How to Achieve Awesome Things on a Small Budget

Have you ever seen the movie Mad Max?  The Blair Witch project?  How about Napoleon Dynamite?  If the answer is yes to any of these, you aren’t alone.  Actually, it would be more surprising if you hadn’t seen one these movies.  They had huge audiences and really exploded across the world.  What do they all have in common besides being really awesome (and sometimes nauseating)?  They were all low-budget films that made above and beyond what was spent on them – most of the time moving on to become cult classics beloved by many.

This is like you, dear AmeriCorps members.  You are usually living and working on a small budget and are asked to do awesome things with these limited resources.  I would like to give you a few suggestions (in relation to making a stellar low-budget movie) on how to get the most bang for your buck.

A prime example of that awkward leather clothing from Mad Max

Tell a good story:  In Mad Max, you have a dystopian, futuristic movie with this guy doling out vigilante justice to people wearing awkward, leather BDSM gear.  But, the journey and the character development are awesome and that’s what makes it work.  You want to make sure you’re selling people on the right thing.  You don’t have to make it flashy.  People will want to listen to you if your cause is worthwhile.  Know what you’re selling.  This will make you more confident and increase the confidence others have in you.

Find a pro:  A good director of photography can help make any movie better.  Surround yourself with materials and people (if possible) who can instill their great knowledge upon you.  Having a hefty base of knowledge on how to run a successful program is a great start to making all your dreams come true.

Lots of crying and stuff in the forest for the Blair Witch Project

Conserve your resources and find discounted stuff: The more things you can make and produce for free, the better.  The Blair Witch Project essentially made three people the cast and crew of a low-budget production.  They didn’t even have a full script.  Many times, low-budget movies will have a limited amount of shots and only so much time to do them in.  Stretch out that time.  Tap into local resources and clubs.  Friends and family make excellent volunteers.  Apply for grants.  Ask for donations.  The hardest thing to ask people for is their time.  Be sure you use and plan activities effectively.  This goes for your personal life too.  Make casseroles.  Buy things that you can use multiple times.  Like friends. (Kidding of course…)

Napoleon Dynamite time traveling

Have a reliable and good team of people who can also help get the word out and sell your program:  Get the right people for the right jobs.  They are out there.  It takes a little extra effort to find quality people who really want to invest in your program, but it pays off in the long run.  Once you have the vision and the people to back you up, send them out into the world.  The best people to speak about your program and its successes are the ones directly involved.  Many low-budget movies sparked it big because of large events that showcased their film.  In some cases they had awesome PR people.  I only found out about Napoleon Dynamite because my friends wouldn’t stop talking about it.  Many times, it’s more about getting publicity and being seen by the general population than having to worry about selling something that isn’t so great.  You’ve got the quality – you just need people to see it.

Once you get people on board who are behind your vision and are willing to volunteer, show your appreciation:  There are some people who wish to do things free of charge and want absolutely no recognition.  But a lot of times, people would like a ‘thank you’ or at least some amount of recognition that they helped contribute.  Many movies hold large screening parties etc when a project is completed to celebrate their hard work.  Have a grand opening or yearly party that allows people to see where all their hard work has gone.  Recognize and appreciate everyone who helped your program be a success.  You truly should feel thankful for everyone who has supported and believed in your program – they are the backbone to the work you do.

In all seriousness, following these steps seems simplified but it’s a pretty complicated process to bring them all together (especially with a limited budget).  It’s a rough journey, but as long as you have the drive to create a meaningful program/event that you care about – I have all the confidence in the world that you will succeed.  Besides, the more friends you make in the non-profit world – the more resources you have and the more people who will most likely believe in you.