Easy Post-Production Cost Saving Tips p.1

After finishing the series about pre-production cost saving tips, I thought that I should next cover easy post production cost saving tips before production saving tips. My reasoning is that filmmakers focus the most on their production film budget but throw caution to the wind during pre and post production. The bottom line is that a dollar over budget is the same during production as during post production.

So, my first tip for post production is to focus on the end goal. You must be truthful with yourself as to what the real goal is for your film. Most filmmakers say they want a theatrical but do not realize the financial implications to that deal. I encourage everyone to make the best film possible. I also encourage filmmakers to keep in mind the economics of a business where the goal is to make a profit. If you are selling your film for a theatrical release, make sure that you test screen your film in a theater, even if it's a small theater filled with friends. Movies play differently in a theater as opposed to a big screen tv. You won't know how scenes play in a theater so you can edit accordingly.

However, if you believe that your best case scenario is a direct to dvd sale, then you should keep that in mind during the nit-picky decisions that would only impact the large screen movie theater experience. For example, check if the small Canadian leaf on the airplane wing that is only visible for a half second is really worth paying for an optical. Audiences will probably not notice that in a movie theater and definitely not notice it on dvd because.