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Hi i have finished a short script 2mins long (just formatting it now) I am really new to this and i want to make the 2 min short and was wondering how do i now go about it? what are my next steps?
I'm not talking about getting a company to do it, i want to do it my self in an amateur way - how could i go about getting in touch with people who are likeminded to this - and what or who should i start with i.e. actors cameraman etc
im trying to muddle my way through this but its quite confusing and as i said i am new to this whole industry
First off. Welcome to the web site. I am also new to the site. I'm not sure what you do after the script is done except this. Post it here on this site. Let some people who have knowledge help you with it. The reason I say this is I thought my script was perfect untill I posted it and many, many flaws were found. I am currently re writing it. Second, get it protected. Either with the WGA or the US copywrite office. I like to do both. I'ts not expensive, ($22.00-WGA) ($35.00- copywrite). after that, I dont know how the rest is supposed to go. Hope this helps.
I agree with Shawn, except you don't need to get it protected. If someone will want to make your short, they will. There is not much you can do about it. You should protect feature that you are going to sell for millions of dollars, but for a short there is no need.
In reference to your OP, I would look at film groups in your community, whether online or in the phone book. You will find a range of people like you who will want to make films, and you can go from there.
Do you want to direct the short yourself (ie, tell the actors what to do, tell the camera man where to put the camera, etc.), produce it (be in charge of getting it made - organise auditions, organise locations, etc.) or just find people to make your script for you?
Whatever you want to do, I suggest networking. Like Tommy and Led' said, talk to like-minded people from your area who are interested in film-making. That's how I met a really cool and talented DoP (Director of Photography - In other words, the camera man) who I recently worked with on my short I directed a few weeks back.
Networking is a must, and the first step.
The second step is learning... Learn how to direct, produce etc. I'm not talking about taking a three year film course (unless you want to, of course), but know the basics. DoP's won't like being told what to do by a director who knows a lot less than them.
Oh, and make sure your script is very, very good before you try to get it made...
The next step is to put the script away for two weeks. Look at other scripts, or write other scripts, or whatever. After two weeks weeks read your script again and make all the changes that are obvious now that weren't two weeks earlier.
Thanks for replies - yeah im def not rushing into things - i say the script is finished i am currently doing what was suggested in one of the posts, i.e leaving it for couple of weeks then going to go back over it with fresh eyes so to speak.
I am from just outside london uk - any ideas of any places to look for like minded people i.e forums websites etc.
Shorts are how most directors get noticed, and acquire funding for features. They are like calling cards. No studio is going to give a director money to make a film without any work of theirs to watch first. And as shorts are easier to make (in time, effor and funding) that features, most directors shoot shorts first.
I'm entering the short I recently filmed into various competitions. If it gets accepted into them, great. If not, it's still something I can put in my show-reel, and was a great learning experience.