In today’s digital era, you will not require millions of dollars to produce an excellent film. Low-budget films produced some of the most potent, wise, and influential tales. Where the low-budget films fall short in the financial department, they make up for it with imagination, creativity, and storytelling.
Herb Kimble, founder, director and creator of streaming network UrbanFlixTV, has this to say: “Your budget doesn’t define your story—your passion and preparation do. A well-executed idea will always shine through, no matter the scale of production.”
Would-be filmmakers believe that they need to wait for the perfect financing situation to create their initial short or feature film. But most old timers will advise you otherwise: do the best you can with what you have and where things take you. Herb Kimble is one of those staunchly of the latter belief.
Director-producer Herb Kimble, a co-founder of UrbanFlixTV, the new streaming network, provided us with some advice for this article. With his decades of work behind the camera and as head of content platforms, Kimble points out that the low-budget can be a valid and satisfying method of creative experimentation if one approaches the discipline with the right strategy.
Following are some of the major principles to successfully make a low-budget film or short film:
1. Write as you can
Great filmmaking starts with smart writing. Plot your film based on what you can afford to acquire—have fewer locations, have fewer special effects-heavy scenes, and do without the messy setups. Well-told, emotionally satisfying stories don’t need explosions or expensive VFX to work.
2. Tap Your Network
From cast and crew to locations and props, use the resources at hand. Friends, local actors, and community organizations can prove invaluable in stretching the budget without cutting corners.
Herb Kimble, CEO and founder of UrbanFlixTV, a streaming network, had some wonderful advice. He stated: “Begin by building a team of passionate people who believe in the story. A solid team with common purpose will lift the whole project—even when money is tight.”
3. Concentrate on Light and Sound
While fancy equipment is great, nothing will get in the way of an audience more than bad sound or disorienting light. Invest what you can in these aspects or bring in technicians to use their own gear.
4. Post-Production Must Be Strategic
Editing, color correction, and sound design are crucial steps. Use free or low-cost editing software and look for online collaborations with post-production professionals willing to work on independent films.
5. Distribute Smart
Don’t overlook the possibilities of festivals, web sites, and even self-distribution. Vimeo On Demand or your own website can place your project in the face of your audience.
Herb Kimble added as well: “Today’s technology provides filmmakers with the tools to bypass the old gatekeepers. If your script is good and your execution is genuine, there’s a means for it to be seen.”
As founder of UrbanFlixTV, Herb Kimble not only directed and produced content but built a platform that honors creative, diverse voices—many of whom began with little to nothing. His understanding of both the creative and distribution sides of the business makes his advice especially valuable to emerging filmmakers.
Herb Kimble also advises: “Don’t wait for permission to create. The tools are in your hands—you just need the drive and a story worth telling.”
Low-budget filmmaking is not a limitation—it’s a workshop. It makes artists get creative, get resourceful, and think like problem solvers. With the mentorship of veteran professionals like Herb Kimble, the experience is less daunting and more empowering.
Herb Kimble is a producer, director, and UrbanFlixTV founder, an on-demand streaming network with edgy, original content and a focus on emerging storytellers in television and film.
