I Made a Short Film, Now What?

A friend who’s a filmmaker in his mid 20’s wanted advice about his career situation. I figured this would be a good time to lay out some of my basic ideas about this so that anybody can also learn from his situation, since he’s got a lot of company.Here’s what he specifically wrote to me:

“After making my first funded non collegiate short film, I realize now how much more experience I need. I suppose this film, which will come in 10 minutes or just under, could be used as a calling card? But realistically, what else can I do with it professionally? Could I somehow turn a profit? Or not even that, sell it for something? I also have stuff in the works. I have a feature that is not based on the same story but has similar types of characters that is way more dramatic and intense then my short. The script is not yet completed, but how does that relate to my short?”

My response:
Welcome to your career! This part is all about nurturing a relationship with your audiences, and connecting with the industry people who will help you grow your relationship with your audiences.

Here are my 6 specific suggestions…
#1 - Build a Solid Website

Don’t spend much money on this, but make it true to your style and be sure it feels very professional. Getting a friend (or an up-and-comer) who’s a great graphic designer should keep your costs way down.

Buy the URL for YourName.com.

And/or buy the URL for YourFilm.com.

Be sure the front website page makes it easy for people to sign up for your e-newsletter.

E-newsletter? Yeah, step up with this ASAP because that’s the key to 21st century distribution. If your current list is less than 100 peeps, a free service is fine. But once you break 100 you might want to consider a professional service like Constant Contact.

That being said, there are PLENTY of solid e-mail newsletter services out there so shop around and find the best one for you. * It’s possible to create a blog or a web 2.0 profile instead of your own site, but it’s probably better to do these profiles in addition to your personal site and movie site — when you find time. And again, the MOST important part of any web 2.0 profile? A way to get them on your mailing list so you can directly connect with your customer base, the rest of your life.

#2 - Clarify Your Next Projects
* Craft your next films into GREAT loglines. Its a pain in the neck, but it forces you to get clear about the core elements of your stories. And it’s the industry standard. * If you want help with this logline crafting process I emphatically recommend Blake Snyder’s first “Save the Cat” book. This book and his system in general, is clear, simple, powerful and fun. * Bust out a few more loglines while you’re at it. One is a good start. 3 to 12 will be smarter, because once you get meetings, why not have 12 chances to advance your career with that person, rather than 1 chance?

#3 - Finish Your Film
* Oh, yeah. The film! Yes, it’s also important to actually do your best work completing the current story. I strongly suggest lots of rough cut screenings and lots of feedback to get to the point where you’re proud of what it is and at peace with what it’s not.
* While you’re finishing it, (and ideally this would have been done sooner) nurture connections to niches who will be interested in your material. Think about your film’s setting, locations, themes, character types, and what types of communities will respond to it for those reasons. For example, “The Tribe” is a short documentary about a Jewish guy who created the Barbie doll and it has sold a ton of copies because it tapped into communities who care about the complex history of both the Barbie doll and the Jewish people. Most shorts don’t make a dime, but these filmmakers found innovative ways to connect with their niches. It’s possible you can do the same. Or it’s possible, you won’t have niches that are easy enough to reach to generate revenue. Then what?

#4 - Screen It !
* Show it to all your contacts. Submit it to fests. Promote the heck out of every screening you get. Have DVDs at your screenings so that people can buy them!! And every event you’re involved in, keep adding names to your e-mail list. When you play a festival, consider sending a mass e-mail out to all your fellow filmmakers at that fest and offer to join their e-mail lists, if they’ll join yours. If you’re concerned about getting overwhelmed by their newsletters, create a new gmail account just for newsletters from colleagues.
* When you finally connect with people who love your film and you’re getting meetings, and they want to know what you’re doing next, you’re going to be thrilled that you’ve already completed suggestion #2, and have great project pitches ready to unleash.

#5 - What If Nothing Happens with My Film?
* Welcome to the world of 99% (if not more) of all filmmakers these days. Doesn’t matter. You’re here because you love it, right? So just keep moving forward. Take your favorite and most marketable logline, and write the feature. Then write a few more features. Lots of people say they don’t even get the real feel for the script craft until they’ve written (and finished) at least four features. I’ve also heard that many people haven’t sold a script until they’ve gotten to their 12th one. Which is a solid 6 years of writing! Doesn’t matter. Just keep doing it because you love it and good things will happen, sooner or later. If you want to give a great energy boost to your screenwriting process, and make it much smarter and faster, Blake Snyder has a killer weekend course, where you start with a logline and end with a 3 page outline. It rocks. I liked it so much I’ve begun my own on-line version of it as part of my mentorship program, aBetterFilm.com. You won’t go wrong with either seminar. Lots of fun, and one of the best things you can do to develop your craft. * Or if you’re not really feeling the screenwriter’s path, then produce and direct another short. And/or try some spec tv commercials and/or music videos for your favorite unknown bands. Or maybe create a sizzle reel for a reality tv show. But this time around, you’ll already know to stay active on the web, and keep collecting e-mails, and send out the e-blasts about your awesome adventures of becoming the best storyteller you can be.

#6 - And What if Something DOES Happen with My Film?
* Wonderful! Then you’ve got a different set of challenges. Quality challenges that are actually not THAT different than what you’re already doing, but those details are the subject of another post…

Written by Guest author Brooks Elms from www.brookselms.com