5 Things to Remember When Planning a Short Film

Part of our production team hard at work on the short film ‘How Tall is Jeffrey?’ : Madison Stenner- Director (left), Benjamin Stenner- Co-Producer (middle), Cathy Ye- Director of Photography (right)

Whether it’s your 1st or 7th project out of your film production company, planning a short takes a lot of work. Even with experience, you can get so caught up in the logistics that you might forget a few big-ticket items. Here are 5 things to keep in mind when planning to shoot your short film. 

1. You Will Need More Money Than You Expected 

You’ve set your budget. You’ve booked your gear and your catering and… what’s that? Someone in the set department needs candles for the table? The food order didn’t include the 10 vegan meals needed? Better get your wallet out. These kinds of additional budget items happen on every shoot. Ideally, this will be coming from the vault of money you were able to fundraise from hundreds of generous donors but realistically, on an indie short,  this will probably come from your pocket. This can feel stressful when you’ve already put so much money into the project but it can also be a moment for learning and creativity. 

If you run a film production company or you’re looking to produce or direct your own film, you need to see these asks as opportunities to find a low or no-budget way of handling it- Can you use the candles from another scene? can you add something else to the table that will create dimension? Of course, other areas will require you to pay (food and dietary requirements) and that’s just something that needs to happen. Having extra money in the pool on the day of shooting can help relieve some of these unexpected charges. 

2. Personality Matters When It Comes to Crew

Your first few films will be passion projects until you build out your film production company. They require a lot of hard work from people who aren’t always being paid and oftentimes, crew members wear multiple hats. That is where building a cohesive team really pays off. Having crew members that understand your leadership style and respect all other positions on set is imperative. Egos have no place on a short indie set. Everyone is busting their butt and sleep-deprived. The last thing you need is someone who thinks they are above being kind to the Production Assistant (who is most likely volunteering). Choosing people that work hard yet maintain respect for others will make a tough shoot feel a lot smoother. I have been supremely lucky on my last two shorts, ‘How Tall is Jeffrey?’ and ‘Last Day on Earth’, to be surrounded by the coolest humans in the business. 

Your job as a producer or director is to create an environment for your crew or cast to speak up if they feel that their boundaries are being pushed in any way. This can be an ongoing process but being open to feedback and tough conversations is a good place to start. Setting up these standards will be key should you one day want your own film production company. 

3. Things Will Go Wrong and That’s Okay

You might be like me and you worry about all the things that could go wrong on a shoot. Honestly, I think that’s what makes me a good producer… it’s also the cause of some new grey hairs. Either way, no amount of worrying can predict everything so you need to be prepared to handle situations as they arise. When a crisis happens, it’s your job to help sort it out. Maybe you lost a location, maybe your lead actor is sick. Take a breath, assess the issue in its entirety and start brainstorming solutions. Being a great producer or director does not mean you can anticipate all possible issues (although you will try, believe me). It is having the presence of mind to tackle each problem and find a way to solve it. Sometimes that means knowing who to ask for help, sometimes that means making a million phone calls at 4:55 PM on a Friday before businesses close for the long weekend; it’s all part of the gig. 

4. Take Care of Your Body and Mind

Making a film, of any kind, is stressful. Whether you own a film production company or you are getting a group of friends together, it will be top of mind until it’s complete. The stress of planning a short can really disrupt your sleep cycle, exercise routine and general wellness activities. That’s bound to happen but try and prioritize something for your mental health and wellbeing at least once a day. Maybe that means taking your time with a cup of coffee or reading before you go to bed at night. Whatever wellness means for you, make space for that as best as you can. Most importantly, go easy on yourself. You’re doing your best.

5. This Is Supposed to Be Fun (difficult but fun)

I might be biased, but I think making movies is the coolest job on earth. Yes, it can be very challenging but in the end, if you are getting a chance to bring a story to life that you believe in, then it can be really, really fun. I love being on set. As a producer, this is what you work so hard for; to watch all of your pre-development work come to fruition on shoot days. Of course, there’s lots of work to be done afterwards but that time with your crew and cast should be cherished. Take a moment on the first day of filming to soak it all in. 

Keep these points in mind as you go forward with planning your short. If you are feeling overwhelmed there are plenty of experienced film producers or crew out there that are willing to answer questions. This is just the beginning of your filmmaking career- be patient, be kind to yourself and enjoy the ride. 

The Beginner’s Guide to Making a Short Film

 If you have a short film idea and desire to turn it into a reality, then this guide is for you. From writing the script to shooting the film, I’m going to cover the basics of what it takes to make a short film. Not included in the list is the copious amount of coffee and stress walks around the block. Filmmaking is not for the faint of heart but dang if it isn’t one of the best creative pursuits out there. 

Why Make A Short Film?

A short film is an excellent way of demonstrating your filmmaking skills and getting noticed by casting agents, producers and distributors in the industry. It can also be used as a calling card to launch yourself into bigger things: it can lead to feature films, documentaries or even television projects. The best way to get into these industries is through your work, so making an impact with shorts is crucial.

Do Short Films Make Money?

Yes and no. I personally wouldn’t look at making a short film as a way to make money in the short term. However, if you see this as the beginning to your work as a director, screenwriter or producer, down the line, a short film will help you make a career- which hopefully pays the bills (and more!). 

You could make a short and put it up on Youtube or other channels but if you are planning to do the festival run, I would hold off on doing this until after you’ve shown at a few festivals. Oftentimes having your content online hurts your chances of getting accepted into some film festivals. Don’t worry, your grandma can watch it through a private link after it’s done in post.  

So How Do You Make a Short Film?

 1. Get a Script

Whether you want to write it yourself or you want to find someone else to contribute a screenplay, first and foremost, your story is paramount. Do NOT, I repeat, do not choose an epic, period piece that spans 30 minutes for your first short film. It’s tempting. We all want to be the next Oscar winner but trust me, start small. Start with a story so small that you can shoot it in one room with two actors. That’s the sweet spot. I’ve done shorts with multiple exterior locations and gosh do I wish I hadn’t. These locations start to add up quickly and when you shoot exteriors, you end up with a lot of variables that you can’t control. So, heed my warning- start as small as possible. You can make your 3-hour Western after a few films. 

2. Make a Budget

Unless you have your own gear, you plan on shooting in your living room and you don’t need to hire any additional crew, you will probably need a budget. There are a lot of resources and templates available so take your time considering everything you’ll need. There are going to be things you never thought of- have a buffer in your budget just in case. 

A note about budget–  it will always cost more than you think. I remember on my first film, our sound equipment was being buggy and was draining our batteries within minutes. We had to run to the store to buy a large pack of double As. This wasn’t in my budget, and although it was a small expense in the grand scheme of things, it felt huge after spending so much money to even get to our shooting dates. 

If you can fundraise or attract investors, this will be a big win for you so you aren’t doing everything out of pocket. It hurts a lot less when you’re producing with money that isn’t coming directly from your account. 

3. Find Locations

The next step is to find locations that can be used for your film. It's important that these locations are appropriate for your script, so make sure you do some research first. If you're having trouble finding the right location, then search online or ask around at local cinemas and libraries; they may be able to help you find some options near where you live. Put up ads or reach out to friends and family but have this confirmed early. This will save you doing a last-minute scramble as you approach your shoot. Filmmaking is all about planning ahead so try to have a back-up location in case something happens. 

4. Hire Cast & Crew

The cast and crew are very important in any film production, so it's important that you choose them wisely if you want your short to turn out well. The cast should consist of actors who know how to deliver their lines convincingly in front of the camera, and who are comfortable working with each other on set (if there's more than one actor). The crew should consist of people who have worked on films before, or at least have experience working on sets or with cameras; this will ensure that you can focus on your primary role whether that’s directing or producing. At Dream Board Production House, we focus on crew that are kind, know how to be collaborative and generally add to the overall vibe of the set. If you end up working until 4 AM, these are the people you want around you. Leave the egos at the door. 

5. The Paperwork

From union papers to permits, you might need to reach out to someone with experience in these areas to help you finalize your necessary documents. Sure, some people go without them but I’ve never been one to take that risk. Not having the appropriate paperwork could mean that you are not allowed to shoot when needed or you may face a fine. Might as well just go ahead and get it all above board. 

This is meant to be an intro guide to what the filmmaking process looks like. I can tell you that each one of these points has about a hundred tasks that need completion in order to be ready to shoot. Having an experienced producer on set is a great way to help mitigate the monumental to-do list that awaits you for your first short film. Luckily, people in this industry are pretty great. 

Making a short film is a rewarding experience. The combination of creative storytelling, collaboration with coworkers and the opportunity for creative self-expression is difficult to match. But filmmaking isn't easy. It's very time-consuming, from getting funding and writing a script, to pre-production, production and post-production. That being said, it’s totally worth it.  If you enjoy storytelling and want to be involved creatively in the process from conception to completion, then making a short film could be just the right project for you. Happy filmmaking!