How to Structure a Short Film
Learning how to structure a short film can take a little bit of practice, especially if you’re new to script writing. Short film structures typically take on the common three-act structure that is accepted by most filmmakers and screenwriters, but if you’re not familiar it essentially means that your film will have a beginning, a middle, and an end. The elements of your short film structure will typically include character and theme introductions, a major idea, a single relationship or conflict, and a resolution.
There may be a plot twist, too. Learning how to structure a short film is all about taking your time and making the most out of the ten minutes or so that you likely have.
Structuring the Three-Act Short Film
The three-act short film structure is going to separate the beginning of your film from the middle and the end. Yes, it’s really that simple.
You’ve only got ten minutes or so for the average short film. It’s going to be important to plan out your three-act film structure in a way that you’re careful to touch on all of the important elements without steering in the wrong direction of going off course.
You’ve got three acts, the beginning, the middle and the end.
They should go something like this:
- Act 1: The opening act. You’ll introduce the characters, set the theme for the film, define the goals, and introduce the character’s conflict.
- Act 2: You’ll raise the stakes and the need for the character to achieve his or her goal will be understood. You’ll also define the conflict and set the stage for recovery.
- Act 3: This will be the closing act in which the character either achieves or fails to achieve the goal, and there might be an interesting plot twist.
How to Structure a Short Film
Using the three-act structure, your short film will be made up of a setup, confrontation, and resolution. If you look at writing your short film script using these tips to form the beginning, middle and end, you’ll find the process incredibly easy.
It’s also important to remember that a short film should not have complex characters, themes, or multi-level plots that have a lot of twists. You just don’t have that kind of time to formulate and build up a complex character or theme. Keep it simple!
Plan out your introduction
Make sure you’re explaining your character and building up to the confrontation. You should plan for a rising action in which the overall plot begins to thicken, but recall that you’re writing a short film, so the plot can only be so thick.
In the end, you’ll want to have the crisis, that is either resolved, or not, and a falling action. If you’ll include a plot twist, keep in mind that it should come towards the end of the second act.
The Rise and Fall
This way there is still enough time for your short film to showcase the potential resolution, and the falling action of the story. Every great film will escalate to a point in which there is a major climax and a fall.
As you learn how to structure a short film, you should focus heavily on keeping your characters simple, keeping your plot steady, and including these essential elements to ensure your story is memorable, easy to follow, and engaging for your audience.
