How to make a successful short film

There are no set rules as to what makes a good short; as with features, different audiences love different films and an award-winner in one viewer's eyes will be a dull cliché in another's. Obviously there is an element of subjectivity to any short film programme as different exhibitors will set their own criteria as to what they think makes a good short, which they feel their audience will enjoy. Whilst this can be frustrating for filmmakers it isn't necessarily a bad thing, as, what one exhibitor rejects another will love and promote – so it is important not to get disheartened by rejection. In many ways it is an exciting time to be making shorts in the UK as there are wealth of different festivals, screening organisations, websites and content providers looking for short films to exhibit. Our advice would be to submit your film to as many places as possible.
However there are a few things to consider when making a short film are:

* An Exciting & Original Idea
* A Strong Script
* Good Acting
* High Production Values
* Make It Short
* Strong Beginning
* Avoid Repetition & Punchline Twists
* Exciting New Techniques & Style


A few of the above points elaborated in more detail:

An Exciting & Original Idea

Original ideas are not easy to come-by but a good way of avoiding clichéd ideas is to watch lots of other short films, look out for any trends and stay clear of them (See our Related Links: Recommended Watching for places to watch shorts). Even if your idea isn't completely original try to look at the subject matter from a different angle or using a different style/technique. If you're struggling for ideas, you could try to find inspiration in your experiences or those of the people that you meet or through the stories that you read in newspapers, magazines and online.

A Strong Script

A good script is key to narrative-based short films and in many ways it's harder to write a short than a feature because you need to condense your story and develop your characters in a very short space of time. All too often films are let down by weak, overwritten or underdeveloped scripts. Before investing money, time and effort into shooting your film, it's a good idea to test your script out on friends and strangers (as friends might fear offending you) and get as much feedback as you can. See our Film making Guide: Writing a Script for more advice & our Related Links: Writing for scriptwriting organisations, resources and communities. If you write and direct your own films, it's a good idea to consider where your strengths lie. It's great if you can do both but if you think you're stronger at direction/animation then why not consider collaborating with a talented scriptwriter and see what results come of it?


Good Acting

Unless your friends are actors or demonstrate acting talent, it's a good idea to avoid casting them in your film. Even one bad actor in a film can really let it down and destroy the viewer's belief in the reality that your film is seeking to create. There are lots of great actors out there who are willing to work for reduced fees to learn their trade and make a name for themselves. You can find actors through advertising on the message boards of film making communities (see the Film making Communities Section in our Related Links: Film making Organisations & Communities or via online casting sites such as The Spotlight. For more information on finding cast see our Film making Guide: Cast & Crew or see the casting section of our Related Links: Production

Photo's demonstrating different lighting techniques.

This is an example of backlighting, it creates a silhouette and is used quite a lot in horror films as it gives off and eerie effect.








This is an example of a red filter, by using the colour red it gives off a feeling of danger and would be used in a horror or action film.







This is an example of hard lighting, this creates a shadow on the face and is commonly used on villains.






This is an example of ambient lighting, is lighting that belongs to scene like form a window or if the shot has been taken outside, none artificial light.

Three point lighting.

-The backlight is used to provide separation from your subject and the background.

-The key light is the primary light source, it provides a base light for your subject.

-The fill light provides some fill into the shadow area of your subject to balance out the contrasts created by this key light.

Health and safety when using the redheads:

-Extremely fragile: when transporting use the bag and padding. Do not knock them, two people should carry them.
-HOT! Take extreme care when handling the lights, they are very hot.
-Do not cover them with anything.
-Do not look directly into the lights.
-Switch of the lights when they are not is use.
-The bulbs are very expensive and break very easily. Extreme care should be taken.
-Tape the cables down to the floor to prevent people tripping over them and knocking over the lights.