How I Made a Short Film with a $0 Budget

As a writer, I wanted to improve my storytelling and gain more experience. When I reached out to one of Stage 32’s great leaders, K. Ross, asking, "What can I do to improve my writing?" her advice was simple and clear- make a film.

Of course, like many writers, I didn’t have millions of dollars to make a blockbuster film. Heck, I didn’t even have hundreds! So, I had to get creative. I joined a 48-Hour Film Festival Group to kick-start my filmmaking journey.

Step 1: Find a Crew

The closest 48-Hour Film Festival was in Providence, RI, which happened to be only a few weeks away. I quickly joined the local festival's Facebook page, and the first post I saw looking for crew members, I jumped on. I asked to join, and just like that, I was on the crew- the official goffer.

Being on set was a fantastic experience. I learned so much, and by the end of the festival, I even got promoted to clapper girl. What is the most important thing I gained from the experience? Friends who were passionate about making movies. I found my crew!

Step 2: Resources

Kay had another valuable piece of advice- pick 2 of filmmaking: Cheap, Fast, or Good. You can’t have all three. Since I had plenty of time but not much money, I decided to focus on making the highest-quality film I could with what I had.

The most plentiful resources I had were friends and family, and I also had Stage 32 as a great community for advice and support.

Step 3: Writing the Script

As a mom of two and former VP of my local mom’s club, I drew inspiration from my own experiences. I decided to write a script with my friend Alison, an actress I met in my mom’s club years ago, as the lead. The result was the script for "Mom Dating," a comedy inspired by my own journey of making mom friends.

The film follows Jessica, a stressed-out mom, who embarks on a "mom dating" journey to find the one special mom friend. But finding that bestie isn’t as easy as it sounds! She navigates awkward small talk, quirky kid events, and enthusiastic local clubs.

Since I based the script on my real-life experiences, everything needed for the film was already accessible to me.

Step 4: Pre-Production

Clayton, another fantastic member of my Stage 32 family, gave me the advice: "Fix it in prep!" I took this advice to heart and began by making lists of everything I would need for the film: cast, crew, locations, props, etc. Then, I trimmed down the list, eliminating anything that would be too costly or difficult to manage.

Locations:

Initially, the script called for a big playground scene, but after consulting with other filmmakers on Stage 32, I learned it might be a logistical nightmare (weather, permits, noise control). Instead, I opted for the public library, which offered a large event room—and best of all, it was free for non-commercial purposes.

I also had three other locations for a sports scene and two houses. But, thanks to my dad’s house, which had an in-law apartment and an empty room, my 4-location shoot was reduced to just 2.

I used the empty room to create a karate studio! With a bit of creativity, I made it look the part. A few old trophies, borrowing a gym mat and belt rack, and viola – instant karate studio.

Cast & Crew:

Most of my cast and crew were the friends I made at the 48-Hour Film Festival, and in exchange for their help, I promised to assist them with their future projects. I also reached out to my old mom’s club to recruit extra cast members. By the time filming day arrived, I had a cast and crew of 30, with everyone except two extras showing up.

• I created a Facebook group to keep the members engaged and updated during pre-production.
• We did a Zoom information session and rehearsals during the weeks leading up to film day. This also helped people feel committed to the project and made the day of filming smoother.

Schedule:

I crafted a considerate shooting schedule, knowing my crew was all volunteering their time. We aimed to complete everything in one day, with the possibility of a second day if necessary.

Storyboard:

Using Bing AI Image Generator (I have zero artistic talent), I created a storyboard to help my crew visualize the scenes.

• It conveyed to the cameramen the angles I was wanting.
• The cast found it helpful for wardrobe, tone, and expectations.

Scouting:

I scouted the filming locations with the camera crew and tech team to pre-plan setups and angles a few weeks before filming. This was a great chance to touch base with the team and make some of the technical decisions in advance to save time on film day.

Continuity Planning:

I took photos of each set, printed them, and labeled them by scene number. This helped ensure continuity and allowed the cast to understand the look of each scene. I did the same for the wardrobe, taking photos and attaching them to the relevant scenes in the script.

Props:

Not everything goes as planned. I ordered some custom jerseys for the sports moms, but they were delayed. Solution- I got coordinating tops from Amazon and returned them after filming was done- score!

The rest of the props were things I had around the house, or borrowed from friends and the cast. I made sure everything was packed and ready to go a few days before filming.

Backup Plan:

Since this was my first film, I expected more to go wrong than it did. I had plans in place if key crew members and equipment did not come that day (rental or jury rig). I also had extra crew and cast members available to jump in where needed.

I was realistic that it was my first film and it was not going to be up for an Oscar. This helps lower anxiety and prepare you to adjust to whatever circumstances crop up. Don’t worry about being perfect have fun and enjoy the experience.

The Binder

I kept everything organized in a binder with:

• Schedule
• The script –Bring extras
• List of props – Keep a running list, because you will always think of more.
• Cast and crew lists – Checklist to ensure everyone signs and submits necessary forms. ESPECIALLY SAG.
• Storyboard
• Wardrobe
• Set Photos

TIP- I cut the script into individual scenes and pasted the coordinating storyboard, cast member's wardrobe, and set photos for each scene. So everything is in one spot per scene.

Step 5: Filming

The longest and most complex scene was filmed at the library. Luckily, the librarian allowed us to get an early start before the library officially opened. This gave us a head start on setting up.

Filming was a blast, and the crew was amazing. Everyone worked together seamlessly, making it one of the most fun and efficient days I’ve had.

We moved to my dad’s house for lunch. (Most of my film’s budget was spent on food for the cast and crew—something I was told to prioritize!)

The second half of the day was as fun as the first. We started with the locations and scenes with the most amount of people to the least. By the end of the day, it was the crew and lead actress for her solo scenes. We wrapped up on schedule!

Step 6: Post-Production

Post-production was where I needed the most help. Thankfully I was connected to a wonderful editor who was also one of the cameramen.

I went through all the film rolls and labeled each with its respective scene number. Then, I let the editor work his magic on the rough cut. Afterward, I sourced sound effects from Pixaby and recorded some ourselves.

Fun fact: To keep the film simpler, I chose not to feature kids on set—this helped avoid extra chaos and unpredictability. The sound of kids singing and yelling was recorded after filming!

Step 7: The Premiere

Once post-production was complete, I hosted a movie night premiere in my backyard, projecting the film onto a screen hung on the garage. It was a great way to celebrate the hard work, with plenty of popcorn and candy.

The Results:

The whole process was incredibly fun, and I gained invaluable experience in filmmaking.

My Key Takeaways:

1. Planning is Everything: Being meticulous in your planning will save you time and money during production. Pre-production is key to making a low-budget film work.
2. Be Resourceful: You don’t need expensive gear or a large crew. Use what you have, and be flexible. When one option falls through, find another.
3. Utilize Free Resources: Whether it’s through online communities or free software, there are so many tools at your disposal that can help you make a great film on a budget.
4. Don’t Wait for Perfection: You can always improve your craft. Start with what you have and build as you go. Waiting for the perfect time or budget will only hold you back.

So far, the film has over 2,300 views on YouTube—pretty good for a brand-new channel with only one video! Watch the film here. 

In addition, I was interviewed by a local radio station about my experience, and I submitted the film to a few festivals.

Final Budget Breakdown:

• Props (donuts, decorations, shirts): $50-60
• Food for filming day: $300
• Thank-you cards and keychains for cast and crew: $50
• Premiere food & drinks: $200Total amount over budget: $600

What’s Next?

I’m already planning my next film! I would love to hear your feedback on my first project. What can I improve for next time? Any advice for my next film? Let me know!

Let's hear your thoughts in the comments below!

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