Hello, all my dear fellas of SS. For long time a question has hit my poor head and I didn’t’ kip it hidden: Who cares of us scriptwriters of short scripts? Really, I don't know the answer and it has made me so sad about this matter.

I don't follow you, Helio. You mean on the site? I think everyone here cares about short writers. In fact, I haven't seen a feature length from a regular in quite some time. Lately, I think it's just Zack's Friday the 13th remake and Michel's new horror script. Other than that, the Shorts section is where the party's at.

Outside of SS, well, they've got an Oscar category for Best Short. Obviously, someone out there cares.

Shorts are tid bits of genious. They are the scraps of story that turn into full stories. You, Helio are the reason I came to SS. I read a couple of your shorts and asked you about the site before I knew there was a discussion board. I'm glad you led me here. It was because of your wonderful, yet curious short scripts.

Shorts are the seedlings to great full feature stories I think. At least they are the jumping off point

WysSyw

--Koton

Shorts are extremely useful to get your name out there. I hope to have some really good ones by the time I'm 18.

Shorts are the starting point for writers and directors, without them most people wouldn't get a foot in the door.

I agree with James that the shorts board has been very busy of late and the featues have mainly come from newbies...maybe all the regulars are busy writing new features?

Myself, I love reading shorts...

but I've been wondering the same thing... even about features.

I started wondering about all this time I've been writing if I have just been waisting my time, when I could have been spending time with my family.

I mean it's 2007 now. I wrote the first draft of Halloween Games in 2004, and I'm still working on the darned thing... so I know how you feel.

I have had a short produced. It wasn't to my liking though...
And I did have a producer start animation on another script, then stopped because he got a paying gig.

Am I waisting time? Isolating myself from others to write things that will never amount to anything anyway?

I like to write. I like to read and watch shorts, too, but I wonder the same thing. So lately I haven't been writing that much. I know what you mean.  


Cindy

Hello Cindy,

I just wanted to say that there is no getting around the time that one needs to devote to the craft.

Just today I was talking with my daughter about a novelist who came to the college to speak.  Well, it's the same old story: about how long it took and how much rewriting was involved.

Yes, there are those brilliant souls that seem to come out of nowhere and become instantly prolific, but that is not usually the way.

We develop in small increments and we often don't even acknowledge our small successes.  As some people have pointed out here: even the completion of a short, if one has applied themselves to the job is a great accomplishment.

Anyways, I'm encouraging others as much as I'm encouraging myself here because the doubt you speak of--I'm sure many of us echo those same feelings and deal with the daily.

I have learned something from this thread.  Perhaps we do underestimate the value of the short.

Sandra

Quoted from alffy I agree with James that the shorts board has been very busy of late and the featues have mainly come from newbies...maybe all the regulars are busy writing new features?

Most shorts are written in twoor three weeks.  The features are written (or 'should be written') over the course of a few months.  It usually takes me two or three months just to write the first draft of a feature.

In regards to the new people here, it's easier to get someone to read your ten page short than it is to read your 254 page fanfic sequel to a sci-fi franchise.


Phil

I write shorts because i don't have the motivation to write a feature(although I did try with my Friday the 13th remake).

~Zack~

I agree in part with you, Phil.

I do continue in doubt about to get respct  from the pros writting short screenplays.

Helio,

Don't feel down. It may be true that it's tough to get respect from pros when writing shorts. On the other hand, there are more shorts than ever being filmed. A good script is always a good script, no matter the page count. Features however are much harder to write and take a lot more commitment. I personally admire anyone who's written a feature, even if it wasn't really great. It's still something I seem incapable of doing.

I guess what I'm saying is, there's a place for everything, even shorts and I believe really good shorts deserve respect, but features deserve a little extra respect due to the commitment and hard work it takes to write one.

Quoted from Helio I do continue in doubt about to get respct  from the pros writting short screenplays.

Steven Speilberg won't be looking for shorts to produce.  Film students and small time producers will be.  Concentrate on these guys.  After you have some produced work in your portfolio, then you go looking for the big fish.


Phil

Quoted from dogglebe In regards to the new people here, it's easier to get someone to read your ten page short than it is to read your 254 page fanfic sequel to a sci-fi franchise.

This is true, and this has been a very informative thread. Thanks to all!

Quoted from dogglebe Film students and small time producers will be.  Concentrate on these guys.  After you have some produced work in your portfolio, then you go looking for the big fish.

Phil's right. (My God! did I say so?? LOL)

That's a good way to improve your style and have contacts.

Michel

Quoted from dogglebe In regards to the new people here, it's easier to get someone to read your ten page short than it is to read your 254 page fanfic sequel to a sci-fi franchise.

This is true, good point Phil.