How to make a short film: 3 GOLDEN RULES

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Making these 3 low-budget short films taught me 3 huge lessons about filmmaking that apply to ANY level of film production. First-time filmmakers, if you take these 3 golden rules to heart, you can create an amazing film at any budget level, whether you're working solo, or with a team.
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About me:
I've been making short films for 20 years, starting at age 11. I directed my first feature film, Bad is Bad, in 2010. Made for only $6,000, the film went on to reach over 7 million views and garner critical acclaim. More recently, my short film, Will "The Machine", screened and won awards at film festivals around the world. Released online in 2019, it reached over 1 million views in just a month. I also work as a video editor, cutting ads for clients such as Apple, Netflix, and Beats by Dre.
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00:00 Introduction
00:36 #1: Time vs Team
03:29 #2: Strengths vs Weaknesses
05:18 Renting Film Gear
06:16 #3: The Bulldog Spirit
08:31 The Heart of Darkness
#filmmaking

[@StandardStoryCo]

Want to make a great short film in a month? Join us at WRAPPED in 30 Days: wrapped.school

[@trispective.productions]

“I’m gonna finish this sucky movie anyways!” - I really felt that.

[@Nostalgiasequence]

Legendary quote

[@BearFattfilm]

This is great advice. There is a lot of fear around making something bad. I once heard an actor say “so what? So make a bad film.” Which is true because it probably won’t be as bad as you think it is and you also will never learn or get better unless you make.

[@domminney]

Me too

[@pinang1]

we all did...

[@markstrain8989]

Yep My new bumper sticker.

[@adamraynes3410]

The self doubt is real. On every shoot I’ve done, I’ve had moments that I felt I was in over my head and things were not going to work out. Glad to know I’m not alone and we all feel it!

[@AcaciaLovesFilm]

I'm working on my first short film and have been binge watching your videos and they have been so helpful. Thank you!!!!

[@StandardStoryCo]

Great to hear!

[@Whyiadda]

Is it ready? I’m heading to your channel to check it out. If it’s not ready please post the link here when it is!

[@AcaciaLovesFilm]

@@Whyiadda i totally will! might be a while but i love the support :)

[@Red_Eagle]

@@Whyiadda same

[@lonewalkerproductions]

It's true, you gotta have that DOG in you

[@digitalleverage]

9:16 has one of the best responses to that DAMN negative internal dialogue. Thank you 🙏🏽😄

[@stephcoffey7282]

I needed that bulldog advice today. I'm a few weeks out from production on my second short and a lot of things have fallen apart lately. I definitely have been like maybe I should just blow the whole thing up!? Luckily I seem to have that stubborn energy where I never stop doing the thing. Its nice to know that others feel this way :)

[@lickbeansinteractive]

That bulldog spirit kept me in line to finish a survival horror game to put on Steam, even though it did ultimately suck. Point being, I stayed committed to the project so that I could learn from all my mistakes and use that as a foundation of what worked and what didn't. On the same spectrum, I have taken a liking to animated short films and I'm working on a few right now, using Unreal Engine 5 and as many free assets as I can. I'm not a 3D artist; I'm a storyteller.

[@teacherofteachers1239]

This is brilliant: 2:10. I grew up in the days of film, when making a film of a storyboard would have been prohibitively expensive (for a small operation). I love how you can get the tech to really work for you this way. I am imagining that it speeds up editing afterward, as you know where each shot goes and can just place the real shots on tracks above. Just brilliant.

[@MrFroggerGaming]

I know I'm not doing a similar level of films but this information is incredibly useful for all levels of projects. Thanks for sharing.

[@MobileFilmmaking]

Awesome watch. I'm working on my first feature and now i'm sacred that it might suck..lol but f**k it. I'm going to finish it anyway like you stated.

[@Clyde.artwork]

came here for film advice, left with life advice! great stuff.

[@BookApocalypse]

Bro I'm starting a short film Club at my school and you really inspired me thanks!

[@chitranshutapas]

I have recently filmed my debut short film and have sent it to various festivals, and surprisingly they are receiving selections and it was even a quarter finalist in a festival. So all those FILMMAKER friends, write, film and edit.... You are gonna rock....

[@mattbondcomposer]

Congrats Chitranshu 🙏

[@Rolando_Jay]

I've learned so many editing skills and short film tips from you; thank you for your work! Your recent short was amazing!

[@StandardStoryCo]

🙏🙏🙏

[@ivanostman]

Your videos about making short films are extremely helpful. Thank you. I would love to watch something about your approach to editing.

[@darkrehart]

Really inspiring videos you make. Because of you I am motivated.

[@raihyah]

thank you for this! been watching a bunch of your videos to prepare shooting my own short film. very helpful ⭐

[@spensersakurai]

Im in the exact same place now. Broke after Flee and planning to write another very small short soon to keep up the momentum. -referring to your film after Will the Machine.

[@DanielJW247]

This video gave me such much motivation to go out there and shoot a short film! I'm 17 years old and recently decided that I want to become a Director of Photography some day, as I believe that I can do it and it's a fulfulling job. I just need videos like this so the doubts don't crush all of my dreams. Thank you!

[@twofoldfilmhouse2037]

This is good advice for people first starting out. I’ve been doing this a few years but I’ve never actually done my first short film of college. Hope I can get one done this year. Wish me luck

[@keyMotionStudios23]

Thanks for the vid today! This is really helpful for me since I just finished the script for my first short film.

[@kellymerrellfilms]

Thanks for sharing your experiences! Your videos are inspiring for fledgling filmmakers, and this kind of content helps us pickup some of the lessons normally learned through pain.

[@miraclewalkerproductions]

Again - yet another video I give heartfelt thanks for. Grateful to you for making it.

[@carrstewart57]

Your advice towards the end of this video helped me make decisions that would end up changing my life. It was like looking at my reflection giving me advice. You knew you were special, gifts given from above, and you’ve done so much good with it. You inspire me , and I appreciate you. You make me want to be a better filmmaker. Because of that, I also believe I’ll be a better man.

[@grifisson]

This is a great video, I have to listen to it lots of times. My problem is the social anxiety of working with people, as I'm the director and filmmaker, I can do good solo films and videos but always seem to make an excuse not to film with actors and crew even though they would like to work with me.

[@Waqulah]

Thank you so much. I have so many doubts and yet I just want to keep going. Your words didn't dishearted but rather prepared me, I hope, for the future XD

[@philipwkramer]

Inspiring video, man. Best filmmaking content I have found. So specific and useful… I’m gonna go do this thing

[@happyfox3275]

I cannot thank enough for finding this channel. So many good information, and you are funny as well! I'm just having a Friday marathon with your videos.

[@foxesrule9037]

Thank you for always helping motivate me! You’re a legend for beginner filmmakers

[@ryanguidofilms]

I needed a lot of this advice, especially as I finish my short right now and have another waiting for me to edit. As always, you're the best Kent!

[@nickdaniel3840]

Always complete your films. Even if they suck, finish them. You’ll learn something from it and can take the knowledge to the next project.

[@jpk2212]

I’m really grateful for channels like this, I have my first short film project this semester for film school

[@abdisiyad_10]

This video only not about film is about live lessons, I appreciate ✌🏾

[@thein-famouselguapo15]

Thanks for passing on the knowledge. Helps a bunch.

[@The_O_life]

Thank you for this. I've definitely been having a hard time working on my stuff and its easy to blame life, but hearing how you struggle with finishing what you started helps me realize that we can be our own worst enemies. thank you once again.

[@NoroVideos]

This was so inspiring! I had this "i'm giving up" problem so many times before, but i just said "no...i'm finishing this movie" no matter what..

[@jakemcphee]

Appreciate the tips Kent Lamm!!!!

[@deviaan]

This sounds like fantastic advice for any artistic project! I don't know if I will make a film, but a lot of these videos inspire me to do better on any project I do work on

[@Flashbagfolly]

Thanks for the videos.

[@horrorfiles]

I needed this so much! Thank you! I want to get more experience and so motivation is hard at the moment but your advice helps a lot!

[@AwesomePxssum]

I relate so much. Thank you for this!

[@FlightPatternPictures]

I appreciate the bulldog tip. I did a video essay on how rappers inspire me, partially because they’re just so cocky and love their own art more than anyone. So anytime I start to doubt myself, I adapt that rapper mentality that I’m the best (even though I know I’m not) and it has helped me finish so many projects. Even if the end result wasn’t the best, I could at least say I finished it and moved on to a better one.

[@BourgeFilms]

These were perfect. Thank you!

[@tonibetzner263]

You are hilarious and motivating, and I needed to see this. I love telling stories, and either by a stroke of genius or insane whim, I decided to turn some of my stories into a screenplay and film them. I've now spent two years and thousands of dollars on equipment and I plan on filming my first short film this Fall. I am following you for tips and motivation. Thank you for the good vibes and humor. I loved "I'm going to finish the sucky movie anyway." Printing it and putting it on my wall.

[@adam.foster]

Great advice that I could definitely use in my own quest to do this YT thing... that I definitely have no idea about how to do. Keep making great work!

[@brown2840]

God I love your channel and the way you deliver!

[@XaneVidz]

Thanks for the tips🙏

[@antonielojeda5202]

Great video. I can relate quite much with what you’re saying

[@EllyValentini]

truly, “the show must go on” 😮

[@junktui]

Big fan of your channel, I’m making my first short film(s) this fall

[@markstrain8989]

Gospel stuff here. Needed this. Still need it. Especially #3.

[@clintcalvert9250]

I needed this. Thanks. Shooting on October 1st.

[@JoaoSilva-qh1rv]

Amazing advice! thank you so much!

[@robertspencefilms]

Another great video 👍

[@anastasijat.4138]

Dude... you're making me procrastrinating on getting out there and writing my story, by binge watching your videos! Worth it tho... 😂

[@Jacob-hv6rn]

This man is the goat of film yt

[@davidmartis2056]

I like the way u make ur video's! The way u explain everything ur motivation and all! Ceep going! I just subscribed💪🏽🔥

[@creatancremanova7097]

hahaha, loved the dramatic reenactment :D

[@jamesalexander4411]

I was going to ask how you record audio and then ended up binge watching your channel, I watched your latest 3 movie shorts (all really cool) and found your video on audio. Really useful.

[@JWP452]

This little movie was great because of your interactions with us viewers. I try and keep up with what's going on in cinema and despite all the technical advances around, most movies rhyme with Sphinx. You on the other hand are incredible.

[@Santafefashionweek]

Great information, thanks for sharing

[@milevacheker]

Awsome! Thanks!

[@timely383]

Love the mic.

[@dissolutevoid]

This is the channel I had to find!!!!

[@LeondalePhotographer]

raw, real, take it to heart.

[@alejandrogonzalezinarritu9142]

You're God for providing these information ❤️ I'm an aspiring filmmaker this means a lot to me 😊🥰

[@themakela]

Thanks buddy! I halted one short film. I wasn't happy of cinematography part of it and to be honest, my own acting. I took couple of months break from it and worked the long project instead. Finally I took this short one from the "dark hole" and decided to finish it this week.

[@Letminthang]

Play that hero soundtrack at 9:30 when you have a doubt and everything's gonna be OK. 😉Great tips bro very very relevant. Thanks a mill👍👍

[@Johatsu]

KZbin has disabled my notifications, I missed 3 of your latest videos !

[@DroseMr]

Intresting .Thank You

[@KevDecorMusic]

Thank you !

[@Zabomusikvideo]

love that dji x manfrotto Mic

[@samuelebragante3172]

You're inspiring me to get better, and if i'll become actually advanced and pro it will be beacouse of you too

[@mannyromero5322]

✌🏾✋🏾 lol you’re the best man! Thank you for all your help

[@pammomunoz]

The Heart of Darkness is so real and thank you for saying it!! But yes, keep going!!!

[@migol1984]

The worst thing is when the locations that said they would let you shoot start changing their mind the last minute. Its insane why people agree to let you shoot in their location and then dont realize the scope of how big it actually takes to shoot the film. Even after conversations after conversations with them and they decide that they dont wanna let you shoot it at the last minute. I've seen it happen plenty of times. Once i saw this happen on the set of an indie film that i worked on out in Petaluma, CA. The ranch owners agreed to let them shoot for an entire month. Then, in the first or second week of shooting into the film, they wanted to call it off. I think the investors had to find more money to pay them to let them continue filming. Anyway, the film was still garbage. But i remember that happened. Almost happened to me once recently when shooting a music video. My DP almost ruined it for us. I had to get him to shut up or walk into another room to be more diplomatic with the business owners. You need to be level-headed, and patience really does go a very long way.

[@Bitteroyster]

Great advice and I totally relate. Random note but can you please frame your Robert Di Nero painting. It was killing me the whole video 😂😂

[@storywala88]

Very helpful

[@grayscale31]

lots of helpful information, appreciate you sharing all this. Just curious is the audio in this video all coming from the dji mic you are holding in hand, sounds really good I think?

[@kponly]

Thanks, you just convinced me to stick with my plan to film a short. But, I'm not sure who I can sell it to.

[@doubleAA760]

im shooting my first short this weekend with a crew of over 10 people and i def needed to hear #3. lol

[@tanimab3933]

u had me at the stubborn bulldog point

[@user-oc6mr1jr6s]

You are truly amazing I am a photographer but Want to start filming. It is kind of scary starting with a full story. Could you please make a video on how to do some short clips that last a couple of seconds. I think that most of us would appreciate starting slow.

[@Maheep_Infinity]

First here.... Promise to make my own and would tag u as a gratitude ❤️😌

[@ciscostestimony]

#coolstuff Thanks again...

[@cioccolata12]

I am starting my short film journey and I have a question for you about when you were starting out. When you had volunteers working with you, did you buy insurance for your films to cover just in case any accidents or did you go without and do you get insurance now for your short films?

[@Notsram77]

"I made three tiny projects" holds up 2 fingers "I walked away with three lessions" holds up 4 fingers THIS WILL HAUNT ME TILL I PASS FROM THIS WORLD

[@KristoferBurns]

Hi, what do think about using a canon 60d these days for filming a short film.? Do you think I can make something film festival worthy or should I upgrade

[@Grimes247]

I have a question. I’ve been editing in Davinci Resolve for a few years. I’ve mainly just created video game montages for fun on my other gaming KZbin channel. All my friends keep telling me my edits are really good and I should try editing for a job. I love editing I think about it all the time. How do I get started if I want this as a job? Should I learn Adobe Premiere and After Effects or stick with Davinci resolve? I wish I had a really good editor I could work under to learn more advanced techniques.

[@maciejkaron-dslr7738]

Making my own movies is my dream. Just wondering if it's possible to do it yourself. For now, I'm thinking about a script that is simple but interesting enough to be done by myself, which is not that easy. Thanks for some inspiration.

[@MementoMoriXIII]

Hey dude thanks for the video, we all go through life with struggles and we should be able to pro each other up... and you my friend, there's no need for me to tell you how much your efforts are to make us a better filmmaker

[@neelrajak2551]

Your video's are awesome p

[@julienng8045]

May I know how long should a short film be? Is there any fixed standard on how to do it?

[@fudgel_community]

9:30...Yeah Bruh 🥺🌏

[@TheMichaelAntonio]

How do you sign up to rent your gear on Borrow Lenses?

[@Buck.Jolicoeur]

0:26 Nice finger troll there.

[@HikingWithCooper]

LOL I don't know why so many creators hold their clip-on lavs...and now with a tripod?? Anyway, I think the Bulldog suggestion is the most relevant. I usually get shoots done just using grit and sacrifice since I'm not rich enough to hire professionals.

[@johnscott6083]

Is that center picture behind you Jack Nance?

[@giresrowgh]

“The bulldog mentality” thank you for that.