Every filmmaker dreams of winning an award at some point. It’s the epitome of success. When you get recognized for your exemplary work, you become famous and get lots of work. And the best part is you don’t need a big budget or big names on the set to win a short-film award.
The average production cost is $700 per minute, so a short film with a 20-minute runtime will cost you about $140,000 to produce. But short film production is an art, and you have to master the art to produce an award-winning film. Apply these four tips to produce a must-watch film.
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Watch Short Films
Short films are different from feature films in many aspects. Watch as many short films as possible to familiarize yourself before diving into production. You’ll learn about film structures and decide whether your upcoming film should explore a theme or simply tell a funny joke.
You’ll find such films on streaming platforms such as YouTube and Vimeo. Pay attention to films that have won the awards you hope to win in the future. You can also visit film festival websites to see the previous winners and get valuable lessons from their productions.
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Create a Script
The script is the most important part of your film. It is the written plan that offers an outlook on how everything will be on the set. There are two sides to it. You can decide to write your screenplay or source one for production. If you choose to write it, focus on making the story and the characters very appealing.
The story should evoke emotions and keep people engaged. If you decide to do a comedy, make it really funny. Read the script to people you trust and ask for honest feedback. Ensure the genre aligns with the award you intend to win if you plan to present the film to a festival that specializes in genres.
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Calculate the Production Cost
It’s possible to produce an award-winning short film with a low budget. However, its quality must be top-notch. Craft a schedule with specifics on how you intend to do the shoot. You can break down the script for the scenes you intend to produce daily.
You can use affordable editing software and digital cameras to create a professional-looking film. If you use vehicles in some scenes, search used cars for leasing to cut down costs further. Ensure you have proper sound and lighting equipment. Also, carry out thorough auditions to hire the best cast for the film.
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Determine Your Film Festival Plan
As you craft your film script, which also acts as the plan, think about distribution. Different film festivals have different submission guidelines and fees for filmmakers. For instance, the film may have to premiere at a specific festival for it to be submitted for an award. Other festivals may require specific film runtime to qualify it.
To be safe, list all the festivals you intend to participate in. Carefully read their requirements and plan your submission. Remember, the film can only premiere in one festival, so consider this as you prepare your submission.