Writing

Short Film
Scripts
A Student Guide to Film-making

PA U L K OOPERMAN

© Insight Publications 2010

INS_ShortFilms_TEXT.indd 1 26/4/09 11:55:56 PM

 Copyright © Paul Kooperman, 2009

This edition first published in 2009 by:

Insight Publications Pty Ltd
ABN 57 005 102 983
219 Glenhuntly Road
Elsternwick Victoria 3185
Australia.

Tel: +61 3 9523 0044

Fax: +61 3 9523 2044
Email: [email protected]

www.insightpublications.com.au

Reproduction and Communication for educational purposes:

The Australian Copyright Act 1968 (the Act) allows a maximum of one chapter
or 10% of the pages of this work, whichever is the greater, to be reproduced
and/or communicated by any educational institution for its educational purposes
provided that the educational institution (or the body that administers it) has
given a remuneration notice to Copyright Agency Limited (CAL) under the Act.

Reproduction and Communication for other purposes:

Except as permitted under the Act (for example, any fair dealing for the
purposes of study, research, criticism or review) no part of this book may be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, communicated or transmitted in any
form or by any means without prior written permission. All inquiries should be
made to the publisher at the address above.

For details of the CAL licence for educational institutions contact:

Copyright Agency Limited, Level 19, 157 Liverpool Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Telephone: (02) 9394 7600; Facsimile: (02) 9394 7601; E-mail: info@copyright.
com.au

National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication data

Kooperman, Paul.
Writing Short Film Scripts: a student guide to film-making.
1st ed.
ISBN 9781921411083
For secondary school age.
1. Short films--Authorship. 2. Short films--Study and teaching (Secondary)
791.4360712 (pbk)

Cover design: Carmelina Heberle

Internal Design: Susannah Low
Editing: Dianne Bramich
Printed in Australia by Hyde Park Press

© Insight Publications 2010

INS_ShortFilms_TEXT.indd 2 26/4/09 11:55:56 PM

 Contents
A Note for Teachers iv Prepare schedules
and call sheets 74
Script 1 Do your research
Plot 6 and work hard 81
Character 12 Stick to short and
long-term deadlines 82
Theme 15
Communicate on
Language/Dialogue 18
all matters 84
Music/Rhythm 27
Shoot 87
Spectacle/Surprise 29
Summary 31 Shape 101
Formatting 34 Film editing 103
Editing techniques 104
Support 38
Crucial factors in
Producer 40
post-production 108
Writer 42
Screen 111
Director 43
Evaluation and
Other possible roles 46
self-assessment 112
Storyboard 54 Get your film out there 114
Making another film 117
Structure 62
Respect the hierarchy 64 Index of Films 119

Hold meetings 67 Photocopiable sheets 120

Accept change 71
About the Author 122
Make lists 71
Acknowledgements 122

© Insight Publications 2010

INS_ShortFilms_TEXT.indd 3 26/4/09 11:55:57 PM

 A Note for Teachers
What
Writing Short Film Scripts – A Student Guide to Film-making is designed to:
a) help students learn the basics of writing and producing a short film,
including how to get started; writing the short film as a screenplay;
storyboarding the screenplay; and shooting, editing and screening the
short film for an audience
b) examine where ideas come from, what makes a ‘good idea’ for a film,
how to structure the story, and provide students with a step-by-step
instructional guide to write and create their own short films
c) provide exercises and stimulus to assist students in developing their ideas,
forming teams and making their films
d) direct students to relevant websites and resources to help them write
and produce their films, and explore the general art and industry of
film-making.

Why
The book is invaluable for secondary school teachers and their students in the
areas of Media, Drama and English as it is:
a) relevant, focusing on aspects of the curriculum in the areas of media,
production, teamwork, communication, creative writing and expression
b) comprehensive in its information on all areas of screenwriting and the
steps involved in writing and making a short film
c) easy to navigate, making it possible to locate material on all areas of the
subject quickly and efficiently
d) practical, providing examples, activities, quotes, definitions and web
references for teachers to use in class.

How
The book is divided into seven chapters, based on an inverted pyramid style
of film creation and production and the seven Ss.

© Insight Publications 2010

INS_ShortFilms_TEXT.indd 4 26/4/09 11:55:57 PM

   v

The Seven Ss of Film-making

S C R I P T
SUPPORT
STORYBOARD
STRUCTURE
1. SCRIPT SHOOT
Focusing on story, dialogue,
formatting, character, plot, SHAPE
theme, momentum and the
SCREEN
document itself.

2. SUPPORT
Focusing on the film‑making team
– producer, director, cast, crew, and
their roles and responsibilities. 5. SHOOT
Focusing on the shoot itself, things
3. STORYBOARD to consider and be aware of.
Focusing on how to turn the script
into a series of pictures and images 6. SHAPE
able to be filmed. Focusing on the post-production stage
including the editing, music, sound
4. STRUCTURE effects and pick‑up shots required.
Focusing on structuring and
synchronising all aspects of the film 7. SCREEN
before it is shot, such as the design, Focusing on putting your film in
locations, make-up, hair, catering and front of an audience and using it as a
any specific requirements of the film. ‘calling card’ to get into the industry.

insight publications

© Insight Publications 2010

INS_ShortFilms_TEXT.indd 5 26/4/09 11:55:57 PM

 © Insight Publications 2010

INS_ShortFilms_TEXT.indd 6 26/4/09 11:55:57 PM

 1

Script

FILMS ARE A SERIES of pictures or images that tell a story communicating

an idea about the world. A film script, or document (regardless of the length),
containing dialogue and directions that actors, designers, directors and producers
use to make a film, is called a screenplay.

Myth buster
Is it possible to make a film without a screenplay? Yes, definitely.
Many short films are developed, produced and screened without using any kind of
written document. Even some feature films have been produced without a script,
relying on the characters improvising (making stuff up on the spot) and leaving
the camera rolling so the editor, after everything’s been filmed, can edit together
‘the best bits’.

Is it advisable to make a film without a screenplay?

Definitely not! Why not? For many reasons:

1. Number of people involved

Because so many people can be involved in the making of a film (actors,
director, producers, and potentially countless others), it is crucial everyone

insight publications

© Insight Publications 2010

INS_ShortFilms_TEXT.indd 1 26/4/09 11:55:58 PM

 2  Writing Short Film Scripts

understands the goal trying to be achieved – who the characters are, the
locations required, what they should look like, props, costumes, lighting
and so on.

2. Ideas can change

If the writer or director changes their mind about the film, the best way to
communicate these changes is via the script, which is then redistributed to
all involved.

3. Others want to contribute

A written document allows the story, plot, characters, dialogue and
all ideas contained in the script to be honed, clarified, improved and
reconsidered for the sake of making a better film, without shooting it first
only to find out later that some early discussion and rewrites would have
been useful.

4. Money and resources

Even student films cost time, money and resources, whether it’s using class
time, a school camera, someone’s house or a particular location. Cast,
crew, producers and everyone else involved will be more inclined to give
their time if there is a blueprint document the director is following and
everyone knows what’s being filmed and (roughly) how long it will take.

5. Audience expectations
To be kept engaged or interested, audiences generally expect a good story,
a character pursuing a goal, a beginning, middle and an end. These sorts
of story elements can be improved in the process of writing a script. They
are harder to refine and improve without writing them down and knowing
scene by scene, how the story unfolds.

So, we agree. To make a film, we need a screenplay. But how do you write one and
what if you can’t think of anything?

Myth buster
What if I’m not a writer? Every writer thinks that at some point, even the most
professional writers, even writers who have won awards and had their films
produced.

insight publications

© Insight Publications 2010

INS_ShortFilms_TEXT.indd 2 26/4/09 11:55:58 PM

 Chapter 1: Script  3

The truth is that ANYONE CAN WRITE. Yes, writing can be hard, whether
you’re a new writer or have years of experience. The difference is that new writers
(or people who say they can’t write) use it as an excuse to stop, or never get
started. Experienced writers know writing is hard, but write anyway, whether or
not they are in the mood. Yes, there may be people who are naturally better at
telling a story, but don’t let it stop you writing.
If you want to write, you can learn the craft. Your ability to tell a story will
improve with persistence and dedication. Reading this book is a great start.
If you are struggling to write something, be patient. It is common for writers to
spend time simply staring at a blank page. The answer might come when you least
expect it. If you’re worried about getting it wrong, don’t! Failing is learning and
the sooner you mess it up, the sooner you can fix it and get it right.
Writing a screenplay is like doing a jigsaw puzzle.
There are many bits to fit together; the puzzle won’t
be complete if all the bits aren’t included and placed
exactly where they need to be.

What makes a ‘good’ screenplay?

A good script essentially refers to one that entertains
an audience or makes an audience respond or feel the
way you want them to.

Where do you start?

An idea for a script or short film can come from anywhere – a news story you read
or heard, a person you know who you think would make a great character, an
adaptation of a fairy tale or something you heard on a bus or at school.

There are several websites on how to write and make a short film.
Here are a few to inspire you and get you started: http://www.
wikihow.com/Make-a-Short-Film or http://www.digitalfilmcrew.
com/2007/09/18/how-to-make-a-short-film-for-tropfest/ or
http://www.wheresthedrama.com. You can also google ‘how to
make a short film’ and see what comes up.

insight publications

© Insight Publications 2010

INS_ShortFilms_TEXT.indd 3 26/4/09 11:55:58 PM

 4  Writing Short Film Scripts

What makes a good idea for a film?

Firstly, drama is about conflict, so ‘good’ ideas for short films are those that can
sustain conflict throughout. ‘Someone refusing to do the dishes’ in itself is not
enough. But if that action was the last straw between two siblings and triggered
the destruction of their relationship, the conflict might keep an audience interested
for the length of a short film.

Films are about a central dramatic question

Central dramatic questions are always in terms of your main character and must
last the entire film. As soon as the question is answered, the film is often over.
• Will Harry and Sally ever be more than friends?
Short films also require a dramatic question, even if the film is only a few minutes
long. For example:
• A tennis star’s hands are damaged in an accident. Will she ever play
tennis again?
• A student wants to cheat in an exam. Will he get away with it?
• A young boy has a fight with his best friend. Will they resolve it?

Subject matter – getting started

A good way to start is by choosing a subject you’re interested in or an experience
you’ve had. Try the following steps to get you thinking:
• Write down all your interests or passions, in any order.
• Group your interests together to find a pattern or link between them.
• Select the thing or subject you are most passionate about and consider
something you want to express on that idea; for example, a thought,
message or opinion you want to convey to a reader or an audience.
• Write some possible thoughts for messages or opinions underneath the
actual subject or area of interest.
Some ideas to get you started:
• a holiday you’ve been on (message – there’s no place like home)
• a childhood memory (sometimes one must let go of the past to move on)
• the day you kidnapped a celebrity (fame isn’t all it’s cracked up to be).
Other triggers for ideas might be:
• something in your bedroom that holds a magic power

insight publications

© Insight Publications 2010

INS_ShortFilms_TEXT.indd 4 26/4/09 11:55:58 PM