Writing for Short Film

In the Hollywood style. In the European way. Archplot & Miniplot

By: Diego Fandos

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

Online courses with the author of this book: https://www.diegofandos.com/

This book will help you write short films in different ways: the Hollywood (or classical) style and the European form—miniplot films where apparently nothing happens. Both options can result in beautiful films for the audience. But also boring ones. Here, you'll find some tips to help you make them properly.

I've been teaching screenwriting for 15 years at PFS. Every season, I read dozens of scripts that soon become short films, so I see both my students’ achievements and their failures. And my own. Here, I talk about common mistakes that I see in class, on the internet, and on the big screen. Many of our alumni are doing very well (Cannes, Berlinale, Netflix, etc.). I have learned a lot from them, and I want to share it on these pages.

The book includes 7 INTERVIEWS with successful screenwriters of feature films - Zdeněk Svěrák (Oscar winner with Kolya); Alejandro Hernández (Goya winner and co-writer of Amenábar) - and short films - Maryna Vroda (Cannes Palme d’Or winner), Borja Cobeaga (Oscar nominated), Kaveh Mazaheri (Retouch), Carlos Violadé (Foreigner), and Roberto Pérez Toledo (Los Gritones), authors of short films that have achieved worldwide success.

You'll also find LINKS to 100 GREAT SHORT FILMS recommended by people from different countries and positions in the film world.

Even if you don't have a budget, when beginning a project you have the same weapons as a blockbuster: two hands, a computer, and your imagination. Nowadays, you can make great small films with a smartphone—it's all about the story and knowing what you can do.

About the Author
Diego Fandos is a Spanish filmmaker who works as a screenwriting instructor at Prague Film School (PFS). He has written and directed award-winning short films (Under Pressure, Aurora, 29th of February), documentaries, commercials, and the feature film Cosmos.