I'm writing short (30 page) scripts that are offbeat and I'm curious as how to attract an indie film producer...someone willing to make something weird. I'd figure I'd get an agent or go to LA or even try to get some aspiring film director around here to do it.
I'd also want people on this forum to read my scripts and give me criticism. They're rough on the format, but, you got to start somewhere right?
It'll be tough finding a producer who'll take on your short film script. There's not much, if any, money in shorts (though the Internet will change that to some degree). But you can attract a film director eager to find material he can really do something with. It's just a matter of getting the word out about your script. If you don't live in Los Angeles (or any other filmmaking hub), and can't get out to meet other filmmakers, then you'll have to go online. HCD online, Craigslist, some of the good filmmaker forums...they all have some value. Just tread carefully and watch out who you deal with. It can be done. Good luck!
Here's something from my blog that might help you:
Well, shorts are already a problem. No market for them in the USA, and that means the only people who make shorts are film students (of all ages) and they usually use their own scripts (that's what I did).
As far as *features* go - I think you should make a list of your 10 favorites independent films, then cross off all that are written and directed by the same person and see what you have left. You can also cross off any writer-director teams, like the Coen Brothers and see what's left. Oh, and if you live in the USA, you can cross out foreign films, then see what's left on your list. Usually, nothing is left. We're in awards season, so you might actually end up with one film on the list, like JUNO. But most indie films are written, directed, and usually even financed, by a single person or team.
So, if that's the kind of material you write, that's how you get ot on the screen: produce and direct it yourself. That's much easier with today's digital cameras.
Everything that everyone is saying has merit, however you didn't really give us enough information for a really good answer. We really need to know how old you are, where you live and how much experience as awriter you've had. Just guessing but if you live reasonably close to a large city (Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta, Omaha, etc.) you can probably find an IndieClub.
Your best bet is to attend some meet & greets and make some friends. Pitch your short to everyone who will listen. Including actors and other writers. Evenyually, if your script is good, you should be able to drum up enough enthusiasm to get it made. If nobody wants to do it then the script is probably a little too quirky and you should work on something else.
But, if you really and truly believe your short has something to say you will figure out a way to get it made. There are plenty of things you can do with shorts. YouTube and Festivals at the very least, just don't expect to make money. You might get a little noteriety and get some financing for your next project. Good luck.
If you want to get a short made as a calling card for yourself as a screenwriter - make it yourself. It's a lot easier than you might think. I can vouch for this - I've done it myself. The trick is to write something which you can get made within limitations - don't write in expensive car explosions or special effects etc. You'll be surprised how many people will be willing to help you out for free (or just food) when you 'are making a film.' Having something made as a writer to show gets you a bit more clout.
I've been thinking of making a short myself lately on something small that I've written...
It does seem that Shorts may be a good way to get noticed and there are some competitions out there accepting Short films and at least 1 I saw that accepts Short film scripts (not the short itself) as an entry.
One question I have on shorts though: are there any examples where someone has made a short, an industry exec has seen it, then it was expanded into a feature length film? It seems logical that shorts would lead to this but I don't know of any examples.
There have been several, mbk. The one that springs to mind most recently is "Cashback". The short was nominated for an Academy Award in 2005. But the feature didn't live up to the short, imo.
Very cool. Thanks edsas. I've never see that movie, I'll have to check it out. It would be interesting to track down the original short as well as the feature to compare them...
You can get both via Netflix. The short is on a 2005 Academy Award compilation on which you can see all 10 shorts nominated for Oscars that year. (5 live action, 5 animated)
I've seen both. The feature seemed rushed to me because the writer/director was made an offer at a festival to turn the story into a feature. The catch was that the director didn't have a feature script written and the production company wanted to start shooting 3 months after the offer was made.
The result was a brilliant 15-minute short wedged into a hastily produced feature. It's a shame. Given a year to come up with something, they might have had a special film.
Now I might be wrong... wasn't Toy Story the result of a short being shown to a Disney exec? Another one is Twelve Monkeys - based on the short Le Jette (forgive the spelling) - although that was by a well established film maker and probably made not due to being shown to an exec (though I'd mention it anyway as the original is great). Eraserhead was also the result of a short - but that is a counter cinema piece so I don't know screenplay wise how it stands.
