How's the spec short screenplay market is doing these days? Even prior to 2020 and the SAG-AFTRA strike this year. I'm wondering if the spec short screenplay market is doing well or faded over the years for screenwriters and everyone.
Screenwriting : Spec Short Screenplay Market? by Philip M
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Dunno bout the U.S. but Europe has some productions that shoot and distribute/sell shorts...mainly their ideas but can be open for specs...try French "Origine Films" for example
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It depends on what you are in it for. Smart writers are getting shorts made so they gain experience, build relationships with filmmakers, and hopefully see a little exposure in the process.
The market is buoyant, just go through the success stories on Script Revolution, many of which are for short scripts. In the latest case of Mike Underwood selling The Soul Trader, he's been asked to extend it into a full-length feature by the production company.
It's a tough world though, in my experience at least. I think I had something like a dozen short scripts optioned at one point and only two or three got made.
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Get involved with short film makers, there must be groups around the world that are themselves new in film and looking to flex their creative muscle. I'm involved with a couple of film making groups in London and have written my own shorts for challenges and also for other directors. If this is anything to go by, many scripts are not well written. I tidied one up for a writer/director, not sure if liked it or not but his script was jumping everywhere without clear explanation of the timeline. It made understanding the script very complicated.
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Besides S32, I use Screenwriting Staffing, where there are often paid gigs for shorts posted. I applied to one yesterday. If you are not familiar with SS, they have free and premium memberships, where paid and nonpaid jobs are listed. Paid jobs are listed under the premium membership, but there are opportunities under the free membership to write shorts and network.
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Anthony Murphy hadn't heard of this platform, thanks for sharing, going to have a look at it.
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Greg Wong You're welcome, Greg.
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The spec short script market is doing great, Philip M. I see a lot of indie producers, directors, production companies, and actors looking for short scripts. They buy short scripts up front. I've never seen anyone option a short script. I usually see short scripts being sold for $100-$500 (scripts that are 3-15 pages long). Stage 32 is an incredible place to meet indie pros and production companies who are looking for short scripts, like Mike Henry (www.stage32.com/lounge/screenwriting/Comedy-horror-short).
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Dan Maxx is right. There was never really a market for spec shorts. Sometimes some aspiring director or student wants a script to shoot and will pay $250 for one, but theres no REAL market for short scripts. The point of a short is to make it. Or to have it be a sample for the larger feature version. Or just as writing practice. If youre writing shorts to make money, you should stop immediately.
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John Murphy, I've heard of Screenwriting staffing, and I browsed through the website last year or two years ago. But I haven't visited it since then.
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Dan Maxx. I know college students does short films for film school and such.
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Philip M SS is a good platform and very affordable. The producers are mainly low budget features and shorts, with a lot of film students posting jobs there.