What Filmmakers Should Probably Know About Film Festivals - Daniel Sol [HollyShorts Co-Founder]

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In this Film Courage video interview, Hollyshorts Film Festival Co-Founder Daniel Sol talks about making short films in today's online landscape, submitting to festivals, and other filmmaking tips for filmmakers making short films.
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[@joseholder]

A tremendous festival with engaging panels and seminars. Loved screening my film there last year:)

[@noldaker]

Great video...this young man is correct...Barter is great, but to stay in business you must be paid to survive. It's called Show Business for a reason...It's a business from start to end. :)
I wrote and produced a short presentation pitch for a series with a lot of help from a top name Hollywood DP and others in 1997...They loved the project...Once done they wanted to shot gun it out...I warned them not too...and they thought no one would dare rip it off with their names attached...They were wrong...it was ripped off...It actually won a festival award which was a pleasant surprise to me.
Before that 1993 wrote, produced,and directed an experimental sit com on location in a CT hair salon... I bought the salon to double as a stage set...Was told by NBC tech people, "You can't do that"..I responded, "Sure I can...Worst that can happen is it fails and I lose a few bucks"...2 years later the my little experiment was copied by 2 networks and reality tv began shooting on location.
Keep your day job but if you want to be creative go for it... Legal, distribution, advertising and marketing are key..."Blair Witch" proved this...I met the produce while Blair was still on the drawing board in Orlando before his great success...He proved, word of mouth hype works and got a 3 picture deal out of it.
Couple of my other projects were taken early on...One still a large commercial success...This made me super protective of my writing...No that I'm old, all future scripts will be published with an ISBN...At least this way I get paid something. I have 2 more to write and one doc to produce then I'm done. Being creative is hard work...Writing is hard work.

[@BrianVowles]

I got a rejection from Hollyshorts this year and this video made me totally cool with it! Awesome interview, such a great peek behind the curtain....

[@filmcourage]

Sorry about the rejection Brian. In the case of HollyShorts at least you know your movie was given a fair chance. Respect to you for watching this interview after receiving the rejection. Shows your passion for the craft and your desire to improve.

[@Dorypowa]

what about free submissions for all (equality) and then people who are selected pay the fees ?

[@jag5798]

Great interview - a lot of inside information as to the thought and process of this festival. Much appreciated.

[@filmcourage]

What is the best length for a short film?

[@doper8bong]

For those who just started I would say shorter the better.,. 5 or 7 minutes... Keeping someone hooked to it for first 30 seconds or so is very important.. I don't have any experience with film festivals , its just how I watch shorts. 😆😆😆..I think most people won't continue if it's not engaging from the very first second.

[@doper8bong]

Thank you for sharing such valuable information film courage 😍😍. I went through your equipment list and amazed at seeing your lighting kit 😆😆. 2 cheap neewer led lights.. woww..being a filmmaking channel you could have invested a lot on it....Love how you guys use natural lighting .. respect 😍😍😍😍

[@desmonheck]

So much good information. Thank you.

[@somewhereinarizona793]

Great interview! Lots of good nuggets in there.

[@1966human]

People don't have the time they used to have maybe shorts are the way to go

[@misurebanks1538]

Why does it baffle this guy so much that starving artist can't make it to the actual event. Maybe he thinks they should not submit if they have no plans to go? He seems detached from reality, when he comes off so awestruck that the maker can't come. Sometimes as an artist, you pour all you have into the making of a film and you're blessed if there is a few fumes left in the "budget" (lol) to submit to a few places....
If you're so blown away and hurt by the lack of participation, offer a some sort of stipend to help these broke film makers actually participate. just an idea that may help your emotions. Stay grounded boss. ✌🏿

[@pawel1545]

Going broke to make a short film is the stupidest thing in the world... I know what Im talking about, I've been around the block... It's not worth it. Passion is important, but you have to stay reasonable.