how do you make a movie look bigger than its budget?

Use a tripod and/or stabilization gear. Handheld can look fine, but usually looks unprofessional on smaller cameras. On a low budget, the "spider steady" can give you great results:

Spider Steady:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBiRDXoGsCs
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...=qKr-u66tAGbjgG9MyPp4xQ&bvm=bv.48705608,d.aWc

Tripods:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQt5-Ns-Bfw
And if you don't want to spend your $$$, then you can always go DIY:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOVswSEXsYk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nAC6ztIUbQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qn9htcBCpJM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fR_-R2bS9ag
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIGLniZoUxw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pUZf-JY6JM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNCwPDXODMs
Make sure you have the right settings on your camera. You should have the quality as high as it can go (1080p, uncompressed), the footage white balanced, sound on, exposed properly, and in focus. Most Hollywood films (and due to the DSLR explosion, in Indie films) use a thing called Shallow Depth of field. Shallow DOF is where a part of the image is in focus, and the rest is blurred. Click the link below to see the difference between Shallow and Deep DOF:

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=...hzMZ0gqSr0UDzEnhZXLTsPxg&ust=1373608751345453

The image on the left has a shallow DOF, the one on the right has a deep DOF. Notice the deep DOF image doesn't have a blurred background. Now, because of the camera you are using, you cannot get shallow DOF easily. Usually you have to have lenses with low apertures, or 35mm lens adapters (both of which I believe you cannot have on your camera) to get shallow depth of field. You can always get shallow DOF by backing up, and zooming in on the subject if you do not have the money for a 35mm lens adapter. Below is a video explaining depth of field, and a video showing ways to get shallow. DOF

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34jkJoN8qOI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npN1igCJi7w

One thing to remember is that shallow DOF isn't just to get a "movie feel", but also a tool to help guide the audiences eye. For example, if we have a shot of a group of people in an elevator, we don't know who to focus on. But, if we blur out the other people slightly, the audiences attention will be focused (no pun intended) on the person in focus.
I'd recommend not buying a 35mm lens adapter though. They are incredibly expensive, and only worth it if you have lots of money to spend. There are other ways to achieve Shallow DOF, and it is more important to get good audio and lighting equipment.
Good audio is one of the most important things to make your movie look professional. I'd recommend using a mic or handheld recorder. There are also experienced people who know a lot about audio, such as Alcove Audio, who can give you advice, recommendations, and help.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEq5T8fJarM
Always light your scene properly. One of the biggest issues by newbies is not lighting your scene well. If you are doing a no-budget film (which appears to be what you are doing), then you can pick up clamp lights from home depot, and make PVC pipe light stands (for this I recommend the youtube show The Frugal Filmmaker).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwIFtumihFs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6JFVHRwJwc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtT2YzCK1CU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_Sov3xmgwg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJ5rZrNQBXo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSo_bMFT5YI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUsTpUzOhFY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgfeET_W6YE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUSrpcGf3gc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFzIP_TN75A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqXgw8_pkfA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q87KA4NUEBo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pKdOGWZepk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxN8_0kNJPc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXMI8_o6VTc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0WTzMvJMYQ

In post, there are many things to do to improve your footage. If you are in something like iMovie, or Windows movie maker, I recommend upgrading to Adobe CC, Hitfilm, Sony Vegas Pro 11, or Final Cut Pro X. If you are in iMovie, FCPX is your best choice.

To get a more professional feel: stabilize, enhance audio, add widescreen bars, color correct, and color grade.

Here are some FCPX tutorials that include stabilization, audio, widescreen bars, color correction, and color grading. But you can find color grading tutorials for pretty much any program.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...=RAs_EUMz7M0WzNz4lkcZ1w&bvm=bv.48705608,d.aWc

Here is a color grading website from this cool dude named Denver Riddle.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...=e3nwsCSIsUh3VLc3bJbupQ&bvm=bv.48705608,d.aWc

And add a 35mm overlay from Gorilla Grain.com or Holy Grain.com. They have some free stuff on their site. This gives the look of a Hollywood film because of the fact most mainstream films were shot on film up until the 2000's.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...=2AlVzkn0VeEnbdqzb6HduA&bvm=bv.48705608,d.aWc
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...=gamFc6l6tSRZR0f6qJ2RFQ&bvm=bv.48705608,d.aWc

Music is important as well. Below are some awesome sites with music.
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...=riT9lBau7wKgFKnRFzQNWg&bvm=bv.49478099,d.aWc
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...=1lec3xvpAP9QmGAmMMBbgg&bvm=bv.49478099,d.aWc
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...=taSuL6Wypqknh5sKrOTdcg&bvm=bv.49478099,d.aWc

And you can always ask for a composer on a site like the one you are on right now, IndieTalk :)

Always export your footage in HD.

To learn more on these topics, I recommend watching as many Film Riot, Indy Mogul, Frugal Filmmaker, Basic Filmmaker, Dan Allen Films, Color Grading Central, and Framlines TV episodes. There is only so much you can learn from a post.

And remember, camera movement and color correction is great, but you have to have a good story, script, and actors. You have to know how to organize the project, and direct everything before getting into all the little goodies. If you don't have a good story, you're basically putting whipped cream on a turd. No matter how much whipped cream you put on that turd, it's still a turd.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAWVRqASoYY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUIZVzElDzc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Si86Au0UbIo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ew5D_DjUG1Q

Other useful tutorials:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRJ0Ei4hLWI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrZtShb1-8E
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XafunNmwtPg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IK2IAEO-FUI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brStDyPNI7w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kD8nXGt91yo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FP3AS_r5jo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ol51d7JekJ4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZszextv6yE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYnsKATCrdw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bu_N1fV_mUQ
 
I know what your saying...

firstly, you have to nail your genre image, if its comedy it has to look like comedy, if its action it has to look like action.

it should be seemless, beautifully shot, audio should be crisp.

you should do 100% better than what other people can do with the same equipment.

at the end of the day, Talent will win the job if you dont have any experience (im talking award winning people)
 
Its definately action. No script yet but I know its definately an action movie! not that much action. but there is still some.
I wanted the blue/grey look most new action thriller movies have.

I do have a tripod. No budget yet. because I have nothing to invest in.

I looked for High speed cameras at my local rental place but they have none. I did see a casio High speed HD camera on
amazon. The miniature is at 1:350 scale and there is water involved so i know I have to shoot at 565 FPS. 1:350 scale is the largest model related
to what i need that is available....
 
Last edited:
RaymondLeggs said:
I wanted the blue/grey look most new action thriller movies have.

I do have a tripod.

I looked for High speed cameras at my local rental place but they have none. I did see a casio High speed HD camera on amazon.
Click to expand...

Have you ever shot anything before? These comments make it sound like you have little or no experience yet. While it's entirely possible to make something look like it was produced on a much larger budget, it basically requires a lot of experience, practice, testing, etc until you figure out cheaper/easier ways to achieve the look you are shooting for. If you're really at the "I've got a tripod" stage you probably shouldn't be worrying about making your film look bigger than it's budget - you should be practicing the basics as much as possible.
 
RaymondLeggs said:
Its definately action. No script yet but I know its definately an action movie! not that much action. but there is still some.
I wanted the blue/grey look most new action thriller movies have.

I do have a tripod. No budget yet. because I have nothing to invest in.

I looked for High speed cameras at my local rental place but they have none. I did see a casio High speed HD camera on
amazon. The miniature is at 1:350 scale and there is water involved so i know I have to shoot at 565 FPS. 1:350 scale is the largest model related
to what i need that is available....
Click to expand...

I don't know what your on about to be honest, why do you need a high fps camera?

A tripod doesn't make your film look good, as I mentioned in another thread I actually hate tripod shots.. Just my opinion though
 
RaymondLeggs said:
Its definately action. No script yet but I know its definately an action movie! not that much action. but there is still some.
I wanted the blue/grey look most new action thriller movies have.

I do have a tripod. No budget yet. because I have nothing to invest in.

I looked for High speed cameras at my local rental place but they have none. I did see a casio High speed HD camera on
amazon. The miniature is at 1:350 scale and there is water involved so i know I have to shoot at 565 FPS. 1:350 scale is the largest model related
to what i need that is available....
Click to expand...

It sounds like you are making an amateur unscripted, no budget action film that takes place partly in water, and is shot on a high speed camera.

:no:
 
Define 'bigger than its budget'

We talking about making a $10 movie look like a $10 million dollar movie? A $1 million dollar movie look like a $100 million dollar movie..?
 
I think RL/OP means "something" along these lines:
Zero Dark Thirty - Budget - $40,000,000 (estimated)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1790885/business?ref_=tt_dt_bus

Dream House - Budget - $55,000,000 (estimated)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1462041/business?ref_=tt_dt_bus​
Now, if you actually watched these two films you know the former definitely has a "bigger" feel to it than the latter despite the notably lower budget.
In this respect, 'Zero Dark Thirty' looks much "bigger" than "Dream House."

Now lettuce move onto more apple-to-apple comparisons:
http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=similar&&view=&id=binladen.htm&sort=reldate&order=DESC&p=.htm

Argo - Production Budget: $44.5 million - http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=argo.htm
Act of Valor - Production Budget: $12 million - http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=actofvalor.htm
The Devil's Double - Production Budget: $19.1 million - http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=devilsdouble.htm
The Social Network - Production Budget: $40 million - http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=socialnetwork.htm
Green Zone - Production Budget: $100 million - http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=greenzone.htm
The Hurt Locker - Production Budget: $15 million - http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=hurtlocker.htm
Charlie Wilson's War - Production Budget: $75 million - http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id...tp://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=syriana.htm

FYI, JIC, 'Zero Dark Thirty' and 'The Hurt Locker' are by the same director and writer team and in very similar settings, but the former involved a lot more locations than the latter appeared to, thus a perceived increase in scope.
Cost-wise, IDK if artistically speaking if the end result was nearly three times better.
Financially... BO returns are pretty sketchy to anticipate, within some reason.
The Hurt Locker
Production Budget: $15 million
Worldwide Gross: $49,230,772
Return on Production Budget: 228%
Cash in Pocket After Expenses: $34.2 million (Excluding M&A)

Zero Dark Thirty
Production Budget: $40 million
Worldwide Gross: $108,720,716
Return on Production Budget: 171%
Cash in Pocket After Expenses: $68.7 million (Excluding M&A)​
Lower ROI on 'ZDT', but more cash in bank account (excluding M&A)

And while 'THL' and 'ZDT' both were in very similar settings, 'THL' appeared to be set in a single city and thereabouts, while 'ZDT' was hopping all over the region.
So, a better comparison would be between 'THL' and 'Argo', 'Green Zone', & 'The Kingdom', all of which were primarily "running around the same city" films.
'THL' - $15m
'Argo' - $44.5m
'Green Zone' - $100m
'The Kingdom' - $70m​
Hmm...

And we can compare 'ZDT' with other "running around the region" films.
'ZDT' - $40m
'CWW' - $75m
'Syriana' - $50m​

There are all sorts of metrics than can be applied to gauging a "how big" a film looks.



Raymond, could you please weigh in on what sort of budget ballpark this theoretical film is batting in?
We talking a DIY no-budget $3k film? Or $10k film? Or $20k film? Or $50k film? Or $100k film?
Those last two BEGIN to be in the tax rebate/credit budget spheres of many U.S. states: http://www.indietalk.com/showthread.php?t=40055

It would really help us to provide a meaningful answer to whatever you're really asking for. :yes:
TY!
 
RaymondLeggs said:
I'm looking to crowdfund in the reigon of 30K
Click to expand...
A) Would $30k minus premium costs leave you with a production budget or a production budget + marketing budget?

B) Would the crowdfunding proceeds be payable to you as an individual as taxable income or to a LLC prod co for the film as revenue before expenses?
 
Untitled_zps817ec757.gif
 
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RaymondLeggs said:
The Frame rate to Scale ratio. 565FPS for !:350 scale.
Click to expand...

Cool. I heard on the Alien directors track how they had to get the miniatures moving really fast to make them look realistic once the footage was slowed down. If you just filmed them at normal speed it was obvious they were miniatures.
 
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