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

any help or advice would be greatly appreciated

thanks

Madpoet,

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.

Shawn......><  

Hey.

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.

Hey Mad Poet,

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...

Toby.

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.


Phil

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.

thanks again for all your replies

x

Where abouts you from outside London? That's where I'm based... And I met a load of London based film-makers through like a meet-up group.

I'll get you the name of that group when I'm back at home a bit later.

Try craigslist.com.  There a section for moviemakers.

Phil

The meetup website has lots of groups to join.

http://www.meetup.com/entering-the-film-industry-london/

And you can post an ad or reply to one on gumtree.

http://www.gumtree.com/london/5215_1.html

Yeah that's the link Jayrex, cheers for showing me it before man And MadPoet, I highly recommend joining the "Entering The Film Industry London".

I have a quick question pertaining to doing a short like this one. How is there money in it? What happens when you do a short? Where does it go?

Shawn......><

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.

Anything in it for the writer?

I usually deal to have my name credited, a copy on DVD of the film and, when I feel my short good enough, 20% of any profit.

At that meetup place, you meet directors, producers, actors, and other writers.

All we need to do to get noticed is bring your work and get a director or producer to read it.  If you're lucky they'll take it up.

Quoted from michel I usually deal to have my name credited, a copy on DVD of the film and, when I feel my short good enough, 20% of any profit.

I've been seeing a director each week now for the past three weeks.  I know I'm going to get a credit, but I've not discussed profits.  I was going to ask for 50% of any profits.  Is that too much Michel?

Quoted from Ledbetter Anything in it for the writer?

Credit man. Once again, agents are more likely to read your work if you have had loads of shorts already produced. It proves that a producer and director think that your scripts are worth making.

Quoted from jayrex I've been seeing a director each week now for the past three weeks.  I know I'm going to get a credit, but I've not discussed profits.  I was going to ask for 50% of any profits.  Is that too much Michel?

Everything depends. Is the director involved in the writing of the script? You can spend a whole year discussing with the director, spending most of your time on a script, for a short, you're not payed on the time spent on the script. Only on the result.

For a short, it's usually 20%. Anyway, you won't earn a fortune with it. That's not the goal. Someone above talks about calling card. That's it. That short will be a calling card for you. If you're lucky (or talented) enough, you'll have a second short made. This time (it's all depend again if the first one was successfull) you can ask more.

For feature, it's completely different...

Michel

Quoted from Ledbetter Madpoet, . 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. Shawn......><

I'm with Tommy and am cautious with recommending protection. (except if you don't want to have children  ) It seems to me that there's this whole big mystique and fear for writers that they are going to have their "stuff" stolen.

All the ideas, in the end are the same at their roots. If a person REALLY DOES think that they are so fabulously original and are in big time danger, then yes, get that protection, but you know... I think that most writers aren't looking "to steal" ideas. They are looking to "share" their individual experience.

For myself, I think that no one can write as good or as crappy as I can.   The same is true for everyone. Your experience is uniquely your own and no one can steal that and no matter if you ever might have the misfortune of having something stolen you'll still be you with all of your brilliance and you'll create something again and again and again and eventually, you'll be safe from the thieves.  

Sandra

Sandra,
I suppose to each their own with this regard. I personally (and this is just me) feel that there is nothing wrong with an added measure of documentation as to the time a work of art was produced. I myself write nothing BUT crap, but who knows, even a monkey falls out of a tree once in a while.  If there were ever a question between two parties with stories that do resemble one another, it would be he (or she) with the best documentation that wins. Mabey in my case it will never happen but based on the advice that has been given to me by others, it seems sound. And besides, copywrite 2009 sounds really cool. Even on a piece of crap.

Shawn.....><

Quoted from Ledbetter Sandra, I suppose to each their own with this regard. I personally (and this is just me) feel that there is nothing wrong with an added measure of documentation as to the time a work of art was produced. I myself write nothing BUT crap, but who knows, even a monkey falls out of a tree once in a while.  If there were ever a question between two parties with stories that do resemble one another, it would be he (or she) with the best documentation that wins. Mabey in my case it will never happen but based on the advice that has been given to me by others, it seems sound. And besides, copywrite 2009 sounds really cool. Even on a piece of crap. Shawn.....><

Yes, it does sound cool.   If you host your work here or on your blog or wherever in cyberspace, it is considered published. How cool is that?   But indeed, do use whatever means of copyright that makes you feel secure. Especially if you've been working on something for five years. Better safe to have some documentation than not.

Sandra

Thanks for all you guys advice
most appreciated