From script to screen.
Five stops from idea to festival, 36 guides. Pick where you are on the road and start there.
Find the idea
A film starts as one sentence: who, what they want, why it's hard.
7 guides
What Is a Logline?
A logline is a one- or two-sentence summary of a film.
Updated September 14
Short Film Ideas
Updated September 27
How to Build a Story World
Updated September 14
How to Write a Character
Updated September 14
How to Write Conflict
Updated September 14
The Hero's Journey and Save the Cat
Updated September 27
How to Analyze a Film (Like a Screenwriter)
Updated September 14Short Film Ideas
8 min readHow to Build a Story World
4 min readHow to Write a Character
4 min readHow to Write Conflict
4 min readThe Hero's Journey and Save the Cat
13 min readHow to Analyze a Film (Like a Screenwriter)
4 min readWrite the script
From scene to structure, from character to conflict: the craft that fills the page.
8 guides
How to Structure a Screenplay
Structure is the decision you make about what to tell and when.
Updated September 14
How to Write a Screenplay
Updated September 14
How to Write a Scene
Updated September 14
The Cover Test: Do Your Characters Sound Different?
Updated September 14
How to Write a Short Film Script
Updated September 27
How to Write a TV Script
Updated September 27
Screenwriting with AI
Updated September 27
Screenwriting Software (In Your Browser, No Install)
Updated September 27How to Write a Screenplay
4 min readHow to Write a Scene
1 min readThe Cover Test: Do Your Characters Sound Different?
2 min readHow to Write a Short Film Script
4 min readHow to Write a TV Script
4 min readScreenwriting with AI
9 min readScreenwriting Software (In Your Browser, No Install)
4 min readMake it readable
Format, sample script, synopsis and treatment: the documents that go on the table.
7 guides
Screenplay Example (Standard Format)
Below is a short film screenplay written from start to finish: “The Scale” — a story of about five minutes that takes place in a single location.
Screenplay Format: How a Page Is Laid Out
Updated September 14
Two-Column Script Format (AV Script)
Short Film Script Examples
Updated September 27
How to Write a Film Synopsis
Updated September 27
How to Write a Film Treatment
Updated September 27
Screenplay Template and Writing Document Templates (Word and PDF)
Screenplay Format: How a Page Is Laid Out
3 min readTwo-Column Script Format (AV Script)
4 min readShort Film Script Examples
13 min readHow to Write a Film Synopsis
4 min readHow to Write a Film Treatment
3 min readScreenplay Template and Writing Document Templates (Word and PDF)
4 min readShoot
Taking the film from page to set: shot lists, permits, framing, phones.
9 guides
How to Make a Short Film on Your Phone
Today's phones give more than enough image for a short film; what makes a film look amateur isn't the camera but missing sound, light and planning.
Updated September 27
How to Make a Short Film
Updated September 27
How to Make a Shot List and Shooting Schedule for a Short Film
Updated September 27
How to Make a Storyboard
Updated September 27
Camera Shots and Angles
Updated September 27
How to Get a Film Permit for a Short Film
Updated September 27
How Long Is a Short Film?
Updated September 27
How to Make a Documentary
Updated September 27
Filmmaking Terms: 50 Film Terms Every Director Should Know
Updated September 27How to Make a Short Film
4 min readHow to Make a Shot List and Shooting Schedule for a Short Film
3 min readHow to Make a Storyboard
4 min readCamera Shots and Angles
8 min readHow to Get a Film Permit for a Short Film
6 min readHow Long Is a Short Film?
3 min readHow to Make a Documentary
10 min readFilmmaking Terms: 50 Film Terms Every Director Should Know
10 min readShow it, move on
Festivals, sales and careers: what comes next for the film and the writer.
5 guides
How to Submit a Short Film to Festivals
Before you submit, you put together a submission package: a short and a long synopsis (that don't give the ending away), the film's credits and tech specs, 3–5 good-quality stills and a poster.
Updated September 27
How to Sell a Screenplay
Updated September 27
How to Become a Screenwriter
Updated September 27
How to Become a Film Director
Updated September 27
Online Screenwriting Course
Updated September 27How to Sell a Screenplay
9 min readHow to Become a Screenwriter
5 min readHow to Become a Film Director
11 min readOnline Screenwriting Course
6 min readReading only gets you so far. Learn by writing.
A guide answers a question; the lessons test that answer on your own scene.