Hi everyone! I am currently writing a short film for a project in film school. This short has to be 4 minutes long, no dialogue, one location and a maximum of 3 characters.
Any of you could give me some advice before i start writing it? I would really appreciate it. Thanks !
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Write something that can be done in one major location, 2-3 locations tops. Packing up everyone and moving them between locations wastes time.
Short film stories should be a setup with a big twist at the end. Too many shorts miss that point.
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focus on a single concept or idea.
Girl ignored by her family attends a funeral to experience emotion.
Comedy is good as well.
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Write something you can physically shoot.
David Sandberg has a YT channel on making no-budget short movies.
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Location will be a huge part of this project as you need to have total control over the space for several hours during your shoot and that eliminates a lot of options. After you find such a space, be it your home, a classroom, a public park, that will help define the story you’re able to tell. I had a similar project a while ago and the only location I could secure was a conference room. I mocked it up like a classroom and told a story about a teenager from California having a tough time at his new school in Oklahoma, until an earthquake strikes and he’s the only one who knows what to do. Shot it on super 8, so no dialogue or sound whatsoever.
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I made dozens of these - super 8mm had no sound and was 3.5 minutes. Just like with a feature, find a story that is told through the actions of the characters. Watch a bunch of silent films like SUNRISE and LAST LAUGH and Buster Keaton stuff for inspiration.
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Think good props. That is what bailed me out when l was given a similar assignment requiring only one character...you have three l chose the bathroom as the set for my 5 minute story without dialogue. With good props in the vicinity, lack of dialogue wouldn't limit your creativity.
Look on YouTube for some examples and possibly a good idea will come from it. Check out One Way, it has sound but is about a door that will not shut. Something like this could have been done easily with no sound.
PTT= MG 'S
A 4 minute "pitch" to the media gods real or imagined by one or many with specified consequences.
I give you this as I leave stage 32 not as an all knowing being but because my realistic endeavor's take me beyond realistic teaching.
Good luck Miguel as we all know what Michael in any language means.
I know you will achieve without luck but inspiration.