From Short Film to Sale
The rise of short films as a means to a movie deal.
The rise of short films as a means to a movie deal.
My colleagues at DePaul University turned me onto a really cool short film which was released three years ago: The Great Martian War. Premise: Mix alien invasion images against actual footage of World War I soldiers in action.
That reminded me of the many short films and proofs of concept which have ended up selling to Hollywood studios and production companies. Here are some of them:
Most of these feature eye-popping VFX, but not all. There have even been faux trailers accompanying spec scripts like “Grim Night”:
The script sold for a cool $1M in 2011.
What’s the point? Go out and make short films. If you’ve got access to VFX and have a keen eye for visuals, along with a strong story concept…
You may end up like some of these filmmakers.
Do you know of any other short films which have sold in the last decade or so? Please post or email to me.