At Raindance, we train filmmakers the best way to keep away from these errors.
At present, we’re doing the alternative.
As a result of the quickest solution to perceive craft is to know failure.
For those who can spot a nasty movie in ten seconds, you’re already studying how to not make one.
So right here it’s — the Raindance Seven information to creating a really, spectacularly horrible brief movie.
1. You Can By no means Have Sufficient Lens Flare
Shoot immediately into the solar.
Then add extra mild.
Then bounce it off a mirror.
Lens flare ought to obliterate faces, feelings, and any remaining dignity. If the viewers can see what’s taking place, you’ve failed.
2. Write Dialogue That Explains All the things
By no means belief subtext.
Have characters say precisely what they’re feeling, what they plan to do subsequent, and what already occurred — ideally in the identical sentence.
Instance:
“As my brother who betrayed me ten years in the past, I really feel conflicted standing on this kitchen proper now.”
Excellent. No notes.
3. Shake the Digital camera Like It’s a Ethical Place
Tripods are for cowards.
Handheld each scene.
Zoom mid-sentence.
Rack focus unintentionally.
If viewers really feel mildly nauseous, you’re heading in the right direction.
4. Music Should Emotionally Bully the Viewers
Quiet scene? Add strings.
Argument? Add greater strings.
Somebody appears to be like at a telephone? FULL ORCHESTRA.
Music ought to inform the viewers what to really feel — loudly, repeatedly, and with out irony.
5. Forged Your Pals (Particularly the Ones Who Can’t Act)
No auditions. No rehearsals.
If somebody as soon as stated “I’ve at all times needed to be in a movie,” forged them instantly because the lead.
Bonus factors in the event that they:
-
Have a look at the digital camera
-
Overlook strains
-
Apologise mid-scene
Uncooked authenticity.
6. Ignore Sound Totally
Constructed-in digital camera mic solely.
Let visitors, wind, fridges, and passing trains dominate the combo. Dialogue ought to sound prefer it was recorded underwater — or in one other postcode.
Keep in mind: dangerous sound makes even good photographs really feel novice. That’s effectivity.
7. Finish With One thing Deep (However Meaningless)
No decision.
Minimize to:
Fade to black.
Add a quote you discovered on-line.
Let the viewers argue about what it “meant” since you don’t know both.
🎯 Desire a Horrible Quick Movie Script Template?
Right here you go — plug-and-play dangerous cinema:
PAGE 1
PAGES 2–4
-
Lengthy dialogue scene explaining the backstory twice.
-
Random cutaways to arms, home windows, clouds.
PAGE 5
PAGE 6
FINAL PAGE
Congratulations. You’ve written a horrible brief movie.
🎬 Why We’re Telling You This
As a result of each one among these errors reveals up always in first movies.
At Raindance, we don’t mock novices — we arm them.
As soon as you’ll be able to spot dangerous craft, you’ll be able to repair it.
When you perceive why movies fail, you may make yours work.
🚀 CTA: Study to Break the Guidelines Correctly
If you wish to make movies that don’t fall into these traps:
Study the foundations.
Break them deliberately.
Don’t make horrible movies by chance.
Need extra Raindance? Begin Right here

Photograph Credit score: Bertie Watson
I based Raindance Movie Competition in 1993 as a result of the British movie trade was closed, well mannered, and congratulating itself whereas shutting new filmmakers out.
I co-founded the British Unbiased Movie Awards in 1998 as a result of British indie movie deserved greater than a shrug, a pat on the pinnacle, and a Tuesday night time screening.
Raindance didn’t begin as a model.It began as a riot — movie coaching with out gatekeepers, a pageant with out permission, and a group constructed by filmmakers who weren’t ready to be invited in.
Later, we took it international — Toronto, Vancouver, New York, LA, Berlin, Brussels — as a result of unbiased movie doesn’t belong to at least one metropolis, one class, or one accent.
I’ve produced 700+ brief movies and 7 options, together with Lethal Virtues (2014) and ALICE, which received the SXSW Grand Jury Prize (2019) — not as a result of somebody “found” us, however as a result of the work earned its place.
I’ve written three books utilized by filmmakers worldwide as a result of too many programs taught compliance as a substitute of survival.
In 2009, I used to be awarded a PhD for companies to movie training — ironic, given that the majority of my profession has been about tearing down the foundations that training insisted you observe.
I don’t consider in ready for permission.I consider in making work, constructing techniques, and forcing the trade to catch up.
Specialties:Unbiased Movie (the actual sort) · Producing · Writing · Movie Training · Festivals · Breaking Damaged Programs
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