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    Filmmaker Short and Ending - en

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    gimnasioactoral
    Keep your short film between 4-7 minutes. Every scene must contribute meaningful value to advancing the story within this limited time frame. When writing, aim for 1 page of script equalling 1 minute of footage. Tight editing is crucial to removing unnecessary scenes and tightening the narrative. Most importantly, focus on crafting a satisfying ending that resolves the story and leaves viewers feeling fulfilled rather than questioning. Favorites films of all time demonstrate how a definitive ending can elevate a film to greatness.

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    Filmmaker Short and Ending - en

    Uploaded by

    gimnasioactoral
    18 views3 pages
    Keep your short film between 4-7 minutes. Every scene must contribute meaningful value to advancing the story within this limited time frame. When writing, aim for 1 page of script equalling 1 minute of footage. Tight editing is crucial to removing unnecessary scenes and tightening the narrative. Most importantly, focus on crafting a satisfying ending that resolves the story and leaves viewers feeling fulfilled rather than questioning. Favorites films of all time demonstrate how a definitive ending can elevate a film to greatness.

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    Keep your short film between 4-7 minutes. Every scene must contribute meaningful value to advancing the story within this limited time frame. When writing, aim for 1 page of script equalling 1 minute of footage. Tight editing is crucial to removing unnecessary scenes and tightening the narrative. Most importantly, focus on crafting a satisfying ending that resolves the story and leaves viewers feeling fulfilled rather than questioning. Favorites films of all time demonstrate how a definitive ending can elevate a film to greatness.

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    18 views3 pages

    Filmmaker Short and Ending - en

    Uploaded by

    gimnasioactoral
    Keep your short film between 4-7 minutes. Every scene must contribute meaningful value to advancing the story within this limited time frame. When writing, aim for 1 page of script equalling 1 minute of footage. Tight editing is crucial to removing unnecessary scenes and tightening the narrative. Most importantly, focus on crafting a satisfying ending that resolves the story and leaves viewers feeling fulfilled rather than questioning. Favorites films of all time demonstrate how a definitive ending can elevate a film to greatness.

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    Keep Your Film Short and Have an Ending

    KEEP YOUR FILM SHORT


    Your film must be at least four (4) minutes long, but it also must be
    less than seven (7) minutes long (not including credits).

    Most people do not realize, making a good seven-minute film is


    harder than making a ten-minute film. Why? Because every scene,
    every moment, has to contribute value to the story. A beginning,
    middle, and end must be told in a limited time.

    So, at the risk of repeating advice you've heard before, here are a
    few tips for keeping your film short.

    WRITING
    Write a short film.

    The rule of thumb is one page of script equals one minute of footage.
    Ask writers to read the script aloud as they write to judge the time.
    This may also help them write better dialogue!

    Consider each scene carefully. Is it necessary to your story? If you


    don't need it, drop it.
    Ask yourself, “Can I get the same message across in a different or
    shorter way?”
    EDITING
    Tight editing is often the difference between a good film and a great
    one (or even a mediocre film and a good one).

    The editing process is a second chance to tighten up the story.


    Again, ask, “Is this scene necessary to the story?” For example, does
    your protagonist need to walk down the driveway, up the sidewalk
    and into the house, or can we just see the front door closing behind
    her shoes?

    Remember: You do not have to use the entire 7 minutes. Shorter films
    are more often better films. Shorter films are more marketable.

    HAVE AN ENDING
    The ending is always one of the most important parts [of a movie]
    and if that's perfect, then the movie is nearly perfect. ‘’Write the last
    scene, and then you feel like you're just filling in the middle. It
    works.’’ said Jason Reitman, on advice he received from Judd
    Apatow.

    Another problem for many films is the lack of a satisfying ending. If a


    movie has a great beginning but a bad ending, it leaves a foul taste
    with the viewer. But when a movie has a great ending, we're much
    more willing to forget the bad beginning. The same applies to our
    judges and anyone who will see your film down the road. So, focus
    on your ending.
    Perhaps while you're still in the writing process, ask yourself these
    questions: Is the ending the right pace?

    An epic with a quick ending--think "The Sopranos"--feels cheap.


    Having an ending that's too long also doesn't work--think "The
    Return of the King.”

    Don't be afraid to cut out part of the middle or beginning to


    lengthen the ending. And don't be afraid to give the audience just
    enough so that they feel satisfied. Does this ending make the movie
    pointless? Try to change your audience in some way.
    Make them laugh. Make them cry. Make them think.

    And while you should be doing this throughout the movie, the
    ending provides a big chance to drive your point home, to go for
    the deep thoughts, the final tears, or the big laugh.

    Does this ending feel unresolved? You don't have to tie everything
    up, but if your audience is left asking critical questions, that will
    make them critical of your movie. It's tempting to leave your movie
    for the audience to interpret because that's easy, but it usually feels
    to the audience like you copped out.

    The movies that are consistently our favorites--for instance, "The


    Shawshank Redemption," "Casablanca," and "The Godfather: Part
    II" resolve the critical questions.

    ‘’All’s Well that Ends Well’’ - William Shakespeare


    Best, 48 Hour Film Project

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