12. Monsters ($500,000)
Monsters is a science-fiction monster movie, which you would generally consider to be a film with a bulging budget. This is not the case however, and director Gareth Edwards was able to create a box office hit with a budget of just $500,000. The story is of a photo-journalist and a tourist trying to get out of an alien infested Mexico in a post-invasion world. Edwards, in his directorial debut, was able to keep costs of the film down through using a small crew, using affordable equipment, using locations without permission, and using creative techniques such as filming out of a moving van instead of using a dolly. Impressively, all the special effects were created by Edwards himself on his laptop in his bedroom. What would ordinarily be a hugely expensive film was created on a shoestring thanks to Edwards’ vision, talent, and resourcefulness.
http://damngoodcup.com/monsters-movie-review-is-gareth-edwards-the-next-robert-rodriguez Via DamnGoodCup.com
11. Primer ($7,000)
The lowest budget on this list and by some distance, Primer was created on a budget of just $7,000. The unconventional film may have a small budget, but it takes on an enormous topic in dealing with the psychological and moral implications of time travel. The story follows four friends aiming to create their own tech business, but they accidentally invent a time machine in their garage. The script does not simplify the science and features extremely complicated technical dialogue, with the film’s writer being a graduate with a degree in mathematics. The writer, Shane Carruth, also directed, produced, edited, scored and starred in the film, with the other roles being played by friends and family. The production crew was also kept very small to reduce costs. The result is an intriguing, challenging, and experimental film that is also hugely impressive and has since found a cult following.
http://cinapse.co/2014/02/27/two-cents-primer/ Via cinapse.co