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The Creative · № 04

Filmed a Short Movie

Wrote, shot, and edited an original short film of at least 5 minutes, with a story you can describe in one sentence, screened (in person or online) to at least 25 people who watched it start to finish.

The idea

Write the last shot first. Films fall apart when the kid doesn't know where they're going. Knowing the final beat, what the last line is, what the camera does, what the audience feels, makes every decision in the middle easier. Without a destination they'll film until they're bored and call that the ending. The destination is the whole structure.

Steps
  1. Write the last shot first. Then the first shot.
  2. Shoot more coverage than you think you need. You'll cut most of it.
  3. Edit ruthlessly. Cut what doesn't move the story.
  4. Screen for 25+ people. Don't apologize before it starts.
What counts

A 5+ minute original short film screened to 25+ people. The film plus a screening photo is plenty.