Why make a short film?

If you are reading this we can probably assume that you are either a lunatic or just a little bit mad. Why? Because all of us filmmakers are, we have to be in order to devote so much labor and love to the hope of communicating something to someone else. If you are reading this, I also hope that you are a beginner – for if you have already made a short film and read a blog about why to do it in the first place, then you are beyond mad.

Anyhow, when you first embark onto the journey of short film creation, you may want to consider your reasons (so you can remember these later on when you are about to loose your friends, your apartment and your mind). And so you can remember the benefits of course, i.e. what a short film can give you.

MONEY – Not likely, but still of course there is a shot (about one in ten million) that your short film may actually catch on some distribution or gain you an option to write a screenplay or even direct a commercial (promo or feature that is). A long shot, but a shot nonetheless. Some content providers in the mobile and online world will pay for distribution rights if your short film is VERY short and INCREDIBLY good. Otherwise, a general piece of advise is that if you are thinking of making a short film for the dividends, it could be wise to reconsider.

EXPERIENCE – This is probably the number one reason for making a short film. Teach yourself how to tell a story (amazing how many people that don’t have a clue), and how to work as part of a team.

DEMONSTRATE SKILL – Your short film can help you build a reel that you can use to showcase your talent to potential employers or collaborators.

FEATURE LAUNCH PAD – If you have what you believe to be the best idea in the world for a feature, try it out as a short film first. Even if you shoot it as a trailer, chances are if your story doesn’t hold up or stir up interest as a short you have no shot in **** to ever have your idea turned into a feature. If it works, congratulations, your short film could become your feature launch pad.

WIN FRIENDS – By trying out people you consider making film with in the future, but are not sure if you can work well with, your short film can help you differentiate between great collaborators for future work and disastrous energy sucking losers who can ruin your career.

LOVE – Without this, don’t even bother.

Good luck!!