Firstly, remember that with short films, less is more.

Due to their shorter length, you are limited in how many ideas, characters, and conflicts you can explore effectively.

Remember that these are just guidelines, so you shouldn’t be afraid to go outside the box and experiment.

Lastly, remember that just like crafting a good story before you roll the camera is key, you should also put plenty of thought into how you will use the visuals to tell your story. If you don’t do that, you’re setting yourself up for failure.

Act 1: Beginning - In short films, Act 1 can either perform the usual functions associated with storytelling structure (introduce Protagonist and setting) or can simply be the opening of your short film. Generally, Act 1 in short films grabs the audience’s attention and quickly establishes what we need to know before Act 2 starts. Depending on the length of the short film, Act 1 can be multiple scenes, a single scene, a few lines of dialogue, or even a single moment.

Act 2: Middle - In short films, Act 2 can either perform the usual functions associated with storytelling structure (Protagonist pursues a goal, usually with the help of an Influencing Character and obstacles from an Opponent) or can simply be the middle of your short film. Generally, Act 2 in short films is the longer part of the story that pays off the core idea and genre of the short. 

Act 3: End - In short films, Act 3 can either perform the usual functions associated with storytelling structure (the Protagonist battles the Opponent to achieve the goal) or can simply be the ending of your short film. Generally, Act 3 in short films has a climactic or “big” payoff of the core idea shown in Act 2. 

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