How to Write A Short Film Script

This is the second video in the How to Make a Short Film mini series. This one focuses on how to write your short film script. Here are a couple beginner tips on the process for writing your first short film! We'll talk about loglines, film treatments, three act structure, Dan Harmons story circle and the importance of reading scripts.
Download Scripts
www.studiobinder.com/blog/bes...
www.simplyscripts.com/
sfy.ru/
Treatments/Outlines
screencraft.org/2019/10/14/21...
industrialscripts.com/film-tr...
nofilmschool.com/film-treatment
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[@e2renity]

i'm just a middle schooler trying to write a short film for graduation and this video helped me so much! the quality is just impeccable and the tips are so helpful for me. thank you so much!

[@Dream_E25]

i just graduated the 8th and i’m trying to get a short film made this summer man

[@thewellvideoproductions8244]

True, having an outline to explain what the film is about and keep you on track is invaluable. I really like David Lynch's approach of writing. He starts with 50 to 60 index cards for the beats of the film, then write rearranges them accordingly, then fleshes the scenes out and begins his dialog.

[@melissamokhtari]

first of all, your acting in those short bits is impeccable. second, i'm tryin to make my next videos a little more well-planned so your series is helping me out a lot!!

[@RianSpaulding]

You're too kind! Thanks for checking it out!

[@shopwornbear1171]

I am, at the ripe old age of 58, writing my first draft for my first short subject film. I appreciated learning about that "log line". It actually gave me the perfect road map to developing the idea. Thank you for this series, it'll be put to very good use when I have my final draft ready to storyboard and shoot (a no budget film, this ought to be interesting).

[@Noe_]

How is it going?

[@shopwornbear1171]

@@Noe_ Slowly.. very very slowly...LOL. I'm trying to write in the character, divided into 3 other characters in order to get the concept working. So far, nothing is landing as well as I think it should be.

[@Noe_]

@@shopwornbear1171 That's ok. Don't rush it. I will wait...

[@apex305THC]

Absolutely CRUSHED IT with this one, bro! Straight facts, to the point, concise and super entertaining! Thank you, Rian!

[@EmmaLangdon]

I did media studies this semester so I’ve been getting into writing and outlining short films so thank you this was really helpful and I like how you acted scenes out ahah

[@intellectualtheta9321]

Usually I don't like any video but this video forced me to like it because it is so underrated and hard worked

[@rhysmckernan9476]

This is my personal view, I do moving image/film in high-school. I've found that its helpful to find inspiration and learn from many people. Obviously dont copy them but have a style that is your own but also comfortable and unique it'll take sometime. But listening to professional advice especially in schools might not often be very helpful when it comes to creativity. They expect too much in a short time at times.

[@user-ls6wx5wf1e]

The young man there give me what I need this year. He also advised to push goals. God bless you

[@gxdpictures]

Bro, I be binge-watching screen writing tips on youtube now for about weeks and this was the best video I saw so far! Some how I got so much chills and trust just by the way you‘re smiling and telling what you gotta tell us... love that positive energy! Keep your work on🤝🔥

[@RianSpaulding]

🙏 Appreciate you!

[@agnesnyarkoaeshun2451]

Definitely the best and informative video. This is just what I needed. God bless you🙏🙏

[@SoCreate]

Great content! Love that you mentioned the importance of planning.

[@RianSpaulding]

Thanks for checking it out! 🙏

[@mainlinetruth]

You are right about the best tip. Take action! Set goals and move forward. Great video thank you.

[@amourie]

Thank you very much! I've done it before but I like watching videos like these at the beginning of the process to refresh me :)

[@tiagoloureiro3302]

Man this is an underrated video, Such good quality :U

[@RianSpaulding]

🙏

[@XxSEETH3RxX]

I wrote features before going to short scripts. Now I'm hooked on writing short scripts because it helps you get into the story quicker which I had a problem with while writing features. I'm also learning to make short films. And your videos are helpful

[@surajbinawade195]

It's not about the video has so views and we should go for it but u have proven that the clear content and planning is so important for writing thanks a lot sir!

[@half.cooked.noodle8781]

The video isn’t just informative but so creative as well. Loved it

[@MdHasan-rl2ek]

Bcoz of script

[@Sticks]

Great video man! Love the effort you put into making this entertaining to watch 🙌🏼

[@mauui8445]

npc

[@sarathputhiyedath]

Man u have a lot of knowledge😍 I think I need to watch your video twice 😍🙏

[@ben5986]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge. I just figured out at age 32 that I want to become a film writer and I’m also very scared to do it. But I realized that rather than sleeping on top of my dream it’s better to fall asleep while working for it. I will make use of all your tips for my first draft and let’s see how it goes

[@djwatson]

Love the production quality of this video Rian - we'll done!

[@thomascrow1975]

this seems like a high subscriber channel, shocked that you only have 2k. great great quality keep up the good work!

[@yvonnejemutai9786]

You know how to have us glued, love it, very helpful

[@MrKclark1989]

Thank you sharing this. This honestly help me to figure out how to get started and stay on top of it. Now gotta hold myself accountable.

[@bhargavaboddeti2488]

This channel deserves to be big!

[@PP-rm6oe]

Many thanks! Just what I needed. Crystal clear!

[@RianSpaulding]

Glad it helped!!

[@amanatbrar2203]

Loving it 😍

[@noahdaubevalois]

This video is amazing. I see you haven't posted in a few years. You definitely have the talent to be posting often on youtube!

[@palootto4021]

Awesome to-the-point presentation!

[@taylorsmithmedia]

This is really awesome man. Thank you for the genuine guidance.

[@FilmQi]

Great video and tips Rian! thanks for sharing

[@thewellvideoproductions8244]

Excellent production and tips!

[@thorpism]

Great video! Perfect balance of just getting right to the point but also entertaining. Every tip was like a clear action step, very helpful. New sub here, thank you.

[@RianSpaulding]

Appreciate it! 🙏

[@itsavannahsunshine1721]

Thank you for this video, I am in my MFA film and we are wrting our first script. I appreciate your humor and creative expression! thank you

[@itsavannahsunshine1721]

OMG the not so quick cup of coffee just made me crack up

[@SerioMawanzo]

Thank you...I have just started writing my film script ❤

[@lowiss3804]

I LOVE how great is your video! Creative, informative, perfectly done !

[@mauui8445]

npc

[@Anth740]

Excellent video, love your vibe mate really engaging video 🙌

[@elyheard685]

this is what I wanted. Thank you

[@AftonLin]

Great video! I'm working on writing a short film for my junior thesis and this really helped :]

[@Smoll7mamah]

Loved your video man thank you

[@no1cares403]

I WANT TO WRITE A SCRIPT JUST FOR FUN BUT I DONT KNOW HOW TO START WRITING IT SO I SEARCH IT SO IT WILL HELP ME THANKS MAN!

[@benbenson6533]

great video, very helpful tips. Hope to see more videos from you sir!

[@thethistleboy]

Gosh I love this aspect ratio

[@chefbrittan84]

Final Draft is a must have tool for writing.

[@substancespace2380]

Thankyou so much sir, ...I love this

[@JoeHenkel]

Fantastic!

[@creativejuicewithoutpulp]

Great video Rian! Loved this, thank you :D

[@RianSpaulding]

Thanks for checking it out!

[@fggyleafexist1753]

I'm being mentored to film and script-write a short film. This helped a lot

[@story_teacup]

I like your "I'll wait". Made me like, even though I was just looking for an alpha crash course on scriptwriting😂😂😂

[@gabrielacanto1771]

Loved these tips. First, I agree with you, sitting down with your screenwriting software is not a good first step. Second, though my writing approach is very different, the flash card method definitively works! Third, Loglines, Synopsis and Treatments are a must, but I feel like at the beginning when you are still figuring out the story, you don't know all the key aspects to fill those out. What I do is set up a playlist or a specific source of inspiration that helps me get into the mood / universe of the story and I begin by writing the first ideas that come to mind in a notebook. I try to do this consistenly for a few days and then retype what I wrote on the screenwriting software without changing anything. I repeat this process until I have a decent rough draft. Last, asking for feedback from strangers and friends is very valuable to spot the necessary changes quickly.

[@waridikenya]

Just subscribed to support your great work. Kudos . Am now ready to write my first script as I wanna make my first short film about Rethinking Tourism

[@i.s.5192]

This is really helpful thank you !

[@JUSTINOMALINO]

Great video man!

[@sibahlezembe9196]

This video is really helpful

[@michaelangelo3098]

This was a great video 👏👏👏

[@dddlll1614]

Very very underrated video. This is very useful, informative.

[@RianSpaulding]

Appreciate it!

[@zeyellowtiger4133]

how do you only have 5000 subs. you deserve way more than that.

[@DiamondBeyblade]

This is super good! You're a super underrated youtuber, hope you get a well-deserved 1M or more! :D

[@RianSpaulding]

🙏

[@DiamondBeyblade]

@@RianSpaulding Oh yeah, using this video's basic 'outline' I guess I can say, I've written 3 scripts for 3 different short films I am going to make. They turned out really great, so thanks for the information and help!!!

[@RayAdamsCanada]

Amazing high quality video. Thank you. It helped me alot.

[@RianSpaulding]

🙏

[@KimDaKreative]

Great video, the first thing I loved was your honesty. "I am not a professional writer" Helpful, Thank you.

[@nolanmolt]

Awesome video, I just subscribed! Make moreeee!

[@doodlecatuwu7470]

This made more sense then any other video I’ve seen

[@RianSpaulding]

🙏

[@arshiabasit434]

I love when he said "and you are finally ready to sit down, and open up that laptop and start writing...... (smile) DONT DO IT."

[@demondoll2001]

This is very helpful!

[@triflow]

Thanks for this video, it really helps me out!

[@RianSpaulding]

Glad to hear it!!

[@izyschuwi]

very well explained, thank you so much

[@mauui8445]

npc

[@DannyNipProductions]

Thank u so much for sharing thi helpful video .❤

[@louisgahide9840]

suuuper helpfull thanks!

[@jengamoyo6559]

Really good stuff

[@bwoods245]

AMAZING VIDEO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@thewellvideoproductions8244]

Very helpful, thank you!

[@RianSpaulding]

Awesome! Glad I could help!

[@VioletEmerald]

Great video!

[@That_Christian_Girl1214]

I love this! Also, don’t forget to draw a storyboard

[@jaelvictoria5771]

Thank you!

[@abraamlincoln4098]

hey man, as i see last video is 1 year ago, why did you stop. this video helped me so much thanks, carry on

[@fearlessenglish1170]

excellent!!! Thank you

[@bilalemin4125]

REALLY GODDAMN UNDERRATED CHANNEL

[@armonrichardson8402]

Great watch, i appreciate you

[@RianSpaulding]

🙏

[@mogmajor6880]

Man your video as really helped me a lot

[@RianSpaulding]

👍🏻 Glad to hear it!

[@NINEKEYZ]

This really helped me out!!

[@RianSpaulding]

Love to hear it!

[@patin__]

thanks!!

[@fauzianalwoga1002]

Thanks for this

[@poorvikgowda5794]

Man you're awesome!

[@RianSpaulding]

🙏

[@98nfp]

Nice one👍👍👍

[@francampbell4153]

Thank you 😊 💓 ☺ 💗 💛 💖 😊

[@renahaswah7092]

crazy how I started watching u for SF content, but now I happen to be trying to get started in writing a series. Do u have any advice on writing scripts for a whole series? Maybe with the goal of getting it in the hands of Netflix... Lofty goals are better than no goals lol

[@storypathy]

Taking the time to outline or plan will always ease the anxiety of writing and life in general😆

[@gianthills]

I would advise making a short film as close to a silent film as possible, to design it so visuals alone tell the story. If you only have 5 minutes you don't want to clutter it up with dialogue.

[@mohammadrezashafiei2898]

Thanks bro❤

[@SerapioSergiovich]

Movie with great components.

[@jdtarik]

Great Video

[@mariannedemirdji3082]

Really cinematic introduction, and quality info! I wish I could hit up a coffeeshop and write a script 😢

[@RianSpaulding]

🙏 Hopefully soon!!

[@amasnow]

Thanks a lot

[@crieverytim]

Man, why hasnt your channel grown???? I came for the Honda element video and don't get it - 1st rate quality and you're likeable. Keep at it... hope it gets some well-deserved traction

[@RianSpaulding]

Appreciate the support!

[@billpexal]

Nice insight man

[@RianSpaulding]

🙏

[@haronwhere3485]

Thanks 🙏

[@jbthementor4905]

Rian you do some amazing work. What lens do you use to film your videos.

[@RianSpaulding]

Thanks! Sigma 24-70 f2.8, Sony 35mm 1.8 primarily with a couple others thrown in there.

[@happiekidonetwo2529]

Thanks

[@KellyLamberttv]

Niceeeeeeeee 👏👏👏

[@RianSpaulding]

Appreciate it! 👍👍

[@ganeshrokaya5304]

Nice job