How to Make a Resident Evil 7 Fan Film on a Small Budget
This guide walks you through creating a fan film inspired by Resident Evil 7: Biohazard with minimal money, using practical effects, clever camera work, and free or cheap tools. You’ll learn how to plan, shoot, and edit a short horror film that captures the game’s claustrophobic, moldy atmosphere without expensive gear or locations. First, you’ll need a basic script (even a page or two), a smartphone or entry-level camera, a tripod or stable surface, and access to a dimly lit house or basement.
What You’ll Need
- Smartphone or any camera with manual focus/exposure (or a cheap DSLR/mirrorless)
- Stable surface or tripod (or a stack of books)
- Free editing software: DaVinci Resolve, Shotcut, or iMovie
- Props: fake blood (corn syrup + red food coloring), a flashlight, old clothes, a rubber mask or makeup kit
- Location: a house, basement, shed, or any dark interior
- Audio: a separate voice recorder app on another phone or a cheap lav mic
- Optional: a cheap LED light or work lamp, a fog machine or incense for atmosphere
- Costume/makeup: face paint, latex, or a simple hoodie and dirt
- Sound effects: free from freesound.org or record your own
Step-by-Step
- Write a short script (1-3 pages). Focus on one scene: a character exploring a dark room, finding a tape recorder, or being chased. Keep dialogue minimal—RE7 relies on atmosphere. Write a simple outline: start with a normal moment, add a creepy detail, then a scare.
- Scout and prepare your location. Choose a room with few windows or cover them with black trash bags. Clean up clutter, but leave some props like old furniture or papers. Test the light at different times of day—night is best, but you can darken with curtains.
- Gather props and costumes. Make fake blood: mix 1 part corn syrup with 1-2 drops red food coloring and a tiny drop of blue to darken it. Use old clothes, a flashlight, and a rubber mask or makeup to create a “molded� look—smear brown and green face paint on a hoodie.
- Set up your camera with manual settings. Use the native camera app or a free app like Open Camera (Android) or ProMovie (iOS). Set ISO low (100-400) to reduce grain, shutter speed around 1/30, and aperture wide open if possible. Lock focus and exposure on a mid-tone area.
- Light the scene with practical lights. Use a single flashlight as the main light source—point it at the actor’s face or a wall. For a wider shot, place a work lamp behind the camera with a piece of white cloth to diffuse. Avoid overhead lights; they kill the horror mood.
- Record audio separately. Use a second phone or a cheap recorder. Place it close to the actor (hidden in a pocket or on a table) to capture dialogue. For footsteps, record yourself walking on different surfaces (wood, carpet, gravel).
- Shoot with a shot list. Plan 3-5 shots: a wide establishing shot (character enters), a close-up of the face, a POV shot (handheld, moving down a hallway), and an insert of a prop (like a tape recorder). Shoot each shot multiple times—once with acting, once without (for safety).
- Add practical effects. For a jump scare, have the actor jump into frame from behind a door. For a “mold� effect, smear petroleum jelly on the lens edges or use a fog machine. For blood, use the fake blood sparingly—a little goes a long way.
- Edit the footage. Import clips into your editing software. Cut between shots to build tension: start with wide, then close-up, then fast cuts. Add a color grade: lower saturation, add a green/teal tint, and increase contrast. Use the free “LUT� files online (search “RE7 LUT�).
- Add sound effects and music. Layer audio: room tone (record 30 seconds of silence), footsteps, a low drone (humming into a mic), and a sting for the scare. Use free music from YouTube Audio Library or create your own with a free synth app.
- Export and share. Export in 1080p at 24fps. Add a title card with the game’s font (or a similar horror font). Upload to YouTube or Vimeo, and tag it as a fan film.
Common Mistakes
- Too much light. RE7 is dark; if you can see everything, it’s not scary. Use one light source and let shadows hide details.
- Bad audio. Built-in camera mics pick up room echo and hiss. Always record separately and sync in editing.
- Overacting. Resident Evil characters are often stoic. Tell your actor to react subtly—a slow turn, a held breath.
- Rushing the edit. Horror needs pacing. Let shots linger, then cut fast for the scare. Don’t make every cut quick.
- Ignoring the location’s natural sound. Refrigerator hum, traffic outside—these ruin immersion. Turn off appliances and record room tone.
Tips
- Use a 24mm or wider lens on your phone (most have this) for a first-person feel.
- Shoot in 4K even if you export in 1080p—this allows you to crop for close-ups.
- Practice the “found footage� style: hold the camera slightly unsteady, but not nauseating.
- Use practical effects like a swinging door or a falling object—they’re more convincing than CGI.
- Watch RE7 gameplay videos to copy camera angles and lighting tones.
- Get a friend to help with sound—one person can hold a boom pole (a broomstick with a mic).
Troubleshooting
- Footage is too dark. Increase ISO slightly (up to 800) or add a dim light source. In editing, raise shadows but keep blacks crushed.
- Audio is unusable. Re-record dialogue in a quiet room using a blanket to dampen echo. Use free software like Audacity to remove noise.
- Camera shakes too much. Use a tripod for static shots, and for handheld, hold the camera with two hands and keep elbows against your body.
- Actors laugh or mess up. Do multiple takes and use the best one. If they can’t keep a straight face, do a “silent� take and add sound effects later.
- Editing software crashes. Save frequently, and export in short segments. Use a proxy resolution (720p) for editing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need permission from Capcom to make a fan film?
Fan films are technically a copyright infringement, but many are made for non-commercial use. Keep it non-profit, credit Capcom, and don’t monetize it to reduce risk.
How long should the film be?
For a small budget, aim for 3-5 minutes. That’s enough to establish a scene and a scare without dragging.
Can I use the game’s music?
Using copyrighted music is risky. Instead, create your own ambient drone or use royalty-free tracks that evoke the same mood.
What if I don’t have a dark room?
Use a bathroom, closet, or even a car at night. Cover windows with black trash bags and use a single flashlight.
How do I make fake blood look realistic?
Use corn syrup with red and a touch of blue food coloring. For dried blood, use cocoa powder mixed with water. Test on a cloth first.
Can I use my phone for editing?
Yes, apps like CapCut or KineMaster work, but you’ll have more control on a computer. For a small budget, phone editing is fine.
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