Short vs. Feature vs. Trailer

[flapjacknight]

Okay so I am fairly new to the filmmaking scene. I have a dilemma when it comes to a comedy I want to produce.
I have written a feature length comedy script that I believe could go straight to dvd and do well. The problem is, I don't have the funding to shoot the feature. I am looking to shoot this in early '09, to start the first of many productions to come, so where that leaves me is...

Should I just convert my feature into a short film?
if so, what possibilities could come from shooting a short, do people actually have shorts distributed?

or

Should I just gather the money I can and go ahead with the feature?

or

Should I shoot a trailer for the feature and try to gain interest from fans and in turn gain the interest of investors?

Remember, I am looking to produce this myself and this first production will be the first of many features to come.

Thank you all for the help and insight


~Marco P.

 

[jls4]

Okay so I am fairly new to the filmmaking scene. I have a dilemma when it comes to a comedy I want to produce.
I have written a feature length comedy script that I believe could go straight to dvd and do well. The problem is, I don't have the funding to shoot the feature. I am looking to shoot this in early '09, to start the first of many productions to come, so where that leaves me is....

You have a Complicated and heavy answer

Should I just convert my feature into a short film?
if so, what possibilities could come from shooting a short, do people actually have shorts distributed?

If you do a good job your benefit for a Short is showing people a great "mini-Reel" of your work. You can use this to learn and also to grow, and maybe show it to an investor later to get funding. If the short doesn't come out all that good, then you don't have much of anything, but you can try festivals and such and maybe get some attention.

Should I just gather the money I can and go ahead with the feature?

Depending on your subject matter, you can make a feature as low as $9K. It'll be much more difficult this way and your production value will take a hit. But this is my preferred way. I feel it's better to have something that can sell, since shorts don't sell well. However the drawback is that features are more competative for dollars and unless you understand production, you could take a serious hit.

Should I shoot a trailer for the feature and try to gain interest from fans and in turn gain the interest of investors?

This is like the Short route, only difference is that is it specific to the movie. A great way to start some buzz, but unless your work is excellent, you may not get as much attention as you would if you did a short. At least with a short people can watch the whole story, a trailer is a teaser to a story short or feature.

Remember, I am looking to produce this myself and this first production will be the first of many features to come.

Thank you all for the help and insight

The 24 diary that you see in my signature is basically a small booklike blog that I try to give tips to no-budget indies to try and help them start on their first couple of movies.

 

[legend of the steelstring]

Hey Marco.... what exactly is limiting you? How much do you have budgeted for your movie? What equipment do you currently have access to? Do you have anything you can sell to raise funds? Can you find ways to increase your income? like: work in other areas of film/video bussiness shooting wedding, corporate, training, music videos. even if you have to cut your rates to find clients if you can put all money towards your movie I would do it. This will also improve your skills for when you shoot. Ask everyone you know for contributions if you are planning on doing this in early 09 ask now..... and then again when it gets closer to shooting. The reason for this is some will not be able to help now but may be able to later and some will give a little now and more later. Find a group of like minded movie makers to help with equipment and their time there are a lot of guys out there in the same boat as you. 99% of them talk about making a feature but never do.
Get them together, inspire them, offer to help them, and then ask for their help.

I say make your feature.... This may be your only chance. I know thats not what you want to hear and I can see you saying he's crazy I'm going to make many films but the truth is life is life you don't know what tomorrow will bring so strike while the iron is hot. If you have a script that you believe in, skills or a willingness to learn, and an undying desire to say something through film, If you can pick yourself up and keep going after the 100th thing goes wrong, if you are thick skined enough to be told by everyone how you are doing things wrong and how you should do it like this, If you believe this is your destiny enough to give a year of your life and 10s of thousands of dollars in value and cash, If you are willing to educate yourself and know no one is going to do it for you, Get your butt out of bed in the morning and go out and do what very few do, stop waiting to be told how or when or where, are willing to make mistakes and know you have what it takes to overcome, be bigger, stronger, smarter than lacking alittle money.
If you can say yes..... I mean if you can shout yes to all of the above

Go out and make your feature
I will buy the first copy