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The 7-Day Short Film Method: From Idea to Complete Script

Stop overthinking and start scripting

Have you ever felt stuck, staring at a blank page, waiting for the perfect idea?

Well, that idea is not coming. At least, not on its own.

You need to write for ideas to flow. This article is your step-by-step guide to transforming a simple concept into a finished, there-page short film script in just one week. It won’t be the best thing you ever write, but it will be finished.

Before we start, I’ve created a free 7-Day Short Film Script Worksheet Template to guide you through scripting.

Free Screenwriting Tools:

• WriterDuet (Free web version) — Great for beginners, works in your browser
• Trelby (Open source) — Perfect for Windows/Linux users
• Fade In (Free and Paid Versions) — A professional-grade screenwriting tool that’s lightweight, user-friendly, and works seamlessly on Mac, Windows, and Linux. Perfect for those seeking advanced features at an affordable price
• Kit Scenarist (Free forever) — Works on all platforms

Pick one and install it. You can stick with any other writing software you like. But, these will make formatting easier.

Let’s get your first Short Film Script off the ground.

Day 1–2: Brainstorm Concepts & Outline the Story

Goal: Generate 10 story concepts and choose your final idea
Time Needed: 2–4 hours each day
Milestone: One selected story concept with a complete outline

Concept Brainstorm Template, Screenshot by Author

Let’s shape a story around an explicit limitation: one location, a time limit, or one character. This constraint-first approach often leads to more creative solutions than starting with an ambitious concept you can’t execute.

The Story Generation Formula:

(Catalyst) + (Limitation) + (Stakes) = Concept

Here’s how it works:

Example Concept 1 (Thriller):

• Catalyst: A pizza clerk receives a creepy late-night order
• Limitation: It’s her first solo shift
• Stakes: She must investigate while maintaining perfect customer service

Example Concept 2 (Horror):

• Catalyst: Two hikers discover a mysterious videotape in the woods
• Limitation: They’re stranded without cell service
• Stakes: The tape’s contents seem to predict their fate

Example Concept 3 (Drama):

• Catalyst: A teenager finds an old letter in their attic
• Limitation: The letter is in a language they don’t understand
• Stakes: It might explain why their older sibling left home

Your Workflow:

1. Brainstorm 5-10 ideas using this formula
2. Match each idea against your resource list
3. Narrow down to 2–3 concepts that fit your limitations
4. Write a one-paragraph outline for each
5. Choose the story that excites you most AND fits your resources

Pro Tip: Start small. A well-executed, simple story beats an ambitious but poorly executed one.

Day 3–5: Write the Script (Draft 1)

Goal: Complete a full first draft of your 3-page script
Time Needed: 1–3 hours each day
Milestone: Completed first draft that fits your resources

Script Development Template, Screenshot by Author

Before opening your screenwriting software, let’s nail down these essential elements:

Story Foundation:

• Genre: What’s your film’s style?
  It is a tense psychological thriller infused with absurdist humor (e.g., Black Mirror meets The Lobster).
• Theme: What’s the deeper conflict?
  The struggle between following one’s instincts and staying loyal to responsibilities.
• Character Arc: How does your protagonist change?
  A naive new employee starts by following orders blindly but learns to trust their instincts and take bold action to overcome a crisis.
• Conflict: What are the external and internal battles?
  External Conflict: A mysterious late-night customer makes strange demands, putting the protagonist in a potentially dangerous situation.
  Internal Conflict: The protagonist wrestles with prioritizing their professional duties or trusting their gut instinct to leave the situation.

Script Structure:
In screenwriting, one page equals one minute of screen time. Limit your script to 3 pages for your first short film to ensure a manageable shoot.

Here’s a page-by-page breakdown:

Page 1: Hook the audience, introduce the main character, and establish the conflict.

Page 2: Escalate the tension and raise the stakes with a pivotal moment.

Page 3: Deliver the climax and resolve the story.

Common First-Timer Script Issues to Avoid:

• Overwriting action descriptions
• Dense dialogue
• Scenes that require unavailable resources
• Complex special effects
• Too many locations
• Too many dramatic days(each day that passes in the story)

Day 6–7: Revise and Polish

Goal: Transform your rough draft into a shootable script
Time Needed: 2–3 hours each day
Milestone: Final draft ready for production

Now that you have your first draft let’s make it shine.

Revision Checklist:

Formatting Review

• Scene headers consistent
• Page count within 3 pages
• Proper margin settings

Story Review:

• Logical scene progression
• Engaging opening
• Satisfying ending
• Feasible with your resources

Share your script with 3–4 trusted friends and ask specific questions:

• Where did they feel most engaged?
• Which parts confused them?
• Did the ending satisfy?
• Could they visualize the scenes?

Using AI Responsibly:
While AI can help polish your work, it can’t replace your creative voice. Use it wisely for:

• Feedback on story clarity
• Spotting formatting issues
• As a soundboard to think through script challenges

To grow as a screenwriter the story needs to come from you, not an AI prompt.

Here’s Your 7-day Script Development Checklist:

Day 1: 
☐ Created master resource spreadsheet 
☐ Listed and photographed available locations 
☐ Inventoried all equipment 
☐ Created a contact list of potential helpers

Day 2–3: 
☐ Generated 10 story concepts using the formula 
☐ Checked concepts against the resource list 
☐ Selected top 2–3 ideas 
☐ Wrote a one-paragraph outline for each 
☐ Chose the final story concept

Day 4–5: 
☐ Defined genre, theme, and character arc 
☐ Outlined 3-page structure 
☐ Wrote first draft 
☐ Checked against the common issues list 
☐ Verified all scenes work with resources 
☐ Completed basic formatting check

Day 5–7: 
☐ Completed technical review 
☐ Ran story structure check 
☐ Shared with 3–4 test readers 
☐ Collected and analyzed feedback 
☐ Made final revisions 
☐ Verified page count (3 pages max) 
☐ Double-checked resource feasibility

If you made it this far, you might enjoy what I’m up to on my brand-new Substack — be one of the first to check it out. And don’t miss a thing here on Medium.