I was just curious of this seeing as how these films here are all short films. I was wondering if you guys want to keep going with short or if you have transitioned to feature length. Me? I'm a feature length guy. I feel that you're able to develope the characters more and tell a story easier than you are with a short film. I don't know about you guys, though. So which do you choose, feature or short and why?

Well, I've done numerous shorts and one feature. The feature was by far more fun and satisfying -- but also immensly more difficult...not to mention much more expensive. If you are an independent filmmaker without financial backing, you definately have to be sure that everyone involved with the film is as dedicated to it as you are before you start filming -- otherwise it will all fall apart. However, it is still much more gratifying to do a feature. That way, you can always say, "Hey, I made a feature-length movie."

Well, when you're a student filmmaker, you have limited resources such as time and money. You need to time for other classes and you need money. Lots of money to make a feature film. Not to say that I, or anyone else on this site, would like to make a feature film but you have learn to walk before you can run. Making a short film is a learning process, but there's also a art form in making a short. I've seen many short films that are far and away have much better stories than features. But I digress. Short films are very important in the learning process, hence why this site is called 'studentfilms.com' and not 'shortfilms.com.'

I started with a feature. A while back, I knew I had this burning desire to do something. I wasn't sure what... Did I just want to perform? Act? Or write? Or produce music? Or direct? All I knew was, I was a sucker for movies.

So, I did it all, first time around. The result: "Peripheral Vision", a staggering 3 hour epic about puberty. No joke…. The trailer is actually on this site.

All said, I had done it. I proved to myself this was something I not only WANTED to do, but it was something I COULD do. And sure as anything, I would.

Since, I haven't dared to do another feature. Shorts are somewhat more satisfying, and, well, they get you thinking: how can I trim this down? how can I make all of this fit under 30 mins? They’re more challenging when it comes to limitations. And that’s fun. Besides, the feature stripped away 2 yrs of my life. And above that, I failed Biology.

So for the aspiring highschooler, I recommend shorts.

Well, most of the relevant points have been made, but Ill throw in my hat as well.

Features, are mainly an issue of money, as stated. Shorts, can cost significantly less. There is also the issue of time. Do you have the time to invest in a feature film shoot, which may take weeks, months, even years? More importantly, do the people working for free (IE: crew, talent, ect..) have the time, and commintment for that long a haul.

I have to recomend shooting shorts first for several reasons.

One: They say we all have 10 to 20 bad films in us, so, better to get them out of the way on short, video based films, then to invest all the time, effort, and money, into something that may not come out as you planned. Test your skills in a small format first, If you pass your test, move on.

Two: Short films are more difficult. They have to be simple, yet intresting. You dont have time for character development ( unless your like me, and they run 30 minutes) so you have to be selective about what you show the audience. You cant take the time to explain it, it has to be there already. If you can tell an intresting, and entertaining story in five minutes, chances are, you can do it in 90.

Start small, dont think big is the only way to go. Have a feature script? Pick a key scene, and shoot, and edit only that. Did it come out the way you planned? if so, continue, if not, try again, until it does. I just hate to see people get overwhelmed and quit, so, start small, and dont quit!
R. M. McWhorter

And you shall know us by the trail of dead.

I would love to make a feature length film...however.....

I guess thats all I have to say is "however"

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