Transform Your Acting Skills into a Compelling Short Film
Play the lead character in a story that makes you shine.
With this package you will get a professionally written short film with your acting strengths in mind. And the story? The story will be compelling and the audience will clearly see that this film is a small part of a much bigger story. Because you own the film, you own the right to expand it into a feature film or series. It’s your property, intellectual property.
This is not just a demo reel shoot.
What it is, is a fully produced, high quality short film with a clear character arc for you to play. This gives you an acting calling card like none other.
You not only have fantastic footage of your work, you become a producer who owns their own IP (Intellectual Property.) That means you own the right to develop this short film into a feature film or series. Your film becomes a proof of concept for either of these types of production.
You are guaranteed to love the script and the character you will play.
A FEW SAMPLES
These films below were produced by actors who took advantage of this unique package to boost their careers and learn more about the filmmaking process.
These films speak for themselves as to the quality of production and the stories they tell.
One other key element is they leave the audience wanting to know more. A perfect effect for a proof of concept.
Feature films scripts are now being written for Grassroots and The Vanquished as inspired by these short films.
Writer/Director/Producer Neil Schell is your guide.
NINE STEPS TO YOUR SHORT FILM
Neil, who has vast experience in the film industry as an actor, writer, director and producer, personally assists you every step of the way. See Neil’s bio HERE.
Several steps are taken to ensure you end up owning an intriguing story playing a strong character that shows off your acting skills. All filmed to high quality standards.
Neil will write, direct and edit your film to the highest standards that can be reached within the budget you can afford.
STEP 1 – Actor Assessment
A full assessment of your previous acting work is done to determine a lead role you can shine in. This is done so that a story can be built around the character you will play.
A one-on-one zoom interview with Neil starts the process. Your past work is reviewed. You may be asked to do several self tapes of other written material to see where your acting strengths lie. And, of course, you will be asked what type of roles get you excited to play.
STEP 2 – Story Ideas
Three separate story ideas/synopses are presented to you thereby giving you the option to choose one to produce. Neil advises on all three as to the advantages and/or disadvantages of them. At this point you learn the strength of the story to be utilized as a proof of concept for either a series or feature film.
NOTE: Actors are encouraged to offer their own story ideas as well.
After the presentation, it is your choice to give the go ahead for one of them to be written.
STEP 3 – The Screenplay
The screenplay is written with budgetary constraints kept in mind without compromising the story or the character you will play. It will be a maximum of nine pages so it can be shot in one day, two days maximum.
STEP 4 – Production Steps
You are given a full checklist of steps to that when executed, fully produce the short film as a union production for actors. (ACTRA in Canada, SAG in the USA, Equity in the U.K.) Neil will go over every step with you and the sequence they must be completed to achieve a quality movie.
STEP 5 – Pre-Production Pt. 1
Neil guides you step by step through the checklist to ensure your progress is on target. He will also assist you to solve any unexpected problems that may pop up during the process. This includes budgetary items as well as how to raise money.
STEP 6 – Pre-Production Pt. 2
Hiring crew and casting. Neil will advise on this and, as the director of the film, will do the casting and assist you with selecting the best crew at the best fees. Actor rehearsals are then done at this stage.
STEP 7 – Production
Your Production Manager/1st AD takes over shoot production while you focus on acting and Neil directs the shoot.
STEP 8 – Post Production
Neil will edit the film to your utmost satisfaction, guide the musician for the score and oversee the final post sound work and complete the colour correction.
STEP 9 – Final Film
Your completed film is handed over to you so you can exploit it in every way possible. You can cut a demo reel, submit to festivals around the world, build a pitch deck around the film to move toward producing a feature or a series.
Advantages of an Actor Producing a Short Film
1) You will own the movie that can be submitted to film festivals around the world.
2) Your short film can be expanded into a major motion picture screenplay or series pilot that you own.
3) Your feature film screenplay or series pilot teleplay can be pitched using your short film as a proof of concept that not only sells your movie or series idea but you as one of the stars of that series or movie.
4) You are not waiting around to land a lead role or large supporting role in a movie or TV series so you can play a part that shows how good your acting is. By purchasing this package and completing all the work as guided by Neil Schell, you will take action and have that role on film for you to leverage to your next role. This is a clear career investment.
5) Through the action of producing your own film, you will gain knowledge and appreciation of the filmmaking process and a greater understanding of the movie industry.
6) Your appreciation and understanding of the crew and all they do rises to a new height and everyone in the industry will see it and sense it in you. Call it “experience.”
7) Those who do casting, those who direct and those who produce have a deep admiration for anyone who makes a movie. It’s like you enter this club for filmmakers and people are more willing to work with you and therefore cast you.
8) A feeling of accomplishment as an actor because you did not wait to be given permission to do.
9) A genuine increase in confidence built on your accomplishment rather than a feigned confidence that is so easy to see through.
10) Your underlying purpose for being an actor increases and because it is your power, you will land more and better roles.
PACKAGE PRICING
Complete Package
Full consultation, three story options, professional short film screenplay, producing consultations, directing of the screenplay, editing of the film, colour correction and post production consultation.
FEE: $6,500 CDN paid in instalments of $2,500 to start the package, $2,000 one week before the scheduled shoot and $2,000 for the finished picture edit.
Partial Package
Script is supplied by the actor. You get producing consultations, directing of the screenplay, editing of the film, colour correction and post production consultation.
FEE: $5,000 CDN paid in instalments of $2,000 to start the package, $1,500 one week before the scheduled shoot and $1,500 for the finished picture edit.
Additional Production Costs
As the producer and owner of the production, you are responsible for funding the shoot and the post production services of music and final sound mix. The budgets vary from $5,000 CDN to $10,000 CDN depending on script and the ability to negotiate fees for crew. You will be guided in this negotiation process to ensure you are not overpaying for services. These fees are paid after the shoot is complete and the post work is complete. Fees you will have to provide before the shoot or on the shoot are for location(s) and food.
Production Time and Schedule
The writing of the script can take 4 – 6 weeks, often less. Once the script is finalized a time period of at least 4 weeks should be allotted before the shoot date. Once filming is done, the picture and sound edit will take 2 weeks to complete and an additional 4 weeks after that for the music and final sound mix.
Book Your Free Zoom Consultation
- Ask Neil anything about the package
- Find out Neil’s availability for directing
Neil Schell 