Top Tips for Crafting a Short Film Script

I teach Writing The Short Film at a couple of universities. One of the best pieces of advice I ever got was that the inciting incident is often the act break. In a feature film, there is usually an inciting incident in the first ten minutes, followed by the protagonist taking action around thirty minutes in. However, in a short film, you don’t have that much time, so you need to drop us into the story as soon as possible.

Outline Your Story

Start with an outline. I know it’s a major PITA, but it’ll save you hours of worry and maybe even the script itself. It doesn’t have to be fancy: just jot it down on a yellow legal pad or whatever works for you. Note where the story begins, where it goes, and what happens next. It’ll be far easier to revise your outline than the script, and as you write, you’ll have a clear idea of where your script is going. Remember that nothing is locked in stone. It’s an outline, not a finished draft. Feel free to update and revise as your script grows. And most of all, have fun. Enjoy the work. Yeah, writing is painful, but in a really good way.

Write, Revise, and Write Again

Once you have your outline, it’s time to sit down and write. Write something. Then revise it. Then revise it another 20 times. This is the only way to do it. It may sound tedious, but revision is where the magic happens.

Since it sounds like you are writing a short film of your own, here are some good pointers:

Consider Your Budget

Don’t write a high concept screenplay that demands tons of props or special effects. Keep it simple with a focus on dialogue and easy-to-film action. No stunts you can’t do on your own with your actors. Also, keep it short. The longer the runtime, the more filming, the more cost, and the more problems that could arise.

Choose Accessible Locations

Consider the locations you have access to. Types like malls and hospitals can be difficult to secure. Instead, think about a cabin in the woods or a haunted house. Low-budget movies often take place in such settings for a reason.

Avoid Special Effects

Avoid using lots of special effects and the idea that you will fix it in post. This is less efficient and can often result in a lower-quality final product. Just reshoot it until you get it right.

Hope this helps! Happy writing!