Scripted pieces with a beginning, a middle and an end
Short film production in Indianapolis
Sometimes the thing you want to say does not fit an advert. Short film gives it room, and gives an audience a reason to watch that is not obligation.
Trusted by 1000+ Companies across Indianapolis
Trusted by [X]+ brands across Indiana and beyond
What makes a good short film?
Short films made by brands usually fail because the brand cannot resist appearing. The product turns up in act two, the logo lands at the end, and the audience realises they were watching an advert with a longer runtime.
The ones that work are films first. The association with the brand is the reward for making something worth watching, not the point of it. That takes a level of restraint most marketing departments find difficult.
PERFECT FOR:
Festivals, brand storytelling and portfolio work
This is perfect for you if you're...
Having a story worth telling that an advert cannot hold
Building brand association through something people choose to watch
Entering festivals or building a directing portfolio
Marking something significant with more than a recap
Wanting work that is judged on craft rather than conversion
What every project includes
Concept & scripting
Developed with you before anything is filmed
Location access
We handle access, permissions and logistics
Crew & Equipment
Our own team and gear on every shoot
Direction on the day
Someone running the shoot, not just operating a camera
Editing and color
Finished by the people who were on set
Sound & Music
Licensed tracks, mixed properly [CONFIRM]
Multiple formats
Horizontal, vertical, square and captioned
Revisions
[MISSING]
Short films we've made
A national product campaign shot across three cities in two days
Result 1
Score metric 1
Result 2
Score Metric 2
PepsiCo - New Indianapolis Location
COMMERCIAL SHOOT
A national product campaign shot across three cities in two days
Result 1
Score metric 1
Result 2
Score Metric 2
PepsiCo - New Indianapolis Location
COMMERCIAL SHOOT
A national product campaign shot across three cities in two days
Result 1
Score metric 1
Result 2
Score Metric 2
PepsiCo - New Indianapolis Location
COMMERCIAL SHOOT
How a short film project runs
Discovery & scoping
A conversation about what the video has to achieve, who it's for, and where it runs. We'll tell you if the format you asked for is the right one.
Pre-Production
Concept, script, shot list, locations, scheduling and casting where needed. Nothing gets filmed until you've approved the plan.
Production
Our crew on location with our own equipment.
Edit & Delivery
First cut for your notes, then colour, sound and final delivery in every format you need.
AI SUMMARY
Creative Native Films produces short films in Indianapolis, Indiana, including scripted narrative work for brands and festival submission. Founded by Josh Smith and Adam Salinas, the team handles development, casting, location agreements and production. Short films typically run five to twenty minutes.
MEET THE FOUNDERS
Why us for short film
Scripted work is the most planning heavy thing we do. Casting, locations, schedule, coverage, continuity, all locked before the first day because a scripted shoot that improvises runs out of time by lunch. The freedom on the day comes from how tightly it was planned beforehand.
[NEEDS: Josh and Adam's own take.] Examples sit in our portfolio.
What makes a good short film?
Creative Native Films produces short films in Indianapolis, Indiana, including scripted narrative work for brands and festival submission. Founded by Josh Smith and Adam Salinas, the team handles development, casting, location agreements and production. Short films typically run five to twenty minutes.
Related services
Frequently Asked Questions
Downtown Indianapolis, at 525 S Meridian Street.
Where are you based?
Yes. We work throughout central Indiana — including Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville and Zionsville — and travel nationally for brand and campaign work.
Do you work outside of Indianapolis?
Do you charge for travel?
Do you charge for travel?
Start a short film project
Tell us the idea, even half formed. We will come back within a business day with a view on what it would take to make it properly.
