What Makes a Good Short Film Screenplay?

The elements of any good screenplay include basics like following the standard formatting and printing on bright white paper with the typical three-hole punch, but when it comes to short screenplays do you know what is most important? Knowing what makes a good short film screenplay, and whether that’s any different than to be expected from a long or full-feature film screenplay is important. So, what is it that makes a good short film screenplay?

Elements of a Screenplay

One of the most important elements of a screenplay is to remember that you should be showing, not telling, your story. Write your screenplay in the present tense so that it is easy for your audience to read and understand.

Just as you would with a long or full-feature screenplay, make sure that you are following basic formatting instructions. This is not the time to leave a bunch of flaws or reasons for the audience to get confused. Make sure that your ideas flow logically!

See that you’ve structured the plot, characters, and important elements such as:

• Scene heading
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• Sub headers
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• Action
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• Character details
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• Dialogue
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• Parentheticals
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• Extensions

What Makes a Good Short Film Screenplay?

Once you know the important elements that must be included, you can begin to take a look at what is most important. Many of the same elements that are important to a full feature screenplay are equally important for a short film.

You’ll just have a little bit less character buildup and there will be less dialogue. The plot will still be important, although there will not be so many twists and the emotional undertones are still vital, although they should be less complex.

The elements of a great short film screenplay include the following steps:

• Writing the Logline
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• Writing the Film Treatment
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• Basic Character Development
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• A Plot with an Outline

Drafting

Once you’ve formulated these elements, you can begin to write your first draft. Make sure that while you’re writing a screenplay for your short film the focus is on how you will manage to deliver the intended plot.

All this while building up your characters, without going over the defined timeframe that you’re looking to film for. You’ll really have to focus on keeping your plot simple.

Keep your characters to a minimum without making their personalities or backgrounds overly complex if you’re going to keep the film short.

Draft, Edit, Rewrite

What makes a good short film screenplay? Your practice! Including all of the above elements in your screenplay, following the important formatting details that are expected from any screenplay.

Then take your time to draft, edit, and rewrite the screenplay until everything is just right is important. Writing a great screenplay isn’t all so much a difficult task, it’s just a task that will take your dedication and will require time. 

As you edit, and rewrite, consider sharing your screenplay with others to get feedback. Because you’re working on a short film screenplay, it’s going to be absolutely vital that you keep all of the most important details covered and that every scene, every word, and every element included counts.

Looking for more tips on how to write a good short film screenplay? Tyler Mowery has an excellent informative video on this topic: