The Filmmaking Stuff Podcast

Can You Profit from Short Films?


Listen Later

In this episode of the Filmmaking Stuff podcast, host Tom Malloy discusses the potential market and the inherent value of producing short films. Tom explains that the value of short films isn't necessarily about profit. Instead, short films present an opportunity to gain experience and create a 'calling card' as a filmmaker.

Aspiring directors should approach their short films like a test run or a teaser of their intended feature films. The genre should reflect that of the intended feature film, allowing audiences to gauge the director's aptitude in a specific area. However, Tom warns against investing heavily in these mediums, suggesting that such funds could be better invested in a feature film.

Moreover, Tom shares key marketing strategies for short films, like leveraging film festivals and using popular platforms like YouTube. He also highlights the benefits of presenting a consistent genre throughout, thus helping potential investors visualize the intended feature film. Despite limited income avenues, the true profit of short films lies in kickstarting and enriching one's filmmaking career.

He concludes that filmmakers should graduate from short films and aims at producing feature films, where more sustainable profit lies. A short film, therefore, serves as a stepping stone towards that goal, and its fundraising should resonate with this objective. Tune into this episode of the Filmmaking Stuff podcast to gain insightful filmmaking knowledge and strategies from seasoned professional, Tom Malloy.


Key Highlights:

  • The Real Purpose of Short Films: Gain insights into why making short films should focus on creative expression and career advancement rather than profit.
  • Budgeting Wisely: Learn why investing $50,000 to $150,000 in a short film might not be the best approach and discover alternative strategies.
  • Genre Consistency: Understand the importance of aligning your short film's genre with your future projects to build a cohesive portfolio.
  • Leveraging Short Films: Find out how short films can serve as a director's calling card, increase your chances of entering major film festivals, and attract potential investors and producers for your next project.
  • 📌 Check Out the "Backyard Blockbuster Blueprint" Series: https://www.filmmakingstuffhq.com/backyard-blockbuster-blueprint-info/




    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store

    The Filmmaking Stuff PodcastBy Filmmaking Stuff

    • 4.4
    • 4.4
    • 4.4
    • 4.4
    • 4.4

    4.4

    55 ratings


    More shows like The Filmmaking Stuff Podcast

    View all
    Pivot by New York Magazine

    Pivot

    9,512 Listeners

    The Business by KCRW

    The Business

    668 Listeners

    Scriptnotes Podcast by John August and Craig Mazin

    Scriptnotes Podcast

    2,431 Listeners

    The No Film School Podcast by No Film School

    The No Film School Podcast

    425 Listeners

    Making Movies is HARD!!!: The Struggles of Indie Filmmaking by Liz Manashil & Alrik Bursell

    Making Movies is HARD!!!: The Struggles of Indie Filmmaking

    214 Listeners

    The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast by Directors Guild of America

    The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast

    753 Listeners

    Just Shoot It: A Podcast about Filmmaking, Screenwriting and Directing by Filmmakers Matt Enlow & Oren Kaplan

    Just Shoot It: A Podcast about Filmmaking, Screenwriting and Directing

    256 Listeners

    Show Don't Tell: Micro-Budget Filmmaking by Noam Kroll

    Show Don't Tell: Micro-Budget Filmmaking

    171 Listeners

    Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend by Team Coco & Earwolf

    Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend

    59,550 Listeners

    Team Deakins by James Ellis Deakins, Roger Deakins

    Team Deakins

    1,120 Listeners

    WHAT WENT WRONG by Sad Boom Media

    WHAT WENT WRONG

    3,406 Listeners

    SmartLess by Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, Will Arnett

    SmartLess

    58,080 Listeners

    The Town with Matthew Belloni by The Ringer

    The Town with Matthew Belloni

    1,129 Listeners

    The Movie Marketing & Distribution Podcast by usheru

    The Movie Marketing & Distribution Podcast

    4 Listeners

    The Honest Filmmaker by Jim Eaves

    The Honest Filmmaker

    3 Listeners