Post Day 9 Assignment Here

[Dave Halligan]

Dave’s (Short Film) Budget

What I learned doing this assignment is:

Estimating the budget is something I’ve seldom considered when writing a story, and never at this early stage. If I’m doing it now, I must have learned something. At first I thought this assignment was pointless but now I see merit.

Ways to cut the budget on my 1950’s period piece:

— I plan only one actor on set for the entire movie. Others will be voice-overs. As I haven’t written one word of the story yet I can only try to keep in mind economy and Covid issues.

— Stock footage of a snow storm should be easy to acquire and be cheaper than special effects. All the action takes place inside the telephone company office.

— A teacher once told my writing class: “Write as if ink costs a thousand dollars an ounce.” I always try to write concisely and economically.

— Cast a local stage actor. I’ve seen enough live theater to know that there are great actors in every town.

Ways to increase the budget:

— Make the script star-worthy. Make it a part that an out of work star would jump at. Actors love to act, even in a short film if times are tough.

— Casting a star would require extra assistants and TLC.

— It’s New Year’s Eve 1951. One could spend lots of money on music. Like the “L. A. Confidential” soundtrack.

— A stray kitten, in from the storm, would tug at the heart and the purse if we also hired a pet wrangler and ASPCA rep.

— Costs vary depending on the equipment hired for the shoot.

— There are countless ways to spend money, especially other people’s money.