Q&A for How to Write an Effective Screenplay for a Short Film

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How many pages is a 10 minute screenplay?

Melessa Sargent
Professional Writer
Melessa Sargent is the President of Scriptwriters Network, a non-profit organization that brings in entertainment professionals to teach the art and business of script writing for TV, features and new media. The Network serves its members by providing educational programming, developing access and opportunity through alliances with industry professionals, and furthering the cause and quality of writing in the entertainment industry. Under Melessa's leadership, SWN has won numbers awards including the Los Angeles Award from 2014 through 2021, and the Innovation & Excellence award in 2020.

Melessa Sargent

Professional Writer

Expert Answer

For a short film that runs about 10-15 minutes you need about 15-20 pages of material. In this time, you have to cover the beginning, middle, and end, so you have to be concise and keep your plot simple. Try to focus on just 1 or 2 characters, and make them have a really meaningful experience.

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Question

How long should each scene be?

Community Answer

A scene ranges in length depending on how much emphasis you want to put on it. You can make it stand out by being extremely short or extremely long, but again, it's up for you to decide.

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Question

How many days will it take for my short film to be shot and edited?

Community Answer

This depends on how available and driven you are, how much time is necessary to shoot your film, how the weather is (assuming you need to shoot outdoors), etc. It can take anywhere from a few days to a few months!

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Question

How can I improve on writing scripts?

Community Answer

Try watching movies in all genres, and reading all kinds of literature such as books, poetry, news articles, and especially other scripts. Also, write shorter, practice scripts, focusing on what you want, such as structure, or more realistic dialog.

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Question

What should the minimum number of minutes be for a short film?

Community Answer

There is no minimum, some short films are less than a minute long. Usually they fall between 5-10 minutes.

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Question

How do you write editing instructions on a script page?

Community Answer

In parenthesis. For example: *Cassidy walks in the door and sees the old woman* *flashback of the old woman (in black and white)* (turn the volume up and add ominous music) *the old woman is gone* (add wooshing noise)

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How many characters are needed for a script for a short thriller film?

Community Answer

Even if the film is short, you can include as many characters as you want and however many you need to effectively tell the story.

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Question

How do I make a whole short film that's narrated?

Ravenwolf123

Community Answer

Use iMovie and Voice Memos on an Apple device. Film your videos, import them to iMovie, then add your voice notes.

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