Be Brave, Ask for Help.

We can't do everything ourselves.  I know it can be very difficult, but an important lesson to learn is how and when to ask for help.

This is true even if you are working on the most bare bones production, you almost always need at least one other person to help.  When I shot segments for the webseries, That's What She Said, I did everything I could on my own: writing, directing, editing, craft services (I was practically Robert Rodriguez).  Some people might even say that I have control issues.  But, when it came down to filming I couldn't be behind and in front of the camera at the same time.

After much worrying I finally got the nerve up to ask a friend who just got a new camera and offered him lunch in return for filming the show.  He was excited for the opportunity to play with his camera and jumped at the chance to help out.

What I've learned is that you can't be too afraid to ask for help.  Generally, people in Hollywood want to work and if they aren't doing a paying gig then they are often excited to help you on your project.  Just be sure to return the favor when they need help on their next project.  Don't be the person who is always taking help from others without giving back, because you can quickly burn through those connections in this town.

One rule I follow is if I am not going to an audition or working a paying gig, I always, always, always volunteer to help out on my friends projects.  I've been a grip, a boom operator, slated, gone on coffee runs, whatever needs getting done.  I can tell you there is pretty much no job on a set that I am above doing.

I know you want your friends to cast you in their projects and not just hold the boom, but people notice who is helping out.  Next time there is a part you are right for I promise they will think of you.

Plus, think about how difficult it is for you to ask your friends for help, so do them a solid and offer to help before they have to ask for it.

Money vs Time

When it comes to film making you either need time or money.  It is possible to make a good film with very little in your budget, but I promise it will cost you a lot of time.  That's why when you start going down the road of producing your own stuff, make sure it is something you feel passionate about.  You have to love it because if you want it to be good get ready to give most of your life over to it.

If you have money, you can hire people to do all the nitty-gritty work; if you are broke like me then you need time to do it all by yourself.  It means driving all over creation to find a cheap pair of scrubs for a costume, sending hundreds of emails to find a few people willing to be extras, and getting up extra early in order to borrow a friend's printer to get copies of all the paperwork you need. 

Doing all this helps lower your costs, but I have yet to master truly no budget film making.  Incidentals always come up.  Things like batteries and printer ink and paper all seem to run out halfway through any production.  Plus, you always have to spend money to feed your cast and crew.  That is generally more than half of my budget on any short I film.  There are those people who I'm sure can sweet talk companies into sponsoring these things for them.  This is not a talent I've mastered.  (If you have: want to produce my next short?)

Now you're thinking, what about equipment?  Cameras, lights, sound equipment, and editing software all cost money.  For me, I decided it was logical to start investing in these things and started collected various pieces of equipment over the last few years and at every holiday and birthday that is what I ask for.  I don't have the fanciest stuff, but it works.  Generally, we try to use ambient lighting as much as possible and I write things based on what I already have access to (so no period pieces requiring crazy costumes or special effects.) 

It is also possible to get a free crew of people looking for credit who can bring their own equipment with them.  A great way to meet these type of people is by helping out on other people's sets.  It's always good to have talented people with film equipment owe you a favor.  But, if you ask me, the best thing is to learn how to do as much as you can on your own so you aren't relying on other people to get your project done.

Get a camera, start filming around your house, play around with the settings and the lighting, see what you can do on your own.  Get a copy of Final Cut and fiddle around with it until you learn how to edit your own stuff.  There are tons of instructional videos on YouTube that will show you how to do just about everything on Final Cut.

I know it sounds like a lot of work and that's because it is.  But, when you get to watch something you created, I promise it's worth it!

Proper Etiquette for No-Budget Filmmaking

I know filmmaking with little to no budget is difficult, stressful, and exhausting.  You are super busy and have no time for politeness.  But, when you have people helping you for free there is some proper etiquette that you should follow:

1. Be grateful.  Yes, your actors and crew may be getting something out of being there like experience or IMDb credit, but they are still giving you their time for free. Thank them every chance you get.   
2. Be prepared.   There is always going to be a certain amount of waiting on a set: while lights are being set up or actors are rehearsing or the set is being decorated.  Don't make your crew and actors wait on you because you didn't do your homework.  Know what you want to shoot and as much as possible know how you want it to look and do test shoots.  Things can change on set, but have a starting point.
3. Be open.  Filmmaking is a collaboration, always be willing to take advice from others on set.
4. Be humble.  No one is more important than anyone else on a set, especially on a no budget set.  I don't care what you think you're title is, if a job needs to be done, do it.  Even if it's just washing dishes between takes.
5. Be flexible.  Things never go as planned.  Don't freak out when a shot doesn't work or the neighbor's dogs won't stop barking or you're behind schedule and the sun is setting faster than you thought possible.  In the end it will all work out, I promise.  Besides so many wonderful moments in films have come from the unexpected happening on set.

What this all boils down to is when people are working for you:  BE RESPECTFUL! (Especially when they are working for free.)

Respect their time and their talents.  People will be happy and willing to help you out if they feel respected and know that they are an important part of the process. 

This is dedicated to all the actors and crew who came out to help me on my shoot over the last few days.  You are all amazing and this little film is going to be great because of all your hard work!

When do I start getting paid for this?

Last year I made a grand total of $110 as an actor.  Not for lack of work, just a lack of paid work.  Gotta love working those short films and webseries.

Are all these free films worth your time?
The short answer is: YES. 

DEFINITELY YES, if all you were going to do was hang around the house checking Twitter. 

PROBABLY YES, if all you were going to do was work your survival job. 

OBVIOUSLY NO, if you are working a paid acting gig.

What do you get out of acting for free?  That would be the famous payment of Copy, Credit, and Meals.  Sounds glamorous, like at least you’ll get free food, right?  Let's define these terms: 

Copy of the movie, if it ever gets finished and they remember to send it to you.  Generally, you'll beg and plead with them and then perhaps a year later you’ll finally receive your copy and once you watch it, you’ll probably wish you hadn’t.

CREDIT on IMDb, again only if it actually gets finished and then only if it gets submitted to the right festivals or gets a public screening.  If the movie is on IMDb and they forgot to give you credit then you can take it up with the IMDb gods and hope they will give it to you.

MEALS consisting of bagels, pizza, and Redvines.  Heavy on carbs; light on nutrition.

And my favorite of all: DEFERRED PAY, which means if they ever make money on the project (and they never do), then you will get paid.  Yeah, good luck with that.

So, why does anyone do this work for free? 

BECAUSE IT MEANS YOU GET TO GO SOMEPLACE AND ACT.  You are doing what you came out here to do, not waiting tables.

Plus, you are meeting people with equipment and a desire to create, even if they aren’t going to be the next Scorsese or Coppola or Fincher.  Maybe this project will end up terrible, but eventually they might make a decent film and remember the people who struggled through these early films with them. 

It’s all about getting out there and doing something for your career everyday.  And remember, WORK BEGETS MORE WORK.  (Even when it sucks.)