Writing the Super-Short Short Film

I’m a fan of short short films. Like, films under 10-15 minutes tops. I kind of feel like the space between at 10-15 minute short and a feature (or TV pilot) is pointless. At least with the career goals I have.

I have a short I really want to produce that will end up right around 10-12 minutes (Wildflower). But, it’s going to require a decent budget. Not huge, but more than pocket money. And I have yet to find an animator to collaborate with (it’s partially animated). So at this particular moment, it’s on temporary hold. I’m hoping I’ll get to it this year, but if I don’t, that’s ok. I have other goals, too.

In the meantime, I really want to just dive in and produce and direct a short film before winter is over. That means there are a few restrictions:

1. Needs a small cast and crew. The bigger the cast and the bigger the crew, the longer it takes to get everything coordinated. Especially when it’s a short where no one is getting paid.
2. One location is best. Two at most. Again, this has to do with coordinating everything.
3. Interior locations are safer. Winter weather in Vermont is temperamental at best. I’m leaning toward a bar location. Or possibly a coffee shop.
4. Something that can serve double-duty. I’m in the early stages of a romantic comedy script about online dating, so I’m leaning toward writing something in the same genre, and maybe even with the same characters, so that I can later use it as a proof of concept for the feature.

My goal is five pages. I want a beginning, middle, and end (so not a vignette-style piece). I want it to have decent conflict. I don’t want to do anything resembling slapstick comedy. It should be smart but not pretentious.

I want something that is marketable and good. I know, tall order for a short film.

My plan is to get this written this weekend. A short like that, once I have it outlined, usually takes me less than an hour to write. And maybe another hour to revise before sending it out to some trusted readers for notes. And then I’m going to jump right into pre-production and get this thing made.

Speaking of, if anyone in the Vermont/northern New England area is interested in helping out, get in touch!