Storytelling
Film making is really focused on telling compelling and engaging visual stories. All film follow a common production stages that takes a great idea through to the final release.
Production Stages:
Pre-production (the planning) - everything that needs to be done before shooting
Production (the shooting) - shooting the shots and recording any audio required
Post-production (the editing) - editing the story to capture the message/emotion in a logical and visually interesting way that will engaged the "target audience"
Without proper planning the film is likely to fail it's objectives or lack an engaging visual flow. Careful planning will provide an opportunity to create a believable short film, where the audience believes what they are watching.
Remember: It all begins with a good idea and a good script
Film making is really focused on telling compelling and engaging visual stories. All film follow a common production stages that takes a great idea through to the final release.
Production Stages:
Pre-production (the planning) - everything that needs to be done before shooting
Production (the shooting) - shooting the shots and recording any audio required
Post-production (the editing) - editing the story to capture the message/emotion in a logical and visually interesting way that will engaged the "target audience"
Without proper planning the film is likely to fail it's objectives or lack an engaging visual flow. Careful planning will provide an opportunity to create a believable short film, where the audience believes what they are watching.
Remember: It all begins with a good idea and a good script
Three Act Structure of film storytelling
Filmmaking has a long history of following a structure. That structure is called the "3 Act Structure".
On a short film we need to make sure we have an interesting beginning, a middle with conflict or challenges and and ending that brings some kind of resolution for the main character (protagonist). This does not that all stories do or should have happy endings. But the story itself must reach a conclusion to allow the audience to feel they have watched a full story.
Following is an excellent summary of the film structure followed for decades in Hollywood for writing a story that follows structure. For a short film there is just less time to develop the sotry but nonetheless it must have a beginning, middle and end to satisfy the audience.
Filmmaking has a long history of following a structure. That structure is called the "3 Act Structure".
On a short film we need to make sure we have an interesting beginning, a middle with conflict or challenges and and ending that brings some kind of resolution for the main character (protagonist). This does not that all stories do or should have happy endings. But the story itself must reach a conclusion to allow the audience to feel they have watched a full story.
Following is an excellent summary of the film structure followed for decades in Hollywood for writing a story that follows structure. For a short film there is just less time to develop the sotry but nonetheless it must have a beginning, middle and end to satisfy the audience.
Example of story structure brought to you by Film Riot.
"Hooking" the audience
Hooking the audience means to grab their attention and draw them into the story of your film. It is crucial that you make the audience want to watch your film and you have to do that very quickly on a short film.
It is important to grab the attention of your audience in about the first 15 sec. of a short 3 min. film. If you fail to grab their attention quickly they are very likely to click off your film and move on - unlikely to return and give you a chance to tell your story.
Feature films are much longer and have longer to establish their story and "hook" the audience (approx. 2-3 min.). But even feature films must generate interest in the story early to keep the interest and attention of the audience.
Below is a tutorial that describes the importance of hooking your audience early in a short film and ways to do it.
D4Darius has an excellent series of videos describing the short film storytelling process.
Hooking the audience means to grab their attention and draw them into the story of your film. It is crucial that you make the audience want to watch your film and you have to do that very quickly on a short film.
It is important to grab the attention of your audience in about the first 15 sec. of a short 3 min. film. If you fail to grab their attention quickly they are very likely to click off your film and move on - unlikely to return and give you a chance to tell your story.
Feature films are much longer and have longer to establish their story and "hook" the audience (approx. 2-3 min.). But even feature films must generate interest in the story early to keep the interest and attention of the audience.
Below is a tutorial that describes the importance of hooking your audience early in a short film and ways to do it.
D4Darius has an excellent series of videos describing the short film storytelling process.
Online Script Formatting Guide
http://www.storysense.com/format.htm
Formatted Partial Script Exemplar
http://www.storysense.com/format.htm
Formatted Partial Script Exemplar
Full Script for download
hard_"cell"_short_film_by_mr._snyder_mar_2018_v3.pdf | |
File Size: | 6 kb |
File Type: |
Celtx Tutorials - There are many other tutorials on Youtube
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Using Celtx Storyboard Feature