How to get involved
We are seeking far and wide throughout Otago for people keen to work on the production of short films.
In the noble tradition of short films, much of the work will be unpaid as precious dollars need to go towards the cost of equipment and facilities.
How the Short Film Otago process works
Each year, Short Film Otago applies for funding to encourage and support the writing and making of short films in the Otago region, and also to grow the skills and talents of keen film makers in the area. Our major funder continues to be the Otago Community Trust; without their generous support each year we wouldn't have been able to fund the 6 films that have been produced to date.
After Short Film Otago has secured funding each year a call for projects goes out. This is open to anyone in the Otago region. The written concepts can be fully finished scripts, or one-page outlines, or works in-between.
When the deadline for projects ends, the members of the SFO Board all read the submitted projects, then meet to discuss the entries.
The number of projects is reduced to a short list of 6, and the writers of these 6 scripts are paired with script editors to work on the next draft or drafts. The writers and editors are paid for this process, which has a deadline.
After this process, the Short Film Otago Board again reads the scripts, and they are again reduced to 2 or 3, which will go into production.
Each production is assigned an experienced Executive Producer, with a solid industry background, who may continue to work on the script with the writer.
A team is assembled for each production. A call will go out for crew through the Short Film Otago website, and through other industry sites/email groups; also the EP may approach people whom they think would be a good Producer or Director for the project.
It is best for each production to have their funding channelled through a Charitable Trust, rather than through an individual. This helps for tax purposes, and also for later auditing.
Each production team will sign a simple contract with Short Film Otago, which will set out their responsibilities.
The production team/s present a preliminary budget, and invoice SFO for payments for their film, over the pre- and post-production stages.
A premiere is held to showcase the new films.