SHORT FILMS: THE BANE OF MY EXISTENCE
I don't like watching most short films. I prefer the more complexities that feature length stories allow.
Almost every time I attempt to write a short film, one of two things always happens: either 1. I end up absolutely H-A-T-I-N-G it,.. even if it could arguably be just as good as most films accepted into festivals; or 2. I can't resist expanding it into a full length story and refuse to cut anything. Thus, I usually end up making SHORT STORIES, NOT traditional short films (that entail only a "moment in time"/episode of an interesting but not fleshed-out character).

But reality and finances are not allowing me to make feature films at this time.
However,... I HAVE to make content to prove to potential investors and cast & crew that I can make films!
On the other hand, I can not afford to not have a life all year as I save up $3k - $9k to make one film a year - which is still not enough to guarantee the cast and crew will commit to it.

THE PLAN:
1. Make a few short films (or SOME type of content) that I CAN make despite limited resources, yet they are to my satisfaction, memorable, and as close as possible to showcasing my signature style and abilities.
2. Use the content I create to build up a social media following.
3. Use crowd funding to make the projects that I WANT to make, the GOOD stuff!!
* Meanwhile, volunteer to help out any other filmmakers (especially anyone that helps me with MY projects) so I don't get cabin fever from not doing ANYTHING, and also using the opportunity to learn & grow as a filmmaker while creating contacts in this field.

I may not be able to pay much ($250/day min. for main roles), but I do insist that no one LOSES any money. Most of the time, 80 to 90% of the budget is to reimburse & per diem the cast & crew.

So far, I have made "TEENAGE INQUISITION" & "GAZING INTO THE ABYSS." However, they do not accurately represent who I want to be known as a film-maker. One was simp0ly making a minimalist film just because I could make one, and the other was a minimalist co-production with someone I admired. I do have about 3 more minimalist projects I can do - a minimalist romance-drama during an apocalypse, a minimalist tale with themes of responsibility, and a slightly-expensive but minimalist sci-fi short story about a Guard crash lands the space shuttle while transporting a prisoner; however, again, they are not the projects I would like to be known for, but rather just films to prove I can make films.

Hopefully, in two or four years I can begin to make the stories I WANT to make, as soon as a "Genie grants three wishes" (but done in a new way) minimalist short is completed. Assuming my personal life is in order, I am out of debt, I have a good reliable new car, and I have begun to build up a social following.

In the meantime, other than helping other filmmakers with their projects and working on a huge documentary, I will be working on the SCRIPTS for the films I shoot upon MY return. Those new scripts will be on a whole new level! For me, the blueprint and backbone of a good film is the SCRIPT, allowing room for the actors to contribute to the characters within the context of the story! Amateur hour is over: 2028 or 2030 will be a new chapter, with higher grade stories and dialogue.