Award Sounds Music, Photography and Consultancy

I like to have a few projects on the go at any one time. Apart from those I'm contracted to do, I also like to have a more fun side-project. The current side-project is writing music for a Space Opera. I'll post any articles on this under the Side Project heading.

The artist in me just wants to write the music and have others do the rest of the feature. However, my more pragmatic self realises that I'll have to do more if I want it to get anywhere. My guess is that I'll also end up producing, writing the script and possibly directing.

Constraints
With the incredibly high budgets of most modern Space Operas, I'd be lucky to start anything afresh and since my side-projects are hobbies, they're effectively zero budget. That would require introducing some interesting constraints for a Space Opera. I can see some ways to reduce costs.

Interior Locations
A signification cost is likely to be in set design to reflect the far future.

Interior shots could almost be done by converting the walls of a large shed or garage, so that we use one wall per interior room. It does reduce the size of location since you could only have the rear wall showing at any one time. It's a constraint, but it could work.

Modeling and Rendering
From what I've seen so far, opensource modeling and rendering software has reached a level that is sufficient for a project of this nature. It's not Hollywood quality, but is better than most tv series before the 80s. Actually, my instinct is that the software is capable of better rendering than was seen in Lexx which is a lot more recent. The difference there mainly lies in the skills of the artists and animators. Should be good enough for external and space shots.

Cast, Kit, Scriptwriters, Director, etc, etc
I'm assuming a shared approach similar to how Spinneyhead Presents has worked so far. With some alterations to that manifesto for a more formal structure (so everyone knows where they stand). I'm half-tempted to do without human actors and go with a Machinima approach. That will introduce more design and creation time, but will do without the complications that filming actors brings.

Subject
It seems idiotic to attempt a Space Opera on a tiny or zero budget. The best advice I've seen for making a movie, especially a sci-fi movie, on a budget is to stick with what props and locations you have at your disposal. I have no props and no locations other than just going outside and the usual asking around for a place to shoot. So I'm going against that for the moment, while I see what bringing other people into the mix does to the resources.

You
Post a comment if you've any other ideas for reducing cost and making this achievable?

If you wish to get involved, contact me.

This will be based in Manchester, UK.