Trouble Writing Shorts

F

fabianc

Member
Okay over the past few months I have been wanting to write a short script thats no longer than 5 minutes just so I can go out and shoot and start building my portfolio. The only problem is I keep running into the same issue which is that I take a simple idea and it turns into this overly complex idea that then turns into a 25-30 minute short and keeps going up.

So in other words how do others go about sticking to their desired length. I dont want to try and tackle a 20 min short and end up being in way over my head. Any help would be great.

Fabian
 
Short scripts are a perfect way to hone your craft.

I think the key is to pick a simple idea. Start with something small. Perhaps, two characters and a moment of conflict.

If you would like to see lots of example of 5 page scripts, I would recommend you check out MoviePoet.com
 
You seem to be what most beginning (or advanced) writers experience -- an assortment of wild ideas, strewn together in a very complex manner, but of course have no room for those ideas.

I'd say attempt to keep a focus on what it is you want to do/say in this five minute short. If you get a brilliant idea, don't be afraid to write to your heart's content and go well over five or six pages. Remember, it's usually much easier to scale down than to build up. Once you have all of the material, you can go back in and pick out the details that are completely crucial to telling the story, and the others can be discarded.

And like Chris mentioned, try to focus your writing on something very small and simple. I mean a VERY small and simple idea/item/person/what-have-you. You'd be surprised how much you can pull from one thing.

And above all: STAY CREATIVE! Don't let yourself sink into "writer's block" (whether you believe in it or not). Just keep writing and writing. Something will come, and you'll have your five minute short screenplay. :)

Now get to work! :thumbsup:
 
Hey guys thanks for the help. I will try and write a little short that came to my mind a few days ago. It is a very simple idea and I think I can get it written/shot/edited and released within a few weeks time. Ill keep you guys posted and if anyone else has any tips im all ears.

Fabian
 
i think you're approaching it in the right way by wanting to start out small. the others gave good advice, and the only thing i would add is figure out what skills you want to showcase, whether you want to show you can really direct actors and get great performances from them, or you want to show great camera moves, or great action. whatever it is, figure out what you want to show and maybe that will help focus you.
 
Try doing music videos. I mean, you won't really be writing but you'll be making shorst and refining your video making skills.
 
OR just force yourslef to complete a story in three minuets. Sometimes I'll start with a piece of music that I like. That piece will inspire me to write something. Then I make up a beginning, middle, and end and force myslef to make them evolve and end within the time of that music piece.
 
First clue

First clue

The first clue is too much action text and too much dialogue.

If you want me to analize your script I'll be happy to help out, give you some pointers.

Alex
 
Hey Alex once I get a first draft of the script complete I would love to send it over to you so you can read it and give me feedback. I currently have a few ideas that I am going to attempt to make into a short film. Ill PM you once I get the first draft done.
 
Here's a thought.... If your shorts wind up being longer than you want, try just shooting one of the scenes you've written for your short. After all, a good scene is a story in itself -- with a beginning, a middle and an end. Might we worth a try.

Good luck!
 
Most shorts that I produce nowadays, I find that the first couple minutes can always be cut out because they're things the audience doesn't need.

Establishing a guy walking into a building, or two people introducing themselves. The trick is establishing VERY quickly so that all the time can be used for the story.

Don't even give your characters first names.
 
The best short films don't try to be a mini feature. They're about a single change. Like someone achieving something or losing something. Keep away from internal epiphanies because you don't want to end any film with the "knowing smile." The key is to show as much as possible, and not have to rely heavily on backstory or ground rules.

Co.
 
Agreed. This isn't intended for short films but Kurt Vonnegut had some advice for people writing short stories. I think a lot of the sentiment applies to short films as well:

Vonnegut's Advice for writing short stories:

1. Use the time of a total stranger in such a way that he or she will not feel the time was wasted.

2. Give the reader at least one character he or she can root for.


3. Every character should want something, even if it is only a glass of water.


4. Every sentence must do one of two things -- reveal character or advance the action. (sentence, shot - whatever.)


5. Start as close to the end as possible.


6. Be a sadist. No matter how sweet and innocent your leading characters, make awful things happen to them -- in order that the reader may see what they are made of.


7. Write to please just one person. If you open a window and make love to the world, so to speak, your story will get pneumonia. (doesn't apply so much)


8. Give your readers as much information as possible as soon as possible. To heck with suspense. Readers should have such complete understanding of what is going on, where and why, that they could finish the story themselves, should cockroaches eat the last few pages.
 
pretend Steven Spielberg has just seen your script and wants to make it, but says it's too long and so he'll pay you a thousand dollars for every second of screen time you _remove_. Seriously. I love short film and attend every short film festival i can, and the single biggest problem i see over and over again is films that are too darned long for the story they're telling.

If you have access to any movie editing software, consider doing a simple animatic (animated storyboard) of the whole short film, with temporary voices and simple drawings (stick figures are fine, so long as the viewer can tell who is who) - sounds like a lot of work, but this will:
a) let you 'see' the film before you make it, helping you see what's actually needed on screen and helping you chop unnecessary stuff
b) give you something to show to possible actors, producers, financers etc, to get them interested in helping you make the real version.
 
Here's your forumla:

1st page set up - start the story really, really late and end the scene early. You don't have much time to play with, and you don't need to explain everything either.

2nd-4th page - engage the character here in the heart of the matter, get in quickly and leave us hanging on that 4th page so that we're thrown into the conclusion.

5th page - end it fast.

You can write an endearing script within 5-6 pages if not less, or a fast pace action, or a comedy, or etc... The trick is to get in as LATE as possible in that first act.
 
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