Is There a State/Federal Grant I Could Apply for to Make a Student Short Film?

[romantico]

I'm just curious if anyone here knows if there is a way to get a grant to do a short film subject/composition. I've got 2 stories I have written and plan on buying a new HD camera by the end of summer. Each short would be about 10 minutes long but I am trying to figure out a way to finance them. If I could get just one made I would be happy. My only option is to take on a second job and save til I have enough money. Just curious if anyone knows if there is a federal or state grant I could apply for.

My right wing brother who hates Obama and Democrats and bitches and moans about Government handouts got state and federal grants to help him get through school. Yeah,he's got a huge student loan to pay off but without the grants it would be a lot higher. So, I was just curious if anyone knows of any kind of grant I could apply for. Thanks!

[mzteris]

1. Don't know if DU'er AVA is

still around, but she would know!

see her webpage: http://www.peacetakescourage.com/page-home.htm

and check out her DU journal. Doesn't look like she's posted for a long time, but you might either get some ideas, or a way to contact her.

[Chan790]

2. Many.

I used to help my roommate do just that. What is your ideal shooting location and how flexible are you about it? What is the general subject (I appreciate you don't want to give away plot...but a 1 sentence synopsis so I can point you to the potentially-right people.)

There are no wrong answers, mind you. It just helps me direct you to the right place and people.

Edit: I'm assuming you a.) know how to screenwrite b.) have a rough shooting script even if it's not fleshed-out.. Nobody is going to be willing to talk to you usually if you don't have your idea in the "right" format. If you're not a screenwriter, that's fine but you'll probably need to take on a partner before you can pitch anything to do that end of the work.

[romantico]

3. Thanks

Thank you both! Yes, I have both scripts written out. I have even story boarded one of them. The one I was thinking about doing first just needs to be shot in a suburban neighborhood. Problem is there is a flashback that is important to the story where I need the inside of a house from the early 60's. A very Atomic Ranch style look. This is my biggest challenge and no way of writing around it. Not sure if anyone ever saw the most recent Indiana Jones film but at the beginning Indy was on a crash site designed in a 50's era neighborhood. Luckily I don't need that but I do need a kitchen,living room,bedroom,etc. that looks like it would in the early 60's.

Like I said, I see it being well paced and about ten minutes. Luckily, I have a friend with some editing equipment and he has a friend who access to a lot of stuff such as lighting and software. I plan on buying the camera so I do have that advantage. Any advice or suggestions are appreciated. Many thanks again!

[LeftyMom]

4. Best bet might be to get in contact with a fan group for that kind of design?

I know there's a big midcentury modern fan group and home tour here, I can't imagine it would be difficult to find a similar group for early 60's design.

[Chan790]

5. Alright...

suburban is fairly ubiquitous so you're okay for anywhere.

The probable best course of action would be to start with your local or state office for tourism and cinema (or that of your shooting location. LM's advice is sound for finding your locale as you'd likely have to build it otherwise and that's going to be $$$.) as they often hand out grants for these sorts of projects. Each has its' own requirements and rules to qualify for grants or funding, but generally their goal is to get you to spend money in their state or location that will generate business, get you to hire local labor and to showcase their location as a nice location. As you're looking to make a student short, you're not going to be hiring much labor. However, most of these offices also run programs for first-time, small or amateur filmmakers, usually of a competitive nature or tied in to a local film festival meant to generate business and revenues.

I checked and you're in CT which is good because CT is making a major push to take film business away from NYC and the NYC suburbs and has put a lot of money into that effort. Their one general requirement for this sort of funding is that it's only open to CT residents and they prefer to fund by tax credit although they do also do some granting. Their web address is http://www.ct.gov/ecd/cwp/view.asp?a=3880&q=454824. They also offer assistance in finding/scouting location. They also might be able to direct you to other foundations or organizations looking to fund CT-based productions.

[romantico]

6. Yes

Yes,I should have said I live in Connecticut and I am well aware of the tax breaks the state gives the film industry. I've always felt lucky living where I live and felt I should take advantage. Thanks again for the helpful advice.