MovieChat Forums > The Other Side Discussion > They made this movie for $15,000!!?!

They made this movie for $15,000!!?!


Wow. Incredible what they pulled off for such a small budget.

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that's impressive.

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Someone needs to give these kids a real budget to make a movie with!

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No doubt. 15K? That's insane!

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It is hype...there is no way this movie cost $15,000. Unless no one got paid and just about everything was free. A professsional sound mix alone costs $15,000 amd what about color correction, VFX, online edit,
etc...More like $150,000.

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I got my DVD yesterday and they do talk about how they did it for $15,000. You were right, dalto, no one got paid and most everything was free. So inspiring!

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If this movie is so bad, then I'm gonna download it.

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I'm going to regret this, but I was the Sound Designer of this film. He paid me nothing, but that's not uncommon on any low-budget film. The schedule was long so I could do it at nights while doing my paying job at the time (I think it was Alamo or The Great Raid).

The $15,000 is completely accurate; he just made it when people had the time, and thus it took a while. He also happened to know a lot of people that really wanted to show their stuff, particularly Nils.

Jamie

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I'm coming for the crown. Feature length indie with NO BUDGET. Money is for wusses.

RF

"This is me...ya anonymous bitches"
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=PREVALENTMIND

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Plus they shot most everything with one take. That's crazy!!

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No it isnt...it shows considering the weak performances (though Nathan Mobley can certainly go places-great job man). If you want to be impressed by performances in one take, watch Hitchcock's "Rope" or Bruce Campbell in "Running Time". The only thing that impresses me about this film is the quality for the price and that has a lot to do with the fact Bishopp edited a film that he saw every shot for. The pacing is great, the conventions work unbelievably well- but lets leave those one take performances out of his directorial praises. I'm waiting for his next film, with a higher budget and veteran actors before I cast my decision on how well he can direct an actor's performance. This was merely Bishopp's "I can do this" film.

We have to wait to see what he can do with a camera that isnt an easy-to-use HDV before we praise him like Jesus. But I'm so there if he accomplishes that. I'm really looking forward to what he does with his career.

RF

"This is me...ya anonymous bitches"
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=PREVALENTMIND

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They shot on a Super 16mm camera.

Yea, Nathan Mobley was amazing.

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Yeah, but they also cut every 2 seconds. I've done 16mm where I feed actors one line at a time and get the same results because I know I'll be cutting within 2 or 3 seconds. Again, if you want to be blown away by one take directors you have to check out Running Time with its continuous, uncut, single shot takes. They cut roughly every 15 minutes with hidden cuts in whip pan due to the 15 minute film reels.

Also if you want your mind to bleed over how hard it is to direct 'one shot takes' go watch:

Russian Ark (2002) - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0318034/

A 90 minute film, in "one single uncut take", and with several thousand extras all being co-ordinated at once. Furthermore, the camera is moving the whole time. It was shot on HDV streaming video to hard drive so there's NO CUT.

Ya gotta give credit where credit is due...and the budget is the wow factor here. If he wants to claim one shot takes he should learn about these films before Josh Becker or Alexandr Sokurov puts him in his place.

RF

"This is me...ya anonymous bitches"
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=PREVALENTMIND

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You are right, it looks like they cut this film pretty fast where it doesn't have long "one take" shots. I think it's "one take" out of neccesity because of the budget. Still impressive given the performances (especially Nathan Mobley) and stunts!

I saw Running Time, but I haven't seen Russian Ark. I'll check that out!

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You know who else did a great job in this film is Shale Nelson- he's the guy who played Mobley's brother or friend(?)- the guy that screws him basically. Well I think that their scene together near the end when the mystery is revealed at gunpoint just saves the picture completely.

The action and stunts hold you in- especially the simple but effective stunt/cmoposite where he puts the *hole poker (*i dunno the tractor thing)through the reaper's eye- but Mobley is matched with a lot of so-so actors the majority of the film. However, when Mobley and Shale Nelson go head to head it just rounds out the whole film and locks the film above mediocre.

I don't really know how much more I can go on about this film- I guess it just excites me because my film has production values that are similiar and it gives me hope for the future haha- but I will give Bishopp this above everything else:

"The scene where the reapers bring in a herse full of dead bodies so the souls constantly have a place to rebirth- WAS BRILLIANT FOR ANY SUPERNATURAL FILM. It took the idea of "Fallen" and made it twenty times better...for $15 000. *beep* Hollywood haha.

**sorry for the misprint mix up of Caudill and Nelson, but all in all Caudill played his role well too.

sin-surely,
RF

"This is me...ya anonymous bitches"
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=PREVALENTMIND

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[deleted]

I think I'm going to get it on DVD. It sounds like the recommendations are very good for the movie.

I will not change this signature until Perceptor is the chosen one in a Transformers movie.

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So why is the DVD the same price as Transformers? This must be some kind of profit deal.

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Yeah I know, it makes no sense- making a profit off of a film you worked hard on is just unheard of...

The film is ambitious and incredibly entertaining. It rivals studio films that have budgets 20 times the size of this production. You pay the money to support an independent filmmaker who has mad talent so he can have more money to produce his content on his next go around. This way filmmakers can grow while being self sustaining. It's the same idea Kevin Smith has. His profits from his DVD's only go to fund his next film.

And I won't even lie, this film is as fast-paced and probably more interesting than Transformers. Lot's of good stuff you've never seen in the mainstream yet the film aspires to be like a mainstream film. It's very imaginative and thrilling. It shoves a boot up the Blair Witch's ass anyways.

sincerely,
RF


"This is me...ya anonymous bitches"
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=PREVALENTMIND

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I agree with you there!

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15000? That's the coffee budget for most movies!

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That's what happens when you hire lazy ass union crews who want coffee, coffee breaks, 3 course meals at lunch, and high hourly wages...

I'm glad there's filmmakers being able to cut out the middle man...but next time Bishop- hire a friggin lighting guy. This film shows you know exactly what you're doing...so for god sake's light it.

RF

"This is me...ya anonymous bitches"
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=PREVALENTMIND

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Just so you know, I was credited as Key Grip on this film, but I will admit I didn't know what that was. Didn't care! Before the stunt team was put together for the pick up shots, I was the stunt rigger. I rigged all the vehicle shots (as stated in the DVD) and did whatever else needed doing.

So, with the lighting, we had what we had and it was usually myself and Sherm running around hauling sandbags, equipment, checking continuity, readying the camera (as seen on the "Dance of the Dead" DVD from "The Other Side" footage) and a whole slew of other things. If we were lucky, we had one PA to help.

And that was on the days we could volunteer to help. My point is that the $15 grand was the least of our thoughts as we were doing the best with what we had. Thank the Lord that his father had a barn full of "stuff." I made ample use of it to rig stuff from virtually nothing.

Like Jamie, we did what we could. Coincidentally, check the credits for Spiderman 3. I believe you'll find Jamie credited there as well. Food for thought.

This was definitely a labor of love. Remember that before you scoff at the efforts.

--
Tintallin

Where there is no dream, the people perish.

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There is nothing wrong trying to make profit from your hard work. After all, no one can live without money to buy food and shelter.

Plus, I am sure the reason why the DVD cost as much as Transformers is because of the distribution cost. All the middleman reaping their share. These middle man only cares about making profit. They don't care if your movie cost 15k or 15m to make.

I just hope that if he make enough money, he could distribute some of it to the cast and crew.

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"This must be some kind of profit deal."

So it's a profit deal. That takes the pressure off.- Steve Martin, The Jerk

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The filmmakers don't set the retail price, the distributors do. A filmmaker could make ZERO from their contract with the distributors, it has NOTHING to do with the retail cost which is determined by the distributors themselves.

Dr. Kila Marr was right. Kill the Crystalline Entity.

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[deleted]

Actually, I saw the movie cut for the Film Festival Circuit WWAAAAYYYY before there was a deal. That was the same movie that was on the DVD, lights, sound and everything else.

So don't assume you know what you're talking about. By the way, this little movie that could just sold the television rights to Fox for a television series. The only question is will they actually make a show. Only time will tell.

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Tintallin

Where there is no dream, the people perish.

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I'm watching the movie right now. I couldn't believe it was made for 15k.

tintallin i was just thinking this would be a great tv show.

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Funny you should say that. Fox bought the television rights to it about 2 weeks ago. I don't know if they'll do anything with it, but they just bought them.

Keep your ear to the ground. J.

P.S. That info come in a email from Gregg, btw.

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Tintallin

Where there is no dream, the people perish.

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[deleted]

I just watched it myself and I do have to say I am blown away that this movie was made for $15,000! I mean WHOA! Otherwise, it was pretty engaging. I wanted to know why the main character was put in the pitt and who the heck made him go there!


*kinda spoiler alert*




Nice red herrings!...I thought it was the police officer...
That was some pretty good Cain & Abling going on there!

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I'll join the crew who just watched it, great job all around. Anything ever come of the tv rights?

Back off man. I'm a scientist.

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I haven't heard anything since the "announcement" that Fox bought the rights. I did read an article though and will have to dig it up. It may even be in the articles on the main page of the movie.

I'm sure it will be posted here if anything does come up. Cross your fingers, I suppose!

--
Tintallin

Where there is no dream, the people perish.

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So cool! I would love to see that!

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