It’s not every day that an independently produced film becomes the #1 movie on Netflix. And it’s even rarer when said indie film isn’t a buzzy festival title , but an action film produced on a shoestring budget outside the United States. But that’s exactly what happened on July 18, when William Eubank’s “ Land of Bad ” shot to the top of the streaming service’s charts seemingly out of nowhere.
The military thriller stars Russell Crowe as a drone pilot who is forced to provide remote support to direct the sole survivor (Liam Hemsworth) of a brutal firefight to safety. The film was produced for a mere $20 million, yet became the kind of streaming and VOD phenomenon that countless producers working with much larger budgets can only dream of. How do you get so much out of so little? In a recent conversation with IndieWire, “Land of Bad” producers David Frigerio and Michael Jefferson unpacked some of the secrets to their success.
Much of the film’s success can be attributed to the fact that it looks far more expensive than it actually is. From massive explosions to helicopter set pieces, Eubank and his team were able to offer a level of spectacle that often looks closer to a mid-budget studio release than a low budget indie film. Much of that can be attributed to talent and creative craftsmanship, but Frigerio and Jefferson were also smart about selecting a filming location that gave them the biggest bang for their buck.
A favorable currency exchange rate and.