This almost makes me bummed that I literally JUST released my first feature film that I made for about $2,500, haha. They actually ask really good questions in the application. It's very thorough.

The biggest concern I would have is the thing about having to be in the Austin area for 6 weeks of shooting for the show. Are they expecting people to shoot their films in the Austin area? They can't possible be expecting that. That would make it almost impossible for anyone who doesn't already live in Austin to participated. I was able to make a watchable feature film for $2,500 largely by taking advantage of the resources I have here in southern Oregon.

Film groups are the way to go. Any decent sized area should have one. I live in a town of about 80,000 and we have a very active group. There's several dozen members at every monthly mixed. If there's not a group in your area, you can always try starting one.

I'd also submit to you that 15 people is kind of a ridiculous crew size for a short film (or even a micro-budget feature, frankly). Direct and DP yourself, find a friend who can competently and consistently hold your boom, and use any actors who aren't in the scene at the moment as grips to hold reflectors or whatever else you may need at the moment. You can make do with what you have and still make a great short film. Don't let a lack of a crew stop you from making things.

I get why this is worth it on a pragmatic level, but it's undeniably still the government stealing money from you for rights that you should already have. If security was out of the hands of the government and in the hands of the airlines, I guarantee you it would operate far smoother and quicker.

Got a trailer for your feature yet? What kind of budget where you working with? I'll be completely done with my first feature in just a few days as well. Shot it on a budget of about $2,500 for my church. Here's the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISfiC_gY7xY

As a daily NFS reader this was the best thing I've read on here in ages. Really, really great read, and now I'm definitely going to go watch the full SXSW video. I'll be 100% complete with post on my first feature film (which I shot for my church on a budget of maybe $2,500) in just a week or two, and it's really encouraging to see that I'm on the right track!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISfiC_gY7xY

As a daily NFS reader this was the best thing I've read on here in ages. Really, really great read, and now I'm definitely going to go watch the full SXSW video. I'll be 100% complete with post on my first feature film (which I shot for my church on a budget of maybe $2,500) in just a week or two, and it's really encouraging to see that I'm on the right track!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISfiC_gY7xY