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Inside The No Budget Film Festival

by ScreenCraft on November 21, 2014

In association with Mack Sennett Studios, the 5th annual No Budget Film Festival kicks off today in Los Angeles and continues through the weekend, shedding a much-deserved spotlight on short films made on total shoestrings. In addition to hosting a diverse slate of microbudget shorts submitted from all over the world, the festival offers myriad screenings, panels, parties, professional meet-and-greets, and has provided a home for innovative, talented filmmakers who are ready to kick-start the next chapter of their careers. Festival directors Rachel Walker and Negin Singh graciously took the time to chat with us about the festival and the inherent possibilities--rather than limitations--of low and no-budget filmmaking.

1. What exactly is the No Budget Film Festival and what are the requirements?

NS: The No Budget Film Festival showcases independent, micro and truly NO budget films from all around the world. To be considered for the competition programs, films must be 8 minutes or less and made with little to no money. The fest week includes 5 screenings, amazing $10 workshops, exciting panels, parties, networking opportunities, and a whole lot of madness.

RW: We aren't going to penalize someone for buying their DP a sandwich of course, but we do have extensive questions on the application regarding how the filmmakers accomplished what they did without relying on money.

2. What are the biggest hurdles for the festival participants?

NS: Finding collaborators who really GET their vision and also have the follow through to be able to make something out of nothing- that’s really hard. The films we've selected really celebrate those special moments where the right people get together and cross the finish line to create an unbelievable product, with very little resources. I don’t actually think it’s difficult for our filmmakers to create out of nothing- these guys have been doing this for years, we've just given them a platform to shine.

3. How has the democratization of film technology opened up and changed the landscape of content and how it is marketed and consumed, for No Budget and beyond?

NS: I think it’s pretty amazing that a filmmaker can create a real following without ever having to step into a studio exec’s office. The fact that independent artists can gain confidence and find their voice and direction before the industry gets to them is really important- it allows for more experimentation with the form and with artists who have a better understanding of their worth.

RW: The advancement of film technology is really the only way festivals like ours and one of our media partners, the fantastic Disposable Film Festival in San Francisco, exist. Filmmaking has become an art form that can be explored almost anytime, anywhere. Three years ago, one of our films was made entirely on an iPhone, and that’s the whole thrust of DFF, “celebrating short film made using every day technology.” There is no reason to say creative minds can only create work with top of the line equipment and a giant budget, and that mentality has the potential to stifle incredible artists. Festivals like ours exist to keep encouraging those daring filmmakers on the fringe, to say, you don’t need to wait around for someone to notice you, we want your work, let us be a part of your journey. 

4. How do participants crew up?

NS: Depends on the film! Some of these films have a crew of ONE- the director is also the writer/animator/voice over artist/DP- that’s pretty awesome to see. Other crews have been making films together for years, they just see our fest and get excited at the prospect of reaching a whole new audience! Film fests like ours can really inspire teams to go “I have this great idea- who’s available for a weekend?

RW: We don’t participate in the crewing up process, although in years past our Facebook page for submissions has become a job board of sorts, and crew did connect there!

5. What's the collaboration like with members?

RW: Our staff is extremely collaborative. While every department has a head and their own coordinators and assistants, everyone gets a say in everything.When someone has an idea for a great marketing idea or had an epiphany about a great workshop, or thinks it would be fun to have on site complimentary beauty activations every afternoon, the producers and I listen and most of the time, implement it if we can. Also Negin and I are the directors of the festival, it is truly a collaborative vision, not just ours. It’s one of the reasons we all come back year after year, because everyone involved gets a say in how the event will play out. It’s a really lovely environment to be a part of.

6. Describe one of the most creative ideas you've seen in this or a previous year’s films.

NS: There’s a live action film this year, Valse, about two snails who are in love. The cinematography, music, direction- everything is on point. Even though there are no words, and you’re looking at two snails for the duration of the film, the filmmakers create this POWERFUL narrative that sucks you in entirely. It’s that kind of ingenuity that really inspires me and reminds me why we need festivals like ours- to showcase films like that!

RW: While this film hasn't been in our festival, it definitely has that no budget spirit, so I want to give a shout out to Andre Hyland’s Funnel, which has been at countless major festivals this year. On paper, it’s just a guy talking on the phone after his car breaks down and he needs to find a funnel to fix it, but it’s so much more than that. The film shows how a smart simple idea paired with sharp writing and spot on, authentic comedic acting can be effective and successful without spending a lot, if any, money. It’s honestly hilarious, go watch it right now!

7. What’s one personal goal you have yet to achieve for the festival?

NS: Being able to fly out our global filmmakers. We’re an independent festival with limited funding, and since our filmmakers are also independent artists- they usually don’t have the funds to come out. Next year, we’re going to make it a priority to secure airline/hotel sponsors so we can meet ALL of our artists face to face.

RW: I remember back in the day when our goal was to be at the Vista – we did that! Our next goal was to have a No Budget Film Festival gobo – mission accomplished! The most exciting for this year is probably having complimentary beer at all of our evening events. It’s so nice to be able to offer anything for free, so that, plus the beauty activations, plus food at opening and closing – this seems really basic to other people, I’m sure, but for us it’s much harder , since our mission is all about keeping ticket prices low. We always ask ourselves, how can we keep this completely accessible, but also offer guests a special festival experience? We don’t have giant sponsors , so we are often forced to get creative the same way our filmmakers are! Personally, I’m thrilled that the RVIP Mobile Karaoke Lounge is on board this year for our Saturday night party after our special Indie version of Shitty Jobs, my favorite improv group. We've wanted the RVIP to be involved for some time, so it’s a thrill to see that come true.

8. You run many events during the year, what sets this one apart?

NS: NBFF is a whole week of events, which means we get to know our filmmakers really, really well. With Brokechella- it’s ONE day of insanity. Same goes with our art installation shows. By the end of the week at NBFF, you become fully invested in the growth and journey of the artist, which is really important.

9. Which fireside chats do you think would appeal to ScreenCraft screenwriters?

NS: The Black List Fireside Chat, definitely. It will give an in-depth look at the road some of these successful writers have had to travel- from the inception to execution. We are super proud to have been able to bring that talent in for our audience!

RW: Absolutely our Black List panel. We have the Founder and CEO Franklin Leonard moderating a conversation with three writers who were on 2013’s Black List. I love the idea of the Black List because it’s a way for talented writers to get discovered and signed just based on the merit of their own work, and I’m hoping the panel is enlightening for any talented writers out there who might be feeling discouraged.

10. What do you look for in a short film? What grabs you?

NS: I want to see people who aren't CHALLENGED by the idea of limited budget, but are INSPIRED by it. I want to see people who look at the limitations as just guidelines for art. If you can’t create something brilliant out of nothing, then I doubt you’d know what to do with a budget/resources. When I see a short film that really goes BIG and dares to tell a complex story without all of the bells and whistles of a big budget film, I get super excited.

11. What are some key strategies to adopt in order to optimally write for no or low budget filmmaking?

NS: For me--don’t be afraid to get emotional. A lot of the films we’re seeing today have adopted this “I’m-too-cool-for-this” mentality, where the filmmaker holds the audience at an emotional arms length. Slice-of-life work is great and all, but when you’re able to infuse it with a real connection to the subject, that’s when you really grab the audience, in my opinion .

RW: Mark Duplass did an interview with Marketplace on NPR , where he talks about making films on a microbudget and highlights the idea of “Available Filmmaking”. I found the interview to be so inspiring, because that’s what we are all about – letting resourcefulness and creativity guide you, not money or fear of money. As Elle Schneider, co-developer of the Digital Bolex camera and one of our return sponsors said last night, when you have an idea, ask “how” not “how much”. Duplass got started with this idea of available filmmaking with the first feature he wrote, The Puffy Chair, and his talent was recognized enough that now, he’s Mark Duplass. If they have the talent, the resourcefulness and the drive, who says any of our filmmakers can’t follow a similar path?

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