basic knowledge on the "what to do" in making a short film for beginners

1. HOW TO MAKE A
SHORT FILM
CHELDY SYGACO ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA, LLB

2. Why do we ask students
to make short films?
oTo summarise a complex learning or
assessment process, so students
can replay or repeat the information
in their own time
oTo capture a summary of a core
element of the curriculum
oTo support students with a range of
learning needs
oTo reduce students’ reliance on
lecturers’ accounts and handouts
CHELDY SYGACO ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA, LLB

3. Is any fancy equipment needed
No
oA simple camera (including,
one on a smart phone), a
computer with movie making
software, access to web-
based sounds and/or images
and an imagination
oYour facilitator will provide
you with the equipment
needed
CHELDY SYGACO ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA, LLB

4. Step 1
• Choose a
concept you
want to
illustrate
Step 2
• Collate relevant
materials
Step 3
• Develop an
overall storyline
Step 4
• Make up
some story
boards
Step 5
• Rehearse
and time your
performance
Step 6
• Record your
performance
Process
CHELDY SYGACO ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA, LLB

5. Tips for Movie Making
o Keep the concept as simple as possible
o Try to show two or three scenes only, for
example:
o Before and after or
o Wrong and right or
o Planning and implementation &
o An explanation or resolution
o Write a script and rehearse to ensure
your film fits within the time requirements
o Try not to laugh
CHELDY SYGACO ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA, LLB

6. Your Task
oMake a short film which illustrates an
aspect of:
oAuthenticity/commodification or
the experience economy
oYour film should involve at least two
actors and should be 3-5 minutes in
duration
oIf you are filming 2 or more scenes it
should be clearly indicated
oEg. By someone saying scene 1,
scene 2 etc.
CHELDY SYGACO ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA, LLB

7. Manage Your Time
o Your have 1 hour to
write, produce and
rehearse your film
o You will be filmed in
the next hour
o Good luck!
CHELDY SYGACO ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA, LLB

8. FIRST THING FIRST
CHELDY SYGACO ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA, LLB

9. CONCEPT
Come up with an idea for your film.
You can take inspiration from
anywhere, good places to start are
often real life stories.
Make sure that your idea is
achievable on your timescale, budget
and resources.
CHELDY SYGACO ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA, LLB

10.  Create a storyboard and script for your
film.
 When scripting it is useful to write about:
 Character development
 Plot development
 Inciting incident
 Character arch
 Get friends and family to look over both
to see if it makes sense and looks good.
STORYBOARD & SCRIPT
CHELDY SYGACO ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA, LLB

11. CAST AND CREW
Source cast and crew.
Advertise at schools, drama
theatre, drama and film clubs /
societies etc.
Find people who actually want to
do it, otherwise you’ll have even
more problems.
CHELDY SYGACO ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA, LLB

12. BREAKDOWN SHEET
You need to decide what you
need for each scene, this is
called a breakdown sheet, it
will be very useful.
Also your production may
benefit from a call sheet, that
way you don’t have bored
actor there that aren’t actually
needed!
CHELDY SYGACO ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA, LLB

13. SCOUT LOCATIONS
Find where you want to shoot
your film.
Get any permission needed to
shot there this could vary from
the local council to private home
owners.
Sort out any insurance need to
shoot your film and health and
safety forms.
CHELDY SYGACO ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA, LLB

14. SOURCE EQUIPMENT
Find an equipment you need
The basics you will need is:
Sound kit
Tripod
Camera
Laptop
CHELDY SYGACO ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA, LLB

15. SHOT THE FILM
Get all the footage for your
film
Shot one scene more than
once to help at the editing
stage.
Record sound separately to
the action as well as together.
CHELDY SYGACO ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA, LLB

16. EDIT THE FILM
Get a decent computer
Upload your footage
Edit it together
Most computers come with a free
editing software so anyone can
edit a film!
CHELDY SYGACO ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA, LLB

17. DISTRIBUTE THE FILM
Upload it to YouTube, it is a
lot cheap than sending out
hundreds of DVDs
You could also submit it to
film festivals and send it to
film agencies.
CHELDY SYGACO ELUMBA-PABLEO, MPA, LLB

18. THANK YOU FOR READING!
CHELDHAYE