[Watch the video interview on YouTube here]
Film Courage: What is your smart budget business model?
Kevin Interdonato, Actor/Filmmaker: The smart budget business model is pretty much the opposite of what people have been doing for a very long time in this business. It’s riskier. It’s not conducive to supporting yourself but I’ll let you know what a smart budget business model is.
It’s making sure you can make your project with as little money as possible to offset the gains. If I was able to make a project say:
-You and I are going to make a movie.
-We have the same exact script.
-You can make this film for $200,000.
-One way, shape or form, I’m going to find out a way to make it for $75,000 (by-hook-or-by-crook).
That’s the goal without sacrificing production value and integrity of the film.
If it means rolling up my sleeves and getting dirty for a full year, year and a half out from start date, day one, me doing all the work that needs to be done myself in order to bring that movie in for $75K, I’m doing it.
Because at the end of the day the movie is going to make $250,000. Now, you’re only making $50,000. You didn’t barely pay back your whatever and I’m already in the green and made everybody money and then some.
That’s a smarter business model. It works if you’re careful about who you choose to join you to make the project. That comes with a lot of choices. It comes with the people that you choose to run your crew, run your set, your cinematographer, your editor, front end, back end, everything.
The big thing is that you can’t take from it. That’s the hardest part. You’ve got to have money in your pocket from your day job. If you’re going to do this, you plan a year and a half, two years out and you start saving like a you know what. Save, save, save. Don’t spend and you put that in a kitty.
When the time comes to make that movie, you’ve got this little nest egg to live on for you or your family or whatever. It’s there because the more money you take and put in your pocket from that project at this budget level, the less money is going into the project.
If it’s a $200,000 budget and you’re putting 20k, 30k, $40,000 into your pocket, even $20,000 into your pocket, that’s potentially $20,000 that could be going into a name actor that can get…(Watch the video interview on YouTube here).
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About:
Kevin Interdonato began his career on the East Coast, an actor known for his work on the Indie film scene. From 2001, his television credits include shows like The Sopranos, Law And Order, City On A Hill and more. His work in film has been recognized at Film Festivals around the world, with over 20 Best Actor Awards and Nominations to date.
Recent releases as a writer/director/producer include 2023 releases THE BASTARD SONS and MALICIOUS. Next up, DIRTY HANDS slated for October, 2024.
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