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Make Short Films That Actually Work

A practical, framework-first course in short film production — from the blank page to a finished cut you can submit to festivals.

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Intermediate9 hr 14 minSelf PacedRegistered

Course Overview

What this course is designed to develop

This intermediate course teaches you to make compelling short films using proven cinematic frameworks — three-act structure, shot coverage, the 180-degree rule, and professional sound design. You will learn to work efficiently with a small crew, make strong decisions on location, and edit with rhythm and intention. By the end you will have the knowledge and a production workflow to take a one-page idea to a finished short film ready for festivals or your portfolio.

Learning Outcomes

What the learner should be able to understand, build, or execute.

Write a structurally sound short film script using three-act structure and scene-level tension

Plan and execute a complete shot list covering all required angles for a scene

Apply the 180-degree rule and eyeline matching to maintain spatial continuity on set

Record clean production sound and design an expressive audio layer in post

Assemble and refine a picture edit using rhythm, pacing, and the principles of invisible cutting

Deliver a colour-graded, mixed short film in formats suitable for festival submission and online distribution

Curriculum Preview

Inside the curriculum: a structured path from fundamentals to execution.

Preview the course structure, see how the modules build on one another, and understand the path this program is designed to take you through.

Module 1

Module 1: Story and Pre-Production

Build the structural and logistical foundation for your film before a single frame is shot. Strong pre-production is what separates films that get finished from films that stall.

3 lessons

Writing a Short Film Script That WorksContent · 45 min

Preview Enabled

Breakdown, Budget, and ScheduleContent · 40 min

LMS Access

Location Scouting and Visual PlanningContent · 50 min

LMS Access

Module 2

Module 2: Cinematography and Directing on Set

Apply the rules of spatial continuity, light and exposure, and directing performance to execute your shot list efficiently and get footage that cuts together.

3 lessons

The 180-Degree Rule and Spatial ContinuityContent · 45 min

LMS Access

Exposure, Lenses, and Lighting for NarrativeContent · 50 min

LMS Access

Directing Performance and Running the SetContent · 48 min

LMS Access

Module 3

Module 3: Sound Design and Production Audio

Record clean production audio, understand the architecture of a sound design, and build a soundtrack that carries as much narrative weight as the image.

3 lessons

Recording Clean Production SoundContent · 42 min

LMS Access

Building a Sound Design in PostContent · 52 min

LMS Access

Music, Licensing, and Emotional ScoringContent · 38 min

LMS Access

Module 4

Module 4: Editing, Colour, and Finishing

Assemble and refine your cut using the principles of rhythm and invisible editing, grade your image to a coherent visual tone, and deliver a finished film for festival submission and online distribution.

3 lessons

Assembling the Edit: Structure and RhythmContent · 52 min

LMS Access

Colour Grading: From Correction to LookContent · 48 min

LMS Access

Finishing, Delivery, and Festival SubmissionContent · 44 min

LMS Access

Built for Application

A complete learning path, not a one-off inspiration hit.

This program is designed around progression: focused lessons, structured modules, applied resources, assessments, and a course rhythm that turns information into usable capability.

filmmakingshort filmscreenwritingcinematographyeditingsound designdirectingcolour grading