Hey all. I'm a little new to this lounge and would like to know which project I should take on next--short story or feature. The lore and glamour of having a short story that makes it into a festival and gets the filmmaker noticed is attractive. However, they don't make money!
Now, the score is 3-0 features.
What do you guys think?
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Hey, Anthony McBride. Do you think your story would be better as a short film or feature film?
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So many variables, Anthony McBride. Experience, goals. Add a little color.
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Richard "RB" Botto Well, I'm an award-winning screenwriter looking to get the attention of studios and producers. So, I want my project to attract attention and get me in numerous magazines and articles. I've never made a film by myself before. I have no money, so I may need investors and pre-sales. Hope this helps.
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A lot of filmmakers start their careers with short films since it's easier and cheaper to make a short than a feature, Anthony McBride. And some creatives make short films/hire crews to make short films, then use the shorts to get funding for the feature version of the shorts. Some creatives also use mood reels to help pitch their projects to producers, companies, investors, etc.
You could get a crew together and make a short film or mood reel without it costing a lot. Maybe film in a simple location like a living room, kitchen, etc. with one or two characters. The short film could be 3-5 minutes, or the mood reel could be 1-2 minutes.
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Agree with Maurice Vaughan Anthony McBride. Most filmmakers start with a short. I've even seen some film on an iphone and turn out great. Zack Snyder filmed a short on an iPhone 7 and that was years before 18 which now adds a cinematic view or feel to the video.
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Maurice Vaughan That’s a great idea! If you had to come up with something on the spot, it would need to be really interesting since it’s so short. What genre do you think would work best? I remember watching a film—I think Robert De Niro was in it—where the whole scene took place in a kitchen. He was trying to convince someone to believe in God. It was simple, but the dialogue was strong and punchy because they didn’t have much time.
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Thanks, Chase Cysco. Drama, Comedy, Romantic, Mystery, and Thriller would probably work best since they don't usually have a lot of action, practical effects, and CGI. The Crime genre would work too if you don't have a lot of action/etc.
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It really depends on your goals, Anthony McBride! If you’re looking to get noticed and build relationships, a short film can be a great calling card, especially if it does well in festivals and showcases your storytelling abilities. It can also serve as a proof of concept for a larger project down the line.
If you’re focused on long-term career growth and marketability, a well-crafted feature script has a better chance of making money and attracting industry interest. It’s a bigger time investment, but it could lead to opportunities for financing or production.
But in my opinion, it really comes down to this: What’s the story you’re most passionate about right now?