Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 4: Creating a script and storyboard
• Part 2 of 4: Completing the pre-production
• Part 3 of 4: Shooting the movie
• Part 4 of 4: Editing the movie
• Necessities

If you are an aspiring director and you are eager to start a lucrative film career, start by making a short film first. While this may seem like a daunting task at first, it doesn't take much to make an entertaining short film yourself. With the right preparation, equipment and knowledge, making a compelling movie is simply a matter of having good ideas and using common filming techniques.

To step

Part 1 of 4: Creating a script and storyboard

1. Come up with an idea for a short film. Think of a short story you want to tell in less than 10 minutes. Focus on one core idea so that the short story doesn't get too complicated. Consider what kind of tone the movie should have and whether it will be a horror, drama, or experimental movie.
   • Think of an interesting event in your own life and use it as inspiration for your script.
   • Think about the scope of the story and whether you can convey the story within your budget.
2. Write a short script. If you are an aspiring screenwriter, you can write your own script. Short films also need a beginning, middle and end. For a ten minute movie you don't need more than a 7-8 page script.
   • If you don't have a lot of money to invest, don't write a script with explosions or expensive digital effects.
3. Look for scripts online. If you don't want to write a script yourself, you can search online for scripts that other people have already written. If you plan on making a profit from your short, please contact the screenwriter first to ask for their permission to use the script.
   • Some script writers may sell their script for a fee.
4. Draw a storyboard. A storyboard is a series of illustrations that provide an overview of what will happen in each scene. These drawings don't have to be detailed or artistic, but clear enough so that you have a good idea of ​​what each scene will look like and what will happen in it. Creating a storyboard before filming will also help you keep an eye on progress during the shoot and cut back on inventing things along the way.
   • If you are not artistic, you can draw stick figures for the actors and simple shapes for the elements in the scene.

Part 2 of 4: Completing the pre-production

1. Look for locations. Find locations that match your script. Ask small businesses and shops if you can use their locations for a short film. If the movie takes place indoors, you may be able to use your own apartment or house. If the recording takes place outdoors, find a safe (and permitted) place to film.
   • Permits to film in public or private locations can sometimes be very expensive.
2. Find actors for the movie. If you have a budget to hire professional actors, you can call for casting for the script and audition for the film. If you're just making your own personal short, ask family and friends to act in the movie as an easy and affordable way to get a cast for your movie. Find actors who can embody the role in the script and have them read parts of the script to see if they are suitable for the role.
3. Gather a film team. A film crew will assist you in various aspects of shooting a short film, such as cinematography, production, lighting, editing and sound. Depending on your budget, you may be able to hire professionals or you may have to fill in some of these roles yourself.
   • If you don't have any money, ask friends who are interested in filming if they want to work on the film without paying.
4. Buy or rent movie equipment. To record a short movie you need a camera, lighting and audio equipment. Choose movie equipment that meets your needs and your budget. If you're short on money, you can usually find a digital camera for under $ 100 or even use your phone's camera. If you have a more generous budget, you can choose to purchase a more expensive DSLR camera (these can cost thousands of euros).
   • If you want to make stable recordings, it is useful to use a tripod.
   • If you want to shoot during the day, you can use sunlight as a light source.
   • If you are going to film indoors, you need lamp clamps and floodlights.
   • For sound you can choose a more expensive boom microphone or a cheaper external audio recorder or small wireless microphones.
   • The external microphones on many cameras are not good enough for capturing the actors' dialogues.

Part 3 of 4: Shooting the movie

1. Practice the scene. Once on set, have the actors run through the script globally. Then you ask the actors to play the scene. Then tell the actors what you want them to do, how to interact with the environment, and let them know what changes you want to see in their acting.
   • This process is called "blocking the scene".
2. Dress the actors in their costumes. If the role requires a certain type of dress or make-up, it is imperative that your actors dress up before filming begins. After rehearsing the scene, give the actors the clothes or costumes they need.
3. Movie scenes in the movie. The storyboard you created earlier provides you with a recording list. You don't have to make the movie in chronological order, but instead you film the scenes that are the easiest. Adjust your own schedule to that of the actors and take advantage of those days when the filming locations are free to film there. If you have access to a particular location, try to film as many scenes as you can while you are there. This will save time and avoid having to go back to those locations for filming.
   • The screens can be arranged in chronological order during post-production.
4. Focus on images. Because your movie is short, sometimes the story will be less important than the images you are going to show to the audience. Choose locations that are visually impressive and make sure the lighting complements the overall scene. In addition, you have to make sure that the frame is in focus, and that nothing gets in the way or obstructs the recording.
5. Thank the cast and crew once the recordings are complete. Once you've filmed all the scenes in your storyboard, you can send the movie to post-production to start editing the footage. Thank everyone who participated in the film and let them know that you will contact them once the film is finished.

Part 4 of 4: Editing the movie

1. Open the movie in editing software. Open the video files in video editing software such as Avid, Final Cut Pro or Windows Movie Maker. Organize each of the screens in storage locations or folders for quick access to the video files. This will help keep you organized while you work. Once the files are transferred and organized, you can start cropping and editing them.
2. Do a rough cut of the scenes first. Start by putting the recordings in chronological order. Adjust them as you go through them, checking the continuity and flow of the story. During the rough cut you have to make sure the story makes sense.
3. Add audio to it. Add the audio tracks of the actors' dialogues and make them synchronize with the video. Also use this time to add all the music and sound effects you want to the movie.
4. Analyze and improve the scenes. Once you have a decent version of the movie, discuss it with the producer and other editors. Ask for feedback and criticism from people and then proceed to improve the movie. Concentrate on the progression and tempo during this second round of editing.
   • Implement editing techniques, such as blurring (fading) and the transitions of scenes.
   • If a scene comes across as jerky or sluggish, you can improve the dialogue by adding recordings in between the dialogue.
5. Watch the movie and make a final cut. After improving the movie, watch it one last time with the producers, editors, and directors. Get one last time for feedback on details to be added or changed, or issues that may have occurred while editing. Once all the people who co-produce the film agree on the final product, you can start showing your short film to the audience.

Necessities

• Camera
• Microphones
• Lighting
• Actors
• Video editing software