The Codes and Conventions of Films

How to structure a short film

• When writing a short film the way it is structured is different to a feature film.
• For many short films the structure is the most important thing in helping the film to work properly and do what the film maker has intended the film to do.

What kind of movie do you want to make?

• Experimental
• Genre

Length

•  This is more important when thinking about your plot and structure as more can be done with more time. Typical short films are between 4 and 10 minutes, can be no longer than 30 minutes as everything about this is classed as a feature.

Plot

• Not a complete plot like in a feature film, short films tend to be snap shot of the characters lives.
• Beginning and end, short films tend to throw the audience into the action, many have no need for an explanation in the lead up to a setting.
• No need for a character arc and development as there tends to be no time to explain. Again a snap shot.
• Think of a world, a character and a problem. The world works better if it is a familiar setting.

Overall

Think that many short films can not be translated into longer features due to their structure.


Research

Use existing short films for inspiration, not only in plot but also in structure and different ideas to conventional longer format films.