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Resources for short filmmakers.
January 2021 | Georgie McGahey
As we hurtle into 2017, some of us might be making good on our New Year’s resolutions. If one of them was to finally - finally - make that short film, then you should be fully ensconced in planning and pre-production. If you haven’t and continue to procrastinate over whether or not you have the time, sometimes you just have to make a start; so we thought we would give you a hand.
The benefits of making shorts and submitting to festivals are multiple. From a group of school leavers creating a short film with an iphone, to an experienced commercials director demonstrating their skills at voicing a story in more that 30 seconds. The benefits are many, the financial rewards are few, but for those of you who have made a short film you will hold it in your heart, always. So, for the month of May we are going to focus on short filmmaking with advice from filmmakers and festival programmers.
Before you start searching for a script, or put pen to paper yourself, consider who your film is for; who is your intended audience. Before you do anything watch some short films, micro shorts from previous DePict winners to shorts on open platforms such as:
Have you considered a short film challenge? Commercials director William McGregor entered the Sci-Fi London 48 Hour Film Challenge in 2011, this short landed him a meeting with a producer and a job at The Mill. There are UK based and international challenges that can be completed by filmmakers, keen to showcase their raw creative talents. If you have ever taken part in a 48 hour film challenge you may find the exhilaration of having such a strict deadline liberating. You can ill afford to contemplate a sequence for more than an hour, let alone days on end, so you will be forcing yourself to rely on your gut instincts. Filmmaking challenges have broadened in scope over the past few years, so if you want to test your story telling abilities to the limit, consider some of these options:
Short films can be made on a shoestring if you have the right resources but if you want your crew to show up, or need to hire in some kit, you’re going to need funding. So how does a filmmaker find funding? In many cases filmmakers foot the bill themselves, or a portion of it is funded by credit cards. Producers and directors stand the most to gain from a successful short, so are the most likely to bankroll the production. In some circumstances you may find a investor who wants to help you out with the added benefit of using the production as a tax break. These types of benefactors are largely few and far between. The most likely reason they're investing in you, is because of an established relationship. Here are some other options to pursue...
Now, this may seem like a simple idea. Simply put together a video telling the general public to give you some cash and wait for the money to flow in. Because everyone is going to be as psyched as you are about your film …. right? Guess again. Crowdfunding is a full time job, so have a hard think about your strategy and execution before you even type in ‘kickstarter’ to Google. So keep the following in mind...
First things first, make sure you have worked out a budget that’s realistic. Do you know how many days you need to shoot? Do you have a quote on the kit? Are you paying the crew? If so, are you prepared pay them a travel days and accommodation if you’re shooting in a far flung location? Is there enough slack in the budget for a day of pick ups and post? If you have visualised a sequence set to a specific piece of music, do you have the funds to clear the track?
Make a film to highlight why potential investors should give you their money. It could be a taster/trailer/sizzle reel or it could be you talking to investors straight to camera. Make it short, sharp and snappy.
Build an audience for your campaign and project, short films about the main character, investors telling the audience why they have chosen to take part perhaps.
Offer incentives. A credit on the film, product placement, DVD. Whatever it is though, make sure you can deliver.
Call all your family and friends, friends of friends, family of friends and their friends. Honestly, you are going to need to be relentless. Fancy yourself as a producer, well it’s not that far away from the real truth of producing. Get on the phone and stay on it, work those calls until you sound like Mariella Frostrup!
Think outside the box. Who would your film resonate with? Be that business, institution or community project. Start making some connections between the themes of your film and products/services, think deeply about how you can use this to your advantage. Grants are offered from various charities for projects close to their cause, so do some digging and check out Grant Finder for some inspiration.
Have some money in reserve yourself, to help withdraw funds if you don’t reach your target.
Have you considered attaching talent to the project before crowdfunding? Make a list of the cast you wish to attract and get a casting agent on board. They could be one of the most influential budgeting spends as they have the contacts to get your script in front of agents and actors.
If you’re considering applying for funding from one of the larger film institutions make sure you understand the terminology with regard to categories of filmmakers. If you have little to no experience then look for funds catered to new filmmakers. Emerging filmmakers are expected to have a back catalogue of work under their belts, that could be in broadcast, commercials or having previously made a short that has toured the festival circuit.
If you are looking for further information about short filmmaking in the UK, visit:
So what to do with your short film once it’s in the can and making its way through post? Film festivals are not only a way to get your film screened to an audience, they can act as a calling card to the industry. However, before you submit look at the festival you are entering. Does it attract members of the film industry and do you think your film would do well there. Also look at the fees for filmmakers. In most cases the fees are under £50 to enter your film, but the larger festivals may charge more to cover their admin fees and overheads. Remember the fee for festivals when you create your initial budget! If you’re concerned at costs you can always visit No Entry Fee Festivals, Free Film Festivals and Film Festival Secrets for more information about free film festivals.
Another reason for the fee is the majority of festivals are accompanied by workshops, seminars and panel discussion from members of the industry, who discuss not only their craft but the challenges filmmakers and the industry face in the current climate. It’s a hot bed of networking events where you have the opportunity to chat to your peers, share stories, seek advice and make some connections. It’s not just filmmaking that is a collaborative venture, when you attend a festival you have become part of something much bigger and you don’t have to submit to attend. So if you are on the lookout for film festivals, short film festivals in particular, you are bound to find one in your local area. If you wish to attend a festival that has international recognition, you could look at the list of BAFTA recognised short film festivals.
When it comes to submitting there are festival portals that you can utilise. Gone are the days or searching Google for possibilities, the following websites list festivals around the globe, where you can upload and submit your film at will or as far as your wallet will allow.
If you are a filmmaker making their first short film, have you considered joining the MFJF Facebook Group? If you have a film you want to share, we would love to see it. If you have any questions about short filmmaking or festivals, come and ask us. If you are entering a festival and want some moral support, then the MFJF community is behind you. So come and say hi.
Would you like to share your set stories, write reviews or blog about your journey into the industry? MFJF would love to hear from you!
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