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Those are all fair points! But let me breakdown why $15,000 is about how low we can get the budget using Following-which is a film I highly respect and enjoy-as a counterexample to explain. First off, timeline. Perhaps if I wasn't on a school schedule, I might be able to spread out the shoot like Nolan did. But because I do have deliverables that I need to do before I graduate, I only have a week to shoot. Ergo, I need to cram everything into ~4 days. Whereas Nolan was able to film Following over several weeks/months, making it whenever his actors and small crew were free. I don't have that luxury. Also, $6K in 1999, when Following came out, is about $12K today. And the scale of my film is larger-more extras, more complicated action (baseball scenes), and larger sets. So adjusting for that, my film is technically cheaper. "$2,000 easily" is incredibly generous. That's how much it'll probably take to feed the cast and crew alone for 4 days. Granted, we're going to try and get catering donated by local businesses, but that's not a guarantee you should go into a project with because if it falls through, then what? An unhappy crew = a bad film. And I want to take care of the people helping me on set and feed them good food. I do need a big stadium-how else would I convincingly sell the fact that my protagonist is a big-time college pitcher? Without the field, it wouldn't be authentic because no one would believe a D1 team would play on a cheap field (such as the one I filmed this promo on). I'm not making this decision for enjoyment-trust me, I would save the money if I could-it's for authenticity. I played baseball for over a decade, and if I was an audience member, I wouldn't believe it, and I'm holding myself to my own standard. Most of Following's locations were low-scale and probably acquired for free. He didn't use anything as large as a field, and that's fine. That story didn't require it. But mine does. Does the film seem self-absorbed? Sure. But if you're not self-absorbed in your own art and so focused on making something for others, for some algorithm, you will inevitably lose the part of 'you' that makes the film yours. You need to put yourself into the film, otherwise it just becomes another cookie cutter trend following piece. At least, that's how I feel. I assume you feel otherwise, but at that point, it's just a philosophical difference. "You need to prove yourself as a filmmaker before making something with this kind of size." Are the hundreds of videos on this channel not proof of the sweat I've put in the last 4 years, trying to make something for the world? There's even more stuff that hasn't gone on RUclips that the Internet won't see that still shows how much I've worked. If you don't think that's enough, I agree-I'd love to work harder, and I'm working towards that. But furthermore, your point implicates some sort of gatekeeping. Only the proven are 'allowed' to pursue these sorts of projects. Is that fair? If I fail, then I fail. If anything, this is the time in my life to do it. I don't respond to investors, or executives, or studios. The weight is squarely on my shoulders. "Filmmaking isn’t about how much money you have or what gear you use. It’s about telling a story that connects with people emotionally." I agree. Do you think I'm not trying to do that? Let me assure you I am. Like I said in the video, this is a film that I hope will connect to Filipino-Americans like me. That's a niche that is underrepresented in Western media, and I want to help bring that out. And to bring it back to budget briefly: field (5K), PD (1K), food (2.3K), transportation (1.8K), camera + lights (2K), costumes (1K), etc. There are ways we're trying to save money, such as donations, but like I said above, we can't bank everything on it. Ultra low-budget films like El Mariachi broke many, many, regulations and pulled on many, many favors (that I don't have since I didn't grow up in NY) to get made. I'm not gonna stop making small-scale stuff. That will always be a part of me. My most viewed videos on this channel were filmed on iPhones. You think I'm unaware of the power of micro-media? But this is my chance to go out of NYU with a big swing. I'm gonna take it 10 times out of 10, even if I strike out.

​@@CalGalicia you explained everything well, and it's clear you’ve thought about the budget, timeline, and constraints. but honestly the idea sounds like any other sports film. it’s not bad, it’s just something i’ve seen before. i get that it’s personal for you, and if it means something to you, go for it. but personally, it feels super generic. there’s nothing in it that really stands out as unique. still, if this is your big swing and you’re set on it, do your thing. just not something i’d find interesting. good luck man

Yes bc I traveled to Boston a month later

Stings doesn’t it? Bring that fire to the next vid I do

i mean if i'm in SG we're going pokka and heaven and earth ice tea all the way

Thanks bro, I appreciate everything you did on set and also in writing this great review, I can tell you’ve practiced on letterboxdegalogue

@@CalGalicia And my reviews are available for FREE!! Of course man, ready to do it again for your thesis!

Brooooo thank you

Thanks kat

Thanks dawg

what where

@@CalGalicia at the start I saw myself walking past 😭 cool vid btw