What is a short film?
A short film is a cinematographic production of short duration, generally not exceeding 30 minutes. Between 30 and 40 minutes, it is a medium-length film. Over 50 minutes, it is called a feature film. The main themes of this “mini-film” often revolve around universal subjects that are emotionally powerful, easy to express in a short space of time, and that leave a lasting impression on the viewer. The best short films often convey a single strong idea, a main emotion, and an original point of view on a universal theme.
Short films are an excellent way to learn the craft of screenwriting
Short films help novice filmmakers learn their trade. They generally cost less to produce than feature-length films (subject, of course, to the scale and artistic choices of the project). In fact, this concise work :
- Requires less shooting time, fewer sets, fewer actors, less equipment, etc.
- Requires a smaller technical team
- Requires less post-production work
- Uses less well-known actors
- Can be financed via alternative solutions (subsidies, grants, competitions, crowdfunding)
A business card to raise your profile
Writing a short film script helps to raise your profile in the industry, particularly at film festivals where a section is dedicated to short films. Did you know that? In his early days, François Truffaut used short films to generate interest and confidence. Young and inexperienced at the time, he and a group of friends (who would later become the Nouvelle Vague) would shoot very short films in the streets or villages.
A successful short film makes an impression on the public, wins prizes at festivals and becomes the key to getting a job in film or video production.
Find an original idea for a short film
Ideas for short films come from many sources. Short films are not based on a complex plot. Instead, it is based on a simple but powerful idea, gleaned from every moment of life, including dreams! A crazy, amusing dream can give rise to a highly original short film. Most of these short film productions are inspired by :
- A character faced with a moral choice.
- An unusual situation in an ordinary setting.
- A strange person encountered in the street
- A news item or local legend.
- A scene overheard in a café
- A personal or family anecdote
- An intense moment in life (break-up, revelation, encounter, solitude, etc.).
- A report or real event from the press
Build the structure of your script
Writing a short film script requires clarity, concision and narrative efficiency. Because the format is short, the scriptwriter’s job is to get straight to the point with every scene, every dialogue and every image.
Drawing up a plan
Before writing the screenplay, it is essential to draw up a plan to organise, scene by scene, what is going to happen in the film. The plan helps to structure the story, anticipate the pace and clarify what you want to show on screen.
Create a 3-part structure
To write a short film, we use a 3-act structure (even for a 5-minute short). The structure is broken down as follows:
- 20 to 25% of the film introduces the character, the world and the trigger.
- 60% of the film is devoted to the build-up and development of the conflict, the evolution of the characters and the plot, the addition of obstacles and revelations, etc.
- 15% of the film deals with the resolution, the denouement, the fall. The ending leaves a strong emotion or provokes reflection.
Writing the short film
Writing a short film script should take around fifteen pages, i.e. one page of writing for one minute of film. The script is limited to the essentials and follows a single guideline, favouring simplicity and highlighting key elements (an identified hero, a strong and simple idea, an objective or a conflict).
How should scenes be written?
Scenes are written in the present tense, one after the other, so that they fit together perfectly and stay within the allotted time. In a short film, each scene must serve to advance the story or reveal something, i.e. :
- Move towards a conflict or a revelation
- Build tension
- Provide an emotion or a turn of events
Dialogue
Dialogue should not be lost in pointless exchanges that do nothing to advance the plot. In a short film, the visual is king. The writing of a one-minute short film always favours action and images over chatter.
Rewriting and feedback
A first draft of a short film is rarely perfect. It is essential to reread the script aloud to test the rhythm. This stage will allow you to cut out anything that doesn’t serve the story or slows down the tempo. To perfect it, don’t hesitate to rewrite the script, or even start from scratch if necessary.
The screenwriter’s opinion is not enough. All screenwriting requires feedback. To do this, the script should be given to third parties (friends, film-makers, scriptwriters, etc.) to read and give their opinion on what they understand, what they feel, etc.
Making your film pitch will also enable you to summarise the story in a few lines and check that the idea is coherent, strong and understandable. A good short film pitch should answer 4 questions:
- Who is the main character?
- What is their goal or desire?
- What is the obstacle or conflict?
- What is at stake or the tone?
Tools and software for writing a short film
- Celtx, a very popular program with a clear interface, ideal for beginners. This comprehensive tool for scriptwriting, storyboarding and audiovisual project management is available free of charge in a basic version and with a subscription for advanced options.
- Trelby, a complete, 100% free script editor. This software comes with a range of features (pagination, automatic formatting, spellchecker, etc.) to ensure that your script is correctly structured.
- CapCut, free script software. CapCut is a versatile creative toolbox with robust features for creating and editing videos. It is suitable for content creation and ideal for short film beginners, or those looking for a clean result, quickly and free of charge.
- Final Draft, a professional standard, is widely used in the film industry. This professional scriptwriting tool is specially designed for writing scripts for films, series, short films, plays or any other audiovisual project. It is one of the most widely used tools in Hollywood and in major international productions. It allows you to write a screenplay in standard professional format, with automatic style, margins, formatting, etc.
- WriterDuet is modern, cloud-based scriptwriting software. It lets you write with several people or online, in real time. This collaborative working tool is ideal for scriptwriters who work together remotely.
