Too many filmmakers worry about getting money and don't appreciate the situation they are in. Painters don't complain about how they can't have motion or sound in their paintings. They work within the art form they've chosen. Even if a painter would love to have the expensive paints and canvas that the big painters have, it won't stop them from creating. Producers of movies too often concentrate on getting the resources that other artists have instead of using what they already have to make something unique with it.

People paint because it's a challenge. It has boundaries and that makes it so they can fully concentrate on the options they do have. Instead of wishing and praying for more money so you can be like big filmmakers, embrace your situation and produce a movie with a story tailor-made for it.

Available Locations

Every filmmaker lives in a unique place, yet they all seem to gravitate toward the same locations. Where you live has visual value, you just haven't found it yet. Instead of shooting in the downtown area like everybody, take a close look at places you have access to and create a world around them. There are so many ways to shoot a film and you sticking to what's already been done is not the best option. Keep an open mind when putting together a movie and employ the rarities that surround you that nobody else pays attention to.

Limited Characters

Your resources will be stretched thin no matter what you do. The more actors you add to a film the worse your situation will become. Actors need food, bathrooms, and wardrobe; these are things you may not have access to so why make them a part of your film. Instead of blindly following the movie making convention of filling a movie with people, find a few very special actors that are committed and will help the film rather than be a drag. You can't expect extras to feed themselves and pee in the bushes all the time, but the stars of your picture should be motivated enough to rough it for the duration of the shoot.

No Special Effects

If you can't swim, you shouldn't ever get in the water. If you try to do something a little bit, it's easy for it to become more complicated than you thought. Gunshots might seem right for the movie and stunts may appear to be cool things to add, but they can easily become more trouble than they're worth. Since you likely don't have the resources to do them right, don't do them at all. Rewrite the parts that call for expensive effects or move on to a less expensive script. Don't put yourself in a position where one aspect of the film might hold the rest at its mercy.

Emphasis On Story

The one thing that is great about having no money to make a film, is it forces you to use the few resources you do have to great effect. You will have lots of time and good will. Use it to get the best story possible before any production begins. If you don't know what a good story looks like, you have time to learn that. If you can't find a good writer, you have time to find one or learn about writing and maybe do some writing yourself. The one place where your movie can compete with any other is on story, so don't forget to put in the effort where it will reap the most reward.

Just because you have low-budget circumstances doesn't mean the film will be inferior. Don't think about what other filmmakers have. Start looking for the unique stuff you have at your disposal. All these things you think are necessary to be in a film was thought up by someone some time. Nothing new will ever come about if all we do is copy what others have done. Use your unique lot to spur creativity rather than sap your enthusiasm.