ASK & DISCUSS
INDEXNeed to collaberate with a Production Designer on an microbudget Sci-Fi movie set in orbit - advice.
8 years, 9 months ago - Martin Doyle
Hello all,
I am completing another draft of a sci-fi movie which will soon have a reading with some actor friends then a 'science revision' with a science expert to be sure the content is credible to tell the story. I will need to get a Production Designer on board very soon and was wondering the best way to go about this.
At this time I am hoping to make this film for a micro-budget £20k (raise £15k - part crowdfunding - then tax break and VAT rebate). The production in terms of design is critical both to the film and the generation of the budget. Though I have worked with concept artists before, this will be the first time working with a Production Designer.
Obviously coming in to the project on a grass roots level means genuine monetary returns aren't available till a budget is raised, and even then it will be at a level consistent with the budget of the entire movie production.
The designs themselves would mainly be the small main set and then some craft designs as well as space attire. My hope - to generate the correct funds would be to have the main concepts designer and the main set built before crowdfunding and budget raising. This would be my second crowdfunded project.
I looking to find out how to approach this is the most respectable and professional manner given this is a micro-budget feature. Is it better to approach graduates looking to get involved with a feature and/or established Production Designers looking for a passion project?
Many thanks
Martin
www.martindoyle.co
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8 years, 9 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin
Hi Martin,
I think you need an enthusiastic amateur as opposed to an experienced designer. Your budget is so low it'll barely cover insurance, travel and catering, let alone fees, hires and props/etc.
Look closely again at your finance model - 'tax break and VAT rebate' - I think that's a huge risk. Firstly, you will not get any tax advantages unless you are operating as a limited company SPV with the accounting overheads associated. You have to be 'qualifying' (which is actually easy), but also able to legitimately claim that the film is 'destined for theatrical release'. And VAT reclaiming isn't a source of finance (unless you defraud HMRC, which isn't recommended), it's just recovering tax you have already paid on top of the actual costs. You can't recover VAT from non-VAT payments (eg most cast and crew, insurance, travel, take-out catering) so you'll have very little to recover on a microbudget. Just duty bound to flag this to you
Response from 8 years, 9 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin SHOW
8 years, 9 months ago - Dan Selakovich
Wow, Paddy, I learn so much about shooting in the U.K. from you.
Martin, I'd think outside the box a little more. I went to an art school that had an amazing program in theatre production design. I'm sure the U.K. must have a university program like that. Most of these students were absolutely amazing, and amazing at doing something spectacular for nothing. I'd start there. I'm sure there are some very talented students that want to get into production design for films. And catching them a bit before, or just after, graduation would give them a real portfolio piece for getting work.
Response from 8 years, 9 months ago - Dan Selakovich SHOW
8 years, 9 months ago - Martin Doyle
Thank you Dan.
Response from 8 years, 9 months ago - Martin Doyle SHOW
8 years, 9 months ago - Martin Doyle
Thanks Paddy, already aware of all that. My first short I had full insurance and was done under a Ltd company... The team on it was big for a short, but bigger than what's needed for my feature and we had two locations and a set. With 5 actors working at £75 per day (in 2008) it was very doable. I've also produced a project that successfully had VAT and Tax rebate as well. All cool!!!
Response from 8 years, 9 months ago - Martin Doyle SHOW
8 years, 9 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin
Hiya, glad to hear you're confident it's all in hand :). Hope your project goes well!
Response from 8 years, 9 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin SHOW