Making a short film ALONE - Top 5 tips

Nobody believed my last short film was made with no crew and a $600 budget. In this video, I break down how I did it and my top 5 tips for making a film by yourself.

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About me:
I've been making short films for 20 years, starting at age 11. I directed my first feature film, Bad is Bad, in 2010. Made for only $6,000, the film went on to reach over 7 million views and garner critical acclaim. More recently, my short film, Will "The Machine", screened and won awards at film festivals around the world. Released online in 2019, it reached over 1 million views in just a month. I also work as a video editor, cutting ads for clients such as Apple, Netflix, and Beats by Dre.

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[WeirdCast]

I've made 65 short films, never having any crew, & These tips are GOLD. Over time i ended up employing the verry tactics in this video. I wish I had this when I started.

[alessandrocwilliam]

Biggest problem: Having no actors available. Specially for short low-budget indie movies where we always try to push for the dialogue. A good dialogue requires talented actors.

[omarvasquez]

That raccoon peeking into the shot and then exiting had me laughing and smiling. But it also did give the shot some nice movement. And thanks for all the helpful info, man!

[christophwetty]

The information in this video is exactly what so many aspiring filmmakers need to hear! Great video!

[entertainme]

I've been watchig your videos for 2 weeks and you go into so much details giving information. I'm about to start my filmmaking journey in a few weeks, hoping to write and shoot my first short film, and you're videos just add so much knowledge. Great work!

[StandardStoryCo]

What are your best tips and tricks for filming without a crew?

[StorytellerDan]

Lots of good points. It's the BS people judge you on for looking cheap that spoils the potential sometimes.

[davidsklubal]

Discovered your channel a few days ago and can't thank you enough for all the great tips, im shooting a more complex music video and all your videos are really helping shape it into something fantastic

[petrolpoodle]

You sir, are a talent. Keep this up, it's so helpful but also entertaining without being an irritating YouTube all up in ya'll grill.

Love it, can't wait for more content!

[brunopapic]

this video is a masterpiece! you are truly THE BEST at this genre on youtube. Your voice, your characther is engaging - almost comedic, in a good way! But your charachter is not all there is to it.. Not only do you give tips but you also create with those tips and the results are on a good level. Editing is fucking fire, never gets boring (even tho i am experienced in most of the topics here). You are a great example and a great guidance, dare I say someone I fell like a companion. Thank you for your work, and wish you nothing but success!

[Wimana]

Just subbed to your channel. I'm a beginner filmmaker looking to begin practicing making short films on my own to hone my skills. Your channel is gold my guy! Thanks for sharing your knowledge

[producerjdub]

Dude you are awesome! I am gonna launch my own film making show and you are really have pushed me to start it. Thanks!

[JhamD]

Great video! Thanks for the tips. Everything has always fallen apart for me when I'm about to produce a short film.
But your video inspires me to try again in a more organized, smarter way :)

[macismariah]

I really appreciate you sharing filmmaking experiences and advices ❤️
I’m a still photographer with some video shoot experience, now planning on shooting my first short film in the summer (NYC) and literally I’m writing, producing, dping, art directing myself since I don’t have money to pay for some extra help.
I’m kind of nervous but also excited about it, this video definitely encourages me to keep it up.
Thanks awesome boy 🌹

[marshalljvanderhoofphoto]

Thanks for the video. It's really amazing what you are able to accomplish by yourself as a 1 person crew. Awesome inspiration.

[Brian-Hansen]

These are great tips, thank you! While you can make video by yourself it’s so much more fun with at least one friend along.

[MrMejia]

It's tough when you don't really have self-confidence in general and even tougher when thinking about making a short film or what have you.

Don't really have friends or anyone who can help me out and even if I did, I'm not sure if anything I write/create would even be good.

Just needed to vent out loud (or online rather lol).

So I appreciate this video

[vegardpedersen]

I am so happy I found your channel! I have watched some of your videos now, and I want to watch all of them. Suuuper good knowledge. Thank you so much! I will definitly follow this channel now! :-)

[eduardoiniestra]

Great video man. I have a complicated schedule since I have a 3 year old daughter and managing a crew schedule is difficult in that sense. Thank you for the tips.

[jvhfilms]

I feel like I'm so late to the party! Subscribed to this channel within seconds...This is the shit I need.