One of the films we watched for class was ‘The Rider’, directed by Chloe Zhao. We watched this film as it is an excellent example of a feature film shot on a microbudget – 105 minutes of feature film with a budget of only $80,000. And while it’s certainly apparent that the film is low budget (for reasons discussed below) it works well for the style and compliments the themes of the film (poverty, disability and recovery) – making it evident that the film was written with budgetary constraints in mind.

Here are some initial observations on the creative decisions made and what impact they had on the budget, as well as the overall film. Some comments have been added too after a post-class discussion (in italics).

 

Section Brief detail Details Budget decision Creative decision/impact
Locations Farmhouse Most of the film takes place in the farmhouse – using the interior kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and the exterior of the farmhouse and farmlands.

 

 Confining a large portion of the film to one location (especially an easily available location) helps lower the cost of the film as the cast/crew needs to move less frequently, less places are engaged (and paid). Additionally, a homestead could easily belong to one of the actors/crew and be free. Tim confirms all locations were free. Though limiting locations could potentially have a negative impact in some films, in The Rider it works as a creative decision as it furthers the themes explored in the film. Now that he can’t ride, Brady is hugely limited to his immediate world – like the farmhouse. Also plays into the theme of poverty as he can’t afford to go anywhere.
Farmhouse 2 Second farmhouse featured – exterior only, paddocks. May have had a second farmhouse? Unclear from film. If so, still could have been free.
Hospital Limited scenes in a hospital setting – the hallway, two single hospital rooms (could have been the same), a consult room and the physical therapy suite. The hospital has the potential to be one of the more expensive locations, limiting  the scenes reduces the potential budget. The hospital scenes are essential to explore the theme of disability, as well as develop Brady’s character. Although there were only a few of these scenes, it was likely realistic given Brady’s point in recovery.
Rodeo Arena Rodeo arena – with crowds, stunt scenes, and main characters conversing ringside. The rodeo has the potential to be the most expensive location, as it is one of the only locations extras are seen and it has stunts. However some rodeo scenes appear to be found footage, existing footage of Lane and Brady riding. Tim confirmed that some scenes were existing footage, other footage was filmed documentary style. Though potentially expensive in a modern Western about rodeo riders – these scenes are essential to develop character – what Brady wants but cannot have, as well as his nostalgia for a time gone by.
Grocery
Store		 Around the check-out aisles. Lots of food around them, likely real store. Only two areas of the grocery store were filmed – even if they cost money to film, costs would have been very low as they could have been filmed in hours. As these scenes were only to establish the (emotional, career) downfall of the character, they did not need to be plentiful, a small number of these scenes was still impactful.
Landscapes Variety of landscapes – could be the same location, could be meters apart. Pine Ridge Reservation. Also includes grave sites. Night scene at campfire. Wide, sweeping landscapes common in Dakota – not clear if same section of land, how far camera moved etc. Scenes are essential in establishing the vastness of the land, how insignificant Brady really is.
Animals Horses Groups of horses, featured horses and ridden horses. To reduce costs, the horses likely belonged to the actors and/or the properties they  filmed at, reducing the costs of filming as no horses, trainers needed to be engaged. This may have slowed down production, particularly if the horses startled at the sight of a camera, but if no one was paid then this is a minimal loss. These did indeed belong to the actors. It was not visibly obvious that the horses were not trained film horses – potentially, they had more ‘wear and tear’ than a pampered Hollywood horse, but this played into the film’s natural cowboy themes. The horses in the film live outside, have sunburn, so it makes sense that the real horses did too.
Cast Entire cast The entire cast was made up of people playing themselves (or playing themselves under pseudonyms). No professional (or name) actors being engaged hugely reduces the costs as they don’t need to be paid for their time. Potentially scenes took longer to film, however it is unlikely extra time added more extra costs than engaging ‘real’ actors. Gives an Italian Neorealist impression – there was the risk of poor acting, but Zhao engaged them in a way that brought out the best in them. This means that the scripting, writing still seems genuine.
Lane Scott
and Lily
Jandreau		 Lane and Lily both have disabilities – Lane’s disability (a TBI) particularly meant that he couldn’t film for long periods of time. Decision to have actually disabled actors meant that no consultants needed to be hired, and that Lane already had his own equipment – double cost reduction. Same as above.
Extras Only at the rodeo. Extras engaged for the rodeo scene(s) were real people there at the time. So no need to direct them, nor to pay them. Real people enjoying a real show – same as above.
Costumes Cowboy

costumes

 Almost all characters wore beaten down and old cowboy clothes. The majority of the clothes likely belonged to the actors – if not, would easily be obtain form an op shop. Very low costuming costs. Having old clothes just plays into the theme of poverty, if anything keeping the costuming costs
Props Hero prop –

Lily’s bra

 The bra that Lily cuts up – likely needed a few. The bra was new, but could have been very cheap – very low cost involved in cutting it up. Didn’t have much impact beyond exploring the theme of disability, defiance – Brady/his dad can’t even control Lily, she also highlights the ideas of poverty – their issues are very simple.
Wooden graves The wooden graves in the mourning scene. Cheap to construct as it could have been done by one of the actors or Zhao, as opposed to creating fake marble stones (in a cemetery) and going to the efforts to conceal other names, renting the cemetery. Extremely effective with the theme as well – it can be interpreted as these people are too poor to even afford a marble headstone, or that they reject the idea of a ‘real’ cemetery as their resting place, instead choosing to be buried on the land in a more temporary manner.
Electric

Wheelchair

 Belongs to Lane Scott. The wheelchair already belonged to one of the actors (Lane Scott) so had no rental costs. Otherwise had the potential to become as expensive prop. Using his own wheelchair is completely genuine, furthers the theme of disability without costing more.
Gun Gun featured during some scenes of the movie – as well as one time being fired on a horse. Potentially one of the most expensive props as its presence (especially when being fired) would have warranted an armorer. Despite the cost, the gun was a good symbol of Brady’s struggle for power with his own body – he still has control over a weapon, can kill a rabbit. Though in the end, he cannot kill the injured horse (not physically, but mentally). Likely a motif for him not being able to kill the horse part of him.
Dead rabbit Rabbit to be skinned and cooked (possible hero prop) Potentially a real rabbit that was hunted by Brady given Zhao’s filming style. Dead rabbit added to the themes of poverty – especially if the rabbit was actually shot by Brady.
Cowboy –

other

 Saddles, hats, etc. Also likely belonged to the actors and horses that were used in the film. Like costuming, having the real props meant the non-professional actors were familiar with them and meant that they had a genuine connection to the props.
Tattoo gun One of Brady’s friends gives him a

tattoo during the film.

 Zhao confirms that this is real – Brady was actually receiving a real tattoo, his mate owned a tattoo gun. No costs involved in it.
Lighting Natural
lighting		 Most of the lighting was very natural. Lowered the cost of production, as lighting didn’t need to be hired. Runs the risk of inadequate lighting, or filming having to be paused due to the lighting (though, if crew and actors are not paid, this doesn’t cost more). Certainly suits the genre of a Western, and the themes of the film. The characters are part of nature, very tied to it, most of their time is spent working land and working horses. Therefore the natural light – including inconsistency – does not appear odd.

 

This is not a total list of every scene, prop etc. in the film but provides an overview of the budgetary considerations of the film, and how Zhao utalised creative decisions to make the microbudget work while enhancing the messages and themes of the film.