How to Write a Short

Film in Three Acts

A Step-by-Step Guide

Short films are a great way to express

your creativity and showcase your
creative skills. Writing an animated “A whole [story] is
short film is not an easy task, but with what has a beginning
the right approach, it can be a and middle and end.”
rewarding experience. In this
– Aristotle
document, we will guide you through
the process of writing an animated
short film, from finding your idea to
actually making it happen.

Why Should You Write a Short lm?

Short films are a great way to tell a story in a condensed format. You can use it
to showcase your talent and experiment with new techniques. Short films can
also be an excellent calling card for writers who are looking to break into the
industry.

A short film is more likely to grab the attention of viewers, including industry
professionals, who are always looking for new talent and fresh ideas. So, if you
have a story to tell, an animated short film may be the perfect way to share it
with the world.
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 Step 1: Finding your Idea
Finding the right idea for your animated short film can be a deeply personal
process that draws on your own experiences and interests. To find a unique
idea, start reflecting on a particular event or experience that has deeply
impacted you. These experiences can often provide powerful inspiration and
bring a personal touch to your story.

Take 15 minutes and write about a pivotal moment in your life and explore
themes and emotions that resonate with you.

Another way to spark ideas is to think about movies that you love and would
watch over and over again.

Write down five of these movies and then think about the protagonist's
struggle in each one. How does it relate to you and your own
experiences? This can help you identify themes and character traits that
you are drawn to.

Once you have some initial inspiration, brainstorm three different ideas for your
short film, each with a unique and interesting protagonist. As you consider these
ideas, ask yourself: Why animation is the best medium to tell this particular
story?

Finally, pick one idea and explore different versions of the story, experimenting
with different plot points, character arcs, and visual styles.

Think of the struggles of your protagonist, to ensure that your story resonates
with your audience on a deeper level. By staying true to your own interests and
experiences, you can create an animated short film that is both personally
meaningful and compelling to others. It's important to keep in mind the length of
your short film and make sure that your story can be told effectively in the time
available.

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Step 2: Write with the Three Act Structure
The three-act structure is a classic method of structuring a story that can be
incredibly effective for short films. It is composed of three parts: the setup,
confrontation, and resolution. As the story moves along, the plot progresses
in such a way as to pose a yes or no major dramatic question that must be
resolved by the end.

These plot points include the inciting incident, the first turning point, the
midpoint, the second turning point, and the climax. Each of these plot points
serves a specific purpose in advancing the story and keeping the audience
engaged.

ACT I ACT II ACT III

Setup Confrontation Resolution
Inciting Incident Midpoint Climax

1st Turning Point 2nd Turning Point

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 Inciting Incident
After the world of the story and the protagonist are introduced (the setup),
something needs to happen to set the story in motion. It’s usually a dynamic,
fully developed event that upsets the balance in the protagonist’s life.

This event can be positive or negative. It can happen to the protagonist or be

caused by them. Regardless, it serves as the beginning of your protagonist’s
journey. The protagonist can try to ignore the inciting incident but eventually will
have to react to it.

The inciting incident can spark an early version of the dramatic question, which
will be answered only at the story’s climax and resolution. This event is a
catalyst that will directly lead to the First Turning Point.

Ask yourself:

What is the rst event that sets

your story in motion?

First Turning Point

By now, we should know a little bit about the protagonist and feel empathy for
them. The story is already in motion, now, it’s time to bring your protagonist to
a point of no return.

Most of the time, the first turning point will be forced upon your protagonist. It is
the moment in your story in which the protagonist’s life goes through a dramatic
seemingly irreversible change. Now the dramatic question will be much clearer.

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 Ask yourself:

What can turn your

protagonist’s life upside down?

Photo by

After their life has been turned upside-down, usually, the protagonist will try to
return to their comfort zone and restore their old life. But the story forces them
to react in a way in which the situation complicates and the attraction towards
the goal, or what’s at stake, increases.

Midpoint
At this point, the story has already altered the protagonist and it’s time for a
bigger change. This change can be a sudden defeat, an apparent victory, a
life-altering change or a big revelation. From now on, the protagonist cannot just
react to the events of the story, they are now forced to get into active mode.

“It’s big, impressive, and the center of

attention.”
– Sam Peckinpah

Ask yourself:

What element of your story so

far can lead to a major change?

Photo by
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 Lowpoint
The low point happens when all the odds seem against the protagonist. An all
is lost moment in which the audience thinks there is absolutely no way out
from the situation. This conflict should lead the main character toward an
epiphany. Even if your hero thinks they has given all they’ve got, they still have
to realize that it was not enough.

Ask yourself:

What is the absolute worst

thing that could happen to my
Photo by
protagonist?

Second Turning Point

Another major twist in the story. Something unexpected brings a new
challenge that leads to a big final battle or to a deep psychological dilemma. In
both cases, the protagonist is forced to face their inner struggles and choose to
act upon the realization they had during the low point.

Ask yourself:

What element in your story

can turn any apparent success
into the worst defeat yet?
Photo by

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 Climax
The climax is the moment in your story where everything collides. Your
protagonist has to face the antagonist, the stakes are higher than ever and
there is often some kind of “ticking clock”, which adds pressure to the situation.
Your hero will irrevocably turn away from his previous way of life and finally act
according or against the truth of your story.

Ask yourself:

Why do you want to tell this story?

What’s the strongest way to dramatize that

core idea?

Resolution
The resolution accomplishes two functions:

1) Give a clear answer to the 2) Lead the audience toward the

dramatic question that was raised. end of the storytelling experience.
The protagonist has discovered a Coming from a high, we de-escalate
new way of life, a truth he was and let them prepare for the journey
previously blind to. The resolution to be over. It’s important to keep the
shows the result of that journey, it resolution very brief, especially a
connects and often contrast with the short film.
opening image.

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 Ask yourself:

How can you represent your protagonist’s

change and his answer to the dramatic
question in a single image?

How does that mirror or contrast the

opening of your lm?

Step 3: Edit and Polish Your Script

Once you have your script, it's time to edit and polish it. This involves revising
your dialogue, tightening your story, and refining your characters. It's important
to get feedback from other filmmakers or writers to ensure that your script is as
strong as possible.

Don’t forget to watch the full lesson To put these tips into action, we've
included a 25-day writing
challenge that aims to enhance
your skills and guide you through
the writing process. We
encourage you to take the
challenge and share your
progress with us for the best
results. Good luck!

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 Are you trying to break into the
animation industry all alone?

Meet other passionate storytellers, destroy writer’s block,

and bring your animation career to the next level.

JOIN NOW!

________________________________________________________________

👋 Hello, I’m Pietro Schito, an experienced animation writer and producer. I

studied screenwriting at the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles and have
since written, edited, and produced for film and TV. As a story consultant, I’ve
helped storytellers who have worked at leading animation studios such as Pixar,
Netflix, Warner Animation, Disney, and Dreamworks. I’m now developing and co-
producing an animated feature film under Guillermo del Toro’s guidance. If you’re
looking for a writer who knows animation and loves collaboration, I would love to
hear from you! Email me at [email protected]
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