Problem → Solution: How to create an inventory of all resources you have to make a film

On micro-budget films, resources live in people’s heads instead of on paper.

Problem: On micro-budget films, resources don’t live on paper.
Solution: Write a Resource Filmmaking Inventory before locking the production plan. (Example)

Dear Reader,

Most micro-budget films don’t fail because they’re underfunded.

They fail because the resources were never clearly inventoried.

This is a quiet problem I ran into while developing Burying Doris—and the production system I now use to prevent it.

The Problem

Problem:
On micro-budget films, resources live in people’s heads instead of on paper.

Locations are assumed.

Props are “probably available.”

Equipment is “somewhere.”

That vagueness leads to:

• Last-minute rentals

• Unplanned purchases

• Crew confusion

• Creative compromises that feel avoidable in hindsight

I realized that even though Burying Doris was now designed to be a resource-driven film, I didn’t actually have a single document proving that reality.

The Solution

Solution:
I created a Resource Filmmaking Inventory before locking the production plan.

This inventory does one simple thing:

It lists everything the movie touches—and confirms whether it already exists, needs to be built, borrowed, rented, or cut.

Instead of starting from “What do we need to buy?”

It starts from “What do we already have access to?”

That shift alone reframed the entire production.

How the Inventory Works

The inventory is broken into practical, production-facing sections:

• Intellectual Property & Development
  Ensures the legal and creative foundation is secure before money is spent.

• Locations
  Prioritizes owned or freely accessible spaces and identifies logistical needs early.

• Cast & Talent
  Clarifies speaking roles, union considerations, and scheduling risks.

• Art Department & Props
  Separates hero props from environmental dressing so nothing critical is missed.

• Wardrobe, Vehicles, Animals
  Often-overlooked cost centers that quietly add up.

• Production Equipment
  Clearly defines what’s owned vs. rented vs. borrowed.

• Special Effects & Safety
  Flags high-risk elements before they become insurance or liability issues.

• Post-Production Resources
  Locks in the finishing path early instead of hoping it works out later.

Once completed, the inventory becomes the backbone of:

• Budgeting

• Scheduling

• Creative decision-making

• Investor conversations

A Real Example: Burying Doris

When I built the inventory for Burying Doris, something clicked.

Almost every major location already existed on our farm.

The cast size was manageable.

The props were specific—but achievable.

Instead of guessing whether the film was “possible,”

I could prove it.

The inventory didn’t just organize the project—it validated it.

The Resource

👉 Micro-Budget Production Inventory Template (LINK)

This is the exact framework I use to:

• Stress-test a script against real-world resources

• Identify hidden costs before they appear

• Build films around what already exists

You can adapt it for:

• Feature films

• Shorts

• Proofs of concept

• Any resource-driven creative project

Final Thought

Micro-budget filmmaking isn’t about having less.

It’s about knowing exactly what you have.

An inventory doesn’t limit creativity.

It protects it.

We can do it.
Together, with faith.

— M.P. Rekola

P.S. How I Sustain the Work

I’m an independent creator. I don’t have a studio overhead or trust fund backing this work. I earn my living through:

• Affiliate links, views, and one-time donations (click here).

• Sales of The Modern Filmmaker’s On-Set Filmmaking Dictionary on Amazon

• Producing industrial and commercial work through Goodworks (you can hire us)

• Consulting on individual projects

• And a micro drive-in movie theatre, I’m currently building

None of this is separate from the art.
It’s what allows the art to keep happening.
Reach out if you have an opportunity.
Reminder— advice & networking are always free.