Summary
Learn how to turn your short film into IP (Intellectual Property) that will get production companies excited!
Get the short film script (LARRY) and the feature film script (COME PLAY) for a short film that was turned into a feature film by Steven Spielberg's Amblin!
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. Take for example Damien Chazelle's WHIPLASH, which started out as a short film 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).
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. But, 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! But how can you use your short film as IP to help sell your feature film or television project? How do you know if you are sitting on a gold mine as an idea 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 Stage 32 webinar, 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
Praise for Nicholas:
"My mind is blown with all that Nicholas shared in this webinar. What a unique way to approach getting your feature film script produced." - Keith H.
"I never thought of my script that way, I am excited to embark on this creative process. Thank you for the desciption of Larry - what an exciting ride for Jacob!" - Paul W.
What You'll Learn
Writing Your Short Script:
- How long should your short be?
- What is an acceptable budget?
- How can you write a short that won't break the bank?
- How to think ahead for a feature film
- How to showcase your talent
Hiring Your Crew
- The importance of the producer's role
- 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
- Things to consider if you get "free" help to make your short film
- Why you need to be flexible and how to do it
- Tips on preparing for shooting
Casting
- How do you get a name actor in your short?
- What you should compromise and what you shouldn't
- How to approach a small budget
The Through-line from your Short Film to Your Feature Film
- How to chose WHAT you will film for your short film
- What will matter to buyers?
- What to be prepared for when you are planning your short film and your feature film
Case Studies of Success Stories that Nicholas Helped Sell
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- OCULUS by Mike Flanagan
- COME PLAY (aka LARRY) by Jacob Chase
- MR. BLUR by Jacob Chase
Q&A with Nicholas
Who Should Attend
All levels of filmmakers (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to make a short film to serve as intellectual property (IP) for a feature film.
All levels of filmmakers (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to learn how to make the most out of a short film to further their career.
All levels of screenwriters (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to learn how to write an effective short film that will serve as intellectual property (IP) for a feature film.
All levels of producers (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to make a short film to serve as intellectual property (IP) for a feature film.
All levels of actors (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to take control of their career by making a short film to serve as intellectual property (IP) for a feature film.
Executive
As a literary manager Nicholas Bogner has run the literary branch of Affirmative Entertainment for the last fifteen years. Under his stewardship, he has had numerous movies made including Wedding Season for Netflix announced in Deadline, Infinite Storm for Sony, announced in Variety, Come Play for Amblin and Focus Features and has sold television pilots to just about all of the majors from network to streamers. In addition, many of his writers have been staffed at various levels of successful shows over the years including a supernatural thriller sold to Paramount, announced on Deadline.
Previously, Bogner served as Vice President of Original Programming for TNT. In this capacity, he was responsible for the development of all long form – including two-hour movies, backdoor pilots, mini-series - for the network’s TNT Originals franchise. Bogner worked on several high-profile projects including Steven Spielberg’s twelve-hour mini Into The West as well as Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot. Beyond these projects, Bogner shepherded over 15 movies into production.
Prior to assuming his position at TNT, Bogner spent four years at Cruise-Wagner Productions (Tom Cruise and Paul Wagner), where he spearheaded the acquisition of material, supervised writers and collaborated with directors and talent on such films as Mission Impossible: 2, Without Limits, Vanilla Sky, and The Others, which he’s credited with finding and supervising. Bogner began his career at the Agency for Performing Arts (APA) before becoming a story editor for Michael Douglas at 20th Century Fox.
Bogner has two produced credits as a screenwriter, The Little Death and No Strings Attached. He also produced Soccer Mom starring Emily Osment and Missi Pyle for Starz and Anchor Bay. Most recently, he produced A Nice Girl Like You (based on a non-fiction book by Ayn Carrillo- Gailey) which stars Lucy Hale.
Testimonials
Praise for Nicholas:
"My mind is blown with all that Nicholas shared in this webinar. What a unique way to approach getting your feature film script produced." - Keith H.
"I never thought of my script that way, I am excited to embark on this creative process. Thank you for the desciption of Larry - what an exciting ride for Jacob!" - Paul W.