One Dollar Babies...decisions, decisions

[Geminii23]

For many years now I have been pursuing a career as an independent filmmaker and screenwriter. Outside of my daily job as a Video Production Manager and Editor, I am constantly working on my own personal projects.

Every year I basically set out to tackle something new that pushes me creatively. In 2013 I was Editor and Producer of a full length indie film. In 2014 I wrote, directed, edited and produced my first short film. 2015 saw the completion of my first full length script, a True Story quite literally 10 years in the making. And now 2016 is approaching. The itch has already begun.

Although I already have a few pet projects in the pipeline, including my never ending pursuit at completing the script and artwork for my graphic novels; for several weeks now I have been going back through SKs short stories and I have been contemplating taking a stab at the One Dollar Baby.

I initially thought that Rest Stop would be an ideal choice, but a quick IMDb search revealed that it is already one of the most frequent One Dollar Baby adaptation out there. Which makes total sense because it involves such limited cast members and locations. Easily done on a low-no budget.

So I wanted to reach out to the community on this. What other options on the list would all the SK fans be interested in seeing adapted into a short film? What is your favorite short story from the list?

Thanks.

 

[FlakeNoir]

For many years now I have been pursuing a career as an independent filmmaker and screenwriter. Outside of my daily job as a Video Production Manager and Editor, I am constantly working on my own personal projects.

Every year I basically set out to tackle something new that pushes me creatively. In 2013 I was Editor and Producer of a full length indie film. In 2014 I wrote, directed, edited and produced my first short film. 2015 saw the completion of my first full length script, a True Story quite literally 10 years in the making. And now 2016 is approaching. The itch has already begun.

Although I already have a few pet projects in the pipeline, including my never ending pursuit at completing the script and artwork for my graphic novels; for several weeks now I have been going back through SKs short stories and I have been contemplating taking a stab at the One Dollar Baby.

I initially thought that Rest Stop would be an ideal choice, but a quick IMDb search revealed that it is already one of the most frequent One Dollar Baby adaptation out there. Which makes total sense because it involves such limited cast members and locations. Easily done on a low-no budget.

So I wanted to reach out to the community on this. What other options on the list would all the SK fans be interested in seeing adapted into a short film? What is your favorite short story from the list?

Thanks.

Just a reminder that it won't be possible to share a finished film with the community here as they can only be shown in certain situations, such as at a film festival.

 

[CriticAndProud]

I remember I was going to do Popsy, because it is quite small in scope.

It didn't pan out.

 

[fljoe0]

I think Willa would be a good choice.

 

[Geminii23]

Just a reminder that it won't be possible to share a finished film with the community here as they can only be shown in certain situations, such as at a film festival.

Yes I believe you are only allowed to submit to film festivals - so I would have to make sure I did a great job so it could be screened at a festival near you!

I remember I was going to do Popsy, because it is quite small in scope.

It didn't pan out.

If you don't mind me asking, why didn't Popsy pan out for you? I did see that someone is working on Popsy right now according to IMDb

I think Willa would be a good choice.

I had thought about that one too, but it is also one that has been made several times in the last few years. That is definitely the challenge with this. Do I just make the story I am most passionate about despite it being already out there multiple times? Or attempt one that hasn't been done before or within the last decade?

I have been trying to narrow down the list to the ones that haven't shown up on IMDb:

Ballad of the Flexible Bullet
Dedication
LT's Theory of Pets
The Reach
Uncle Otto's Truck

I think all of these could be doable but a few might be unrealistic on a low budget.

 

[Moderator]

Yes I believe you are only allowed to submit to film festivals - so I would have to make sure I did a great job so it could be screened at a festival near you!



If you don't mind me asking, why didn't Popsy pan out for you? I did see that someone is working on Popsy right now according to IMDb



I had thought about that one too, but it is also one that has been made several times in the last few years. That is definitely the challenge with this. Do I just make the story I am most passionate about despite it being already out there multiple times? Or attempt one that hasn't been done before or within the last decade?

I have been trying to narrow down the list to the ones that haven't shown up on IMDb:

Ballad of the Flexible Bullet
Dedication
LT's Theory of Pets
The Reach
Uncle Otto's Truck

I think all of these could be doable but a few might be unrealistic on a low budget.

The dollar baby contracts are not exclusives, so even though it might not be listed on imdb (not all are), chances are someone else (or several people) has also done most of the ones that are currently on the list.

 

[CriticAndProud]

If you don't mind me asking, why didn't Popsy pan out for you? I did see that someone is working on Popsy right now according to IMDb

Youth and inexperience.

 

[Geminii23]

The dollar baby contracts are not exclusives, so even though it might not be listed on imdb (not all are), chances are someone else (or several people) has also done most of the ones that are currently on the list.

Good point. I supposed I shouldn't look at it any different than the constant stage plays going on everywhere based on famous works such as Shakespeare.

So does anyone know how the qualification or approval process is handled?

 

[FlakeNoir]

Good point. I supposed I shouldn't look at it any different than the constant stage plays going on everywhere based on famous works such as Shakespeare.

So does anyone know how the qualification or approval process is handled?

The application form can be found here.

 

[HollyGolightly]

Yes I believe you are only allowed to submit to film festivals - so I would have to make sure I did a great job so it could be screened at a festival near you!



If you don't mind me asking, why didn't Popsy pan out for you? I did see that someone is working on Popsy right now according to IMDb



I had thought about that one too, but it is also one that has been made several times in the last few years. That is definitely the challenge with this. Do I just make the story I am most passionate about despite it being already out there multiple times? Or attempt one that hasn't been done before or within the last decade?

I have been trying to narrow down the list to the ones that haven't shown up on IMDb:

Ballad of the Flexible Bullet
Dedication
LT's Theory of Pets
The Reach
Uncle Otto's Truck

I think all of these could be doable but a few might be unrealistic on a low budget.

I would love to see Ballad of the Flexible Bullet. That is one of my favorites!

 

[Geminii23]

I would love to see Ballad of the Flexible Bullet. That is one of my favorites!

Gonna re-read that one and Otto's Truck in the next few days.

 

[Geminii23]

The application form can be found here.

Thanks. Do you know if it is only open to students? I thought I read somewhere that it was open to independent filmmakers as well just that you can only show it through film festivals.