Making a short film can seem like an indomitable task. Most writers and directors struggle to get their productions off the ground, often because they lack the resources to get started. No need to worry though, we’re going to show you step-by-step how to make a short film with video guides and all the software you’ll need. Make sure to reference this guide as you’re going through your production to check off all of the steps.
1. Start with a question
Ask yourself, what kind of film do I want to make? You can choose from one of the dozens of movie genres, or filmmaking styles such as Film Noir, Cinéma Vérité, or Dogme 95. Whichever direction you decide to go, just remember to make sure you can actually do it. It's nice to dream of a big-budget sci-fi epic but few of us would be able to realize that dream.
Making a short film begins with organization and preparation. The bigger the scale of your production, the more obstacles you're likely to run into. Make sure to plan for road-bumps accordingly.
Your short film doesn’t have to be a big production. If this is your first time making a short, then you’re going to want to keep things as simple as possible. Just keep in mind that our rules for how to make a short film apply to productions of all sizes.
2. Develop a concept
Every story starts with a concept. Don’t limit yourself at this stage of production — dream up the story you want to make. Brainstorm short film ideas, watch some of the best short films for inspiration, and see what sticks.
Filmmaking is an art-form of endless possibilities, so you don’t want to start the process by telling yourself that what you want to make is impossible.
It may end up being impossible, but the most important thing at this step is to try your best to conceptualize what you want to see. Also, you’re going to want to set up a production calendar so that you can stick to a timeline.
3. Write a script
There’s a wide variety of ways to tackle your script. Here are some additional tips on writing a short film.
The process of learning how to properly format a screenplay can be a nightmare. One engaging way to learn the formatting guidelines is to read professional screenplays. We have dozens of script teardowns with screenplay PDFs for you to choose from. You may also want to consider picking up a copy of The Screenwriter’s Bible and the Save the Cat beat sheet.
Your short script should be between 5-50 pages. Remember, each page of your script roughly equates to one minute of screen-time. Once you finish writing your first draft, spend some time away from it if possible (1-2 weeks) then go back and do an edit.
When it seems like it’s in good shape, you might want to share a few copies with friends/colleagues and request that they give you some notes. Don’t be discouraged if you receive tough feedback, that will only help you get better!
HOW TO MAKE A SHORT FILM SCRIPT BREAKDOWN
4. Make a script breakdown
Once you’re satisfied with your script, you’re going to want to do a script breakdown. This will help organize the story of your film into a practical production. If you’ve never done a script breakdown before, don’t worry, this video will explain what you need to know to get started:
The difference between a script and a script breakdown can be night and day. Oftentimes, the script is nothing more than the story itself. The script breakdown is where that story becomes the blueprint for a production.
5. Draw storyboards
Now it’s time to visualize your film. Download StudioBinder’s storyboard creator software to get started. If you’re not a good artist, don’t worry, neither am I. The video below will show you everything you need to know to get the vision out of your brain and onto the page.
No matter how good you are at drawing, storyboards help to bring a film’s vision to life.
6. Finalize your scope
This is the stage in which you will have to start considering the realistic scope of your production. Don’t be afraid though, it’s just a matter of finding the best option. A lot depends on your budget, but there are five essential things you’re going to need regardless:
Choosing a Camera
Renting equipment like lighting kits and DSLR Mics
Casting Your Talent
Hiring a Crew
Securing Set(s) and/or Locations
Let’s say you’re trying to make your movie for as cheap as possible. Your smartphone can be your camera. Don’t believe me? Just listen to award winning director Sean Baker explain how he made his 2015 film Tangerine entirely on iPhones:
Looking for cast and crew? Perhaps your friends are interested in helping out. When you use only what’s at your disposal to make a movie, that’s called zero budget filmmaking. And if you want to stand out with your zero budget filmmaking, consider reading up on Dogme 95 and adhering to the filmmaking “vows of chastity” as popularized by Danish directors Thomas Vinterberg and Lars von Trier.
For something more elaborate, you may want to look at hiring cast and crew. Check out our
