You’re making films wrong.

@christineubochi

8.2K followers · usually 858 views a post

Views

16.3K

Likes

3.3K

Comments

61

Shares

99

Why it worked

The video provides actionable, high-value professional advice for a specific niche, establishing authority through the creator's own successful past projects.

Summary

The creator provides advice on how to produce high-quality short films on a limited budget. She emphasizes focusing on strong writing, production design, and acting over expensive equipment.

Structure

1Introduction to low-budget filmmaking
2Advice on writing for the budget you have
3Prioritizing production design and wardrobe
4The importance of cast performance
5Conclusion on making smart creative decisions

On-screen text

YOU'RE MAKING FILMS WRONG. FIVE YEARS AGO SHORT FILM ON A BUDGET OF AROUND £5,000. ENDLESS RESOURCES, MASSIVE LOCATIONS AND EVEN TIME. HERE'S WHAT YOU SHOULD FOCUS ON IF YOU ALSO HAVE TO MAKE A FILM ON A SIMILAR BUDGET. **(my BBC film also made for £5k) DON'T WRITE THE FILM YOU WISH YOU HAD THE MONEY TO MAKE. WRITE THE BEST FILM FOR THE BUDGET YOU ACTUALLY HAVE. SPEND MONEY WHERE THE AUDIENCE ACTUALLY NOTICES IT. ***(my M&Ms short made for £3k) INCREDIBLE WARDROBE, PRODUCTION DESIGN AND LIGHTING WILL HAVE A BETTER IMPACT THAN JUST ADDING ANOTHER EXPENSIVE CAMERA ACCESSORY. DON'T UNDERESTIMATE YOUR CAST. A BRILLIANT PERFORMANCE FROM AN ACTOR WILL MAKE EVERYTHING ELSE FEEL MORE EXPENSIVE. AND AN AUDIENCE FORGIVES POOR VISUALS FAR BETTER THAN THEY FORGIVE BAD ACTING. LOW BUDGET DOESN'T HAVE TO MEAN LOW QUALITY. YOU JUST HAVE TO MAKE DIFFERENT DECISIONS. WHAT STORY CAN YOU MAKE WITH THE BUDGET THAT YOU HAVE?

Original caption

You’re making films wrong. Try this instead. #filmindustry #filmdirector #creativecareer #writertok #shortfilms

More from @christineubochi

Their other posts in the index, biggest breakout first.

Transcript

You’re making films wrong. Try this instead. Five years ago, I directed a short film on a budget of around £5,000. We didn't have endless resources, massive locations, and even time. Here's what you should focus on if you also have to make a film on a similar budget. Don't write the film you wish you had the money to make. You may not be there yet and it's all right. Write the best film for the budget you actually have. Spend money where the audience actually notices it. Incredible wardrobe, production design, and lighting will have a better impact than just adding another expensive camera accessory. Don't underestimate your cast. A brilliant performance from an actor will make everything else feel more expensive. And an audience forgives poor visuals far better than they forgive bad acting. Low budget doesn't have to mean low quality. You just have to make different decisions. What story can you make with the budget that you have?