short films

"How to Make a Short Film: Important Tips and Advice"

• video by D4Darious (https://youtu.be/PaIEaciHvXI)

• length: 45 seconds - 40 minutes

  • the shorter the better
  • for film festivals: 1-15 minutes
• Know your resources
  • use what you own, can you lend from a friend of have money for
• Show don't tell
  • "Film is a visual medium. You communicate with images. You're telling stories with pictures. It's the most economic way to tell a story."
  • show the things you're trying to communicate about a character
• Strong opener
  • e.g. action, conflict, interesting shot
  • powerful, engaging
• Conflict
  • it's what makes it interesting
• Not a feature
  • you can't show 2 hours of content in 10 minutes
• Minimize backstory
  • the subject matter should not require it
• Avoid narration
  • a narrative tool that has been overused to the point of being clichè
  • use cases: contradiction to what is seen, irony
    • it should add value/ content/ another perspective
• Filmic subject
  • something that you can point a camera at
  • characters with a goal outside of themselves
• Event based
  • protagonist → obstacle / conflict → choice for resolution: stakes, pros & cons ⇒ dilemma → resolution
• Minimize # of characters
  • e.g. 2-4
• Locations
  • should also be minimized
  • write for locations that are interesting and practical
• Risks
  • because the invested time of the audience is much smaller than for a feature film, they will be much more willing to follow along even with characters they don't like
• Write what your know
  • stories will feel more authentic and original if the come from a place of experience and honesty
• Watch a ton of shorts
  • you can get ideas, but also know what has been done, done, and re-done

Short Film Analysis Elements

video by D4Darious

• title, thumbnail
• synopsis
• plot structure / story structure
  • center: goal
  • set-up
  • inciting incident: new problem presented, plan to solve it must be executed
  • rising action
  • climax
  • resolution
• colors / color palette / color grading
  • production design
• shots
  • depth
• premise, genre
• rule of thirds
• music / score
• target audience