How to write an effective short film script

The Milk project isn’t finished…

THE SHORTER THE BETTER

10 minutes

BE REALISTIC

• The lunch date

MAKE IT VISUAL“Film is a visual medium”.

“Show, don’t tell.”

FIND “A STORY”

a conflict that has to be resolved,

a dilemma

a choice that the protagonist has to make.

Sebastian’s voodo

THE IMPORTANCE OF

THE BEGINNING

AND

THE END

Step by step

1. Characters: Define each one with about three descriptors rather than a complex biography. “Anxious teenager who needs a job”. Create a voice

Step by step

2. Setting: Time and place (not very detailed)

Step by step

3. Conflict: What just happened before this scene?

Where are the characters going?

Do they fear something or are they excited about something?

Does one character believe something while another thinks the opposite?

Next task

• Characters

• Setting and place

• Conflict. Examples:– Interview: answer questions

– Travel to past / future / present / a different country / to heaven

– Attack (verbal or physical) / war / fight / aliens / zombies / etc.

For next week