5000 – 10000
The following films are independent films and documentaries made for less than $10,000 (range from $5000 to $10,000). 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.
1. FOLLOWING
Budget: $6,000
Trailer: Watch Following Film Trailer
Synopsis: This 1998 film by Christopher Nolan (Director of Memento, Batman Begins and Dark Night). Christopher wrote, produced and directed the film “Following” which contains many of the non-linear features found in his next feature film “Memento”.
2. PRIMER
Budget: $7,000
Trailer: Watch Primer Film Trailer
Synopsis: Written, directed and produced by Shane Carruth, “Primer” was made on a micro budget of $7000. The film is a modern day science fiction that plays with the idea of time travel. Shane Carruth was previously an engineer and mathematician which won’t go unnoticed when you’re listening to the complex language of the film.
The film has done very well and even found its way to a Sundance film festival screen. However, there are some technical drawbacks to the film. Although it’s well shot, many of the shots have soft focus and there are some dialouge / sound issue. however, it’s a great independent production with substantial amounts of production value considering its budget.
3. EL MARIACHI
Budget: $7000
Trailer: El Mariachi Film Trailer
Synopsis: Robert Rodriguez wrote, directed and produced this famous independent feature film on a a budget of $7000. The story is about a wondering Mariachi who is mistaken for a hitman and subsequently finds himself on the run. The film is beautifully shot with Rodriguez casting strangers off the street and giving them lines, doing dolly shots from a wheelchair and getting his hands in all areas of production with the exeption of acting. Aftera all, someone needed to hold the camera.
Later Rodriguez stated that he filmed “El Mariachi” to “practice”.
4. ERASERHEAD
Budget: $10,000
Trailer: Watch Eraserhead Film Trailer
Synopsis: Eraserhead is a surrealist-horror film written and directed by David Lynch. Like most David Lynch films, this film is non linear, dark and abstract. At the time of filming David Llynch was not a well known director and becuase of this he had a difficult time securing financing. Lynch was therefore, forced to film Eraserhead over half a decade as funds slowly dwindled in.
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