How to Start Making Short Films – The 2023 Guide

The primary focus isn’t on achieving perfection; it’s about the joy of self-expression and the satisfaction of turning your creative visions into reality.

Written by

Amii Freeman

Published on

BlogFilmmaking

It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the enormity of the filmmaking process. Questions like, “Where do I start?” or “Do I have what it takes?” may be buzzing around in your head. But fear not, for here at Blooper Magazine, we firmly believe that mistakes are not only valuable but essential on the path to success. So, let’s reframe our mindset, embracing the joy of learning and growing as we navigate the thrilling world of short film creation.

In this comprehensive guide, we will equip you with the essential tools and insights you need to get started. From developing a compelling story idea to capturing captivating visuals, from assembling a dedicated team to navigating the technical aspects, we’ll cover it all. But remember, our primary focus isn’t on achieving perfection; it’s about the joy of self-expression and the satisfaction of turning your creative visions into reality.

What is a Short Film?

OMG You're Straight Short Film by Amii Freeman
Amii Freeman’s 2023 Short Film

Before you start anything, it is important to understand what a short film is. A short film is, according to the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, a film that is less than 40 minutes long. This includes the credits.

Short films often possess a unique charm, as they allow filmmakers to experiment with different genres, styles, and techniques while conveying their creative vision effectively. They serve as a platform for budding filmmakers to explore their storytelling abilities, experiment with visual aesthetics, and hone their craft.

The Elements of a Short Film

Here are the elements that make up a short film:

#1: Character

Identifying the characters in your short film helps the audience get to know each character and is a great way for them to determine who is who in your movie. Make a list of each character in your film and what role they will be playing. These roles include the main character, antagonist, supporting characters, and extras. 

#2: Plot

The plot refers to the content of your film. It should include every step and scene, from the introduction to the climax and ending. Think of your plot as a timeline, and lay out your content accordingly, ending with a resolution or climax. If this is something you haven’t done on your own before, it could be useful to liaise with a screenwriter.

#3: Conflict

Whether your short film is a drama or an action film, every good film has some form of conflict to keep the story going and add some excitement to keep viewers engaged. Add in conflict and use this as a climax point. 

#4: Theme

Theme refers to the main idea of your short film and is what your entire film will be centred around. The theme could be that of romance, with your characters having a meet-cute moment that ends up with both realising that they cannot live without each other, or it can be a thriller that deals with your characters escaping from a serial killer. Choose the theme early on, and centre your plot around it. 

#5: Setting

The location of your film is an important aspect of short filmmaking. And while you might not have the budget that Hollywood blockbusters do, you can create a pretty cool setting just about anywhere. Brainstorm a few locations for your film, look at the lighting and dramatic effect that each could bring to your storyline, and get filming. 

Now that we have looked at the elements of a short film, read on to see what steps you should follow to make your dream a reality. 

Motivation to start making short films

Sometimes, all you need is that little confidence boost to make the first step and then everything else seems to fit into place. Read our guide on short films that became features for a full understanding on the power your short film can have.

If you are always making excuses for why you can’t make a film then don’t stress. Procrastination is part of the human experience and there are a couple of ways you can get external motivation:

Short Film Competitions

It may seem daunting to think about creating your first film for a competition but change your mindset and see it as a ready made rule book. Short film competitions often set out the genre or theme, duration, budget limitation, crew experience and most importantly, deadline. All you need to do is make a film for their set out rules and release any expectation on yourself of being selected. When you make the film for you rather than the success of it, you will find it more enjoyable and fulfilling. 

Actor Showreel Scenes

Many actors without experience need to build up their showreel with natural scenes. If you are looking for a reason to make a short film then this is a perfect team up! Collaborate on characters, screenwriting and story and then get filming. You will both have a short film at the end to use in a reel to gain more experience. Win win! We love collaboration at Blooper!

The Steps to Making a Short Film

How to start making short films

While it may seem like a daunting task, breaking the process down into manageable steps can help you navigate the exciting world of filmmaking. Here, at Blooper Magazine, we believe in celebrating the joy of creating and embracing the journey, mistakes and all. So, let’s dive into the essential steps to embark on your short film production.

Step 1: Start with An Idea

The beauty of filming your own short film is that it is YOURS. The idea stage should be exciting and ignite your passion for storytelling. 

Whether it’s a character, a situation, or a thought-provoking theme, allow your mind to wander and explore the possibilities. Write it down, let it simmer, and get feedback from people you trust. 

Actually, you should just get feedback from anyone. Blake Snyder, known for writing Save the Cat which is often hailed as a blueprint for screenwriting, suggests pitching your idea to any stranger. If you can capture their attention and keep it to the end of your pitch, there is a chance that your film idea is worth it. It would be great practice to build up your confidence. 

Step 2: Write a Script

A script is one of the most important elements of a good short film. If you are worried about lacking screenwriting skills then just know there are many personal signs you’re meant to be a screenwriter that don’t involve particular expertise. Hone into your personal strengths and why you like characters, dialogue and storytelling and let that lead you in your screenwriting journey.

There are many platforms to help you format your script so don’t get stuck up on the technicalities. The most important thing to do is to write!

Step 3: Establish your budget

Short films can cost anything from zero to thousands. For your first ever short film, do not get hung up on the quality and budget. You need to invest your time more than anything as there will be a lot of learning curves from doing a lot yourself. 

Your budget will depend on your equipment, the locations needed and the amount of crew it will take to film your ideas. The best advice I can give is to keep your budget as low as possible as it will force you to be creative and learn!

There are many iPhone film competitions and they are amazing for your first low budget short film. So, don’t overcomplicate it or put off making the film until you have money. Grab what you have, head to a free location and experiment. 

Step 4: Gather Your Cast and Crew

It is more than possible to make the film on your own and could be an amazing way to make yourself learn every role. However, you may also learn a lot from other people’s skills and thrive on the collaboration. Involve your friends and family where possible and make great connections with actors for future films. 

Step 5: Film

The most exciting part of your short film process is the filming day. Don’t waste the day worrying about it being perfect or what can go wrong. Something most likely will go wrong and you will have the Bloopers to look back on and learn from. This is your first stepping stone into developing your skills so soak it up and have fun. 

Before the filming day, make sure you:

  • Have a call sheet breaking down the times and location and the order of filming
  • Charge all your equipment
  • Pack all of your props, costumes and essentials
  • Have a hard drive to back up your footage

On the day, be present with your crew and actors. Learning how to be a good film director requires building trust, clear communication and allowing for experimentation.

Step 6: Edit

Editing your film is where you can see your vision come to fruition. Whilst you may need to teach yourself software knowledge, there are many free editing apps that are extremely user friendly for a short film. Don’t be overwhelmed by giving it a go yourself as you can always outsource at a later date if you find editing is not for you. 

It is the art of shaping raw footage, refining performances, and crafting the pacing and rhythm of your story. Follow these essential steps to navigate the editing process:

  1. Organise Your Footage: Import your footage into a video editing software and create labelled folders and sequences to easily locate and access different scenes.
  2. Assemble the Rough Cut: Begin assembling the footage in the order outlined by your script. Focus on the flow of the story, ensuring that the key beats and moments are captured effectively.
  3. Refine the Story: Trim and rearrange scenes to enhance the narrative flow. Pay attention to pacing, maintaining a balance between tension, release, and emotional impact.
  4. Enhance Visuals and Sound: Adjust colour grading, contrast, and saturation to create a visually appealing aesthetic. Fine-tune audio levels, add music, and sound effects to enhance the overall cinematic experience.
  5. Polish the Edit: Continuously review and refine the edit, making sure transitions are smooth, and the visual and audio elements work seamlessly together. Trim any unnecessary footage and tighten the pacing where needed.
  6. Seek Feedback: Share your rough cut with trusted individuals, such as your production team or fellow filmmakers, and gather constructive feedback. Consider their perspectives and make necessary adjustments to improve the final edit.
  7. Finalise and Export: Once satisfied with the edit, finalise the project. Ensure technical aspects, such as resolution and aspect ratio, are correct. Export the final film in the desired format for distribution or screening.

Embrace the process, be open to experimentation, and trust your instincts. Through thoughtful editing, your short film will truly come alive, captivating audiences and conveying your creative vision with precision and impact.

Step 7: Plan a Viewing

Short Film Movie Ticket

Before you market your film, plan a viewing for your friends and family. While some might be biassed, you can gauge the quality of your movie by how others receive it. Ask your friends and family for clear and concise feedback, allowing them to be completely honest about what they both loved and hated about your film. 

Make some snacks, create a fun in-home movie theatre, and stream your movie for your loved ones. 

Step 8: Release Your Film or go Back to the Drawing Board

If your film was well-received, which it might just be, release it. Try free film-sharing websites, or create a YouTube account and share your film with the world. 

Try entering it into free film festivals around the world through Film Freeway and opening yourself up to even more feedback and insights. 

Step 9: Take stock of your Bloopers and learn

Life is about making slow and steady progress and enjoying the process as you go. Filmmaking should be no different. Rather than regretting certain decisions about your film, make a list of all the mistakes or improvements and carry them into your next project. The only way is up!

How did I get started in making short films?

Amii Freeman Short Film
Amii Freeman, Blooper Magazine Founder & Editor

If you study at film or acting school, then chances are this will be your first experience in making a short film. However, it is possible to become a filmmaker or actor without experience and your first short film will be an awesome starting point. Your short film doesn’t have to be award-winning, a big budget or even shown to anyone else. It just has to be for you and your growth. 

I’ve made a range of short films since I graduated from acting school in 2012, varying in budget, size and “successes”. However, my first short film was one of my favourites despite not being high quality because I went into it to just have fun. 

“The Waiting” – BBC Three The Fear Film Competition

BBC Three The Fear Short Film Competition

A short film competition is one of the best motivators to get started in making a short film. They may already have a deadline, theme, duration limitation or budget rule which will take away the pressure of making these decisions yourself. 

BBC Three The Fear was a horror short film competition aimed at brand new filmmakers. The rule was to create a horror film lasting no more than 5 minutes. I teamed up with two friends and we created a simple story of someone being followed through London, the plot getting creepier as it went. There was no script as there was no dialogue, we just chose a night to film and a location. 

Key Stats of the filmmaking process

Budget: £20 ($40 AUD/ $25 USD)

Camera: Nikon DSLR Camera

Sound: In-built in Camera

Lighting: Natural

Crew: 1 Cameraman, 2 actors

Length: 3 minutes 59 seconds

Editing Software: Adobe Premiere Pro

Shooting time: 2 evenings, total of 10 hours

Making this short film was an awesome experience as I got to experiment, challenge myself and just have fun. Going into it without any expectations of being selected was the right mindset to have as we truly made the film for us. However, watching the film broadcast on The BBC was also amazing and a huge motivator to create more. 

BBC Three The Fear

So, when will you start making short films?

Get clear on the stories you want to make and ensure every short film you make has a fulfilling goal for you. Release the expectation of it being perfect and you will find you will have more success, joy and satisfaction in every film you make. 

Whether you are filming on an iPhone with no budget, or grouping together with a camera crew, it really doesn’t matter. The point is just to start!