Embedded Files
Rule # 1: Film is about telling stories. "How" you tell your story is (usually) much more important than "what" you tell. Planning your film, for me, is the hardest part of creating a film and the most often underestimated by students.
Rule # 2: There are no shortcuts in making a short film. If you put in the time to plan, write, film, record audio, and edit, you will have a better chance of making a good film. Want to start with professional help? Work through Martin Scorcese's Film School. You could skip all of this and review the "32 Lessons Learned by a First Time Cinematographer". And YES you can make a great short film with no budget. Just ask Christopher Nolan.
Steps to making a short film:
Steps to making a short film:
PREPRODUCTION:
Idea(s) (must be appropriate) This should be one line to describe the basic premise of your film. This doesn't have to be something enormous or cataclysmic or new - you can pick almost anything. It's the story and HOW you tell it that matter.
Story! Some say this is the toughest part of film making. Without question, it is the most important. You can have mediocre equipment and rookie actors, but if you have a great story, you will have the best chance of success. What is the goal of your main actor (protagonist)? What do they need? What/who is standing in their way (antagonist)? An excellent route to story writing is following the "8 Point Story Arc".
Start by printing/completing the Story Creation handout
Next, complete the "Visual Story Guide". If you can't answer the 6 questions, you don't have a story. Thank you to Glenn Gers
Complete a script treatment: Script Treatment information and Demo
Script (use standard script conventions and Google Docs (easiest method). See Demo Script. Take a look at Pixar's 22 rules for storytelling:
Storyboard & shotlist (including 5-shot sequence)
Assemble team/logistics (set film date, arrange for food, equipment)
Plan and practice your shots (cinematography) and plan for your film gear.
Drone Cinematography (watch this!!!)
Just before you film...
PRODUCTION:
B-Roll
Know how to use manual settings in your camera.
Lighting & colour.
POST PRODUCTION:
Edit: Use one of the following (or Final Cut Pro)
DaVinci Resolve (*Free to download at home!)
Premiere (Licence is paid for student take-home rights)
After Effects (thanks to Katerina)
Music, Sound Effects, and stock footage
Review (if necessary, go back and fix issues)
Export / upload
Bonus! Special Effects
Motion Tracking app (CamTrackAR)
SUBMIT IT!
Zoomfest (Oct. 20-22, 2024)
Worksafe BC Contest (Apr. 1, 2025)
BC Student Film Fest - Apr. 11, 2025
Reel 2 Real Festival (submissions August 2025)
Genres:
Genres:
RE-MAKING a project:
So what if your project doesn't go well? Create a 3 to 4 minute documentary of what went wrong. This is an individual project.
You will need to have filmed the majority of your footage for this to work.
Introduce yourself and tell the audience who you are (first name only) and what your film was about.
During the introduction would be a good time to play the opening scene or perhaps titles.
Each member of the production team should introduce him or herself (first name only) and tell the audience their role(s).
You will need to conduct a short interview with your group. You may share the interview footage with everyone in your production team who participates in the interviews. Use good film technique in your interview (rule of thirds, variety of shots, good sound, etc.)
Next you should get each person to say what went well and what went wrong. It is a good idea to play footage as this happens so we can see it and not just hear it.
Finally, you should end the film with your thoughts about what you needed to do to improve the film, and most importantly, what you learned.
Editing must be done by you using Davinci Resolve (free download), Adobe Premiere (your licence is paid for by the school), Adobe After Effects, or Final Cut Pro. Films with watermarks will not be accepted.
Please see the "Documentary" page for more information and follow the general guidelines there.
What to do during class time when you can't film? Here are 10 things:
Plan! Script (10 marks), storyboard (10 marks), shot list, costumes, locations, catering, etc.
Test shots: Get a camera out and practice. The more familiar you are with the manual functions of the camera, the better your next shoot will go. DSLRs are complex. It's like learning an instrument. You need to practice!
Try to do a focus pull or other shot that may be new for you
Learn how to use the Glide cams
Film a 5 shot sequence using all manual settings
Create a splash screen for your film using After Effects or Blender
Start working on your opening or closing credits
Create or find music
Do some test editing
Practice lighting and use a reflector
Film Making Sites and Channels:
Other resources:
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