Short films have the power to win prestigious awards like the BIFAs, BAFTAs, and Oscars, launch careers, and engage audiences with concise storytelling. Crafting a short film is a great opportunity for a new filmmaker to establish their name or for a seasoned writer to explore a brief story they’re passionate about. Essentially, a short film is a compact movie with a compelling plot.
What Defines a Short Film? While there’s no strict rule in Hollywood about the length of a short film, it’s generally accepted that a short film is under 50 minutes long, with the average being around 20 minutes. Short films can be live-action, animated, or computer-generated and must have a clear beginning, middle, and end. The best short films focus on a single idea, using minimal settings and a few characters to tell their stories.
Optimal Length for a Short Film Screenplay: When writing a script, remember that one page typically translates to one minute of screentime. For a short film under 50 minutes, your script should be no longer than 50 pages. Starting with a 15-page script can be a good way to see where your story leads.
Many successful short films act as proofs of concept for larger projects, helping writers and directors secure funding for feature films or TV series.
The Value of Writing Short Films for Aspiring Filmmakers: Even if your goal is to direct, produce, or sell feature films, short films offer significant benefits. They are more than just film school exercises; they can open numerous doors for both new and experienced filmmakers.
Finding Representation: Short films can serve as a stepping stone to more opportunities, helping new screenwriters and filmmakers find representation. They are easy to distribute and provide a quick glimpse into a filmmaker's creative voice and perspective.
Gaining Visibility: Submitting your short film to festivals is a great way to gain exposure. Screening at a prominent festival can help you get recognized as a director and open doors to bigger projects. Shorter films have a better chance of being accepted since festivals aim to show as many films as possible.
Self-Distribution: While distributing an independent feature can be challenging, short films are easy to upload and share on platforms like Vimeo and YouTube. Research your target audience to maximize your film’s reach.
Securing Funding: Many feature films, such as Damien Chazelle’s "Whiplash," Neill Blomkamp’s "District 9," and James Wan’s "Saw," started as short films. These successful shorts helped their creators secure funding for larger projects.
Steps to Writing a Short Film: There are four basic steps: brainstorming, outlining, writing, and rewriting.
Brainstorming: If you don’t have a plot idea yet, start by brainstorming. Consider your clear memories, favorite film themes, and genres you enjoy. List all the scenes, set pieces, and dialogues you want in your film without worrying about coherence initially.
Outlining: Once you have a clear idea, outline your film. Like feature films, short scripts need a clear beginning, middle, and end. Some writers prefer to know every scene before writing, while others are comfortable with a broad framework. A beat sheet can be helpful during this stage.
Writing Your First Draft: Start writing your script, remembering to "enter late and leave early" in each scene. This means starting scenes as late as possible and ending them as soon as the necessary action is completed. Avoid unnecessary scenes, dialogues, or background information.
Rewriting: As the saying goes, "writing is rewriting." After completing your first draft, seek feedback from friends or mentors. You might need to revise your outline or make minor edits to improve scenes or dialogues.
Three Tips for Writing a Short Film:
Focus on a Simple Premise: Great short films have clear, concise ideas. Give your main character a specific goal or a tight deadline to create a compelling story within a limited timeframe.
Limit Characters and Backstories: Short films don’t have time for extensive character backgrounds. Focus only on what’s necessary for the audience to understand the protagonist’s journey. Minimize supporting characters and subplots.
Reduce Locations: Many successful short films are set in a single location. This approach can help you streamline your story and manage your budget effectively. For example, the award-winning short "Sam Did It" takes place entirely in a mortuary operating room.
Conclusion: Writing a short film can open many doors, providing opportunities you might not have considered. Whether you're an aspiring blockbuster filmmaker or an indie director, writing short films can be a rewarding experience. Have you started working on your next short film, or are you planning your first one? Check out our article on how to pitch your screenplay for more insights!
By Sal Framondi,
CEO/Founder, OPPRIME.tv
Producer, Black Filmmakers Matter
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