How To Make A Feature Film Based On Your Short Film

Learn how to turn your short film into intellectual property (IP) that you can then develop and make as a feature film from esteemed literary manager Nicholas Bogner of Affirmative Entertainment, whose client's short films have gotten feature films deals with major companies like Steven Spielberg's AMBLIN PARTNERS!

PLUS! You'll receive the scripts for the short film LARRY and the feature film based off the short, COME PLAY, that was produced by Amblin.

Intellectual Property (IP), such as books, toys, comic books, graphic novels, short stories, etc., are a bedrock of film and television development. This year's biggest films, including BARBIE and OPPENHEIMER, are based on pre-existing IP. The reality of the current film and television marketplace is that it is increasingly difficult to sell your project if it is not based on any IP. And that's why making a short film that can then be used as IP that you develop into a feature film has become a proven avenue to success. 

There is an absolute obsession in the marketplace to have material based on pre-existing IP as a way to mitigate the risk of the investment in the project. If there’s already been an audience for the book, short film, article, etc., then film and television buyers feel at ease that there will be a built in audience for their large investment into the film. While original films and series do get made, it is particularly challenging for new and emerging writers and filmmakers to get their project sold if it is not based on IP. However, there is a way for you to create your own IP without having to spend big bucks to buy the rights to a book or a person’s life, and that is to make your own short film! One notable example of a short film leading to a feature film is Damien Chazelle's WHIPLASH, which became the Academy Award winning feature film of the same name and launched Damien Chazelle's career (he went on to write and direct LA LA LAND, FIRST MAN, and BABYLON).  

In this exclusive Stage 32 Webinar, you will learn how you can use your short film as IP to help sell your feature film or television project. You could be sitting on a gold mine with your short film, and we’re going to help you figure out how to leverage it to make your larger project. Teaching you everything you need to know about how to use your short film as IP for a feature film or television project is literary manager Nicholas Bogner of Affirmative Entertainment. Former VP of Original Programming at TNT and head of development at CRUISE/WAGNER, Nicholas’ clients have had immense success making shorts and creating their own IP.

In an information packed 90 minutes, Nicholas will share how he guided his client Jacob Chase to success through his short film. Jacob made the short LARRY, which was then sold in a bidding war to Steven Spielberg’s company, AMBLIN PARTNERS. Jacob’s concept was subsequently made into a feature film for Amblin and Focus Films with the new title of COME PLAY. Subsequently, Jacob made a short film titled MR. BLUR, which sold to BLUMHOUSE, and is currently being adapted into a feature film. Many of Nicholas’ other clients have also made shorts which has led to representation and future projects.

You will walk away from this webinar with the skills and industry insight you need to use your short film as IP to leverage a feature film or television series deal.

PLUS! You’ll receive exclusive handouts to help you create IP out of your short film. Downloads include:

• Script for the short film LARRY
• Script for the feature film COME PLAY based off LARRY

• WRITE YOUR SHORT SCRIPT:
  • LENGTH: be mindful of the length. How long should your short be?
  • BUDGET: Make sure it is budget friendly since it is more than likely you will be financing it yourself
    • How can you write a short that won't break the bank?
  • IS THERE A MOVIE IN YOUR SHORT? It will be more beneficial for there to be a potential movie concept in your short (at least that is what your manager and/or agent will hope for)
  • Why you should make a visual short that can really showcase your talent
• HIRE YOUR CREW (HOPEFULLY FOR FREE!)
  • You need a producer (other than yourself)
    • What jobs you should do and shouldn't do as a director
  • The importance of contracts! 
    • Why you need to cover yourself and how it can come back to bite you if you don't
    • Perhaps there is a promise of monetary payment in the event you sell the project but limit your exposure
  • Why you need to be flexible and how to do it
    • Crew will bolt if they find paid work, so have back-ups in mind. Consider shooting over a weekend, so day jobs don’t get impacted
• CASTING
  • Your budget might be minimal, but don’t compromise when it comes to casting (talent-wise). And think big. Professional Actors like to work and when they are between shows, you might be able to land someone much bigger than you anticipated
  • How do you get a name actor in your short?
• THE FEATURE FILM
  • If there is a feature film in your short (hopefully), pick a scene that really sells it to buyers. Think WHIPLASH.
  • You don’t have to have the film figured out before you make your short, but have it in the back of your mind. Soon as you share it with your reps, they will want to hear the feature film version.
• SUCCESS STORIES THAT I HAVE HELPED SELL:
  • OCULUS by Mike Flanagan
  • COME PLAY (aka LARRY) by Jacob Chase
  • MR. BLUR by Jacob Chase
• Q&A with Nicholas

Q: How do I watch my webinar live?
A: If you received a confirmation that your webinar is on Go to Webinar, you will receive an email from Go to Webinar with further instructions for participating in the live webinar. You can also access your webinar link in your purchase history located under settings in the top right-hand corner of your Stage 32 profile.

If you received a confirmation that your webinar is on Zoom, you will receive a separate email from Zoom with further instructions for participating in the live webinar. Your login link will not be in your Stage 32 profile. If you did not receive your link via Zoom please email support@stage32.com.

Q: How do I watch my webinar on demand?
A: You will be able to watch your webinar on demand as many times as you’d like inside your Stage 32 profile. The recording is processed and posted between 24-48 hours after the webinar concludes. You can follow the instructions below.

YOU MUST HAVE A STAGE 32 PROFILE TO WATCH YOUR VIDEO – STAGE 32 IS FREE TO JOIN If You Already Have a Stage 32 Profile:

1. Log into your Stage 32 profile
2. Click "Settings" in the top right-hand corner (gear icon)
3. Click "Purchase History"
4. Choose this webinar and click the link to view

1. Go to www.stage32.com
2. Create a profile using the SAME email address you used to sign up for this webinar. The email addresses must match in order to watch the webinar.
3. Once you have your profile set up, you can view the webinar by clicking "Settings" in the top right hand corner (gear icon)
4. Click "Purchase History"
5. Choose this webinar and click the link to view

Q: What is the format of a webinar?
A: Stage 32 Next Level Webinars are typically 90-minute educational broadcasts that take place online using a designated software program from Stage 32. Your webinar will be taught by a working industry professional with in-depth teaching on a topic. If you are able to attend live you will be able to ask your Stage 32 Educator questions during Q&A.

Q: What are the system requirements to watch my webinar live?
A: You will need to meet the following system requirements in order to run the webinar software: Windows 7 or later Mac OS X 10.9 (Mavericks) or later.

If you have Windows XP, Windows Vista and Mac OS X 10.9 (Mountain Lion): The webinar software does not support these operating systems. If you are running one of those operating systems, please upgrade now in order to be able to view a live webinar. Upgrade your Windows computer / Upgrade your Mac computer.

Q: What if I cannot attend the live webinar?
A: If you cannot attend a live webinar or purchase an on demand webinar, you will have access to the entire recorded broadcast, including the Q&A.

Q: Will I have access to the webinar afterward to re-watch?
A: Yes! Like all Stage 32 education, after the purchase of a live or on demand webinar, you will have on-demand access to the recording.

Q: How do I get a copy of the handouts provided?
A: If the webinar you take included handouts you can find them as downloads underneath your on demand video. You must be logged into your Stage 32 profile to view the video and get the handouts by clicking settings in the top right hand corner, then clicking purchase history.

Q: What if I need accessibility and accommodations?
A: Email support@stage32.com to request accommodations.

Thanks for your loyalty to Stage 32 Education. We value having you in the Stage 32 community.

If you have any further questions, we are always happy to help. Please contact Stage 32 support at support@stage32.com.