Making Short Films: The Complete Guide from Script to Screen

by Clifford Thurlow

This is a practical and inspirational guide to students and independent film-makers. It is the only book to describe and explain the whole process, from creating an original or adapted script, through producing and directing to finance and distribution. Whether you are embarking on a short film project by yourself or are planning a more ambitious, collaborative project, Making Short Films gives you the low-down on everything you need to know, including: information on new, digital technology, a range of complete scripts for award-winning shorts with commentaries by the film-makers, insider tips on making deals, renting equipment, securing funding and getting your short shown, details on the all major film festivals, and a glossary of film terms.

Genres: Film, Writing, Nonfiction

Paperback

First published April 1, 2005

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick and easy read. The first few chapters were the most useful providing highlighted areas with specific steps helping in writing scripts and reading a script with directing in mind, and pitching projects amongst other extremely useful information. Some of the writing in the story were also inspiring to read with comments from short film makers, however I found that at times Thurlow went off on tangents and in one particular section went into HUGE depth on something fairly irrelevant just simply because this particular thing he was talking about (a 20 second scene where he played an extra sitting at a table) the ins and outs of being an extra. While this may have been an interesting thing to read, it was not helpful at all and by the end of three pages I was thinking what a dick bragging about a 20 second moment he sat at a table in a short film. What use was that at all?

But in saying all this most of the book was VERY useful.

I especially liked the fact that after the first few chapters talking specifically about various crew member roles (Writer, Producer, Director, editor, etc) in depth he then went on to talk about specific short films and in each section on each film he started with a look at the filming and some of the ins and outs of that particular film and then showed in some cases storyboards, in other cases the scripts, in the last case he showed the full short story and then the script that had been adapted from the short story to show how they got from one to the other. THis was indeed VERY helpful.

I was also impressed with the way he says if your taped footage of sound is crap, find something better from a library. I thought this was good advice not to be like "I'm a film maker and EVERYTHING i do is original" Sometimes this is not important if you want quality.

Also in the second to last chapter he includes a full quote from a director who answered his question "What was your experience of making this film?" The DIrector's reply is Gold to read.

Anyway a great read, and very useful.

[Muhammadreza · Rating 5 out of 5]

I strongly can say it's a nice and great book! But two last chapters are more important, You need to read them times and times to understand other directors/filmmakers minds.

[Lachy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Useful information spread throughout deeply self-indulging prose.