Start with nothing and make a feature film in 12 months

If I told you that you could start with absolutely nothing and make a feature film in the next 12 months, would you do it? +

What if I told you that you don't even need a single dollar to start? +

Look at today's date. Add a year. +

Write it down. 

At this time your film will be available for purchase to your friends, family... and to people you haven't met and won't ever meet. +

Today I'm going to show you a detailed month-by-month plan to take you from no money and no idea to completing a feature film in a year. +

For many people, this great opportunity actually fills them with dread: +

"What if it's not good, and I just waste my time?"

I'm reminded of this perfect piece of encouragement:+

That date I told you to write down (but I know you probably didn't) - that date is going to come in 12 months, whether you like it or not. +

That time will pass... whether you make a film or not.+

So you can arrive at that date and think: "Wow! I'm proud of myself! In the last 12 months I actually made a feature film!" +

Or would you rather turn another year older and still be left longing for the opportunity that may never come?+

Opportunities aren't found; they are made.

May I encourage you to make it happen for yourself. Filmmaking is a gradual process. You can conquer each problem as it comes. Give yourself the opportunity, and you'll be pleasantly surprised with what you come up with, and the quality you are capable of producing.+

The Ultimate 12-Month Feature Film Plan

​This 12 Month Plan is here to help you make the opportunity for yourself, and get you past the hurdles. The plan is broken down into monthly goals. You're going to need to plot each month's goals into a calendar or diary.+

I've made it easier for you with a printable checklist that takes the goals for each month and places them on a time-line of 52 weeks. Simply check off each week's task as you do it. +

You can download the 52-week checklist below.+

Only focus on one week or one month at a time.

Why? Because the outcomes of each month will indicate higher or lower priorities for the following month. Your schedule will need to adapt.+

Creighton Adams said:​

"How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time."

So to kick off, you can get a hold of the 52 'bitesized' goals, the checklist right here:+

$0 in the bank.

You can't go this alone. Filmmaking is a naturally collaborative effort. So your first goal will be to find the key team of people who would also like to look back in a year and say "We made a film!"+

1.1 - Find Your Filmmakers

You need 3 core people- and one of these will be you (we'll assume you're the producer):+

1. Producer
2. Writer
3. Director

How do you find these people? Ask around. The most important quality you are looking for is commitment. +

An extremely talented Director who isn't interested in making a film in 12 months is not what you want. What would be better is a less experienced director with ambition who is willing to join you on this journey.+

This is a moment of loyalty. Your team of 3 need to commit. Just decide that it's going to happen, and agree that you have nothing to lose.+

Then high-five each other.+

Because in a year's time, you will have produced a film. Your Director will have directed a feature, and your screenwriter will have published a screenplay. +

That's a serious achievement.+

1.2 - Put your money where your mouth is.

Now, you need to start saving $100 a week. Each. Pick up an extra shift at the coffee shop, or spend a little less on... whatever you buy lots of.+

Doing this will mean the core trio are putting aside $300 per week for the project. You're not spending any of it yet, not for a while, so even if this whole idea falls apart and your film never gets made-- at least you've got the savings for a new bicycle... or something...+

Saving $100 each per week is going to give you $15,000 for the whole year. If you can't save that much, multiply whatever you can save per week by 150. Provided your core team saves the same amount each, that'll be the minimum budget for your entire film.​+

By the end of month 1, you'll have $1200 between you. Strong start!