Producing : Alive - Short Film by Marc Nelson

Congratulations on starting your own production company and producing Alive, Marc Nelson! Alive sounds interesting! I think it's great you all are using the film to highlight men's mental health issues and supporting Andy's Man Club!

What's one piece of advice you have for someone making their first short film?

Before you start, tap into your close network to see if anyone can help. Ask for favours, offer drinks, and ensure you feed people. Treat people how you would want to be treated. If you need something from someone you don't know, ensure you offer them something. Don't just expect them to give you stuff for nothing. I'm not talking money, it might be "we'll mention you in the thanks credits and also in our social media posts". For another short I'm producing, we needed a bar setting. Asked a local music bar near us, said we would provide them with social media posts and drive people to their bar. They loved it, and the bonus is that they are shut Monday to Wednesday but will open up for us and set the bar up like it's open. A whole location set for us to use, for free. Because we'll go out of our way to promote the bar as a setting in the film.

You don't have to spend loads on locations if you do some research and put the effort in.

Great advice and must-read comment, Marc Nelson! Thanks. I'm looking forward to seeing Alive!

Congratulations Marc Nelson. Curiously, someone close to me retired from a career on the marketing side of telecommunications, and has often spoken of their career as an unexpected creative outlet - even the description of nitty gritty technical components need to tell a story. I'm curious about which services Stage32 offered that most benefited you? Was it a struggle to begin presenting yourself as a screenwriter after such a successful career in business? I don't mean to be presumptuous, but I'd imagine you had extensive networking experience prior. Instead of asking how you would break the ice, is there anything someone would say, or any way someone would approach you to collaborate that would be a red flag? Congratulations on your success and kudos to you for highlighting men's mental health, I think it is an incredibly neglected topic.

Hi Kate,

I would say the script feedback services and some specific education webinars helped me the most. Coming from writing texhnical and sales documents switching to screenwriting techniques wasnt straight forward. Once you find someone who you click with hold onto them. I've got a script editor now that is highly professional and offers input into the story, not just oh it's formatted correctly, or this is spelt wrong etc he is actively engaged in the stories and provides input into moving scenes around or even changing someone's job in the film.

Red flag - someone who only talks about themselves and never seems interested in what you've been up to. I guess very similar to finding a best friend or not.

This is such an inspiring update, Marc Nelson, congratulations on taking that leap and turning your story into a film with real purpose behind it. Alive sounds deeply personal and incredibly meaningful, especially with its focus on men’s mental health. That kind of vulnerability and honesty can make a huge impact on audiences.

Your point about transferable skills and calculated risk is spot on, producing requires the same courage and strategic thinking as any other business, just applied to storytelling. I hope you’ll keep sharing updates on your journey as production moves forward.

Thanks Ashley. I'm excited to bring it to life. I've setup an Instagram account that will provide updates and photos etc. Search for doublesixproductions.ig and follow us.

As a side note (probably something bigger than a side note actually) I am producing another film. A 30 minute film called Got to be Certain. An aspiring artist falls for both the lead singer and a bisexual drummer of a band. Great music soundtrack (originally Kylie Minogue but changed due to licencing costs). This is a shirt film based on a feature film I have written. We had over 80 applications for the roles. We are down to a shortlist now, and a few have performed a self tape audition based on scenes from the film. It was amazing to see them played out.

Onward and upwards and enjoy the journey.

a great initiative, it will definitely be a film full of emotions. I wish you success, it will be nice to see it.

So inspiring to hear from others taking chances in promoting their creative dreams. It's not aways an easy decision to make. Hope to hear more about upcoming projects as they develop.