Budget and Financing
How much does it cost to make a film with young people depends on a number of variables:
- Complexity of project
- How much time can be dedicated to it
- The 'production values' you are aiming for.
Securing project funding can be difficult (though film does have advantages because you end up with a tangible long lasting product) nevertheless, there are a range of potential sources, limited only by your time! Of course external funding may not be needed if a school has sufficient equipment, a modest materials budget and a team with determination.
Key budget considerations
- Equipment: cameras, sound kit, computer
- Consumables: tape stock, gaffer, batteries
- Materials: props, plasticine for model animation
- Costume, make up
- Location fees
- Food (subsistence)
- Edit & post production costs
- Screening event eg invites, refreshments
- Insurance (you might need it)
- For heritage-related projects there is the Heritage Lottery Fund
- Local Authorities might have issues they would like to see addressed in a film.
When asking for funding
- Construct your budgets carefully.
- Ask for slightly more than you need (contingency).
- Multiple small funding sources can be very successful, but take more administration and time.