Cheap movie tricks : how to shoot a short film for under $2,000 / Rickey Bird

1. Introduction To Short Films: Big Tricks, Small PackagesGet your ass off the couch! Did you know small ideas turn into big ideas? Short films arethe way to get noticed!Callout: Figuring Out Your Short Film End GoalCallout: Short Films Made Into Indie Features2. The Location Situation: Staying Out Of JailAha! You thought it was the script that came first. Not in low budget cinema. The realtrick is how not to get arrested.Callout: Some Of Our Favorite Location Cheats3. Stories That Don't Suck: Help Me Think, PleaseMost ideas suck. So we're starting with some basic yesses and no-nos. What is a story?What are its parts? What is conflict?Callout: A Brief History Of StoriesCallout: Why Horror MattersCallout: Why Drama MattersCallout: Why Action MattersCallout: What Makes A Good Character44. No Room For Shitty Scripts: Filmmaker Revision Made SimpleHow do I write a script that fits my budget and doesn't sacrifice story? The secret?Creative filmmaking early in the writing process.Callout: Tarantino-Style Heroes JourneyCallout: Working With A Team Of Writers5. Um . . . Money: Planning & Budget Made EasyWe will show you how to plan your shoot and raise the funds without robbingconvenience stores. Well that's kinda our plan . . .Callout: Easy Planning Spreadsheet Set-UpCallout: Easy Budget Spreadsheet Set-Up6. This Movie Needs Style! Set & Costume ThemesBelieve it or not your movie needs a look and feel. We're going to help you with stylepoints.Callout: Sexy Style Tips Via Color Filters7. All Aboard! Talent And Crew On A Journey TogetherThis is the heart and soul of any film production. Even if your crew only consists of youand three other people, we're going to show you how to make it happen.Callout: How To Get Name-Brand Talent8. Action! Shot Planning & FilmingFigure out your shots and then execute . . . Doesn't that sound easy?Callout: Make A Shot List9. What If My Movie Needs A Puppet Baby? Special Effects & Make-UpAt Hectic Films we do practical effects as much as possible because we appreciate the artform and because CGI Developers ain't cheap. Ain't cheap at all . . .Callout: How To Do Blood HitsCallout: How To Make Guns Look RealCallout: Bullets, Sounds, Lights & Muzzle Flashes5Callout: Punching & Kicking Made EasyCallout: Prosthetics Are For EverythingCallout: CGI Do's And Don'ts10. Shoot Days And Pick-Up Shots: The Mini Guide To Panic Attack PreventionWhat might foul up a shoot? Oh, just about anything and everything. We'll break downsome of the biggest potential panic attacks so you can refer back here and do somefilmmaking yoga.Callout: How To Pull Off Pick-Up Shots By Yourself11. The Experience Of Sensory Detail: In Other Words, Light & SoundBelieve it or not you actually need to care about light and sound if you're going to have acareer as even a novice filmmaker. We'll help you figure out the basics.Callout: Lighting ComparisonsCallout: Lighting GraphCallout: Sound Effects Made Simple12. Editing & Color: What If Nothing Looks Right, Ever?Editing and color correction requires skill and patience. Don't worry, we're here to kickyou when you scream for help.Callout: Our Top Five EditsCallout: Our Top Five Uses of Color13. Sound Edits, Music, and ScoreThese are things that you may have to trust others to do. Done incorrectly and your filmmight be better off sent to the trash bin. So pay attention.Callout: Free Music Checklist14. Your Marketing History Matters: Kick-Ass Movie Posters & Other Artwork TipsIf you want people to watch your movie then you need a poster so eye-poppingly coolthat they have to see your film. Think about it: Would you eat a cupcake that looks like aturd?Callout: Comic Book StyleCallout: Hectic Films Poster Collection615. Screenings & PromotionsWhen you make it this far you may feel like you're done-you're not. This is the time tostart promoting your film. You do want people to watch it, don't you?Callout: How To Get Theaters For Cheap16. Film FestivalsThere are many film festivals out there. What should you look for? We can show youhow to avoid the circle-jerk festivals. You know, where the judges only pick their friends?Callout: Keys To A Good Film Festival17. And Now For The Big-Time, Baby: Getting A Feature DealIt's time to truly get prepared. What if someone sees your short film and asks, "Do youhave a feature-length script for this?" Are you ready? Are you really ready?Callout: Brainstorming A Longer StoryCallout: Don't Be a Douchebag. Ever

An underground filmmaker and screenwriter take you from idea to postproduction and successful screenings with the DIY guide to moviemaking on a budget. This hilarious and helpful handbook takes you from start to finish, from creating your own low-cost sets to crazy cool zombie and alien props to smart marketing, this SoCal duo tells you everything you need to know.