How to Write A Short Film Script

This is the second video in the How to Make a Short Film mini series. This one focuses on how to write your short film script. Here are a couple beginner tips on the process for writing your first short film! We'll talk about loglines, film treatments, three act structure, Dan Harmons story circle and the importance of reading scripts.

Download Scripts

Treatments/Outlines

MY GEAR (affiliate links below)
CAMERA- Sony A7Siii
MAIN LENS - Sigma 24-70mm f2.8
ZOOM LENS - Sigma 24-70 f2.8
TRIPOD - Sachtler Ace XL

[Neutral_zed]

"fade in:"
*starts overthinking everything*

absolute cinema

[erenity]

i'm just a middle schooler trying to write a short film for graduation and this video helped me so much! the quality is just impeccable and the tips are so helpful for me. thank you so much!

[thewellvideoproductions]

True, having an outline to explain what the film is about and keep you on track is invaluable. I really like David Lynch's approach of writing. He starts with 50 to 60 index cards for the beats of the film, then write rearranges them accordingly, then fleshes the scenes out and begins his dialog.

[shopwornbear]

I am, at the ripe old age of 58, writing my first draft for my first short subject film. I appreciated learning about that "log line". It actually gave me the perfect road map to developing the idea. Thank you for this series, it'll be put to very good use when I have my final draft ready to storyboard and shoot (a no budget film, this ought to be interesting).

[melissamokhtari]

first of all, your acting in those short bits is impeccable. second, i'm tryin to make my next videos a little more well-planned so your series is helping me out a lot!!

[intellectualtheta]

Usually I don't like any video but this video forced me to like it because it is so underrated and hard worked

[apexTHC]

Absolutely CRUSHED IT with this one, bro! Straight facts, to the point, concise and super entertaining! Thank you, Rian!

[rhysmckernan]

This is my personal view, I do moving image/film in high-school. I've found that its helpful to find inspiration and learn from many people. Obviously dont copy them but have a style that is your own but also comfortable and unique it'll take sometime. But listening to professional advice especially in schools might not often be very helpful when it comes to creativity. They expect too much in a short time at times.

[amaneemoore]

Thank you so much...I am in the process of writing my very first film and your series just helped me out tremendously... thank God for you ❤.... blessings

[gxdpictures]

Bro, I be binge-watching screen writing tips on youtube now for about weeks and this was the best video I saw so far! Some how I got so much chills and trust just by the way you‘re smiling and telling what you gotta tell us... love that positive energy! Keep your work on🤝🔥

[sarathputhiyedath]

Man u have a lot of knowledge😍 I think I need to watch your video twice 😍🙏

[half.cooked.noodle]

The video isn’t just informative but so creative as well. Loved it

[IornaLawrence]

The young man there give me what I need this year. He also advised to push goals. God bless you

[tiagoloureiro]

Man this is an underrated video, Such good quality :U

[EmmaLangdon]

I did media studies this semester so I’ve been getting into writing and outlining short films so thank you this was really helpful and I like how you acted scenes out ahah

[KimDaKreative]

Great video, the first thing I loved was your honesty. "I am not a professional writer" Helpful, Thank you.

[lowiss]

I LOVE how great is your video! Creative, informative, perfectly done !

[SoCreate]

Great content! Love that you mentioned the importance of planning.

[ben]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge. I just figured out at age 32 that I want to become a film writer and I’m also very scared to do it. But I realized that rather than sleeping on top of my dream it’s better to fall asleep while working for it.


I will make use of all your tips for my first draft and let’s see how it goes

[thomascrow]

this seems like a high subscriber channel, shocked that you only have 2k. great great quality keep up the good work!