After making five feature films on a shoestring, I decided it was time to give something back to the film community. This isn’t advice for those with studio connections, rich uncles, or bottomless grants. It’s for the stubborn, sleep-deprived dreamers who have nothing but determination, a flexible day job, and an itch to make films — especially feature films. Here are the hard-earned hacks that have kept me alive, shooting, and (mostly) sane.
Life Hacks for the Micro-Budget Director
(by Daniel Hållquist)
1. Get a flexible day job.
You can’t write, pre-produce, shoot, and edit a feature film while working Monday to Friday, 9 to 5. Find a job that lets you adjust your hours — sometimes less, sometimes more.
2. Use the job as fuel, not the goal.
Unless you land a big grant or early financier (I’m still looking), see your day job as a way to fund your filmmaking. You don’t have to love it, but you must be able to stand it and save money. Even micro-budget films cost money.
3. Build your film family.
Surround yourself with people who love film as much as you do, even if you don’t love the same films. Respect and compromise are key. Your first film won’t be as good as you think — but you’ll get better over time.
4. Accept that people come and go.
Those working for free or “future profits” will drift in and out. When you find people you both like and work well with — keep them close.
5. Park your ego.
You’re not a big Hollywood director. You’re a micro-budget filmmaker. The idea and vision may be yours, but the film belongs to everyone who works on it.
6. Don’t sleep with your lead actress.
Sure, she may think you’re exciting now, but six months later, when you’re complaining about the lack of money or respect, she won’t. And if you’re married with kids? Even more reason not to. Divorces are expensive — especially for micro-budget directors.
7. Save the tears for home.
Things will go wrong. Often. But don’t break down on set. Lead the shoot; cry in private.
8. Plan for post-production from day one.
Mixing, color correction, and music cost the most for micro-budget filmmakers. Which brings us back to Hack #1 — keep that flexible job so you can ramp up hours when you need cash.
9. Finish the film and release it.
Whether you find distribution, self-distribute, or upload it to YouTube — the most important thing is that the film is finished and available for people to see.
10. Make the next one.
You won’t be an overnight success. When the film is done, start planning the next one immediately. Someone might notice you. Or they might not. You’ll be too busy to care.
11. Enjoy the journey.
You’ll barely have time to reflect, but remember to appreciate the process and the progress you’ve made, despite the challenges.
