Why Your First Short Film Shouldn’t Be Perfect

Here’s a little secret: your first short film isn’t supposed to be perfect. So, for my perfectionists out there, this is going to be very tough for you.

If you’re waiting until you have the perfect script, the perfect cast, the perfect equipment, you’ll be waiting forever. And by the time you finally shoot something, you’ll have missed out on the most important part of filmmaking: learning by doing.

The Perfection Trap

So many new filmmakers hold back because they’re terrified their first film won’t be “good enough.” Newsflash: it won’t be. And that’s okay.

Just accept it – there’s not way your first, your VERY first short film is going to win awards, or go viral, or get you your dream job.

Now, all those are possible, don’t get me wrong because crazy things happen when you are creating for the love of the art, but it’s not guaranteed.

And if I’m being honest you can re-write your script forever. You can reshoot every scene if you had all the time and money in the world. You can keep editing and never get to the perfection you so expected when you first started this whole process. So, know that you eventually have to say “ok this is my cut off point.” Step away from the editing bay!

What Your First Short Film Is Really For:

• Practice. You learn so much more on set than reading books or watching tutorials.

• Finding your voice. Every film you make gets you closer to your style.

• Portfolio building. Even a rough short is better than nothing when people ask, “Can I see your work?”

Why Mistakes Are a Gift

Every filmmaker has a cringey first project. I def do! That’s not failure, it’s progress. It’s creative growth. Also technical growth with everything you use. Each mistake teaches you something you couldn’t have learned otherwise.

Practical Takeaway

Instead of aiming for perfect, aim for finished. Keep your story simple, your crew small, and your runtime short. Done beats perfect every time. There are so many project out there stuck in the re-editing, or re-shooting loop. And no one sees an unfinished project.

This can be painful, because you think so many things “could have been better” but they’re not though, right? So, finish it, release it to the world and ask people to watch it. Hell, even go to community groups where they share short films and talk about it!

It’s all about learning.

Don’t wait. Make the imperfect short. Fail forward. The sooner you get the first one out of your system, the sooner you’ll make something great. Let yourself make that horrible first short film.