BLOG QUESTION ADV: HOW TO WRITE A SHORT FILM

What are the key points to keep in mind when writing a short film? What is philosophical conflict? What is attaching beliefs and action structure?

To write a short film, start by organizing your ideas. Whether that be a concept, a scene, or characters. If you need ideas, pull inspiration from existing media, such as movies or books. The first thing you need to establish is your philosophical conflict. It's the backbone of your story. You can build this by creating a viewpoint vs viewpoint conflict. A philosophical conflict is a moral dilemma that challenges the beliefs of a character. The second thing to do is attach these beliefs to your characters. Each character has a different point of view. You can attach their philosophical beliefs to define who they are. After you establish this, this will also help you determine what their actions will be. The next thing you need to do is build out your story by creating a structure. You can use the story circle to structure your story, as it can apply to a huge script or a short scene.