June 25, 2024
Class: Microbudget Producing
Registration For This Event Has Ended

Learn proven, cost-effective filmmaking, and business techniques for producing a $200,000 (or less!) film project.

Overview

Join The Gotham for our two-part Microbudget Producing class where you’ll learn proven, cost-effective filmmaking and business techniques for producing a film project for $200,000—or far less.

During this class, writer/director/producer Paul Harrill (Light from LightSomething Anything) will take you step-by-step through developing, planning, and producing your film. He’ll cover everything from building a lean budget from your initial conception or screenplay, navigating funding through self-finance, crowdsourcing, or other means, and how to responsibly manage all the stages of productions to stay on (or under!) budget while keeping true to the spirit of the project. Other topics will include how to find producing partners and a discussion on regional production.

Key Takeaways:

  • What makes a microbudget feature film? (We’ll look at examples from $250,000 all the way down to to $8000!)
  • How to develop a script or story treatment that can be filmed on a microbudget
  • How to raise money from investors, fans, friends, and family (and the legal issues involved)
  • Pre-production tips for an efficient and well-scheduled shoot with special attention given to locations, permits, and insurance
  • On-set tips and answers to those mysterious production questions (We’ll also discuss catering a microbudget shoot!)
  • An overview of the film festival and digital distribution landscape, and how to build these strategies into your microbudget
  • Setting expectations, goals, and metrics for success from development through distribution

Instructors

Paul Harrill
Paul Harrill’s films have screened around the world theatrically, at festivals and museums, on television, and via streaming platforms. Venues include Sundance, The Museum of Modern Art, PBS and Netflix. Light From Light, Harrill’s most recent feature, stars Marin Ireland and Jim Gaffigan. The film was produced by Elisabeth Moss (The Handmaid’s Tale), Sailor Bear (The Old Man and the Gun), Ten Acre Films (Sorry to Bother You), and Ley Line Entertainment. Upon its premiere at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival it was called “a remarkable achievement” (C. Mason Wells, Film Comment), “transfixing” (David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter), and “a gem” (Elizabeth Weitzman, The Wrap). Light From Light was theatrically release by Grasshopper Film and earned the “Certified Fresh” distinction from Rotten Tomatoes. Harrill’s debut feature Something, Anything was named a New York Times Critics’ Pick, earned an “Essential Viewing” tag from The Dissolve, and was called a work of “simple, unforgettable beauty” on RogerEbert.com. His short films include Gina, An Actress, Age 29, which won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance, and Quick Feet, Soft Hands, a co-production with the Independent Television Service starring Greta Gerwig. From 2005-2015, Harrill maintained a filmmaking blog, selfreliantfilm.com, to champion personal, regional, and do-it-yourself cinema. That site evolved into a production/distribution company, which has been involved in the production of award-winning regional films like Thomas Southerland and S. Cagney Gentry’s Fort Maria and Cameron Bruce Nelson’s Some Beasts. Harrill is represented by CAA and Echo Lake Management. His work has been supported by the Sundance Institute, IFP, The MacDowell Colony, Yaddo, SouthArts, the Tennessee Arts Commission, and the Aperture Film Grant, among others.

Date, Time & Location

This event takes place over multiple dates.

Tuesday, June 25, 2024
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM EDT
Virtual Online

Thursday, June 27, 2024
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM EDT
Virtual Online

RSVP DEADLINE: June 27, 2024 @ 8:00 PM

RSVP Instructions

GOTHAM MEMBERS: Enroll in this class through your Member Dashboard to receive your member discount.
If you are coming with a guest, they must RSVP independently.
This class will occur virtually via Zoom.
This event will be recorded. A video replay link will be shared with registrants in the week following the event.
Not yet a member? The Gotham community has access to year-round programming, resources, and support, plus exclusive perks and discounts. Learn more about membership

Contact

Questions about the event? Contact [email protected]