Backpack Production: An exploration of independent production techniques in no-budget contemporary cinema

This reflective thesis investigates the practice and implications of "backpack production", a mode of solo-operated filmmaking characterised by minimal collaboration and streamlined equipment use. Through a practice-based research framework, the study interrogates the creative, logistical, and cognitive dimensions of independent, no-budget narrative cinema. The research is anchored by the development, production, and analysis of a short film, Lost Inside, alongside exploratory test footage and a comprehensive literature review. Drawing inspiration from filmmakers such as Robert Rodriguez, Chloé Zhao, and Sean Baker, the study explores the creative autonomy and technical freedoms afforded by solo production while critically examining the drawbacks, such as cognitive overload, diminished creative input, and technical compromises. The findings reveal that while backpack production fosters flexibility and intimate storytelling, it often constrains complexity and collaboration, suggesting that its value may be greatest for emerging filmmakers or for projects seeking a highly personal artistic voice. The study advocates for hybrid workflows that retain the benefits of solo operation while strategically integrating collaborative support in key production areas.