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Page 1
?? YOUR SHORT FILM BLUEPRINT
Complete Production Planner · Final Project Module
This is your complete roadmap from idea to finished film. Use every section. Filmmaking is 80%
preparation and 20% shooting — and the preparation is where most beginners win or lose their project.
Y
O
U
R
C
O
M
M
I
T
M
E
N
T
Sign off on this planner before production begins. Completing all sections before your shoot date
is your greatest protection against problems on set.
SECTION 1 · THE FILM AT A GLANCE
FIELD DETAILS
Film Title
Director
Target Runtime
Genre / Tone
Shoot Date(s)
Edit Deadline
Final Delivery Date
SECTION 2 · STORY FOUNDATION
LOGLINE (1–2 sentences):
Page 2
?? YOUR SHORT FILM BLUEPRINT
Complete Production Planner · Final Project Module
This is your complete roadmap from idea to finished film. Use every section. Filmmaking is 80%
preparation and 20% shooting — and the preparation is where most beginners win or lose their project.
Y
O
U
R
C
O
M
M
I
T
M
E
N
T
Sign off on this planner before production begins. Completing all sections before your shoot date
is your greatest protection against problems on set.
SECTION 1 · THE FILM AT A GLANCE
FIELD DETAILS
Film Title
Director
Target Runtime
Genre / Tone
Shoot Date(s)
Edit Deadline
Final Delivery Date
SECTION 2 · STORY FOUNDATION
LOGLINE (1–2 sentences):
Who wants what, what stops them, what must they do? e.g. 'A grieving son discovers his late father's unfinished letters —
and must decide whether to send them.'
THREE-ACT STRUCTURE:
Act 1 (Setup — first 25%): Where we are, who we meet, what the problem is.Act 2 (Confrontation — middle 50%): The
problem gets worse. Character must change.Act 3 (Resolution — final 25%): How it ends. What changed?
THEME (one sentence — what is this film REALLY about?):
e.g. 'This film is about how we carry the people we've lost.'
SECTION 3 · CAST & CREW
Role Character Name Person's Name Contact Confirmed?
Actor 1
Actor 2
Director
Camera
Sound
Other
Page 3
?? YOUR SHORT FILM BLUEPRINT
Complete Production Planner · Final Project Module
This is your complete roadmap from idea to finished film. Use every section. Filmmaking is 80%
preparation and 20% shooting — and the preparation is where most beginners win or lose their project.
Y
O
U
R
C
O
M
M
I
T
M
E
N
T
Sign off on this planner before production begins. Completing all sections before your shoot date
is your greatest protection against problems on set.
SECTION 1 · THE FILM AT A GLANCE
FIELD DETAILS
Film Title
Director
Target Runtime
Genre / Tone
Shoot Date(s)
Edit Deadline
Final Delivery Date
SECTION 2 · STORY FOUNDATION
LOGLINE (1–2 sentences):
Who wants what, what stops them, what must they do? e.g. 'A grieving son discovers his late father's unfinished letters —
and must decide whether to send them.'
THREE-ACT STRUCTURE:
Act 1 (Setup — first 25%): Where we are, who we meet, what the problem is.Act 2 (Confrontation — middle 50%): The
problem gets worse. Character must change.Act 3 (Resolution — final 25%): How it ends. What changed?
THEME (one sentence — what is this film REALLY about?):
e.g. 'This film is about how we carry the people we've lost.'
SECTION 3 · CAST & CREW
Role Character Name Person's Name Contact Confirmed?
Actor 1
Actor 2
Director
Camera
Sound
Other
SECTION 4 · LOCATIONS
Location Name Address / Description Scenes Filmed Here Permission? Backup Location
SECTION 5 · EQUIPMENT LIST
Equipment Model / Notes Pre-Shoot Check 1 Pre-Shoot Check 2 Pre-Shoot Check 3
Camera
? Packed ? Charged ? Tested
Lenses /
Attachments
? Packed ? Checked —
Microphone
? Packed ? Batteries ? Tested
Headphones
? Packed — —
Lighting
? Packed ? Charged ? Tested
Tripod / Stabiliser
? Packed — —
Memory Cards /
Storage
? Formatted ? Spare —
Extension cables /
adapters
? Packed — —
SECTION 6 · PRODUCTION TIMELINE
Week Phase Key Tasks Done
Week 1 Development Finalise script, logline, and story structure. Share with collaborators for
feedback.
?
Week 2 Pre-Production Cast actors, scout locations, create shot list and storyboard.
?
Week 3 Pre-Production Confirm all logistics, test equipment, do a table read with cast.
?
Week 4 Production Principal photography. All scheduled scenes captured.
?
Week 5 Post-Production Assemble rough cut. Review all footage.
?
Page 4
?? YOUR SHORT FILM BLUEPRINT
Complete Production Planner · Final Project Module
This is your complete roadmap from idea to finished film. Use every section. Filmmaking is 80%
preparation and 20% shooting — and the preparation is where most beginners win or lose their project.
Y
O
U
R
C
O
M
M
I
T
M
E
N
T
Sign off on this planner before production begins. Completing all sections before your shoot date
is your greatest protection against problems on set.
SECTION 1 · THE FILM AT A GLANCE
FIELD DETAILS
Film Title
Director
Target Runtime
Genre / Tone
Shoot Date(s)
Edit Deadline
Final Delivery Date
SECTION 2 · STORY FOUNDATION
LOGLINE (1–2 sentences):
Who wants what, what stops them, what must they do? e.g. 'A grieving son discovers his late father's unfinished letters —
and must decide whether to send them.'
THREE-ACT STRUCTURE:
Act 1 (Setup — first 25%): Where we are, who we meet, what the problem is.Act 2 (Confrontation — middle 50%): The
problem gets worse. Character must change.Act 3 (Resolution — final 25%): How it ends. What changed?
THEME (one sentence — what is this film REALLY about?):
e.g. 'This film is about how we carry the people we've lost.'
SECTION 3 · CAST & CREW
Role Character Name Person's Name Contact Confirmed?
Actor 1
Actor 2
Director
Camera
Sound
Other
SECTION 4 · LOCATIONS
Location Name Address / Description Scenes Filmed Here Permission? Backup Location
SECTION 5 · EQUIPMENT LIST
Equipment Model / Notes Pre-Shoot Check 1 Pre-Shoot Check 2 Pre-Shoot Check 3
Camera
? Packed ? Charged ? Tested
Lenses /
Attachments
? Packed ? Checked —
Microphone
? Packed ? Batteries ? Tested
Headphones
? Packed — —
Lighting
? Packed ? Charged ? Tested
Tripod / Stabiliser
? Packed — —
Memory Cards /
Storage
? Formatted ? Spare —
Extension cables /
adapters
? Packed — —
SECTION 6 · PRODUCTION TIMELINE
Week Phase Key Tasks Done
Week 1 Development Finalise script, logline, and story structure. Share with collaborators for
feedback.
?
Week 2 Pre-Production Cast actors, scout locations, create shot list and storyboard.
?
Week 3 Pre-Production Confirm all logistics, test equipment, do a table read with cast.
?
Week 4 Production Principal photography. All scheduled scenes captured.
?
Week 5 Post-Production Assemble rough cut. Review all footage.
?
Week 6 Post-Production Fine cut. Add music, SFX, colour grade.
?
Week 7 Delivery Final export. Festival submissions. Distribution.
?
SECTION 7 · SHOOT DAY SCHEDULE
Fill this in for each shoot day. Plan more time than you think you'll need — shoots always run long.
Time Activity / Scene / Shot # Location Cast Needed
7:00 AM
8:00 AM
9:00 AM
10:00 AM
11:00 AM
12:00 PM
1:00 PM
2:00 PM
3:00 PM
4:00 PM
5:00 PM
6:00 PM
SECTION 8 · FINAL PRODUCTION CHECKLIST
Pre-Production — must be done BEFORE your shoot date:
?
Script finalised and printed for cast?
Cast should have their scripts at least 3 days before the shoot.
?
Shot list complete?
Every shot planned, numbered, and grouped by location.
Page 5
?? YOUR SHORT FILM BLUEPRINT
Complete Production Planner · Final Project Module
This is your complete roadmap from idea to finished film. Use every section. Filmmaking is 80%
preparation and 20% shooting — and the preparation is where most beginners win or lose their project.
Y
O
U
R
C
O
M
M
I
T
M
E
N
T
Sign off on this planner before production begins. Completing all sections before your shoot date
is your greatest protection against problems on set.
SECTION 1 · THE FILM AT A GLANCE
FIELD DETAILS
Film Title
Director
Target Runtime
Genre / Tone
Shoot Date(s)
Edit Deadline
Final Delivery Date
SECTION 2 · STORY FOUNDATION
LOGLINE (1–2 sentences):
Who wants what, what stops them, what must they do? e.g. 'A grieving son discovers his late father's unfinished letters —
and must decide whether to send them.'
THREE-ACT STRUCTURE:
Act 1 (Setup — first 25%): Where we are, who we meet, what the problem is.Act 2 (Confrontation — middle 50%): The
problem gets worse. Character must change.Act 3 (Resolution — final 25%): How it ends. What changed?
THEME (one sentence — what is this film REALLY about?):
e.g. 'This film is about how we carry the people we've lost.'
SECTION 3 · CAST & CREW
Role Character Name Person's Name Contact Confirmed?
Actor 1
Actor 2
Director
Camera
Sound
Other
SECTION 4 · LOCATIONS
Location Name Address / Description Scenes Filmed Here Permission? Backup Location
SECTION 5 · EQUIPMENT LIST
Equipment Model / Notes Pre-Shoot Check 1 Pre-Shoot Check 2 Pre-Shoot Check 3
Camera
? Packed ? Charged ? Tested
Lenses /
Attachments
? Packed ? Checked —
Microphone
? Packed ? Batteries ? Tested
Headphones
? Packed — —
Lighting
? Packed ? Charged ? Tested
Tripod / Stabiliser
? Packed — —
Memory Cards /
Storage
? Formatted ? Spare —
Extension cables /
adapters
? Packed — —
SECTION 6 · PRODUCTION TIMELINE
Week Phase Key Tasks Done
Week 1 Development Finalise script, logline, and story structure. Share with collaborators for
feedback.
?
Week 2 Pre-Production Cast actors, scout locations, create shot list and storyboard.
?
Week 3 Pre-Production Confirm all logistics, test equipment, do a table read with cast.
?
Week 4 Production Principal photography. All scheduled scenes captured.
?
Week 5 Post-Production Assemble rough cut. Review all footage.
?
Week 6 Post-Production Fine cut. Add music, SFX, colour grade.
?
Week 7 Delivery Final export. Festival submissions. Distribution.
?
SECTION 7 · SHOOT DAY SCHEDULE
Fill this in for each shoot day. Plan more time than you think you'll need — shoots always run long.
Time Activity / Scene / Shot # Location Cast Needed
7:00 AM
8:00 AM
9:00 AM
10:00 AM
11:00 AM
12:00 PM
1:00 PM
2:00 PM
3:00 PM
4:00 PM
5:00 PM
6:00 PM
SECTION 8 · FINAL PRODUCTION CHECKLIST
Pre-Production — must be done BEFORE your shoot date:
?
Script finalised and printed for cast?
Cast should have their scripts at least 3 days before the shoot.
?
Shot list complete?
Every shot planned, numbered, and grouped by location.
?
Storyboard sketched for key scenes?
Especially important for any complex or moving shots.
?
All cast confirmed with call times?
Written confirmation — not just a verbal yes.
?
All locations confirmed with access?
Permission obtained. Backup location identified for each.
?
All equipment tested and working?
Camera, mic, lights — test everything the day before.
?
Props and costumes prepared?
Every item accounted for and available on shoot day.
Production — during your shoot:
?
Shot list with you on set?
Printed or on your phone. Every shot gets ticked as completed.
?
Safety briefing done with cast/crew?
Everyone knows: no running, no moving equipment without warning.
?
All takes logged and best takes starred?
Camera report updated after every scene.
?
All footage backed up same day?
Two copies before you go home. No exceptions.
Post-Production — before delivery:
?
All footage organised and labelled?
Bins/folders by scene. Named clearly. No 'untitled' clips.
?
Rough cut reviewed with fresh eyes?
Wait 24 hours after your first cut, then watch again.
?
Music and SFX licensed?
Every audio element checked for license before export.
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