This document provides guidance on short film production. It discusses seven rules for writing short films, including keeping practicalities in mind, making the film visual, finding single moments, and engaging the reader. It also covers techniques for filming such as maintaining continuity, using editing to enhance storytelling, proper framing and composition, and confidently using a variety of shot types and angles. Finally, it addresses standards for technical ability, creativity, and storytelling quality that distinguish between merit and distinction levels for short film production.

1. Evaluate Short Film
• 1. Keep the Practicalities of Writing in Mind (budget, microcosm,
restricted narrative)
• 2. Make It Visual (Show it, don't say it)
• 3. Find Single Moments (start from here)
• 4. Tell a Story (the 'bigger story' ie love, revenge, redemption, destiny)
• 5. Engage the Reader (hook conflict in the first 30 sec - 1 min)
• 6. Beware of Cliches ( 'it was all a dream...')
• http://www.raindance.org/7-rules-for-writing-short-films/

2. Session 2.2
Filming your short
• Shoot to maintain continuity using 180 deg Rule, Shot rev shot
and Match on Action
• Use editing techniques to enhance storytelling
• Frame correctly & compose using Rule of 3rds
• Confidently & purposefully use a variety of shot types and angles
• http://leighmediaas12.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/film-remake-
scene-to-improve-shooting.html

3. Production: Merit
• a good technical standard employed with some
inventiveness
• show confidence and skill in the use of the equipment
• shows the following of a thoughtful process
• show some imagination with some evidence of
experimentation in both editing and cinematography (eg: high
and low angle shots to show power, variety of shot sizes used
for interest and create meaning)
• Attempts to use lighting as a method of generating mood,
atmosphere or meaning but may be limited to certain shots

4. Production: Distinction
• the technical quality reflects near-professional practice
• Cinematography, shot size, camera angle and movement will be
creative and fluent
• Varied editing techniques, such as cross-cutting and montage, will
be thoughtfully and intentionally used
• Any dissolves and transitions will be used effectively and for a
reason that links to the story.
• editing will be fluent with very few, if any, continuity errors.
• Artificial lighting may be used creatively to generate mood,
atmosphere or meaning

5. Composition, Framing,
Angles & Movement
• http://leighmediaas12.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/comp
osition-continuity.html
• http://leighmediaas12.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/camer
a-angles.html
• http://leighmediaas12.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/camer
a-shots.html
• http://leighmediaas12.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/camer
a-movement.html

6. Assessment
• http://leighmediaas12.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/camer
a-practical-activity-shoot.html

7. Assess previous students
• http://leighmediaas12.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/evalu
ation-camera-strengthsweakness-of.html

8. Pre-learning: Lighting &
Focus
• Split & Butterfly
• http://youtu.be/PzKNpejsdSs
• 3 Point Lighting (Key, Fill & Back)
• http://youtu.be/G8DYOeQFClg
• Depth of field (shallow focus & focus pulls)
• http://youtu.be/Fm5XNm7rPZ8

9. Plenary
Quiz
• http://leighmediaas12.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/142-
composition-continuity-assessment.html
• Email answers to
• R.barton@ctksfc.ac.uk