Making a Short Film: Start to Finish

Learn how to make your own short film. Explore the basic elements of screenwriting, production, and directing.

Introduction

• Create your own short film

1. Script

• Where to look for ideas
• Is your idea a story?
• Character
• Mapping the script structure
• From skeleton to outline
• Screenplay format
• Writing the screenplay
• Rewriting and revisions
• Preparing the rest of your production

2. Camera, Lighting, and Sound

• Script analysis and breakdown
• Understanding visual storytelling
• Part 1: Shots and shot composition
• Part 2: Elements of shot composition
• Camera movement
• Part 1: Shots working together
• Part 2: Audience emotion
• Lighting
• Sound
• Production design, costumes, hair and makeup

3. Preparing Your Production

• How to approach prepping your production
• Creative challenges
• Technical challenges
• Producer’s challenges
• Take a list of you
• Budgeting
• Scheduling
• Assembling your crew
• Locations

4. Working with Actors and Preproduction

• Casting
• The producing side of casting
• Rehearsals
• Working with actors on set

5. Production

• A typical day on set
• Coverage
• Make the pages
• Communication efficiency
• Common logistical issues
• Planning for post-production