Creating a $10,000 Short Film: A Truly Independent Journey

Does an iPhone have what it takes to shoot a professional film?

In this episode of Truly Independent, Garrett Batty and Darren Smith discuss their recent project, a short film funded with a $10,000 budget, filmed using iPhones. They delve into the inspiration behind the project, their approach to working with a minimal budget, and the logistics of shooting 16 pages in a single day. The discussion covers the importance of maintaining a student mentality, the value of creative problem-solving, and the benefits and challenges of using unconventional filmmaking techniques. They also address the broader implications of working with limited finances and how it impacts future projects and industry standards. The episode concludes with insights into the collaborative process, the importance of relationship-building, and encouraging audience feedback on maximizing a $10,000 budget for short films.

00:00 Introduction to Truly Independent
00:27 Catching Up After the Holiday
01:15 Exciting New Project Announcement
01:33 The $10K iPhone Short Film Challenge
01:57 The Creative Process and Experimentation
10:49 Building the Team and Production Details
19:34 Lessons Learned and Future Implications
27:16 Client's Marketing Strategy for Short Films
27:40 The Evolution of Production Value
28:52 Practical Tips for Independent Filmmakers
29:43 Prepping for a Successful Shoot
32:17 Challenges and Solutions on Set
38:27 Balancing Budget and Quality
46:22 The Future of Low-Budget Filmmaking
50:14 Final Thoughts and Takeaways