A clean three-act template for a 5-15 minute short film. Includes setup, confrontation, and resolution with placeholder scenes to guide your story.
INT. PROTAGONIST'S APARTMENT - MORNING
Establish your protagonist in their ordinary world. Show what they want, what they're missing. [Write your opening scene here]
EXT. CATALYST LOCATION - DAY
The inciting incident — something disrupts the protagonist's world and forces them to act. [Write your inciting incident here]
INT. CONFRONTATION - DAY
Rising stakes. The protagonist faces obstacles. Explore what they're willing to risk. [Write your midpoint conflict here]
+ 2 more scenes