Includes index

Part one : The fundamentals. Before we start : the principles of drama -- Starting out : what's it about? -- Character and emotion : who does what and why -- The three-part nature of film structure -- Plotting : the twists and turns -- Part two : Intermediate steps. Fade in : openings and the main exposition -- The middle : keeping the story alive -- Fade out : revelation, climax and resolution -- Part three : The structure of scenes. Constructing the scene -- Dialogue : the search for the perfect line -- The subtext of meaning -- Part four : Keeping focused. Keeping focused : what does my protagonist really want? -- Appendices. Fade in to fade out : proper screenplay format -- Referenced films available on video -- General film index -- The writer's reference shelf -- Ray's male heterosexual dance hall

Contrasting and comparing the differences and similarities between feature films and short films, Writing Short Films offers readers the essential requirements necessary to make their writing crisp, sharp and compelling. Emphasizing characters, structure, dialogue and story, Writing Short Films dispels the "magic formula" concept that screenplays can be constructed by anyone with a word processor and a script formatting program. Writing a good screenplay, short or long, is a difficult job. Citing numerous examples from short films as well as feature films, the author teaches strategies to keep a short film on track and writer's block at bay. Chapter headings include "The Three Part Nature of Film Structure," "Proper Screenplay Format," and "Dialogue: The Search for the Perfect Line."--Publisher