Write and Prepare to Direct a Three-Act Short Film

Decision makers are often more likely to watch your completed short film–either online or at a festival–than to read your feature screenplay. Writing a short film requires the same skills and knowledge as a long-form script. Both require an understanding of act structure, dialogue, dramatic conflict, character development, screenplay format, and visual storytelling. Bringing these to bear in a condensed short film format, which can be completed and polished in a single semester, makes clear how each operates and gives students a polished work to display their writing. In this course, students will learn by doing as they conceive, write, and prepare to direct a 15-minute short film of their own with rigorous, real-time coaching. They will apply practical examples from successful films to their own work, and learn by giving and receiving feedback on each other’s writing during workshop sessions. Students receive individual notes and coaching in class, as they iterate their script drafts, improving them week to week. They are introduced to the essential work of the director, preparing storyboards and shot lists for their scripts, and examining how the many tools at a director’s disposal—from camerawork and lighting to costuming and design—can be employed to augment their stories. This is a hands-on class for those looking to learn the fundamentals of screenwriting while completing a full script that actually works. Registering at least three weeks prior to the course start date is highly recommended.
This course may be used to fulfill the requirements of the Certificate in Writing and Producing for Film and Television. It may be taken to pursue the certificate, or as a standalone course. Questions? Contact us at The Center for Publishing and Applied Liberal Arts: Email sps.pala.ce@nyu.edu or call 212-998-7289.

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