Posted by Michael Raben at 63.239.234.7 on May 04, 2001 at 12:41:29:
In Reply to: question for someone that knows the answer posted by Apocolypsecow on May 03, 2001 at 19:43:03:
: My question is why was Clerks done so quickly?
Indie films, especially low-budget ones, are shot on a (relatively) short shooting schedule because of the money involved. In most cases, rented equipment is billed on a "day rate" - meaning that for every day the equipment is in your possession, you pay for it. I could go into more detail on how this tends to be altered for indies, but it's not important right now, and you didn't ask.
Secondly, the time aspect comes into play for many of the people involved. On low-budget flicks, most cast and crew are working for free. Energies and passions burn out if they're dragged out. Quick, intense work is a part of the process. Taking too long and having to go back to continue shooting can lead to big problems: keeping people excited, keeping continuity, aesthetic changes, etc. Furthermore, if you've secured a free location to shoot the bulk of your project, the owners probably want it to be a one-time thing. You're going in and disrupting the normal flow of things, whether that's your intent or not, and it's better for everyone involved if you can do it in one stretch.
: Do you think it would've come out differently if it had taken a year to do?
The obvious answer is YES; now to the extent that it would be radically altered is anybody's guess.
Always,
Michael Raben