How to Write an Effective Screenplay for a Short Film

The most common mistake inexperienced filmmakers make is their story is weak and therefore their film is weak. This is because they spend little or no time writing a screenplay as they find it bewildering.
Short vs Feature film. Short films and feature films are very much alike but also different. The main differences are feature films are made up of many scenes which give you the space to develop more complex characters and face an increasing array of obstacles. Technically much is the same when you start out with your idea however you may consider doing a treatment after your outline and using beat sheets to help you with structure.
Method 1 of 7: pre screenplay
Read screenplays. Before you begin writing a screenplay it is a good idea to read and analyse screenplays to your favorite films and similar films to yours.
Set a goal. By breaking down screenwriting into manageable chunks and working out a deadline it will give you motivation. Calm environment.
Calm environment. Work in a calming environment.
Method 2 of 7: Get an idea
Choose a Film Title. The right film title is crucial as it will make it easier to market your screenplay and convey to the audience what the film is about. This can be established at anytime of the process
Key Theme. If you are unsure what the theme is, it's the key lesson the protagonist has learnt by the end of the film.
Formulate a premise. Write a short sentence (15 words or less) of the fundamental concept which drives the plot.
Method 3 of 7: Development
What do you have available? By working out what actors, props and locations are available locally you can make your film cheaply and easily.
Character development. This is an important part of development. The key areas of developing a character are: name, appearance
Character arc.
Dis-functional to Functional
Where? (ex. location)
What? (ex. theme, format, genre, characters goal, worst and best events that could occur)
Why? USP(unique selling position)
When? (time setting for story, deadline for finished film, schedule)
If stuck. Watch a couple of short films and analyse using these key areas.
Brainstorm the beginning and end of the film. Do this as mind maps. Then start filling in what happens in between, to make sure it doesn't become too complicated start at the end and work to the beginning, as the middle is usually harder.

Method 4 of 7: Outline
Create a template for the outline: (Title) is a short (genre) of (how many minutes?) aimed at (target audience) set in (location), (premise)... (Write the action that takes place in the film in the third person in a few hundred words).

Method 5 of 7: Write your script
Write a script. Write for 10 minutes each day.
Face writers block.

Method 6 of 7: Feature film differences
Outline. Should be no longer than a couple of pages long. write a paragraph for each scene.

Method 7 of 7: Redrafting
Remember this quote: Ernest Hemingway “The first draft of anything is shit.”
A common mistake with short film scripts is that they are overwritten and underdeveloped, only do a couple of drafts.
Get feedback, create a list of key issues raised.
Look at each element separately: re-draft dialogue; re-draft action; address structural problems.