TALK “HOW TO MAKE A LOW BUDGET FILM AND LIVE TO TELL THE TALE” –  RAINDANCE  31^ST FILM FESTIVAL 25 OCT TO 4 NOV 2023 LONDON AT WONDERVILLE HAYMARKET . EVENTS ALSO AT A NUMBER OF CINEMAS – SO PLEASE GOOGLE.

The talk featured Mark Pirro, Matt Devlen, Marteinn Thorsson, Chris Beckman,  Andrew Mark Sewel and Noel Donnelion and was introduced by actress  Caroline Kennedy.

“Give it a go”! “Treat your friends like gold”! “Watch out for the sharks.  Stick to your guns and don’t give up”!

And also – very importantly – “Don’t “bridge finance” films”

The panel of very entertaining men (no women apart from the “compere”) gave the above advice to an eager audience who want to make films but do not have large amounts of money to spend on them. Some of them have worked together and know each other well and it is good that they are all friends in spite of the challenge that making low budget films poses mainly but not only financially.

“Hollywood on a Shoestring” is a film which embraces low budget filmmaking and was made in a very short time which is showing at the festival   There is now a big demand for low budget films on Blu Ray or through internet networks and Mark Pirrot’s “Polish Vampire in Burbank” made on less than 3k dollars has now made money and is forty years old with Mark playing the lead part after a fairly big name dropped out as he was unused to the low budget network – actual MAINLY  meaning no caravans or conveniences . The film went on to make over a million dollars in home video and cable TV distribution.   However all members of the panel know this is a lucky and fortunate event for low budget films.  “Red Lipstick” concerning cross dressers and transvestites is also a film which might be worth downloading if you can. It is a bank robbery comedy.

 More advice regarding making your movie? – “Try and spend as little of your own money as you can and filmmakers together are like a family”.

“Mrs Palfrey at The Claremont” was also discussed. It stars Joan Plowright, Rupert Friend, Anna Massey and Michael Culkin amongst other actors.    It is a quintisentially romantic movie with commendable reviews.

The group discussed dozens of independent movies made over the last thirty years.  Refer back to the quotes at the head of this write up and never give up on your movie making dream.  Cameras also play a part in making a low budget movie so if you are working with low cost equipment just make sure the end result is as good as it can be!

As  Marteinn said about the business “We are all pretty fucking mad”. If you’ve got a good script, director and talent you’ve got a good chance of making a good movie. So go forth and do it!

Penny Nair Price