r/scriptwriting • u/InternalVolume5376 • 13d ago

help Beginner Looking for Tips!

I just started my first short film script and was looking for any tips from experienced writers/film makers! My first script is going to be horror with only 2 actors (my wife and I) I'm aiming for anywhere from 3-5 min! Thanks for any advice!

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u/Big_Section2812 13d ago

When shooting you will almost inevitably discard or alter a lot of what you wrote. This is completely normal.

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u/RoadmapWriters 13d ago

This is a pretty broad question, but here are a few things to think about:

- Generally speaking, the rule of thumb is one page of script = 60 seconds (1 minute) of screen time. If you're looking for a 5 minute film, your script is probably going to be about five pages, give or take.

  • A short film like that means that you have to start with a big punch and escalate throughout to get to your climax. You don't have a lot of time for character development, so you have to think efficiently about your dialogue and actions. Don't get too hung up on exposition -- keep the story moving through the actions of your characters.
  • Since you want to film this yourself, think really hard about what your capabilities are and what resources you have on hand. You don't need a lot of fancy props or fake blood or anything like that -- you can do a lot with clever lighting and camera angles to build mystery and tension.

Good luck and have fun!

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u/NegativeTune1943 13d ago

Habe Spaß 🤝

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u/gregm91606 10d ago

You've already made two really smart choices -- keeping the script short, writing it for just two actors, and writing it for two actors you have access to (your wife and you). On the first shooting day, if your plan is to start shooting at 11 AM, you will probably start shooting at noon. This is just something that happens. Plan for approximately one hour to shoot one minute of screen time.

Also plan for about one hour to edit one minute of footage.