The document discusses the producer's role in making a low-budget trailer and film. As producer, they oversee all aspects of the project including financing, production, and distribution. To keep costs low, the producer used inexperienced but willing crew and cast, sourced free locations and materials, and provided minimal pay. A detailed budget breakdown sheet was created to track expenses against the £4000 budget and ensure the project was completed for £3145, well under budget. Low-budget filmmaking relies on resourcefulness

1. In my Group I am acting as the producer of my
production. My duties are to supervise and control the
finances, creation, and public presentation of the film
and teaser trailer. As producer I am actively involved
throughout all major phases of the filmmaking
process, from inception and development to
completion and delivery of a film project. The
producer oversees the process, which includes
coordinating, supervising and controlling major
aspects of the project.
The trailer for my film is being made at a low/micro budget:
What is a low budget film?
A low-budget film is a motion picture shot with little or no funding
from a major film studio or private investor. Many Independent
films are made on low budgets but films made on the mainstream
circuit with inexperienced or unknown filmmakers can also have
low budgets.
What are Micro budget films?
A micro budget film is that which is made on an extremely low
budget, sometimes as little as a few thousand dollars. An example
of such would be the popular 1992 El Mariachi. Despite its low
budget it was a success both critically and commercially, and
started his career.
How are they promoted and noticed?
Many low budget films that do not gain some form of attention or
are never released in theatres and are often sent straight to retail
because of its lack of marketability. Modern day young filmmakers
rely on film festivals for pre promotion. They use this to gain
acclaim and attention for their films, which often leads to a limited
release in theatres. Some low budget films gain a cult following
and this often leads to a wide release.

2. As producer one of tasks is to handle the finances. I
have observed the available finances for the film and
produced a budget breakdown sheet which shows
how I went about funding the film and will also help
keep track of money being spent.
What is a Budget breakdown sheet?
This is a sheet providing an overview of the total cost for producing
the film. The details for the expenses relating to each of these
entries are found in the budget itself.
What did I do to make my Budget breakdown sheet?
I investigated how people make low budget films and used this
information as a basis of my own one. My investigation saw film
makers using resources they already had or using their
connections e.g. schools or offices to provide them with cheap or
free materials. Some even used inexperienced crew and cast with
the promise that they would be able to gain experience and use
the films as credibility for their future jobs.

3. Production:The Plague
Length:Trailer:1 min (estimate)
Location:Brixton, South London, England
Shooting Dates:8Dec 2011
Account # Category Specifics Budget Cost
001 Script & £100 £50
Rights
002 Producer n/a n/a
003 Director n/a n/a
004 Cast £800 £800
ABOVE THE LINE TOTAL:£900 £850
005 Travel £750 £750
006 Hotel & £300 £250
Lodging
007 Food Free Free
008 Camera Kit, Crew, £200 £200
Expendables
009 Lighting Kit, Crew, £200 £200
Expendables
010 Sound Kit, Crew, £250 £250
Accessories
011 Locations Fees & Permits Free Free
012 Art Dept Props,Wardrobe,etc. £200 £150
013 Office Paper supplies, fax, Free Free
Expenses internet etc.
014 Petty Cash £50
015 Film or Tape £35 £20
Stock
016 Lab Developing,dailies, £100 £100
etc.
018 Editing £200 £200
019 Shipping n/a n/a
020 Still Photos Photographer, film, Free Free
developing, etc.
021 Contingency 10% of production
costs
PRODUCTION TOTAL: £2235 £2170
022 Final Post Conform, colour £50 £50
Online correction, etc.
023 Final Post Mix Sound mixing £100 £50
session
024 Marketing Festival fees, £30 £25
screeners, postage
GRAND TOTAL ESTIMATE: £3315
GRAND TOTAL BUDGET: £4000
ACTUAL GRAND TOTAL: £3145

4. How does my budget breakdown sheet work?
Producer & Director: My partner and I are taking these roles
and are funding the film ourselves so no payment is required for
us. We are hoping to get noticed in the industry.
Script: We worked alongside a professional writer to come up with
a concept.
Cast: From local drama school
Payment: Low pay, possibility of getting noticed by industry,
gaining experience
Crew: Placed add in a paper for film crew
Payment: Low pay, gain experience.
Hospitality: Stayed in low priced hotel for one night as shooting
took place nearby, over two days. Had family provide food for crew
and cast.
Travel: Hired coach for two days
Props, clothing, and makeup: Cast wore own clothes for some of
the trailer, bought extra costumes and makeup from a party shop.
Did makeup ourselves as we are experienced.
Location: Scouted out available, free locations and found an
abandoned estate we were allowed to film on.
Editing: Edited ourselves but had to pay for equipment to use in
studios etc.
Promotions etc:Paid a small fee for film festival entry and
postage.
Extras: Used school and work for ‘office materials’ and was very
careful with money so didn’t have much petty cash.