Lights, Camera, Action! - An Introduction to Outlining a Short Film

• Film
• Higher Education (degree)

Lights, Camera, Action! - An Introduction to Outlining a Short Film

The Basics of Outlining a Screenplay 

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will know how to use Thematic Premise as a tool to structure a short film. 

What is Thematic Premise 

In short, Thematic Premise is the message of the film. 

It is the reason for the existence of the film/ story. 

The story proves the message and the characters in the story enact the message/ Theme. 

 

Example Thematic Premise:

Love yourself first, so you can love others?

You become what you hate?

True Love requires sacrifice?

True love conquers all?

Blind patriotism destroys?

Closure is more important than justice?

Ruthless ambition leads to ruin?

Good Thematic Premise

Character- Conflict- Resolution

 

Ruthless ambition leads to ruin

Why have a Thematic Premise

• It shows a strong storytelling voice

• It can help you develop a cohesive body of work. 

• It can help guide you through other storytelling stages.

• It can help you to focus your ideas and direction.

Character Wants and Needs

Wants: Desires which can be to the detriment of the character. Could also be well-meaning.

  

Needs: What the character really needs, this should be a lesson linked to the Thematic Premise. 

Liar Liar

Wants: Man wants to be the best Lawyer (and is willing to lie)

Needs: To be honest with his Son to heal their relationship. 

Thematic Premise: Dishonesty will leave you lonely.

 

Story Structure Stages

An industry standard way of developing story: 

1. Thematic Premise

2. Character(s) - Conflict - Resolution

2. Beat Sheet/ Acts

3. Treatment (more detailed Beat Sheet)

4. Script 

Christopher Nolan

Subjects or 'Themes' explored: Time, identity, memory, and the blurred lines between reality and illusion.

Films: "Memento," "Inception," "Interstellar," and "Tenet."

Sofia Coppola

Subjects or 'Themes': Isolation, loneliness, female identity, and the inner lives of complex female characters.

Films: "Lost in Translation," "The Virgin Suicides," "Marie Antoinette," and "Somewhere."

Wes Anderson

Subjects or Themes explored: Eccentric characters, dysfunctional families, nostalgia, and whimsical visual style.

Films: "Moonrise Kingdom," "The Grand Budapest Hotel," and "Isle of Dogs."

Love yourself so you can love others:

Violet: A teenage girl feels like a monster because she is ashamed of her desires.

Max V's the Robot: A boy with a super mutation must face an evil robot hunting him down. 

 

Work in Progress: Tidelines (Aka Adrift)

Tidelines is about a refugee who struggles to adapt to his new way of life whilst his son abandons his culture to fit in. 

Dad wants his son to be like him and respect him.

Dad Needs to meet his son halfway and adapt.

Thematic Premise: Love requires sacrifice  

Corb 

A refugee from the sea, he Loves his son but struggles with how he is changing and growing up.  

Has stubborn pride for being a Merrow

Len 

Len is trying to adapt fast in order to fit in. 

He is deeply insecure about being a Merrow and is bullied  in school. 

Example Log lines:

"E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" (1982):A young boy befriends a stranded alien and helps him evade government agents while trying to reunite him with his home planet."

"The Silence of the Lambs" (1991):"An FBI agent seeks the help of a brilliant but insane serial killer to catch another elusive serial killer on the loose."

"Jurassic Park" (1993):"A billionaire philanthropist invites a group of scientists and visitors to his remote island amusement park, but their enjoyment turns to terror when genetically-engineered dinosaurs escape and wreak havoc."

savethecat.com

beatsheetcalculator.com

Character Descriptions

Describe the main characters in your short film, including their traits, goals, and conflicts. This helps in character and narrative development.

Ensure the Characters will carry your theme/ message well. 

A key to writing a good story is creating Conflict/ Obstacles.  

Travis Bickle

Film: "Taxi Driver" (1976)

Description: Travis Bickle is a mentally unstable Vietnam War veteran who becomes a taxi driver in New York City. Isolated and disillusioned, he becomes obsessed with cleansing the city of what he perceives as its moral decay.

Ellen Ripley

(Sigourney Weaver) in "Aliens" (1986):

Description: "Ellen Ripley is a courageous and resourceful space marine who battles deadly extraterrestrial creatures. She's a survivor and protector of those around her."

Practice Outlining

Now it's time to apply what you've learned! Use the tools provided to start outlining the story. 

In small teams, you will have a go at outlining the narrative and developing character descriptions. 

Tip: #1: Record all your ideas. #2: It's easy to get too engrossed in character descriptions, keep character loose at the start