Is it safe to show a short film around if...?

H

harmonica44

My contacts wanna make a short and I need something to show them. Since I am lacking on short film ideas my best one was still my first. However I liked the idea so much I decided to turn it into a feature I am writing. But if I show the short around, the idea will be given away, and therefore perhaps, not so original once I get around to making the actual feature. Not only that but the big twist will be given away too.

Since you can't copyright an idea, that means anyone could copy my short, but do it differently if they want to make it into a feature. I know ideas are a dime a dozen and mine is probably not that original, but I myself have never seen it done before, nor have any of my friends, so it's got some uncommon potential. But if I start shopping around the original short film script, by giving a copy to them, then they give it to someone in the business, then they do, etc, could that be risky, since I want the ideas to remain as original as can be till I make the feature?
 
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Who are you afraid of stealing your idea? The studios? The studios are only interested in material with a proven track record of making money. Without a track record of making money, you have nothing to worry about from studios.

It is pretty low if another up and coming independent filmmaker steals your idea. But, why would they?
 
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He asked the same question about a script, now it's a short, next it will be the feature but he's afraid to send it to the editor.

Stop wasting people's time. It's getting really annoying.
 
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Harmonica.

Did you know that James Wan did a short film called Saw in 2003 that was made into a feature in 2004. It was a pretty good idea and very successful film.

Personally I don't think you need to worry about having your idea stolen but If you think you have a killer idea and you're scared it will be stolen then don't make a short of it. When you show your killer idea script to people get them to sign a disclosure agreement stating they will not share the contents of the script with anyone. Hopefully this will give you peace of mind.

When you post something in the screening room (and I most certainly hope you do) it will be the most eagerly anticipated films for me since Star Wars Phantom Menace.
 
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Yeah but the short film of Saw did not give away any major surprises as far as I remember. Okay, I'll show it to them. The reason why I was more worried about showing the short as oppose to the previous feature, was that the feature would have been a finished script, rather than just an idea that is not used yet. But I will show them. Thanks.
 
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Rule of thumb. Studios are all about dollars and cents. They are not interested in art. They can hire writers and talent with big histories of blockbusters any time they want. An agent told me studios throw away warehouses of scripts from writers from around the world without even looking at the scripts because the writers have no track record of making money. That is the first thing they look at. They don't care how good or original you story is.
 
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Well yeah, but there are other indie newbies starting out that are all about art, and could be interested, and that was my worry, of showing it to others in the same boat. I wasn't going to show it to studios, just people like me, looking to get a short film made. But it's too late now, I already showed them.
 
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harmonica44 said:
Well yeah, but there are other indie newbies starting out that are all about art, and could be interested, and that was my worry, of showing it to others in the same boat. I wasn't going to show it to studios, just people like me, looking to get a short film made. But it's too late now, I already showed them.
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There you go! You didn't worry so much and just went and did it! THAT is how movies get made! Keep us posted on how things go!
 
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Stop trolling, start shooting!

Oh wait, let me give you just a few extra reasons why you never could finish your genius feature:
- You are not sure what insurance you need
- You are waiting till they fix rolling shutter in CMOS
- You are afraid to let actors rehearse your script, because they could leak it
- You want a shot from outerspace, but unfortunately the Space Shuttle Program got cancelled last week (and you don't speak Russian)
- You can't decide: tungsten, kinoflow or LED (and no: LED is not a cheap Chines RED-ripoff)
- You want to blow up a car, but you only got 1 car: can it be done in 1 take? Or what paint can you use to disguise the fact it took 3 takes to get it right?
- You are unsure your actor is fit for the part: it's the first time he plays this particulair part
- You don't know what ISO means on your Rebel
- You couldn't find the perfect shortcut to fame and succes on Indietalk
- You can't decide which software to use
- You couldn't get enough followers on Twitter to hype your project
 
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No. No, it is not safe. But, show me a man who has never failed, and I'll show you a man who has never tried.

Life is a risky game, dude. You'll never get anywhere if you don't roll the dice every now and then.
 
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Make a trailer out of ur existing short, say its a trailer for an upcoming feature. Problem solved. They see ur work, and u still keep your main ideas until the feature is released. done deal!
 
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Roman G said:
Make a trailer out of ur existing short, say its a trailer for an upcoming feature. Problem solved. They see ur
work, and u still keep your main ideas until the feature is released. done deal!
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And what trailers can you name that sold a script over a short?

Look up the 10 minute short on youtube that sold SAW to investors. It was not a trailer than interested them.

There is a difference between potential and proven track record for making money. Studios look at potential as fantasy and a proven track record of making money as reality.
 
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Modern Day Myth Prod. LLC said:
And what trailers can you name that sold a script over a short?

Look up the 10 minute short on Youtube that sold SAW to investors. It was not a trailer than interested them.

There is a difference between potential and proven track record for making money. Studios look at potential as fantasy and a proven track record of making money as reality.
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Modern, I think there's always someone willing to take a chance. That's why with spec scripts people send out 100 query letters and return cards in the hopes of hearing back from 10%. I don't think the idea of a "proven track record" is that set in stone. Also, how is one supposed to provide a track record if no one gives them a shot at creating one? I told you this at Unos. I don't think every studio in hollywood, follows that "where's the money making history" line of thought. Last year a number of studios picked up I think a total of 70 spec comedy scripts. I can't imagine all those people have proven track records of making money with their scripts.

My suggestion is to send your shit out and if nothing happens send it again. I think taking a chance on making a trailer is a risk, but whats life without risk. As long as you're having fun go for it. As for your fear of showing around a short: who cares about your short unless its truly groundbreaking and amazing? You know how long it would take someone to write an entire feature script based on a short you show them....thats good and will sell? Too long to invest their time. Focus on your short as a way to develop skills and display those skills. If its good, people will let you know.
 
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A lot of trailers nowadays are so quickly cut and edited that it's hard to get a good feel if the movie will likely be interesting, or even what it's about. What if I made a trailer that was longer, cut like an old trailer, where the cuts last longer than a few seconds and make the plot look more interesting? Or will that look too much like an old movie trailer, and not fly with modern editing in their eyes?
 
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Two people are already retweeting what I said on Twitter.

For all new people, before others will invest in you, you must first invest in yourself..

No one with money wants to take a chance on an unknown with no track record for making money.

When I was looking for an agent to sell my scripts a few years ago, I ran accross one who is acutally trying to sell writers a book he wrote on how to get sold in Hollywood. He is making money off of the skin of newbies who don't know better because he really isn't interested in representing them.

The real money people are innendated with warehouses of unsolicitated scripts that just get destroyed. They are not looking for that magic script when all it takes is one phone call to get a multi-time Academy Award Winning screen writer to cut them a spec script.

If you work in the studio, you stand a chance. Check out the making of DEMON HUNTER by Producer Stephen J. Cannell.

The first-time writer he took a chance on worked in the editing department of the studio he was in.
 
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