2. Put it all on credit cards
The Film: Clerks
The Filmmaker: Kevin Smith
The Story: “I put the $25,000 budget on my credit cards,” recalls Smith. “Everything but American Express, because they make you pay it at the end of the month."
Smith used family loans and leveraged his income to help pay for the black & white movie, which he shot in and around the shop he already worked as a perfect free location.
The Warning: If you run up a huge debt, the closest you’ll get to “blockbuster” status is working there to pay it off.
3. Try your dentist
The Film: The Evil Dead
The Filmmaker: Sam Raimi
The Story: "Dentists are great. Get money from dentists,” says star Bruce Campbell. “They're loaded with dough. One guy gave us money because he didn't go to Vegas that year. He says, 'I usually take two grand and blow it in Vegas. Well, here's my Vegas money.' He's since made 17 times his money."
Raimi and Campbell shot a super-eight preview of the film to show to possible investors. The result is splattery history.
The Warning: Getting into financial straights with people who have easy access to sharp, pointy tools is not a good idea.
Comments
NickyC
Feb 13th 2009, 16:53
Clerks cost $25,000? For why? Did Smith pay for it to be blown up to 35mm or something? Can someone clear this up for me?
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jwhite
Feb 13th 2009, 18:22
For a thorough breakdown of Clerks' costs, go here:http://www.nextwavefilms.com/ulbp/learning.html Scroll down to the Clerks section.
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mattburgess
Feb 15th 2009, 2:50
Except...(and maybe this is the insomnia talking, but) why use a picture of Antonio Banderas for El Mariachi? I know, that's totally anal, but I think the film would have cost a LOT more than $7000 if Banderas had been in it.
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