Recently I opened up script submissions for short films at my production company

We normally get between 50-100 submissions. This time we had 67 projects pitched to us and, so far, I’ve turned down 38 before even asking for the script

Unlike last time, most of the projects I’ve rejected so far have all been for the same reason

So if you’ve had a rejection recently (not just from me), this might be why

The #1 reason I turned down projects this week

Put simply: I don’t feel passionately enough about the script or subject matter

That’s literally it

Not because the writing was bad or the idea was bad. In fact, with the scripts I have read, the writing has been exceptional for pretty much every one. The projects simply weren’t for me

Read more: What to do when film producers don’t accept unsolicited scripts

Short filmmaking is a 1-3 year process of constantly trying to push a film uphill for no reason other than you believe in it

You’re not getting paid anything close to what would properly cover the amount of work you do. As producers, we don’t get the same kind of career benefits as writers and directors

A well-received short film can propel a writer or director to exciting contacts, a higher budget for the next film or even their first feature. Producers don’t get those sorts of results. In fact, when we try and make our first feature, any short film experienced we have is essentially disregarded

The only reason we usually say yes to a project is simply because we believe in it and want it to get made

If you don’t believe in the project, you’re not going to actively push it forward

And if the producer isn’t pushing it forward, then it probably won’t get made

Read more: Why producers aren’t replying to you (don’t make these 5 mistakes)

So if you’ve had a rejection recently, or you get one in the future, remember it might just be a case of ‘good script but not for me’

And all that means is that the project is good! You just need to find the right person! How fun is that? You’ve created something out of nothing and it’s good! Someone will love it! You’re gonna find them soon!

Save this for later and hopefully my excessive exclamation points will make any future rejections a tiny bit easier

Read more: 6 steps to get producers asking for your script

Other reasons I turned down short films this week

Aside from simply not being passionate enough about the story, there was a handful of other reasons I turned down some of the projects I got pitched recently

1: Horror

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times. I’m not a horror girly. I’m not going to be the best person to pitch a horror film to

2: Too complex or difficult to shoot

This one sort of ties into not being passionate enough, because if I was truly passionate about the script, any complex production details wouldn’t matter. Alas, since I didn’t feel passionately enough about the story, complex production details (such as half of the shoot would need to be completed in Italy) were the main reason in me turning the project down

3: The female characters weren’t great

This probably goes without saying, but if your female characters are two-dimensional and only exist to propel the storyline forward/give the male lead something to respond to, I’m not the person you should be pitching

4: Common locations, themes or storylines

Having just wrapped up my second year as a film festival judge, there are a few super common things in short films that I’m just tired of seeing

They include: swimming pools (especially women learning to swim), kitchens (and high-stress storylines), people with autism and/or ADHD going for job interviews, women learning a new hobby (in order to get over some kind of trauma)

Are all these stories important and meaningful? Absolutely. I’m not saying don’t make them, I’m just personally a little bit tired of seeing them, which again ties into not being passionate enough to make them

Read more: My second year as a film festival judge: what’s changed

5: They didn’t follow the rules

We always specify a few things when we open up submissions. Firstly, put a certain phrase in the subject line. (This time we chose “SHORT FILM”). Secondly, don’t send the script until we ask for it. Third, send us your materials before the 6pm deadline

These are just the little details that we look out for when people contact us, as I’ve found that the ones who don’t stick to the guidelines usually aren’t that great to work with

We do always give them the benefit of the doubt, as sometimes people are just excited and don’t read everything properly, or else they’re working two jobs just to survive and so everything is rushed for them

So it’s not terrible by any means, just something that I personally look out for

Note how a lot of these reasons are highly specific to me? This is why finding the right producers for you and your project is essential

Ready to find the perfect producer and get them onboard in 7 days (without having to say ‘I’m searching for a producer’)?

Get The Magnetic Post Formula that my student used to get a producer onboard in 48 hours!

Happy pitching!