Many of us here at Filmride are admirers of filmmaker David Lynch. Although he has moved on from working on low-budget films, his ethos remains dear to many indie directors. In particular, the production of his first feature, the cult indie film Eraserhead, provides many lessons for directors working in the independent film scene.
1. Take your time with a small but dedicated crew
According to Lynch’s autobiography, production on Eraserhead took five years, beginning in 1972 until 1977. Shooting was sporadic because the independently-produced film kept running out of funds. However, his eight-man crew dedicated themselves to the project. They donated small funds to help Lynch, who was producing the film through his meager income as a newspaper deliveryman, while working multiple tasks to keep the budget low. Some of these crew members, including cinematographer Frederick Elmes and production designer Jack Fisk, have gone on to have illustrious careers.
2. Find low-budget solutions to problems
Eraserhead was a complete micro-budget film, costing only $10,000. Its memorable production design was made from scavenged set material Lynch got from defunct film studios. Costumes were purchased in flea markets and thrift stores. Even actor Jack Nance refurbished his own living room for free to act as one of the film’s sets. Following Lynch’s example, indie directors must find the most creative ways to solve onset problems.
3. Give back
When his independent film was making the rounds, Lynch surprised his cast and crew by offering them a percentage of any future profit Eraserhead made. Lynch was thus returning the favor for all the hard work his crew had done. Likewise, giving back to those who’ve helped us is something indispensable for the indie film community.
