How much does it cost to make a film with young people? How long is a piece of string? It depends on a number of variables:
- Size of film project
- How much time can be dedicated to it
- The 'production values' you are aiming for.
External funding may not be needed if a school has sufficient equipment, a modest materials budget and a team with determination.
macrobert - life in pixilville - drawn animation
key budget considerations
- Equipment: camera, sound kit, computer
- Consumables: tape stock, gaffa, batteries
- Materials: props, plasticine for model animation
- Costume, set, props, make up
- Location fees
- Travel
- Food (subsistence)
- Edit & post production costs
- Musician
- Duplication copies of the film at end of project
- Screening event eg invites, refreshments
- Insurance (you might need it)
- Contingency
starter sources
- The main UK national source is firstlightmovies
- For heritage-related projects there is the Heritage Lottery Fund
- Local Authorities might have issues that they would like to see addressed in a film.
when asking for funding
- Construct your budgets carefully.
- Ask for slightly more than you need (contingency).
- Multiple small funding sources can be very successful, but take more administration and time.
Millions are to be grabbed out here and your only competition is idiots. Don't let this get around - Herman Mankiewicz talking about Hollywood
no budget
It's amazing what you can achieve with careful negotiations, help from friends and family, a little bit of begging and borrowing. Check out The Guerilla Film Maker's Handbook for how some feature films got made.
However low your budget, never skimp on health and safety
external funding
Securing project funding is notoriously difficult (though film does have advantages because you end up with a tangible long lasting 'product') nevertheless, there are a range of potential sources, limited only by your invention, subject matter and time!