Tips for Keeping Budget Low Remember to avoid these common culprits for soaring film budgets. Location. Limit your shooting locations to one primary location Actors. Limit the # of primary characters in your film Length. Limit the overall length of your short film to its bare minimum Special Effects. Avoid special effects - firearms and stunts included Nighttime. Avoid nighttime exterior scenes - lighting is especially pricey Crowds. Avoid crowd scenes - remember: you do not want to feed all these people Artificial Weather. Avoid weather or seasonal scenes that are not naturally occurring Time Period. Avoid time period pieces - think: costumes, props etc. A als & Children. Each come with their own accompanying staff and legal requirements Heavy Action. Favor dialogue for action wherever creatively feasible Crew. Limit your production staff to the essentials skillshare,corm/tranco Introduction to Screenwriting for Short Films