TRAIN-SPOTTING: Financial Constraits

Train-spotting Financial Constraints:

Pre-production video notes / tips and advice:

LOW BUDGET

1. create resource list (scripts, location) then build from it
2. have a budget
3. work out whats accessible location-wise for the low budget you have
4. make a list of actors or people you can use that are reliable (friends, family, hire actors)
5. equipment: (make-shift, preowned, borrow) 
6. make a list of interesting props
7. local events (seasonal events i.e winter wonderland, junkyard sale, summer fairs)
8. writing the script: (keep locations to a minimum 4-5) (shorter films 1-2 locations) 

• minimise character roles
• minimise main locations 
• work to the strengths of the people you have
• avoid writing scenes involving loads of extras
• avoid exterior light scenes (outside, late at night)
• avoid CGI and special effects (time consuming, expensive)
• location scout (whats going to look good on camera, angles, shots, quiet, safe)

HIGH BUDGET 

Train-spotting: 

• Came out in 1996
• Budget was £3.5million
• Director: Danny Boyle
• Writer: Andrew MacDonald
• Producer: John Hodge
• Synopsis: Based on Scottish novel. A series of interlinked stories concentrating on a heroin-hooked anti-hero and his attempts to kick the habit, despite the lack of co-operation from his similarly-inclined friends.
• The rights to the screenplay: If you're planning to translate a novel into movie form, the most important thing is to get the screen rights 
• Danny Boyle first attempted to get the rights from Noel Gay at red dwarf but as soon as they realised that a lot of money was at stake they wanted to be co-producers.
• Finance: The film-making threesome were given $250,000 by Hollywood to produce it. Danny Boyle didn't want to do this as he knew through working with Hollywood he wouldn't get 100% rights out of it. The rights continued to be problematic. Channel 4 were happy to cover the cost of the whole film but didn't want to get involved until the play rights has been settled. A deal was eventually made in which Noel Gay gave 2% of the films budget (£30,00). Exchanging a share in profits and a name check on the credits.
• Preproduction: Lasts 4-7 weeks. Ewan McGregor was seeked out to play the main role. Set in Glasgow but did a couple of days in Edinburgh. A lot of the top film crews in Britain were living in Glasgow at the time.  
• Location scouting, looking at multiple locations. Most important bar scene with balcony. Need: big space, many people in it, balcony included. 

RECCE

•  -Going to a location you're thinking of using and looking at how to modify it.

1.  Think of location
2.  Is it suitable
3.  Modifications
4.  Consider cost

• Decided 90 extras will be needed (background actors) Boyle and production designer concluded the bar will need to be refitted with a long table and bench, balsa-wood chair needed for fight scene. 10 Extras needed for fight scene. One section of bar is used to make it look more populated.
• Cost of location depending on the relationship with the brewery. Ie. how badly they want them there and how much time they are allowed to shut down the business to shoot.
• Finding locations that are hard to get hold of for available access. Difficulty in finding a crematorium and a courtroom. Modifications in Train-spotting : Fluorescent light required, change lighting for composition, Colour of room needs to be changed, layout of room needs to be changed. Additional lighting needs to be changed in ladies toilet (side-room) as a scene is filmed in there between the girls
• Types of filming: Exterior- real location (real place) Interior- shot on a set (prop team creates and makes)
• Sets don't require making a recce because you're making them yourself. 

SET DESIGN

• Read the script and discuss what you think about certain aspects, talk about general look of the film and do research. 
• Role of set designer:

1. Read the script
2. Research (for example going around estates in Glasgow)
3. Start planning sets
4. Reference photographs and sketches (all in discussion with director)

• Ideas are discussed back and forth with the director
• 30 sets on this film, sets are designed as they are used, one will be used and the set designer will be designing and dressing another (constant production line).
• Set dressing - the process of buying furniture to make it look as desired and build it (stylising it and filling it)

PROPS AND COSTUMES

• Costumes are worn, props are everything else (items). 
• Trainspotting 98% props bought is cheap junk (junkyards, thrift/charity shops) 
• Wardrobe mistress - many costume departments will create their own outfits, some will be brought in from home, some companies might reach out and supply clothing goods. (example: North Face lent equipment for hikers to use, but many people were reluctant because of what the film Train-spotting is about)

THE SHOOT

• The shoot lasts for 35 days spans over 5 days a week
• Includes reshoots and retakes
• Shoot 2-3 minutes of footage a day 
• Other genres like sci-fi and action have a longer shooting day than low budget films
• Hard to work around daylight hours especially if you are shooting at night 
• Call time - when everyone (cast/crew) is expected to be on set 
• Cast - everyone who stands in front of the camera Crew - everyone who stands behind the camera
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