"The screenplay just isn't working out. Actually, I just don't want to put in the time needed to make it work. So, what do I do? I'll make a short film! And this short film will be so good that I'll get a three picture screenwriting deal without writing a word!

Let's see. What'll I need: A camera. I can borrow that from my neighbor, no problem. Some lights... err, I'll film at the football stadium, they've got lights... Actors: I'll make it about dogs, so I won't need actors! Boy, this is gonna be simple!"

Many of us go through delusional periods like the one above. It isn't that we're stupid, we just need a reality check. At the TSA, we had a discussion with four members who have poured their heart and soul into a short feature, not to mention billions of dollars. (Okay, maybe not billions of dollars.)
Bob Giordano
Alan McKenna
Mark Naccarato
David Van Hooser
Fate
Silent Affair
Crusader
Scene of the Crime

Through the balanced discussion there was a lot of give and take. Below is a breakdown of those pros and cons...

Should a screenwriter make a short film?


do it.

Are you crazy?
Forget about it!
Yes, it gives the writer a sense of completion and fulfillment.    
    No! Why not devote your energies to writing your full-length feature film?
But, you go through practically the same thought process in conceiving the short screenplay. You identify the protag... the protags goals... the antag... Y'know we work in the same area as a whole.    
    Wait a minute! The question was whether a screenwriter should 'make' a short film, not write a short film screenplay.
Well, it all should start with the screenplay anyway.    
    Okay, I'll play your little game. Writing a "short" screenplay takes practically the same effort as a full length feature.
But, writing a short would take less time. You have to type at least 80 pages more for a full length feature. And the short has a stronger focus.    
    Yes and no. When you write a full length feature screenplay you have 90... 100... 120 pages to make things work... make your characters grow... make your point. The short screenplay can be just as difficult as you don't have the room to adjust. You've only got say 20 pages to accomplish the same thing. It's compressed. There is no breathing room. No room to finesse.
But some stories lend themselves to the short format.    
    That leads me to the obvious question. Why do it at all? What purpose does the 'short film' serve for you.
Well, it can act as a showpiece...    
    The audience for a short film is very limited. In most cases the best you can do is have it shown at a short festival where it can be lost among many. Whether or not it is a showpiece is also arguable. I'd say it was more of a showpiece for the person who directed your screenplay, not the screenwriter.
Well, you may want to direct the piece. After all, who knows the work better than you!    
    Oh, so now we are back to 'making' the film. Do you plan on becoming a director?
I don't know. Today, I am working at screenwriting. I am talking about following the Billy Bob Thornton format. As you know, his short film "They call it a sling blade" made quite an impression in Hollywood. In fact, the character was expanded into the full length film, "Sling Blade". So there is value if you can get discovered.    
    Yeah, the Billy Bob 'model' that you just described is pretty interesting only you are overlooking an important aspect of the story. Billy Bob did "Some folks call it a sling blade" in 1993. But he got his first Hollywood gig in 1986. He was involved in 15 other projects before he was 'discovered'. So, his short was not his 'calling card.' He got to know people... worked around... made some friends... basically, paid plenty of dues up front.
Still, his film "Sling Blade" resulted in an Oscar for Best Screenplay.    
    I agree that the short film helped promote his career, but that career is first as an actor, second as a director and last as a screenwriter.
Well, the short film can be a great place for you to test your passions.    
    Okay. Have fun. Let me know when you are finished.
Most successful playwrights have started out as stage directors or actors. By branching out, that experience helps their writing work better on the stage. They don't make mistakes that would otherwise plague them if they weren't aware of the stage limitations. Shouldn't the same apply to screenwriters.    
    Umm. Yes, but to what end. When performing in or directing a play, you can possibly get paid. With a short film, not only do you have to foot the bill in the creation of the film, you won't have a big audience looking to give you money to view it. You could enter it in a festival, but that usually has an entrance fee as well and you still won't get a financial return.
But, if its a contest, you have an "in". You can claim, "I've won several short film contests!"    
    Yes. That is true. You can shout from the mountaintops "I won Best short film at my Grandma's retirement community!"
No, I am serious. Many contest winners are given a Hollywood reading. And that brings us to what we are doing here.    
    Correct. And that is also where many people fail. Too many people that win contests blow their own fire out. They've won the contest... opening the door up a little bit... and an agent or a producer says "hey, I like it... What else do you got?" And they sit there with only that short under their belt.
That's a good point. That producer or agent is giving you an opportunity and the only way to seize that moment is to have 3... 4... 5... a dozen full length feature screenplays to deliver.    
    Act while the iron is hot. Too many winners are suddenly pressured into banging their head on their word processor trying to catch up with those who have written.
That makes sense.    
    Often, the contest winning script will be too big budget or not exactly what the studio is looking for
And that is when we can say "My sci-fi script won the contest, but you might want to look at my thriller. That can be done on a smaller budget and is in line with your studio offerings..."    
    How do you know what is "inline"?
You can watch the trade magazines... Go to studio websites... What type of material are they buying? What are the upcoming trends? This is a good way to finesse your way into the door.    
    But, you can skip right to that step now. Check out those sites now and start writing those scripts. It'll save you time. And a pocketful of money.
Well, I found my short filmmaking experience very rewarding.    
    Oh, yes. I've done four short films myself.

Still wanna make shorts?