In this analysis, the cost of producing a film is going to assume that you will find people that are willing to work for free. Most of the time, this isn’t challenging. You may have to pay key positions a nominal fee, but most people who are starting out are cool with helping out in exchange for a good lunch, gratitude, reel, and the solid knowledge that you would do the same for them (and you would, wouldn’t you?)
The film budget also presumes you have a home computer that has a basic editing program, and external drive, and a DVD burner, or that you know someone that has this (like your editor). If you don’t have these things, this will be a one-time investment, assuming you take care of your stuff.)
Cost of Being an Actor (3 months projection)
| Photographer | $400 |
| Headshot reproduction (300) | $100 |
| Postcards reproduction (500) | $80 |
| Acting class | $1200 at $400/mo |
| Casting Director Workshops | $450 at $150/mo |
| LA Casting, NowCasting, etc | $75 at $25/mo |
| Postage | $300 |
| Looking Good (hair, makeup, clothes/wardrobe | $200 |
Cost of Producing a Short Movie that YOU can Star In (1 project over 3 month time span)
| Location | Free (Sometimes $) |
| Crew | Film credit, Meals, Reel (Reel = 1 DVD-R, costs allocated below) |
| Kraft Service | $150 |
| Reproductions of Project (30) | $50 |
| Festival Applications (approx. Eight) | $350 |
| Equipment (camera, lights, sound) | $200 for one day (but often you can borrow or comes with crew) |
| DV Tapes and Other Costs | $100 |
| Postage | $50 |
| Wardrobe, makeup, Set | $200 |
These figures are based on what I have spent on acting/auditioning vs. producing.
Of course, you can do the acting budget in a thriftier sort of way, and you can do the short film budget in a more expensive sort of way, so I don’t want you to think I’m misleading you with the numbers.
However, for all that I spent (or overspent) for auditioning and acting, I got more bang out of my buck for the short film.
- I got a guaranteed roll (because I cast myself)
- I got a quality roll and quality story that I liked
(because I picked it out myself) - I got more prestigious credits (producer/director in
addition to actor) - I got to schmooze at film festivals with other producers
- I was in the running for all the awards at the film
festivals because it was a piece I produced - I got the prestige of saying that I not only was in a piece
that made it into a film festival, I PRODUCED that piece, and - I learned a lot in the process.
How much do you learn after being on 100 auditions? Not much.
I learned so much from my first project, and I continue to learn more and more every time I make a new film project.
And I became a better leader, both to myself and others.
And by producing, I came to really see this as the Business of Show FIRST, and a forum of self-expression SECOND, which is vital if you truly want to be a professional.
And even though I was under pressure, I had fun. I cannot think of too many auditions in which I had fun, if any.
