How to Produce a Short Film

Producing a short film can be a gratifying experience for both you and the audience, but it is a stressful, lengthy process. As the producer, you have many responsibilities that can overwhelm and tax your decision-making skills and patience. The following are some steps for producing a short film.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Develop a story or project or find a writer (or director) who has a project he would like to make, and then begin brainstorming and visualizing the short film.

2. Once you and the person (be it the writer or director) have decided on the specifics, start plotting your plans out. Where are you going to film it? How big a film crew are you going to need? Where are you going to find your actors? Where will you hold auditions? What about catering? Renting spaces for filming? Securing permits? These are the things you, as a producer, will have to deal with.

3. Find a director and a film crew. For a short film, you may be able to film the movie with just you and the director without excess crew. Remain realistic about your financial restraints and time frames. You best bet will to be to go to every college in your area and post signs by their theater and media departments. Students are going to want the hands-on experience and you'll get a cast and crew with some know-how who are willing to work for lunch.

4. Recruit an investor. If you want to distribute your film to the right people, find an investor who is willing to contribute some money to your project. This investor money will also fund the bulk of the making of the movie: renting cameras, buying film stock, renting spaces to film and catering lunches--just for starters.

5. Begin the filming process by closely working with your director and overseeing each step of the production so it fits with your budget and the vision you and your cast and crew share. You'll notice that you'll be spending most of the day talking to the director.

6. Once the filming is complete, you'll want to make sure the person editing your film has good editing facilities available. The editing process always makes or brakes a film.

7. When you have a finished product, you'll want to get your film transferred to DVDs. Once you have them packaged, start looking for film festivals and submit your film to them (this usually requires an entrance fee, a DVD copy of your film and a lengthy questionnaire. If you're showing a true indie film, these festivals are where industry bigwigs will see your work, and if all goes well, offer you a deal for its rights.

Tips & Warnings

• Outline a budget for your film, and stick to it. Define your budgetary limits. This is especially important if you have investors.
• Involve your director throughout the production process. It should be collaborative, but maintain a position of authority, After all, you are the one who owns the rights to the film.
• A short film is typically anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour. Make sure that you don't end up making a feature-length film, which can be harder to finance and more difficult to distribute.
• Cast good actors. Otherwise, your film may suffer. Don't settle for someone just because you feel some pressure.
• Stay away from expensive shots and scenes when you are producing your short film. Scenes such as explosions drive the costs of your film through the roof—keep them low.

Resources

• Learn some film terms at FilmLand.
• ProductionHUB is a great resource for producers.

[jepabst]

on 5/18/2009 Just finished my second short film: http://www.vimeo.com/4175890