12 Tips to produce your first film?

So you decided you want to learn how to produce a film, but you do not know precisely where and how to start. Here are some tips to guide you and help you get your first steps into the filmmaking business:

  1. Start with the genres – They are popular, with a clear concept and have much room for creativity.
  2. Be original – Tell something that has not been told or, in a way, not yet been told. Read the Find your voice to learn this cool creative exercise that will help you find your authentic voice.
  3. Think commercial – Pay attention to the things that work commercially and in terms of festivals. Notice where you are in this equation.
  4. Have a strategy – Speaking of festivals, before starting to send films to film festivals, you should have a strategy. Most festivals cost money to register, and in some of them, pre-registration is cheaper. Plan and thin, how the film festival is going to contribute to the movie and how much you want to spend on each of them  
  5. Have a good script – The better your script will be, the more talents will be attracted to it, and if your project brings a really good script, maybe they even agree to give you a discount.
  6. Think Internet – Create a movie web page, Facebook page, and YouTube channel. It will also help you get funding through the Internet.
  7. Save money – If you are working on a budget, check first how you can cut locations. Reducing locations can lower the budget dramatically.
  8. Invest in good sound – The sound people usually get ignored in film production, but I have seen productions that fell because of sound problems. Make sure to have someone who understands the field sound design in films
  9. Be realistic – Do not kid yourself. Go through all the script, do a script breakdown, and realize what it is you need. If the budget is too expensive, check out what you can give up and be sure to add an unexpected 10 percent to the budget. After you finish calculating the budget, you add 10 percent of the budget to spend on unexpected expenses (which will happen to you no matter how much you’ll plan ahead). Do not forget to also include marketing expenses, editing, sound, and every post issue.
  10. Plan – Research all areas that you deal with them and try to do some more work on your own Pre–Production stage. 
  11.  Try to find staff that has the equipment needed. It can cost you cheaper (especially if they have their insurance on the equipment) and they know how to use their equipment, and they also keep it in good shape.
  12. Learn how to work well with your director, financiers, and other important figures. Establish with all of them an honest relationship right at the start. The producer has to know how to work with people and listen to their needs. Everyone got different needs, and it’s your job to answer them.