The first milestone of the filmmaker to compose a successful short film.

 “You can be poetic and you don’t have to answer anything. You can make whatever you want. You have creative freedom with the short film”. These were the great words of New Zealand’s famous director-producer screenwriter and actor, Taika Waititi. In today’s world, short films are gaining more popularity than ever. It has become more convenient and desirable for people to choose short films for their entertainment because they can fit this entertainment into their life at any point that they desire! Short films also provide a great platform for new filmmakers. Some amazing Indian short films are Ahalya, Afterglow, and Taandav. Short movies such as these inspire people to make one of their own! If you are a short film enthusiast and are looking for ways to brainstorm on ideas for short films, here are 8 effective ways: 

Watch Me and Learn!

Inspiration! Inspiration! Inspiration! If you want your inspiration to keep burning, it is requisite to watch short films. Observe the work of other filmmakers and figure out what constituents of their movie makes it so appealing. Devise your inspiration out of this! Short films that are shortlisted in award functions and exhibited in film festivals are recommended for the same purpose.

Your Life is Your Inspiration

As long as we are talking about inspiration to brainstorm ideas and produce short films, you must retrospect. Find an old family story, talk about the walk you had to the lake, remember that encounter with that stranger? What were your childhood memories? Adopt these experiences to mount ideas for your short film. A well-structured memory or knowledge regarding a subject will help you present a good quality short film. 

Know it! Write to it! 

When was the last time you thought to yourself, “This is an excellent concept for a short film?” Well, do you recollect what that idea was? Do you know an average person has 6200 thoughts a day? And that is why you need to write down your ideas for your short film. It enables you to organize your ideas and lets you improvise these ideas. Make ideas. Write them down. 

You could also use a storyboard or mood board as a technique to produce adequate ideas for short films. 

How Creative Can You Be 

It is imperative to go way overboard while you brainstorm ideas for your film. Remember that your thoughts are limited only by your imagination. Now how to go overboard with your character? Here is an example, watch a movie and try to pick out the most boring role. Now, place that character in the most extreme situation he could be in! And just like that! You already have an exceptional personality for your short movie. It is very vital to think outside the box to produce attention-grabbing characters for your short film. The more uniqueness you add to your character, the more interesting your movie will be.

Seeking the Motivation 

Did you know that since 2000 the number of short films made in our country is significantly increasing? In India, today, there are over 90000 short films made every year and screened at various events and film festivals. You might question how to produce a short film that is different from each one of them? Short films are often motivated by other mediums such as photographs, books, and poems. One must possess the skill to expand perspectives to see the relevant aspects that could compose a meaningful short film.

The irony of “What if”? 

Sometimes uncertainty can be your key! This is one of the widely used methods to generate ideas for short films. The more ‘what-if’ situations you think of, the pleasanter your short film is fashioned. Try to list down the most outlandish and ridiculous conditions that we could face /happen. For example: what if the covid virus transfers through sight and not as an airborne disease? How would the world survive in this situation? Even though a ridiculous thought, this could be an intriguing concept for a short film! The ‘what if’ tool will help you think outside the box which is something all of us look for in movies today! 

Twist and Turn the story!

By twist it, I do not mean that all short films should have a much-unexpected ending. It is essential to construct situations in the movie that would leave the audience at the edge of their seats! You could select one genre, with the movie proceeding, add another genre to it. For example, you could add horror to an action movie or mystery to a romantic film. Make the story unpredictable! 

Get Up! Get Going! Make it Happen!

Last but not least! As much as you write and brainstorm on ideas is required, to get out and meet people, find crews and production freelances to make your ideas happen is also essential! Comprehend what kind of shooting, lighting, sound mix, and colors they work. The best way to create a meaningful project is by applying the primary quality talent of your crew. Remember, the success of a short film does not lie in an individual but the whole team!

Colobrotate with us to make a team for your next short film 

Want to understand more about short films? Here is a link to 10 must-watch evergreen short films that is available for free!