Tips on writing compelling short film scripts

Let me start by saying that if you’re like me and you’ve only ever really consumed feature-length movies, don’t beat yourself up if writing short films doesn’t immediately come easily to you.

Unless you’re completely new to writing scripts of any length, there’s gonna be somewhat of a learning curve if moving from full-length screenplays to shorts.

As I know only too well how challenging that shift can be, I figured Iโ€™d share a few tips that helped me get the hang of it.

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Before we start, I’ll just say this: writing a short film script isnโ€™t so much about cutting things down as it is about thinking differently. Youโ€™ve got way less time to tell your story, so every word, scene, and line of dialogue has to pull its weight.

Start close to the middle โ€“ the action

Donโ€™t waste time setting the stage. Jump right into the juicy part. If your filmโ€™s about a couple having a breakup, skip the โ€œeverything was perfectโ€ lead-up. Start with the argument or the fallout.

People watching shorts donโ€™t have the patience for slow pacing, so throw them into the thick of it. The backstory can come out naturally, or not at all.

Tell an actual story

Skip the artsy โ€œslice-of-lifeโ€ stuff where nothing really happens. A short film should have a clear beginning, middle, and end — even if itโ€™s just a single moment that shifts everything for your character.

Give the audience something to latch onto. Make them feel like theyโ€™ve witnessed a complete narrative, no matter how small.

Donโ€™t overdo the character development

In a feature, youโ€™ve got time to show us someoneโ€™s whole journey. In a short, we just need to get the gist. Give us enough to understand the characterโ€™s motivations and let their actions do the heavy lifting.

A few strong details — a line, a reaction, or a choice — can tell us all we need to know about who they are.

Show, donโ€™t tell

Youโ€™ve probably heard this one a gazillion times, but it bears repeating. Youโ€™ve got limited time, so donโ€™t waste it on characters explaining themselves.

If someoneโ€™s scared, show them trembling or hesitating. If theyโ€™re angry, let them slam a door or throw something. Words are nice, but visuals stick.

Try to limit your locations

Youโ€™re working on a short, not a sprawling epic. Keep your locations minimal. One or two spots max will not only save you production headaches but also force you to focus on the story instead of bouncing around.

Plus, it keeps the audience grounded in your world without distraction.

You donโ€™t need the 3-act structure

Short films donโ€™t have to play by Hollywoodโ€™s rules. Forget about the whole setup-conflict-resolution routine if it feels forced.

Shorts work best when theyโ€™re lean and tight, so structure it however fits your story. Sometimes a single moment is enough.

Think of your film as a narrative joke

Not all shorts need a twist ending, but it helps if thereโ€™s a sense of payoff — like the punchline to a joke. The best shorts leave you with that “ah-ha!” moment at the end, where everything clicks.

It doesnโ€™t have to be funny, but it should land in a way that feels satisfying.

Donโ€™t take too long

Short films are, well, short. Although the story should take as long as it needs to be told, staying below 10 minutes should be your aim, unless youโ€™ve got a killer concept that demands more time.

The shorter your film, the tighter and more impactful itโ€™ll be. You want the audience to feel intrigued, not checking their watches!

Characters shouldnโ€™t say things no one ever says

This oneโ€™s huge. Bad dialogue kills a script. If your characters are spouting lines that sound overly poetic or like they belong in an Oscar bait film, scrap them.

People talk casually, mess up, and sometimes say nothing at all. Read your dialogue out loud — if it sounds fake, rewrite it. Keep it real, like a conversation youโ€™d overhear, not something that screams “scripted”.

I hope this has been useful to you. Good luck!


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