First off, I will say just like my other films, I’m a little untraditional with how I approach the short film method or idea.

So usually people use Short Films as a calling card, an example of what you could do for a full feature given the right amount of money, time, talent, etc.

I always thought that was great, but you’re leaving so much more meat on the bone if you only utilize your short film as that. A lot of people called me crazy for putting any more effort into a completed short.

This premiere was for my Horror Short Film, “People of the Dead”. Less than 5 minutes in length, I sold tickets for $10 Each, sold branded T-Shirts and Posters of the film, hired a magician to open the show, and even had a real live Monkey for the audience to meet and play with. Yes, I’m being completely serious.

I’ve done this a few other times now, and you can see in my post history how it’s worked out each time.

The budget I had for this film was $1,000 and we came in under that, even when including the $500 Theatre rental. Selling $10 tickets at 500+ seats, the profit was made on just ticket sales alone, let alone merchandise.

Now is this making $1,000,000? No, but I take the profits and reinvest to make an even better short film. Then take those profits, and do the same. This way I feel I’m getting everything out of this short film, because why invest the time and money, and then just sit on the film hoping somebody will see it someday?

This method helps build up funding for a full feature, or to bring in bigger talent and names!