Short films are like haikus in the world of cinema—concise, impactful, and capable of evoking profound emotions within a limited space. Besides being pieces of art in themselves, are often an important training ground for filmmakers to hone their craft. Many consider short films to be a proxy for and sometimes complementary to film school education due to the hands-on experience a filmmaker gets in implementing what they have learned.
As a writer, short films are particularly useful as they help you not only discover your voice and writing process but also allow you to experiment with different styles and subjects without the trappings of commercial considerations.
“Short films are like the business cards of filmmakers. They showcase your style, your voice, and your ability to tell a story in a limited time“.
Gina Prince-Bythewood
The allure of short films lies in their ability to distill narratives, presenting them in a compact yet potent form. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the elements of writing a short film script, which may be particularly useful if you’re writing your first or second short film.
Understanding the Short Film Format
Define Your Duration
Short films typically range from a few minutes to 30 minutes. In rare cases, they may even go up to an hour. The Academy Awards accept submissions in this category for films that are maximum 40 minutes including all credits. You can determine the ideal duration based on your story’s complexity and personal goals you have for the film.
Single Concept Focus
Unlike feature films, short films thrive on a single, well-developed concept. The brevity of short films can encourage you to experiment with different storytelling techniques. However, keep in mind that each moment in a short film must contribute meaningfully to the overall impact.
Crafting your Story
Idea Generation and Concept Development
Simplicity in Ideas: Short films thrive on simplicity. Embracing straightforward yet impactful ideas allows for a more focused and resonant narrative. Avoid overcomplicating your story to craft a compelling short film script. These ideas often emerge from “what if” thought experiments.
Drawing Inspiration from Real Life: Real-life experiences can be the most instinctive inspiration for short film narratives. Drawing from your personal encounters or observations infuses authenticity into the story, creating a more relatable and emotionally resonant script.
Adaptations: If you’re struggling to find the right idea or are unsure about the ones you have, a useful hack is to adapt copyright-free stories that are freely available in the public domain. Established stories have solid foundations and you can interpret them in your own way that highlights your unique style and voice. Be careful about not infringing on copyright, and obtain necessary permissions, especially if you plan to submit your short film to festivals.
Consider Budget: Short films often operate with limited budgets. Unless you’ve received a huge grant or a generous patron, discuss ways to write a compelling script that is both effective and feasible within budget constraints. This will also signal to potential future collaborators how resourceful you can be.
Character Development and Arcs
Memorable Characters: Creating memorable characters within a limited timeframe is an art. Try to craft each character such that they leave a lasting impression in the minds of the viewer. But having too many characters can be a tricky territory to enter. Instead, it’s wiser to focus on having fewer characters with deeper connection.
Conveying Character Arcs: While time may be limited, effective character arcs remain essential. If you’re aiming for depth, giving your protagonist an arc is critical. Explore methods to convey character development and transformation concisely, ensuring that each character serves a purpose in advancing the narrative. Use actions, expressions, and subtle details to convey character traits.
Structure Your Script
Setup, Conflict, Resolution: If you’re experimenting with tone, style, subject, then you can adopt the traditional three-act structure to build tension and engage viewers. Over-indexing on experimentation in every way may not be a wise approach. Establish the normalcy (Setup), introduce conflict (Confrontation), and provide resolution (Resolution) within the short time frame.
Opening Hook: Grab your audience’s attention from the beginning. A compelling opening scene sets the tone for the entire short film. This can be either a character introduction done uniquely or having a thematic scene or an inciting incident from the word go.
Effective Dialogue
Economical Dialogue: Every line of dialogue must contribute to character development, plot progression, or theme exploration. Be concise and avoid unnecessary exposition.
Immerse in Subtext: Use subtext to convey deeper meanings. Let the audience read between the lines, adding layers to your script.
Visual Storytelling
Utilize Visual Metaphors: Show, don’t just tell. Incorporate visual metaphors and symbolism to enhance storytelling. This applies not just in dialogue
Storyboarding: Visualize your script through storyboarding, if your story and vision require it. While this is a more common practice in feature films, you can always use this step for your short if it helps in planning shots, framing, and pacing, and if you have the resources for it.
End with a Twist or Resolution
Leave an Impression: Without sounding gimmicky, a memorable short film often concludes with a twist, revelation, or a resolution that lingers in the audience’s mind.
Avoid Ambiguity: While short films can be open-ended, ensure there is a sense of closure or a clear message. This is, however, optional since there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. If you passionately believe about an open ending, by all means go for it.
Finalizing Your Script
Polish Your Dialogue: Ensure every line is impactful, contributing to the overall narrative. Most revisions often end up tweaking dialogue for maximum impact and economy.
Check for Redundancy: Eliminate any unnecessary scenes, characters, or dialogue that do not serve the central theme.
Formatting and Presentation: Adhere to industry-standard formatting for scripts. A well-presented script is more likely to look professional and allow you to be taken seriously.
Feedback and Iteration
Iterative Nature of Scriptwriting: Scriptwriting is an inherently iterative process, a journey where the initial draft is merely the starting point and very often not the final blueprint or the shooting script. Each iteration is not just a step forward but an essential evolution in the script’s refinement.
Value of Feedback and Making Revisions: Feedback is a cornerstone of script development. It’s not just about receiving comments but about actively seeking external perspectives to breathe life into the script. Be flexible and open minded about the feedback you receive and try to not be overly defensive. Listening to and incorporating feedback is a crucial element in collaborative filmmaking.
Bonus Tip: Professional Software
Using specialized screenwriting software is one of the basic must-haves for any aspiring screenwriter, especially if you are looking to make this your profession. It ensures that you can focus on storytelling while the software takes care of formatting and industry standards.
Writing a short film script is a delicate balance of creativity, technical skill, and practical considerations. Embrace the challenge of distilling powerful narratives into a compact form and put your newfound knowledge into practice.