might take half/whole pages only to take space and fill out a book. Besides, the writing style was too informal for my liking. I'm sure such informal writing connects better with other readers, but I'm not one of them.
Long story short, this book is not too bad, but it's not for me. The author shared personal experiences, which is good. But the book would’ve served the reader better if it was a series of blogs online .. especially that both this book and blogs in general share the same style!
However, this could've been a series of blogs instead of making a book out of it. Especially because this book is FULL of blank spaces and images that might take half/whole pages only to take space and fill out a book. Besides, the writing style was too informal for my liking. I'm sure such informal writing connects better with other readers, but I'm not one of them.
Long story short, this book is not too bad, but it's not for me. The author shared personal experiences, which is good. But the book would’ve served the reader better if it was a series of blogs online .. especially that both this book and blogs in general share the same style!
July 26, 2020
I’d especially recommend this book to filmmakers with an ambition to create from the horror/slasher genres or intend to use bloody practical FX. Of course, it holds no secrets of filmmaking that couldn’t be found anywhere online, but this volume presents some of the most affordable in a easy, convenient way.
I highly recommend reading this book alongside a textbook like volume about filmmaking such as Marureen A. Ryan’s “Producer to Producer” or if you’re only interested in learning about indies, consider so picking up a more tradition filmmaking book like Robert Rodriguez’s (From Dusk till Dawn, Sin City) “Rebel Without A Crew” to read with “Cheap Movie Tricks” as a companion.
This book reads fast as a linear set of steps to mentor you through production, but a lot of the recommended tips can be helpful to look back on at anytime; so it’s not a waste of time to read through even if you aren’t starting a production (although it may inspire you to).
I highly recommend reading this book alongside a textbook like volume about filmmaking such as Marureen A. Ryan’s “Producer to Producer” or if you’re only interested in learning about indies, consider so picking up a more tradition filmmaking book like Robert Rodriguez’s (From Dusk till Dawn, Sin City) “Rebel Without A Crew” to read with “Cheap Movie Tricks” as a companion.
This book reads fast as a linear set of steps to mentor you through production, but a lot of the recommended tips can be helpful to look back on at anytime; so it’s not a waste of time to read through even if you aren’t starting a production (although it may inspire you to).
June 14, 2020
A pretty quick read, full of good information particularly geared towards horror/thriller (but applicable to all films) and focused on short films. It starts at the absolute beginning of everything -- literally "finding" the reader wherever they're hiding having a panic attack over the sheer audacity of the idea of making a film. It ends with how to effectively shoot a kill scene (again: geared towards horror/thriller). They even give little tips and tricks of the trade to keep costs down but get you that big-budget look. It's definitely a book I'll keep nearby as I work on different projects.
February 16, 2021
I read this over a long period of time, but I could have gotten through it really quickly if I had wanted to. It felt like one of those books that could actually just be several blog posts. It feels a bit padded with pictures and stuff to make it into a book. So, this should have taken me less than a day, but I kept putting it down.
And honestly, I think one of the things that made it hard to focus on this book was the sans-serif font they used. That is an actual thing that happens, focus fatigue with large blocks of sans-serif font, or ALL CAPS. I learned about it in a design book. (But I thought that the book was a crazy and there was no way it could be true, until now, when it's been proven true.) And YES this is a weird thing to write in a review, but it's honest.
I did learn a few things, but I'm not going to make a short movie like this any time soon. I'm a former actress/director/costume designer/etc. and I have a few ideas for movies and TV shows, but I don't think this is going to be the direction I go. I'm still happy to have read about the nuts and bolts of someone else's experience, and some of the budgeting stuff was helpful, but yeah. I guess I was expecting something else from this book. Oh well.
And honestly, I think one of the things that made it hard to focus on this book was the sans-serif font they used. That is an actual thing that happens, focus fatigue with large blocks of sans-serif font, or ALL CAPS. I learned about it in a design book. (But I thought that the book was a crazy and there was no way it could be true, until now, when it's been proven true.) And YES this is a weird thing to write in a review, but it's honest.
I did learn a few things, but I'm not going to make a short movie like this any time soon. I'm a former actress/director/costume designer/etc. and I have a few ideas for movies and TV shows, but I don't think this is going to be the direction I go. I'm still happy to have read about the nuts and bolts of someone else's experience, and some of the budgeting stuff was helpful, but yeah. I guess I was expecting something else from this book. Oh well.
September 22, 2021
Als grobe Übersicht ein guter Einstieg und ein gutes Gegenprogramm zu "How Not to Make a Short Film: Secrets from a Sundance Programmer" von Roberta Marie Munroe. Teilweise findet sich der Autor ein wenig zu geil und alles ist immer auf einfache Weise, günstig lösbar. Als Audiobuch ist die Tonqualität das größte Manko, klingt der Vorleser über weite Strecken doch blechern so etwas sollte selbst bei einer Low Budget Produktion nicht passieren. Gute Tipps waren für Beleuchtung die Firma Cowboy Studio sowie für Red Giant Pluraleyes für Audio/Video Sync.
March 13, 2020
Good Overview Book about Indie Films
This book will give you a good introduction into how to organize your thoughts in making a short film. A lot of stuff would be better off seen as a video tutorial, but it's still good to have it in a book form. Organized and easily accessible. This is a great into book.
This book will give you a good introduction into how to organize your thoughts in making a short film. A lot of stuff would be better off seen as a video tutorial, but it's still good to have it in a book form. Organized and easily accessible. This is a great into book.
December 27, 2024
A real fun read to get started or help one get motivated to pull that thing off: for me esp. Festival guides and marketing were a tiny, quick help so I can start promoting my own stuff in the future. Fun for everybody who wants to start, not super in depth but covering all super important things a bit. Enough to prevent a few failures beforehand! Go read it, it is entertaining!
April 24, 2022
Some nice tips here for anyone looking into making a decent short film on an extremely low budget. But mostly it's kind of an intro to indie film book ... much less "tricks" than what you'd likely either figure out on your own or glean from more focused, in-depth guides.
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January 30, 2025i mean it's exactly what it said
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews