By: Jasmine Castenada

If you’re an aspiring filmmaker, creating a short film is the first step in the right direction. Although it can seem intimidating, here are some tips to get you started in making your short film:

1. Having an idea

   The first step into making a short film is having a reliable and worthy idea, with a storyline that is significant. Create a step-by-step plan for how the production of the film will pan out and take note of the timeline for the start and end date of your film.   

2. Storytelling process

   The storytelling is the most crucial in the process of making your short film because this is where the screenwriting and story elements are developed. The screenwriter is responsible for telling the story to ensure the plot, characters, and story structure are well put together.   

3. Producing your short film

   The majority of short films are independent productions, and will need different skilled positions. If you don't have someone for a particular position, this is where you partner with other producers, writers, and directors. There are three phases in producing, which are pre-production, production, and post-production. All of these are crucial elements in having enough information for your film when it comes to producing.      

4. Directing your short film

   There are different approaches to directing a short film, and it starts with making important decisions and preparations that need to be decided before starting your film. Some of these include making sure you have the right crew and staff to secure your vision and intent for the film, when to set boundaries for artistic and visual creative time in production, and taking constructive feedback from team members and sources outside your film. Being open to collaboration and greater team involvement will help  create a high-quality film.

The Atlanta Film Society (ATLFS) is offering an online class called Short Films 101 with Kathy Berardi, which ran all through May 2020. This 4-part series will teach you how to write, produce, and direct a short film. The filmmaking instructor is Kathy Berardi, writer and producer, she graduated from UCLA School of Theater and has a Film and Television MFA in Screenwriting program. She was a finalist in the 2007 NAACP & NBC Screenwriting Fellowship and awarded the 2008 Young and the Restless Fellowship in Television. Berardi is also the founder of Red Clip Video, a video production firm that helps all businesses in creating their films to be informative and engaging to customers, in an affordable way.

ATLFS and Georgia State University Public Relation students have collaborated on a series of articles on the film industry.