A short film does not necessarily have to be a “thing” or a “hit” or any other “big deal.”
It is important to note that short films can and often do sell online or off the web and have been seen in theaters and festivals. That also doesn’t mean any of the money earned from the film is returned to the producers. The filmmakers (especially those that make shorter films) have to make a profit on any short films produced.
What sort of money do short films make?
The short film is often considered their first exposure to the film industry. They usually generate a lot of interest in a studio or distributor. They often get the attention of a big studio or studio head. And of course they need the help of the people who make the movies that they make. There are a lot of people who produce movies and they all get a percentage of the profits. This is common at mainstream studios; they all get a portion of the box office (typically 80-90%) and also distribute the movies worldwide. They also receive a share of the DVD sales or the home video sales.
Do short films have a lot of money?
Short films have become a lot more financially viable. It was once very difficult to make a short film; it usually required a $1k budget and a team of very creative people. But now a lot of those “low budget” films can probably be funded with a modest budget and a team of very creative people. That’s not to say that you can’t shoot a short film and then become big overnight. But many of today’s “low budget” shorts don’t have that much money involved and most of them will need a lot of help from people who have to work very long hours (and sometimes go without pay). But if you’re prepared to be a little bit creative, make smart choices, budget wisely and make that short film your first exposure into the film industry, there are plenty of other ways to make your mark in the world of film.
What does this mean for people who want to make their own film?
As more and more people make a living as directors on shorter films, the short production market will become more and more accessible. When a film is shot by a small team of people who have a creative vision (and if your vision doesn’t match the studio’s vision, don’t shoot in that studio; shoot for yourself, shoot with your friends, or make a short film for free or