What Is a Proof of Concept?
How Filmmakers, TV Writers, and Creators Use POCs to Sell Their Stories
Look, here’s the truth: Hollywood, TV, even digital is tough to break in. You’ve got your script, maybe it’s great, maybe it’s even award-winning, but let’s be honest. Not a lot of execs have time to sit down and read pages. What they will watch? Five minutes of something that grabs them by the collar and makes them say, “I get it.”
That’s a Proof of Concept. It’s not your whole feature or series. It’s a piece, short, sharp, and cinematic, that shows the tone, the characters, the world. Think of it as your story’s handshake. A good one makes people lean in.
Proofs You Already Know
Here are a few you’ve probably heard of:
Whiplash – Damien Chazelle didn’t start with the feature. He cut a 17-minute short, people lost their minds, and that got him the money to make the full movie.
District 9 – Started with a gritty short called Alive in Joburg. Peter Jackson saw it and said, “This should be a movie.” And it was.
Saw – That horror empire started with one small, twisted proof. Just enough to show the hook, and that hook was sharp.
Deadpool – Before the movie, Ryan Reynolds and Tim Miller created a wild proof-of-concept clip. It leaked online, fans went crazy, and Fox finally greenlit the film.
The Babadook – Jennifer Kent’s short Monster was her proof of concept. It grew into The Babadook, one of the most acclaimed horror films of the past decade.
Frozen River – Courtney Hunt first made Frozen River as a short proof in 2004. Four years later, it became the Oscar-nominated feature.
Even in social media – A lot of micro-series or shorts take off because the first episode is the proof. It shows there’s an audience, and suddenly you’ve got momentum.
Proofs by GET IT MADE Productions
Explore our slate of Proofs of Concept with pitch decks, POC scripts, and films available to watch.
Afterlifetime – When a UN intern is summoned to the River Styx, she must join forces with Death himself to stop a war that could unravel the entire afterlife.
Cravings – In the wake of a devastating brain disease, a psychologist turns to radical Halfdead Therapy, blurring the line between cure and catastrophe.
Disaster Man – A hapless insurance adjuster with destructive powers is forced onto a government mission in Mexico City, where survival means outwitting cartels, the police, and his own chaotic abilities.
Wingspan – A daring farm girl rescues an injured dinosaur and ignites a battle between loyalty, survival, and the fractured bonds of her town.
Why It Works
Because talk is cheap. You can explain your story a hundred different ways, but once someone sees it, feels the tone, hears the voice, and watches the characters come alive, you’ve got their attention. And once you’ve got their attention, that’s half the battle.
The Bottom Line
A Proof of Concept isn’t about making a perfect short film. It’s about proving your story is ready for the big stage, whether that’s a feature, a series, or even a digital-first project.
At GET IT MADE, that’s the bridge we’re building. Taking storytellers from script to screen, one Proof at a time.
The Anatomy of a Proof of Concept
A POC isn’t your whole movie squeezed into ten minutes. It’s a taste, a signal flare, the part that makes people lean in and go, “Alright, I get it.” Here are some basics to keep in mind:
Length. Keep it short. Three to ten minutes is the sweet spot. Long enough to hook, short enough to leave them wanting more.
Pages. Script side, aim for about six pages. That’s what we use at GET IT MADE.
Scope. Don’t show the whole story. Pick the moment that screams your tone, your world, your characters.
Production value. You don’t need Marvel money, but you do need it to look and sound pro. Clean visuals, strong sound, great performances.
The hook. What’s the piece that sells your story? That’s what goes in the proof. Leave the rest for the feature or the pilot.
Format. It can be a short film, a cinematic trailer, or even a sizzle reel. Whatever best proves your idea works on screen.
Audience. Know who you’re showing it to. Executives, investors, festivals, or even a digital audience. The format should match the target.
