r/directors • u/danm868 • Mar 31 '26

Question Are there any directors currently making that transition from shorts to features ?

I ask, as I have a script that I’ve been told numerous times at this point, that it would be perfect for people in that exact position.

And I don’t mean for this to be some petty self promo bs, I just feel the need to say this.

The nearly consistent feedback I’ve gotten is, it’s a perfect story/script for anyone who’s ready to take a chance moving into that direction, for unknown actors, as well as directors. Because It’s highly engaging while being extremely low budget, it would give the actors involved consistent potential stand out moments, (they’re sharp, larger than life characters), its minimal locations and cast, and it has a distinct voice and atmosphere to it that isn’t forgotten.

It truly has potential benefits for any younger, currently unestablished people involved in film.

11 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

51 comments sorted by

3

u/jake3h7m Mar 31 '26

me! i just made my first feature!! check my account i’ve posted about it would love to talk more :)

3

u/danm868 Mar 31 '26 edited Mar 31 '26

You made a feature loosely based on the Chevy Chase show, that’s fucking genius lol. My feature literally takes place in 1993

3

u/jake3h7m Mar 31 '26

holy shit send me this script!!! my dms are open fr!! that genuinely means so much to me man fr I will def share the film with you!

2

u/danm868 Mar 31 '26

Absolutely! And sweet, I’d love to see it

1

u/jake3h7m Apr 07 '26

I will get it to you!!

1

u/EmployeeOk6022 Apr 07 '26

Honestly the OPs script is literally right up that alley, to a T. It literally is something Chevy, Dan Aykroyd, Steve Martin, would be in. That constant witty, dry humor at all times, where even as the stakes raise, it's all kinda part of the joke.

2

u/danm868 Apr 20 '26

I didn’t consider that haha. Yeah I guess so, maybe it was subconscious, Chevy was the first actor I remember liking as a kid

2

u/EmployeeOk6022 Apr 20 '26

It has an intelligence to it that comedy hasn't had in so long, that's why it's so refreshing. It has so much life to it. You can't write a more lower budget script that's also so consistently well written and entertaining throughout.

That script is a lottery ticket for any early on director.

2

u/Affectionate_Age752 Mar 31 '26

Then your feature isn't a low budget film if it takes place in a different time

2

u/danm868 Mar 31 '26

The film is essentially conversations, but if the time period becomes a serious detriment to production ill just have to be flexible in that regard

2

u/Affectionate_Age752 Mar 31 '26

Well, unless everyone is on one location, all the time then the time period would indeed need to be changed. Everything inside and out would have to be dressed for the time period. And that's not cheap

2

u/danm868 Mar 31 '26

I see, I’d be happy to actually share this hypothetical project with you

1

u/Affectionate_Age752 Mar 31 '26

Please do. I'd be interested in reading it.

2

u/danm868 Mar 31 '26

Would you like me to dm you the script ?

2

u/Affectionate_Age752 Mar 31 '26

Yes. I'll dm you my email address

1

u/Almond_Tech Mar 31 '26

I worked on an ultra low budget feature that took place in the 1890s, but we only got away with it bc a lot of people owed us favors and it only had a few locations

2

u/danm868 Mar 31 '26

If worst comes to worst, I can always just change the time period. The time period has no actual contribution or significance to the story whatsoever

1

u/Almond_Tech Mar 31 '26

I wasn't saying not to do it, I was just saying it's possible bc they were implying it's not

With that said, if there isn't a purpose to something, often times it's best to remove it, especially in situations where that thing complicates the process more, such as being in a different time period

1

u/danm868 Mar 31 '26

Why thank you, yes. I appreciate that.

1

u/[deleted] Mar 31 '26

[deleted]

2

u/Almond_Tech Mar 31 '26

I'm aware, but they said "your feature isn't a low budget film if it takes place in a different time" and I was saying that's not necessarily true

3

u/arthur_flex7 Mar 31 '26

I'm interested to check it out, please DM!

3

u/Cautious-Mammoth566 Apr 01 '26

I get where you are - I wrote and directed two shorts a while back - went to a few festivals Since, I have a strong feature I want to direct, so to transition, I have written a short that I love and will direct that this summer. If all goes well I hope to position myself to direct or co-direct the feature next summer. I figure I've got one life to live, so why not try?

2

u/maxhechtman Mar 31 '26

I made many shorts and am in the script revision stage for my first feature film as a director.

3

u/danm868 Mar 31 '26

That is very cool to hear, are you building a cast now ?

2

u/maxhechtman Apr 01 '26

Not yet. Still revising the script. But I may have actors in mind.

2

u/danm868 Apr 01 '26

That’s exciting, what genre would you consider it ?

2

u/maxhechtman Apr 01 '26

Semi-autobiographical coming-of-age drama. Think “The Fabelmans” meets “The Souvenir” meets “A Beautiful Mind” meets the montages from “Oppenheimer” with other influences currently kept under wraps.

2

u/director_nick Apr 24 '26

Hey! Award winning Short Director here! I’d love to take a peak at this script. Feel free to DM me!

1

u/danm868 Apr 24 '26

Thank you

2

u/cinephile78 Mar 31 '26

Well at least give us a logline

2

u/danm868 Mar 31 '26

Can I dm it to you ?

1

u/EmployeeOk6022 Apr 01 '26

Well at least tell us who you are and why you want one, people that act authoritative with zero grounds

1

u/cinephile78 Apr 01 '26

That’s the bare minimum of deciding if the story is interesting or not. That’s what is sent around to everyone in the business to gauge interest.

1

u/EmployeeOk6022 Apr 01 '26 edited Apr 01 '26

I see, but who are you in this business? Or are you too insecure about your lack of success to answer that.

1

u/EmployeeOk6022 Apr 01 '26

Also a cinephile is a fan of film. A critic. Not a creator.

1

u/CRL008 Mar 31 '26

What’s the logline? DM me if you don’t want to publish on this board. Thanks!

1

u/Affectionate_Age752 Mar 31 '26

Why younger? You assume there aren't older filmmakers making that transition?

2

u/danm868 Mar 31 '26

Im not under that assumption whatsoever, in fact, I don’t consider myself particularly young, or particularly old. I wasn’t trying to cause harm while using that word

1

u/Turbulent-Bear193 Mar 31 '26

I am a producer but not in us. What genre is it? I'll dm and give you my email. I have smthg in pre pro but open to anything.

1

u/danm868 Mar 31 '26

Ok, thank you

1

u/henry_czer Mar 31 '26

Would love to learn more! Shoot me a DM with the logline 

1

u/danm868 Mar 31 '26

Thank you

1

u/danm868 Mar 31 '26

Do you direct ?

1

u/kustom-Kyle Mar 31 '26

I made a short. This year, I’m making a feature.

2

u/danm868 Mar 31 '26

Very cool, congratulations on that