Year 10 Media Arts · Making Media — Produce and Present · 11m read

Short Film Production

A short film combines everything you've learned: story, camera, sound, editing. It's the perfect bridge to VCE Media.

Learning objective: Plan, shoot and edit a short film with a clear intention.

By the end of this lesson you can:

• I can write a short screenplay.
• I can manage a production.
• I can edit and evaluate a short film.

A short film is a tiny skyscraper. Short films are small, but they need the same engineering as a skyscraper — solid foundations (script), a strong frame (planning), skilled builders (crew) and a finishing team (post-production).

Making a short film

DEVELOPMENT:
• Logline (one-sentence story), intention, audience, genre.

PRE PRODUCTION:
• Screenplay format, storyboard, shot list, locations, casting, schedule, permissions.

PRODUCTION:
• Coverage (wide, medium, close-ups for each scene), continuity, clean audio.

POST PRODUCTION:
• Edit, grade, sound design, titles, credits.

EVALUATION:
• Compare against intention and audience feedback.

| Role | Responsibility |
|---|---|
| Director | Creative vision, actors, shots |
| Producer | Schedule, budget, permissions |
| Cinematographer (DoP) | Camera, lighting, framing |
| Sound recordist | Clean dialogue and ambience |
| Editor | Assembles story in post |
| Production designer | Locations, props, costumes |

Key ideas at a glance

• Story first: Simple idea, done well.
• Sound is half the film: Invest in audio.
• Coverage: Wide, medium, close for each scene.
• Test screen: Get feedback before final cut.

Worked example (Easy)

Write a logline for a short film.

1. Logline. "A shy student must deliver the school captain's speech after the captain loses her voice."

Answer: One sentence with character, goal and obstacle.

Worked example (Hard)

Plan coverage for a two-person argument scene.

1. Master. Wide shot of whole scene.
2. Mediums. Each character, over-the-shoulder.
3. Close-ups. Key reactions.
4. Inserts. Hands clenching, slammed phone.

Answer: Master, OTS mediums, close-ups and inserts give the editor options.

Common mistakes

• Shooting without coverage Limits editing options. Fix: Film each scene from several angles.
• Only filming one angle Editor has no options. Fix: Film full coverage.

Continuity

Continuity keeps details consistent across shots — a drink's level, a character's hair, which hand holds the phone.

A continuity supervisor takes photos and notes. Mistakes (like a coffee cup appearing in a fantasy series) can break immersion and go viral.

Practice questions

1. A one-sentence summary of a film's story is a:

   1. Script
   2. Logline
   3. Storyboard
   4. Credit

   (1 marks)

2. What is coverage?

   (2 marks)

3. The DoP is responsible for:

   1. Budget
   2. Camera and lighting
   3. Music
   4. Catering

   (1 marks)

4. A master shot is:

   1. A close-up
   2. A wide shot covering the whole scene
   3. A logo
   4. A credit

   (1 marks)

5. Explain why coverage is important.

   (2 marks)

Summary

• Logline and intention.
• Plan, shoot with coverage.
• Edit and evaluate.
• Plan coverage; protect continuity.