The Master Plan for Making Short Films

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00:00 Filmmaking Problems
01:13 Reverse-Engineering: Writing
03:31 Reverse-Engineering: Producing
07:05 Reverse-Engineering: Directing
09:26 Other Filmmaking Problems
11:16 Getting to Wrapped in 30 Days
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What is Standard Story Company?
I'm Kent Lamm, an independent filmmaker living in Los Angeles. My goal with this channel is to help other filmmakers improve the storytelling in their films, and to be a home for my own work.
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 an editor, cutting videos for clients such as Apple, Netflix, and Beats by Dre.
Links in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product with the links that I provide, I may receive a small commission at no additional charge to you.

[@akap_films]

Awesome video, many great points! Taking part in the WRAPPED in 30 Days course was probably the best decision I’ve made as a filmmaker. I have had countless ideas for short films in the past but never actually got to create one. This course really helps with giving you the right resources and pushing you to actually, well, wrap.

[@animals44485]

Wow😊

[@HumanDoing]

I usually write part of a script, start filming and editing it, then get more ideas of where the story will go, film and edit that part, get more ideas, etc. But then, I am the writer/director/cameraman/editor/actor of my videos😂 I can imagine how hard it must be for you guys to have to take 10 people in to consideration when making you film, hats off to you guys!🙃 Also, great video, Kent!

[@vijaykarki]

I can feel your problems bro😂😂

[@moviemellon]

I am semi convinced that Kent is about to shoot something on Oct. 14th because it actually is a Saturday.

[@alexfrankvideo]

I love the deadline thing... that whole section makes so much sense. I'm always afraid to waste my actors/crew's time and this helps

[@smokeunderthesun]

Same, I got adhd and only rlly get work done when I’m under pressure and or getting close to a due date so it’s like I’m racing the clock which surprisingly helps me be more productive

[@braydenrickeberg]

I made & uploaded my first short a few weeks ago with very limited resources ($20, one friend & a living room lol). You’re videos helped make it possible! Thank you & hope to keep using your advice in the future 🤝

[@StandardStoryCo]

That's awesome!

[@thedchen]

in the end the only thing that defines filmmakers is their FINISHED FILMS!

[@StandardStoryCo]

Amen!

[@jacques_crafford]

This knowledge is golden! Although I've used this approach many times, I never really thought about communicating it in this way, such a great voice on this platform!

[@CrazyArtistProductions]

So glad I stumbled across your channel a few months ago. You've been a great resource and inspiration.

[@pcpereiraf]

I feel sad for the hamster with diabetes

[@sublunarymessaging7462]

Thats a better film premise than the example he gave of the software dev

[@NicoleSeelig]

​@@sublunarymessaging7462How would you show this, though? Hamster passes out when his blood sugar is low? 😜 No sensible hamster would cooperate.

[@kayraaydn5024]

Very eye-opening and inspirational. Keep it up Kent!

[@MilesLabrador]

There's something about your structures that really jive with me, Kent. Thanks for putting this together and continuing to inspire :)

[@kojithedirector]

i appreciate your videos when you said most of us feel lost i related instantly. i feel lost as of lately but imma push through!

[@mmm57097]

OMG YOU'RE THE BEST !! You really understand the problems and complications that we may have and that's whyI love everything on your chanel. THANK YOU THANK YOU Standard Story Company

[@adamrikhards]

Great video this really gave me the motivation to just start

[@smokeunderthesun]

Casually bing watching all this man’s videos ( I haven’t seen the outside world in 3 days ) In reality tho these have been rlly helpful

[@oikeasti_anton]

Hey Kent, you make really good videos and give out awesome advice. Thank you for making videos and please continue.

[@fillipelezo]

I reverse engineer my scripts all the time, but production and directing not so much. Great approach! Hope to join the course. ❤

[@theskunky]

I did this exact thing the day before he uploaded this, and the script is INSANE! Filming next week!

[@StandardStoryCo]

Good luck!

[@theskunky]

@@StandardStoryCo Thank you!

[@6shot9]

Thanks for this

[@Fredrick.William]

SUBBED!! dude your channel is growing quickly. I subed to you on my other channel that i dont make anything on. BUT THIS ONE is because of you iam starting my mini production company (aka youtube channel). thanks kent.

[@reversefulfillment9189]

Good stuff buddy.

[@electrobipbop7316]

Love you, thanks you are awesome!

[@space_1073]

10:42 caught me off guard and literally made me tear up. You summed it up so well dude

[@smokeunderthesun]

Casually bing watching all this man’s videos ( I haven’t seen the outside world in 3 days )

[@NicoleSeelig]

One thing I'm currently experiencing is having difficulties even just getting both actor and camera person to be free on the same days, even just for rehearsals and blocking sessions. So, seeing days / dates but just for shoot days, but also rehearsals etc. is definitely a good idea. I've learned my lesson and will consider this for next time

[@river_byrd]

from A-Z totally relatable. Needed to hear this. And already set the shooting date for my next short film!

[@StandardStoryCo]

👏👏👏

[@RavinderSingh-ft5dw]

Superb work dear

[@n0ah.s_]

Thanks man, I’m 17 and plan on going to college for film making video production. I’ve had an idea but have been procrastinating to start brainstorming for my first short film for about 2 months but it wasn’t until last night where I finally sat down and just wrote. My main issue was the lack of a story in my idea, but I finally have one that hits all the points needed for an engaging story. I have the second half and climax of the short film figured out but I’m struggling to figure out the beginning. I’m struggling with finding a way to establish my main character being stubborn and a jealous person because it’s the reason for the plot and his motivation. But i’ll def figure it out once I sit down and start writing.

[@NicoleSeelig]

You are very lucky to be young in the age is good digital video. I grew up with VHS, and editing was very much only for well off pros or wealthy amateurs. So, you can experiment for free, which is awesome. Kent has such great advice, and, as I'm doing my first short film, his channel, and a variety of others, have been so educational. The things that everyone stresses is decent sound and lighting, even more so than a fancy camera. Wishing your best of luck for your journey!

[@shrug_shrugsly]

OMG, the hamster with the teeeeensy hamster IV and rolling support. A++++++ 😂

[@Spider-Nefilo]

The G.O.A.T 🙌...time to make films!!!!

[@MrLeeStories]

Man. I’d love to get a movie in theatres. That would be amazing

[@LateflixMovieNetwork]

oh, this guy is good!

[@granthiksharma4626]

wo yt gave it to me after 5 mins of upload. i really needed this i need to do 2 short films 1 a photo feature 2nd 10 shot project for my film institute semester also need to make a music video next month and i m loosing my shit

[@josephan6953]

Your beard looks nicer than usual

[@qwaeofficial]

6:26 that's so weird, I'm ACTUALLY shooting my short Saturday OCT 14th lmaooo

[@theskunky]

YESS GOO!

[@lowbarentertainment]

Great. I just wrote out this concept you stated in the first step last week as my first attempt at a short film. Now I don’t wanna do it lol. I’m a software engineer and got into a debate on how AI could take over and I wrote a specific scenario on which it could happen and was going to shoot it. It was essentially a kid in his bedroom by himself.

[@fnpoolguy]

SHOOT IT

[@animals44485]

Okay sir done 😮😮🎉

[@yousemansour8448]

Hi Kent. Firstly congratulations on Wrapped in 30 Days. I can tell how excited you are for it. I’ve been watching your videos a lot lately and I’ve learned so much. Im a huge fan of your work honestly. I’m a communication and design student, we partly study filmmaking and I would love to join the course. But unfortunately, I don’t have the money to pay for the course currently. Are there any scholarships options available perhaps?

[@StandardStoryCo]

Thanks and glad to hear the videos have been helpful. Right now there's no scholarships but I hope to offer a scholarship application in the future

[@yousemansour8448]

@@StandardStoryCoThanks for your reply! That’s great to hear. Hopefully once I launch my film/video editing career, I’ll buy the course. Cheers!

[@mrnalan88]

Great video as always! This really made me smile: I'm a data science manager who is getting into filmmaking and would really like to make the switch! 😂❤ Anyways, if you have questions about "AI" do not hesitate to pop a message 😊

[@tayballtop]

Hey man thanks for the video! How'd you do the animation b-roll? Is it stock?

[@footage3914]

In terms of efficiency and creative freedom, is a 2-camera setup useful or not? I've used one for my projects, but I wonder if having a second camera could come in handy. Any thoughts?

[@sixfoot6films]

It's the old DV Rebel rule....The Rodriguez List. Make a list of everything you have, every connection you have, every cool thing your friends have, all the good stuff. THEN write your script.

[@seanpurdy8230]

Do you by chance offer up your services in the Arizona area --Tucson specifically- for cinematography?

[@ladnarfilms5201]

I would love to have it, but can't afford it.

[@AronTanos]

This is AWESOME, you got my situation so precisely that it was outright scary for a moment... :D I have one question: I went to purchase WRAPPED, and I see a price tag of $762 with $250 off for a week. If I'm not wrong, that's $512, while in the video you said $350. Not that it's not worth $512 (or $762 for that matter), but the question is: am I misunderstanding the $350 price? Thanks!

[@StandardStoryCo]

Glad to hear! And hmm, are you outside the US? My numbers are all in USD

[@AronTanos]

@@StandardStoryCo yes, I'm in good ol' Europe. And interestingly when the page loads, I see $600 as price, and after about a second, it jumps to $762. So if I had a US IP, it'd stay $600?

[@AronTanos]

@@StandardStoryCo I got it figured out. It's the TAX. For some weird reason it applies my country's world-record VAT to the price. I'll fix that! :) Thank you very much!

[@Blanch04]

🤯

[@joshua-b]

Hi, your course seems great, but I am a student, and I don't have a job (so I don't have a lot of money😥). You said in your video, and I saw on the website, that you offered a trimmed down version of the course for free! How can I access it?

[@StandardStoryCo]

This KZbin channel is the free version haha! But I hope to offer a scholarship application in the future for aspiring filmmakers in financial need

[@joshua-b]

@@StandardStoryCo That's what I thought, thanks for the clarification!

[@johnflannigan1289]

you should produce

[@Splicxs]

Talking about programmers, I'm working on a Sci-Fi short where I'm using 3 monitors for the cockpit. Does anyone know how to make this work? I don't have the budget to pay anyone but its a free credit and any help would be much appreciated.

[@Longest_Commnent]

You could spray paint some cardboard black. Paint and glue some metallic details with acrylic. Probably not the greatest way to do it, but it’s cheap.

[@Splicxs]

@@Longest_Commnent I've got a ton of old electronics and what not I can build the cockpit with and I've even found some discarded parts from an old lift. I was thinking of combining them together with the some black painted cardboard and tin foil. The thing I'm not sure of is how to display the same moving image of space on all 3 monitors.

[@Longest_Commnent]

@@Splicxs I don’t know, probably have to look up some tutorials for that. I’m not too great at editing just yet.

[@Splicxs]

@@Longest_Commnent yh will do, thanks anyway

[@beingbaraa8860]

I am a software developer filmmaker 😭

[@Hernandezvideofilmaudio]

In your course do you teach how to make money with my films?

[@StandardStoryCo]

Nope, it's about making the best film you can. It's pretty rare to make money directly from narrative shorts, although they can definitely open doors to work opportunities.

[@Hernandezvideofilmaudio]

Thanks

[@thesolid9091]

I DON'T HAVE FRIENDS ready to make films with me. =(

[@Longest_Commnent]

You might have to shoot without them. Could do a story where the main character doesn’t actually know what the other characters look like and only has names to go off of. I’m doing that for my neo noir script.

[@thesolid9091]

but you need someone to handle the camera and film you. i will try to make up with story needs only tripod. @@Longest_Commnent

[@swashyhimself]

I respect people making money but let me get this straight, 600usd for a course for 0 budget film making... the math aint mathing

[@StandardStoryCo]

Haha well it's for making a short film at ANY budget, but even at no budget, you can easily waste months on a short film project full of avoidable mistakes. For some people it's worth speeding up the process and having accountability and guidance along the way. Plus many lessons will prepare those students to move up to 5 figure budgets with bigger teams when they're ready

[@swashyhimself]

@@StandardStoryCo interesting

[@DEADIKATED]

The Deadline is your Friend.

[@Filmmaker809]

Short films are dead. Its features where it is at.

[@AfterTiredComesStupid]

first!

[@StandardStoryCo]

You earned this: 🍪

[@disisfunny88]

Guys i need ur help i want to move to america 🇺🇸 I'm teenager who have dreams to achieve i want to become director/filmmaker And i have so many stories sticking around in my head So that i want y'all help me 😊😊

[@Longest_Commnent]

Get a notebook or device to write them down. Even if they’re bad, write a very basic version of your story. You can revise it later, just get the general idea. Watch other people’s films. They have new and interesting ideas that’ll inspire you. Watch movies to get a feel for different directors style. Try to find some free scripts and read them.

[@Longest_Commnent]

At least for beginning, I try to write stories you can film where you live. Example: I’m writing a small scale neo noir short. That’s good because I live in a small city, so my film doesn’t have to have any fantastical locations. Just try writing a story relevant to where you live. If you live in a big city, you could write about a character’s office job. A grueling life working a 9-5. If you live in a more rural area, maybe a story about a hunter or a group of friend going to a lake. Get some experience writing and directing and you’ll find it easier to write bigger stories. I’m just starting out too, try to learn, write, or think of at least one new idea every day.

[@disisfunny88]

@@Longest_Commnent ..thanks bro,

[@disisfunny88]

@@Longest_Commnent . I appreciate your effort of these ideas 💡 😊 Yes i do live in small town in east africa and there are tons of stories that are relevant to my location and i will write one and also shoot it with my phone 📱

[@Longest_Commnent]

@@disisfunny88 Great start, I hope it turns out well.👍

[@monosTVsports]

Sorry i think i rather drown in student debt cause im the next deniro_nolan_scoragbiesvidvirhhtfgtg Ok no it actually sounds super cool, if it wasnt cause im already working on a project i would prolly consider it. Maybe later :)