How Not to Make a Short Film: Secrets from a Sundance Programmer

by Roberta Marie Munroe

Anyone can make a short film, right? Just grab some friends and your handheld and you can do it in a weekend or two before being accepted to a slew of film festivals, right?

Wrong.

Roberta Munroe screened short film submissions at Sundance for five years, and is an award-winning short filmmaker in her own right. So she knows a thing or two about how not to make a short film. From the first draft of your script to casting, production, editing, and distribution, this is your one-stop primer for breaking into the business. Featuring interviews with many of today's most talented writers, producers, and directors, as well as revealing stories (e.g., what to do when the skinhead crack addict next door begins screaming obscenities as soon as you call "action") from the sets of her own short films, Roberta walks you through the minefield of mistakes that an aspiring filmmaker can make--so that you don't have to make them yourself.

Genres: Film, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Media Tie In, Writing

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Stephie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is useful, though some of the information in it is now a little dated. Things are moving fast in terms of technology and streaming and I think some of the rules are changing rapidly.

The most useful parts to me were the bits about writing and what cliches to avoid. Munroe provides a long list of cliches at the end and it’s very helpful. I’ve never had to watch thousands of short films for festival submissions like Munroe, but I’ve definitely seen a lot of these tropes and cliches in my time at film school and watching shorts online. It’s good to know what people are looking for and what might be so generic that it switches a viewer off and fails to engage. Good advice for writing in general, not just filmmaking.

I definitely recommend this for anyone interested in making a short film. It’s a quick and accessible read that is straight to the point.

[Josh · Rating 3 out of 5]

A somewhat introductory book that may not help those who have made films that they have submitted to festivals before, but even if you have made short films, I would recommend this book as it reminds of some very true principles. It's a very quick read and tries to help guide you to better story.

Unfortunately, the shortcomings of this book are that to really understand how to craft better story, you need another book (I do recommend Robert Mckee's STORY for that). It also presupposes you have some serious money behind your short so you can hire a full crew. Munroe even pushes her readers for the higher end budgets, but she doesn't get into HOW to finance films at all. Finally, she really only mentions a check-list of what NOT to do, and then the majority of the book is things you SHOULD do to make a short film.

[Λευτέρης Αναγνωστόπουλος · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's some useful stuff in here, but for the 2021 era most of it are a bit outdated.

[emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually liked this read! It was a little outdated, but the author was interesting and had a lot of backed up research to give. Paired up with a class discussion, this book has a lot to offer.

[Marwan Imam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, instrumental if you're a first time filmmaker. And if you've done films before this is still quite helpful to understand the entire landscape and pipeline that goes into making a short from the moment you get the idea till you finally go into a festival (or not) and getting distribution.

A must read.

[Ashley...(BookNerd) · Rating 2 out of 5]

There’s definitely some helpful tips in this book, but a lot of it is really outdated at this point. For example, it cites MySpace as a viable place to promote your film. I didn’t realize the book was nearly 10 years old when I bought it, and I would recommend buying a more current filmmaking book instead.

[James R. · Rating 2 out of 5]

All the "advice" in this book was pretty obvious and common sense stuff. The author also had a very negative mindset, spending more time discouraging potential short film creators rather than giving them advice on how to get started. For example, the closing chapter of the book finishes with a brief message about how the world is waiting for your work, the kind of bland platitude she often falls back on, but then immediately there's a (too long) section going into great detail about all the terrible cliches she's sick of seeing from novice filmmakers. She comes across as sneering and condescending, which is poor in a book that's purpose is to supposedly encourage new filmmakers. There is some useful advice about the roles on a film set but it's skewed towards large productions and the kind of big budgets that people starting out are unlikely to be working with. Overall, a disappointment.

[Tim Lorge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tons of info

When considering a foray into filmmaking, it helps to have someone guide you in a pursuit so difficult yet doable. Short films require a very specific set of tools and skills. Ms. Munroe provides you the toolbox to get help your production off the ground.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super informative for short filmmakers. I've produced a short at Sundance and now have a feature going there, but am getting ready to direct a short after a break from directing, and I found it full of useful reminders.

[Ahmed · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great guide to short film making, a book you should read before, while and after the making.

[Katie Damien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great advice for all filmmakers. Highly recommended.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Film in progress.

[L M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of the information could use some revisiting but overall very informative and a great read for anyone looking to get into the short film industry.

[Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m honestly shocked at the 3 star ratings (or below). As a filmmaker, I was floored by how open, honest and truly helpful every part of this book was. Holy Moly! Thank you Roberta!

[Linnea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though outdated, this book is a clear, engaging, comprehensive, inclusive, entry-level guide for short-form filmmaking. I know I will keep referencing this book as I continue exploring my interests in filmmaking, due to Munroe's (and featured interviewees') advice and lists of references for further inquiry. I am very grateful to have found this book as a jumping-off point. I especially appreciate Munroe's experience as a black, queer filmmaker shining through, as I felt a kinship to her, and felt the importance of her writing in the sea of other similar books (many of which she referenced and recommended, as they are still without a doubt valuable) by white male authors who preface their work saying, "back in my day, women didn't make movies!" Here's looking at you Sidney Lumet.

[Gonzalo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting insight on short film from a festival programer. Roberta tells us the things that she sees again and again as a festival member, things that us screenwriters or filmmakers may think as an incredible, striking and idea, just to find out that it has been done by everyone else in the industry. It's a nice way to cross-check that your film does not fall in this mistakes. Again, it's your vision and what she says it's not the bible, but it's a good guide to common mistakes and I think the read is more than advisable for any aspiring filmmaker who aims to put his short in festivals around the world.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book would certainly be most useful to new filmmakers, but as an experienced filmmaker myself, there are still plenty of bits of wisdom in this book. Like all of these types of books, they're best approached as a reaffirmation of what you already know, with some other advice thrown in rather than some kind of key to unlock great filmmaking. The downside to this book however is that it already feels quite dated and somehow didn't quite grasp, even in 2009, that digital filmmaking would revolutionise everything.

[Brian J · Rating 1 out of 5]

Little to no information here, and definitely no secrets, unless you consider common sense issues deep insider secrets. I wanted to like and learn something from this book, but it comes across more as a way for the author to brag about her accomplishments rejecting short films for film festivals more so than any kind of manual for teaching how--or how not to, in this case--craft a short film. Disappointing. I'll steer clear of anything else this author writes, and definitely anything she directs. I'm glad audible easily accepts returns; I would hate to have wasted a credit on this turd.

[Shamandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honest, informative, and funny. The book runs smoothly through the process of making a short film with personal stories and experiences from the author and her friends in the industry from all the departments, and they felt very relatable. At the end of the book, there's a chapter called "Top Short Fimmaker Cliches" that is a hilarious list of 67 points, Ironically I found an idea from a short film I made there and it made me smile, But here is my favorite line from that list "Is Jesus Christ in your film? Is he Black?"

[Kathleen McDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book new and shiny and I could tell after only a few chapters that this would become one of those books that gets worn from multiple rereading and checking back for reference. Immensely insightful and puts the focus on the business end of short filmmaking (even for first timers and extremely low budget films), whereas most books I've read on the subject have focused a lot more heavily on the creative process (how to write, what shots to use and why, etc).

[Floyd Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a bit dated now (Bebo is one of the listed websites to check out at the back of the book). However, many of the principles of filmmaking are timeless, so this book does offer value. Roberta has included a lot of wisdom from her numerous contacts in the industry, as well as drawing on her own extensive experience.

[Paul Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad, but not really THAT informative if you've made movies and attempted the film festival circuit. There is solid advice, but unless you're new to making a stab in the industry, you've probably come across most of it before.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cut-the-crap, to the point book about how to realistically start and distribute your short with useful links that are encouraged to follow up with. It reads as a stern friend with the best intentions for you. Enjoyed the insight and fun writing style, as well the passion for a shared industry.

[Mary Claire Salmon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Main take-away: have money and use it to hire people who know what they're doing.

But really, there was practical advice in here that I'm excited to pair with another book, maybe one called "How to make a short film on a budget."

[Kerrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Apart from it being a little dated and American, this is a great book for those starting out in film. A good read for students to get the do's and most importantly the don'ts. For anyone in school or not but wanting to make a film, there is good advice within these pages.

[Kevin McDaniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good practical advice for people who are interested in making short films for a living. For those who are more interested in doing it as a hobby or side-gig, I would recommend going to other sources for advice.

[Mason Sadler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very eye opening for people wanting to get into making short films or films In general. Not all of it is applicable however and some points I disagree with but for the most part a very telling and informative read.

[LX Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a budding film maker this is an instructive book. If an updated version becomes available, buy it.

[Muath Aziz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely easy read. Don’t come here if you already made few films, or actually come, because it will organize your thoughts anyways.

I especially liked the part on cliches, it’s so funny and true.

I’m not a film maker myself, but I’m surrounded by many, and I like to read (listen to) anything.

[Santiago · Rating 2 out of 5]

Only read this if you really have cero experience in making a short film.