Hi everyone. I'm in need of a little guidance please. I'm a playwright and have produced and directed the productions for the last few years, but now I'm interested in screenwriting and starting with a short film. I actually want to do a short film from one of my plays. Once the script is written, where do I go from there? Approximately how much would I need to do a short film and how do I go about finding the crew for it?
Any assistance is greatly appreciated. I feel a little lost and frustrated. Thanks!
Hi Rita, this can really vary dependent on the production. For example, something that takes place all in one location and with only two actors/actresses could be very small in terms of budget. I wanna almost say you could eliminate the crew if you know your way around the camera. If the short film is a bit bigger scale (i.e requiring multiple locations, lots of talent, crew etc.), the budget will grow in accordance with the needs. I can try to help you if I know a bit more about what you're planning to do. Shoot me a message!
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Thanks so much Tyler!
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Tyler has a point in that if it's a very small scale production, you can try to cut your teeth on this yourself but if it's a regular film with multiple locations and company moves during the shoot, background action, props or cars, etc., then you may need help.
In the case of the latter, you're most likely not going to find the crew for it. Your producer will. The first thing you would want to do is find a producer local to your area with experience working with first time directors. They ideally are friendly to a low budget indie film environment. I would place an ad on local filmmaking facebook groups or craigslist or check out the local film schools in your area, get a faculty list and look up a few teachers and see if any have a body of work that matches what you're looking to do.
Contact them, see if they're interested, send them the script and ask them for a rough idea of the budget they'd need to make it happen. But first vet the producer by asking them for a list of directors they've worked with and try reaching out to them on facebook to make sure you're working with someone who has a client list that is happy with their work. If the producer is sane, competent, has your back and understands your vision, pay them well and they can actually take care of all the nightmarish logistical elements involved in coordinating your shoot. You will be left with the creative side. Well worth the investment.
Rita - next step is to break down the script for budget, design elements, required crew/cast and prep/shooting schedule... It's obvious to say that every script is different. Doing your break-downs properly will highlight for you where your script is expensive and where it isn't. For instance.... someone asked me to break down their short, which they wanted to shoot on $30k, but the first scene was a camera walk-through night-time L.A. with lights playing on buildings, deserted alleyways, etc. - east and quick to write but requiring about $20k to shoot with security, permits, lighting, street lock-downs etc...
Thank you for the information. I appreciate it!
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This is all great advice--in a way. When you say you want to "do a short film from one of my plays," what exactly does that mean? What are your goals? Do you want to just write it, or write and direct, produce it, or act in it? Defining your role in this is the VERY FIRST STEP; even before deciding to write a script. You can't really know where to go until this decision is made--there are simply too many variables. Once you've decided what exactly you want to do, that decision will inform all the other choices/decisions/steps that need to be taken.
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For finding crew, you could hire on here, use that creative platform, there're a lot of talented people around here. Regarding the budget of your short, find online budget template to show you how it's done and replicate it on your short. But don't let the budget limit your creativity.
Thanks Louis!
I’d recommend reading Diane Bell’s book “Shoot from the Heart” and another book called “The Reel Truth.” Both are available on Amazon. The Indie Film Hustle podcast is also good for filmmaking tips.
If you want to make your own films, i would try and work an many films. Watch what they do. Learn from their wins and learn from their mistakes. Plan, Plan, plan. Is you script done? how many locations? how many pages? how many characters. costumes needed? props? make up? locations? too many questions. It's 90% logistics.
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Hi Rita! Good luck with this project! A lot of variables to consider there! If you are up to it please share your script or send me a DM and I’ll try to help you putting the barebones of a budget together that you can use to adjust it for your specific project
Jorge Barboza That's a very generous offer! Rita Taylor You should take him up on it!
anyone looking for big black guy lol