10000 – 30000
The following films are independent films and documentaries made for less than $30,000 (range from $10,000 to $30,000). Each of the films in this category have achieved some level of success. Many of the films have been screened at prestigious film festivals such at Cannes, Toronto or Sundance, and others have found considerable commercial success. ce, and others have found considerable commercial success.
MEDICINE FOR MELANCHOLY
Budget: $10,000 – $30,000 (i.e. less than the price of a new car)
Trailer: Watch Medicine for Melancholy Trailer
Synopsis: Medicine for Melancholy is a story about 2 characters who begin the process of getting to know one another after a one night stand. The film explores the issues relating to race and urban gentrification. The film was shot on the HVX200 and has won numerous awards at film festivals around the world.
SLACKER
Budget: $23,000
Trailer: Watch Slacker Trailer
Synopsis: Slacker is an independent low budget film that follows different groups of people through Austin Texas. The film is made up of a series of short vignettes. The worlds we’re given access to as the audience are world composed of social misfits and wannabe philosophers. The film was made in the early 90′s for $23,000 and went on to gross over a million dollars.
THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT
Budget: $22,000
Trailer: Watch the Blair Witch Project Trailer
Synopsis: This film is one of the most successful independent feature film projects ever created. It was shot in only 8 days with a relatively inexperienced cast and crew and only cost $20,00o to make. The film was widely released and went on to make just over 248 million dollars.
DEEP THROAT
Budget: $22,500
Trailer: This film doesn’t have a trailer online. Watch Inside Deep Throat (Doc) Trailer
Synopsis: Deep Throat, as the name suggests, is an independent, pornographic feature film written and directed by Gerard Damiano. the film was shot for $22,500 and has estimates of its earnings ranging between $100 million to $600 million and above. The reason that the range in box office revenues is so broad, is becuase the film was banned in many states and when the film was screened it was often screened in mob ridden theaters that used box office earnings to inflate revenue that was likely due to drug trafficking and other illegal activities.
CLERKS
Budget: $27,000
Trailer: Watch Clerks Trailer
Synopsis: Clerks is a low budget independent film that was released in 1994. The film, along with films such as Slacker, helped launch the independent film revolution of the early 90′s. The film was directed by Kevin Smith and shot for roughly $27,000. The film later went on to gross upwards of 3 million dollars.
Popularity: 1% [?]
