Making a short film ALONE - Top 5 tips

Nobody believed my last short film was made with no crew and a $600 budget. In this video, I break down how I did it and my top 5 tips for making a film by yourself.
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About me:
I've been making short films for 20 years, starting at age 11. I directed my first feature film, Bad is Bad, in 2010. Made for only $6,000, the film went on to reach over 7 million views and garner critical acclaim. More recently, my short film, Will "The Machine", screened and won awards at film festivals around the world. Released online in 2019, it reached over 1 million views in just a month. I also work as a video editor, cutting ads for clients such as Apple, Netflix, and Beats by Dre.
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[@StandardStoryCo]

Want to make a great short film in a month? Join us at WRAPPED in 30 Days: wrapped.school

[@WeirdCast]

I've made 65 short films, never having any crew, & These tips are GOLD. Over time i ended up employing the verry tactics in this video. I wish I had this when I started.

[@owensanfordstuff]

65?? That's impressive

[@evan_game_dev]

Dang, that's impressive

[@Dale_Blackburn]

@@owensanfordstuff He is trolling. The greatest directors at the age of 70 doesn't even have that many ''short films''. Quality over quantity always is the best anyways.

[@Sam-bn7jk]

lmao, 65 all alone is depressing, maybe that's why you didn't become a director.

[@Mo-sk7xo]

Damn yall some fuckin haters.....I Knew it wasn't gone be positive all the way thru😒 Congrats on yo 65 Brother man!

[@alessandrocwilliam]

Biggest problem: Having no actors available. Specially for short low-budget indie movies where we always try to push for the dialogue. A good dialogue requires talented actors.

[@amsheel9921]

I do the opposite, write less dialogue and try to tell the story, as much as possible, through sounds, visuals, movement, cuts, etc.

[@alessandrocwilliam]

@@amsheel9921 That's actually a very interesting procedure to approach as well, I like it. It requieres people to be focused tho. Sound is imo one of the most important factors in filmmaking and neglected by many.

[@DAMON409]

Shorts should not have lots of dialogue. But you can get actors for free.

[@alessandrocwilliam]

@@DAMON409 But free actors are kinds like a lottery imo. Just 1 out of 10 of people who are willing to act for free in a lovie of yours will be seriously good or decently good. I'm talking about people who are not studying theater or doing it professionally but random people you can met around. If you find serious actors who are studying theater, going to castings or assisting at dramatic classes the chances of them being good raise up but the chances of getting them doing your movies for free gets lower. In my case, I'm having an hard time to find theater students because I'm currently living in a small town near a small city.

[@nightynightshade]

I agree!

[@omarvasquez6607]

That raccoon peeking into the shot and then exiting had me laughing and smiling. But it also did give the shot some nice movement. And thanks for all the helpful info, man!

[@Movieclips_101]

Lol 😂

[@christophwetty]

The information in this video is exactly what so many aspiring filmmakers need to hear! Great video!

[@davidsklubal]

Discovered your channel a few days ago and can't thank you enough for all the great tips, im shooting a more complex music video and all your videos are really helping shape it into something fantastic

[@brunopapic6295]

this video is a masterpiece! you are truly THE BEST at this genre on youtube. Your voice, your characther is engaging - almost comedic, in a good way! But your charachter is not all there is to it.. Not only do you give tips but you also create with those tips and the results are on a good level. Editing is fucking fire, never gets boring (even tho i am experienced in most of the topics here). You are a great example and a great guidance, dare I say someone I fell like a companion. Thank you for your work, and wish you nothing but success!

[@entertainme202]

I've been watchig your videos for 2 weeks and you go into so much details giving information. I'm about to start my filmmaking journey in a few weeks, hoping to write and shoot my first short film, and you're videos just add so much knowledge. Great work!

[@marshalljvanderhoofphoto]

Thanks for the video. It's really amazing what you are able to accomplish by yourself as a 1 person crew. Awesome inspiration.

[@StorytellerDan]

Lots of good points. It's the BS people judge you on for looking cheap that spoils the potential sometimes.

[@mrjackelbox4418]

To hell with what people think no matter what one does people hate you even if your private even if you do everything right people hate so just do you

[@Wimana868]

Just subbed to your channel. I'm a beginner filmmaker looking to begin practicing making short films on my own to hone my skills. Your channel is gold my guy! Thanks for sharing your knowledge

[@petrolpoodle6617]

You sir, are a talent. Keep this up, it's so helpful but also entertaining without being an irritating KZbin all up in ya'll grill. Love it, can't wait for more content!

[@producerjdub]

Dude you are awesome! I am gonna launch my own film making show and you are really have pushed me to start it. Thanks!

[@allenrm120]

Excellent. I love your spirit SSC. The final product on the screen is all that matters...well, and having fun doing the work. Keep it coming Brother.

[@donaldharmonify]

How is this the first time I've seen your videos? Love the humor and tips, keep up the good work, and hope more people see this!

[@RosiePFB]

This was absolutely amazing! So much useful and helpful information was generously shared in an easy to understand way and as a bonus, you were cracking me up the entire time! 😂 Thank you so much for creating this - it really gave me a lot to think about and put into practice! ❤

[@MagicalMeesh]

I love your demeanor and humor. Great advice too. Awesome video thanks

[@lionbeatscobra]

Bro you're amazing. Kind of blown away tbh. I've been putting off projects for lame excuses. Thanks!

[@ThomasHeyen]

kudos - for your attitude, kudos - for your ideas, kudos- for sharing and your effort in posting!

[@reb7855]

Thank you. This is exactly what I was looking for.

[@carriomediaproductions896]

This was great. I never have anyone available to help me, and it really mentally keeps me from shooting. I needed this video!

[@chris-abaya]

Love this man. Awesome!

[@jeanlezin4890]

Great information, you are taking your time to explaining all the details. Thank you

[@elitaosmani2553]

I really needed to hear this! thank you!

[@alex_montoya]

Fantastic channel. Congrats!

[@jaylamb218]

Just wanted to let you know you have a new fan! You are a film school in action and you offer the best information on filmmaking and production! Please! Keep up the great work! Sign -Producer at Large!

[@eduardoiniestra8007]

Great video man. I have a complicated schedule since I have a 3 year old daughter and managing a crew schedule is difficult in that sense. Thank you for the tips.

[@SOLIDSNAKE.]

Master! Thank you for this!

[@seanoncape4854]

Well done, and great content. Way to make it seem much more possible!

[@checkonetwoproductions5615]

Great video man. Really appreciate this info!

[@macismariah6612]

I really appreciate you sharing filmmaking experiences and advices ❤️ I’m a still photographer with some video shoot experience, now planning on shooting my first short film in the summer (NYC) and literally I’m writing, producing, dping, art directing myself since I don’t have money to pay for some extra help. I’m kind of nervous but also excited about it, this video definitely encourages me to keep it up. Thanks awesome boy 🌹

[@ONE1MEDIAWORKS]

This is very good and perfect for the people who just wants to get into film making & doesn't have or can't afford a crew. This is very good as there are no rules if one wants to experiment with filmmaking. Would love to watch the mentioned short film.

[@vegardpedersen]

I am so happy I found your channel! I have watched some of your videos now, and I want to watch all of them. Suuuper good knowledge. Thank you so much! I will definitly follow this channel now! :-)

[@StandardStoryCo]

Thanks for following!

[@Drawdown4]

Thanks for all the information much needed

[@Jham3D]

Great video! Thanks for the tips. Everything has always fallen apart for me when I'm about to produce a short film. But your video inspires me to try again in a more organized, smarter way :)

[@worldunited4903]

Slow and steady wins the race....you got this ❤️☺️

[@Jham3D]

@@worldunited4903 Thank you :)

[@SuperCodytyler]

Love your channel man.. I’m aiming to shoot my first official short sometime next month and all this is Gold 🙌🏾🤙🏾🤙🏾

[@chipbrandstetter]

This is great. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@Mario_DiSanto]

Very quality content. Well done.

[@Brian-Hansen]

These are great tips, thank you! While you can make video by yourself it’s so much more fun with at least one friend along.

[@schoeferfilm]

Really some good tips for us alone filmmaker 😎💪🏼 thanks

[@jvhfilms]

I feel like I'm so late to the party! Subscribed to this channel within seconds...This is the shit I need.

[@kafenaded]

GOOOD JOB! inspired for sure.

[@jsstudiosmedia]

Amazing tips! Great informative video and very inspiring!

[@StandardStoryCo]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@Offgridyurtliving]

This is exactly what I needed and wanted haha. My plan is to do that. I have friends to act just need to get writing and planning.

[@elivebenard4568]

God bless you brother man and please keep the work so others like can learn how can someone get to you in person ?

[@derekseven1647]

Great Tips. Thanks.

[@tianalinden]

I love this!

[@mrtclub_gr]

Very helpful video!

[@iSpike]

Mon O Man I thank You. I live in the middle of nowhere and have no friends so this video helps out a lot. I plan to make a short film not only all the above... I will be the talent as well. I have no time schedule so I can take my time. Watch this space. Cheers from Western Australia

[@borokymusic]

Gold!

[@StandardStoryCo]

What are your best tips and tricks for filming without a crew?

[@twitchstreamersclips2988]

can you also do this with a feature film

[@Axluratt]

Big tip:get a crew

[@HeroDestrin]

Sitting down and looking UP at the set I have, or standing on something tall and looking down, cause with a crew sometimes you have more equipment and time to think of all these cool low angle or high angle shots, but alone you won't always think about them. So sometimes I just crawl around on the floor with a gimbal and the camera tilted up until something looks right XD

[@josevelasco216]

I think that pulling out a short or whatever type of quality video by yourself it's something of great value, that a few people will recognize. It's necessary to try this as an exercise, however one of the most important things about film, is collaboration. It can become a problem if you feel stuck in productions made by yourself and with no chance of reaching to fellow filmmakers.

[@4CardsMan]

Use a directional lavalier connected to a recorder on the actor's person. That will help exclude sound that you don't want. You can synch it in post natively (with FCPX) or with a plug-in (Premiere)

[@daviday87]

New subscriber here; Love your content, dude. Thanks for sharing so much with us. Also that hater rant at the end was hilarious 🤣🤣🤣 Got any additional tips for when you’re completely alone / acting in your own short too?

[@_jonkent]

Yeah I’ve found just a lot of prep before hand! I’m currently a one man band shooter and prep is where I put alot of time.

[@ninfilms]

Great video.

[@brandhuetv]

thanks for the motivations

[@storywala88]

Well put

[@Jonathanmccallum1]

This is great!

[@mallystakz8657]

So dope bro 🔥🔥🔥

[@vinnieven2295]

well deserved thumb up with that end

[@sammyjohn.production4783]

Master ready with notes list is must

[@Typrodz]

The memes throughout the video had me dead💀🤣great video

[@AkuaDog]

Man, you're great.

[@NORAliaayu]

The information so nicee

[@ankitkatyal9013]

You are awesome 👍

[@NBAxBaller]

Dope!

[@ImKnownAsTheAsian]

Will "The Machine" is one of my favourite short films so it was insane to find out you're the creator from watching this video!

[@mychalsimmons4177]

AWESOME

[@Dreamerworld313]

Lol the airplane part caught me off guard

[@giosamigos]

I was going to ask what did you do with cameras and post with that short film! The color made it 🔥🔥🔥

[@elivebenard4568]

I really like this course I fill like you just gave me Moro courage do start something on my own since my crow sims not to be available

[@MrMejia187]

It's tough when you don't really have self-confidence in general and even tougher when thinking about making a short film or what have you. Don't really have friends or anyone who can help me out and even if I did, I'm not sure if anything I write/create would even be good. Just needed to vent out loud (or online rather lol). So I appreciate this video

[@pinkjellyb123]

Yet I thought I was the only one lol.

[@WhySteve]

Nice, I made my first short film and because I was acting in it, I had my mom working the camera. All things considered it did come out too bad, but I really wish I had more time to shoot and had an actual DP on the camera and not my mom. Filmed in 2 days, editing was rushed cause I had to go away on a business trip so yeah, I wish I had more time. I think time is a big one!

[@plut0nivm_v]

I have a science project in 1 week and I’m scrambling to find information for a short film since I have no partners (uneven students) and 3 weeks to do this with little to no equipment.(thanks for keeping my grades up ☺️)

[@alvinburrell]

It is a great film - I'm really surprised and inspired that you did this alone.

[@StandardStoryCo]

Thanks Alvin, I’m hoping to do another like it soon

[@connorberry6377]

but he didnt

[@filmmaker5457]

ha ha ha! About thumbs up! Thanks for engaging content.

[@chrisgoodrich46]

7:25 looks like a good film. U gotta be really good to do a rack focus like that. I can't get one at all

[@CowBazar]

Thanks.

[@soloesalex]

You are doing an amazing work, could you tell me if you record everything in VLog or some other picture format in what I think is a GH5. Thanks

[@TuanRyuJin]

Make it to your advantage to Make a Short Film . Preparation is key. Make a Master List for pre Production! List to Check. It can be your Chance to Focus und be Quick ! Steal Shots on places without them knowing. Make it easy on yourself and rehearsal! Wireless mic Never use that as excuse for Bad Audio! Be your own Producer and have everything in one Place key instruction! You can collaborate After finish shooting. Pick up close up shots. No Crew shoot respect! Thanks for the content.

[@nightmarevstplugin3944]

Nice

[@donaldtrusty3924]

I always loved 1 take Olsen

[@user-sf3uc2qi9b]

great video man...what camera did you use for"Hawaii"

[@michaelcahn]

3:40 😂😂😂 so true!

[@TommyRosati]

Great video! 👍👍 Where can I see 'Hawaii?'

[@dinbali]

07:07 so good

[@92kris]

0:44 that shot fire ..got a horror feel to it📸

[@markstrain8989]

very very cool 😎 and even more helpful. One question. What's the deal at the beginning with the shadowy lone stalker with a camera standing in the fog? Or was it smoke? Isn't he like Chekov's loaded gun? Shouldn't he have taken out at the end or in the end credits, You know, like "Terry Tate, Office Linebacker" style? Just askin'...

[@cl759]

It's probably sad but, I just got to watching Paris Je Taime. Gained a great respect for short film

[@jorava8768]

These are excellent tips, but I was expecting info on how to make a film completely alone (without actors) :P

[@jacoblawrence6580]

Love watching your videos! I have always wanted to make films but I am having trouble deciding on what camera to start with. I know the camera isn't the most important thing but I still want something with good quality. Do you have any recommendations for a beginner filmmaker? thanks for any help you can give me. I can't decide between a DSLR or a mirrorless camera or somethings else. Wanting to find something around $500 (less if possible). Thanks again!

[@StandardStoryCo]

Don't worry about it much, I started on a cheapo miniDV camera and those short films aren't any worse for it. Watch a few KZbin videos about budget cameras and just pull the trigger on one. Accept that there's not going to be a camera without big downsides. Even at way higher budgets every camera is going to have its strengths and weaknesses. Fortunately, the camera you use is the least of your concerns when you're starting out!

[@VincentMaslowski]

fine, i'll subscribe.

[@SIBIRIAKoriginal]

I shot for my music video alone. I'm going to do the editing soon. Walking alone at night. setting the camera and walking in front of it. Sometimes it feels strange.

[@OmexavLifeztyle]

How’d you make the subscribe button light up

[@bubblebaath7840]

Left my multimedia major project to the last minute, I had a year and it’s due in a months but I havnt started.. I have friends that I could have filmed with but because I left it to now, no one has free time to come do my assignment with me bc they’re all too busy with their own work.. might make like a first person hardcore Henry type thing and just pack a shit ton of visual effects and things into it to get the marks because I’m extremely limited in camera angles and can’t put any movement into my shots Yes you can make it amazing like this, but you won’t get the marks just for making a good film since you get marked based on techniques like camera movements and things Like there’s so many transitions I can’t even do because the cameras still so it also impacts my ability to add certain effects

[@Movieclips_101]

🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@gavinphx]

Hawaii was really good.

[@catkh4518]

I have a question on how u did the credits 😭 I guess I could go watch the film but still wondering if u have any suggestions and how to do credits especially if u are working with another person but it's just you two kinda uh like doing everything together but maybe have some solo roles like makeup and then the other person as composer XD

[@StandardStoryCo]

If you want to see how to make a short film with no crew AND NO ACTORS, I made a follow-up video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZzLZIdqgbaCiLM

[@jmez927]

Someone needs to give this guy a crew , an full equipped arri Alexa Lf with a zoom Cooke anamorphic lens and see what happens when given some prep time

[@3RR4]

Hey you’re not alone, I’m solo filmmaker too