Introduction to the course, course goals and how the course is structured to see if this course meets your expectations and goals as a student. Regardless of where you are in your current skills for filmmaking, this course appeals to both the beginner and the intermediate with new insights, information and tips to getting your film started.

Introduction to the instructor as well as an opportunity for you to introduce yourself and your story to tell, to the community. Learn why the instructor is qualified and the best option to be guiding you through your very own short film production journey.

Brief overview to identifying the story idea you are most passionate about and how to develop it into a short film. Learn the basics of what makes a short film and the kind of stories that fit the short film format.

Insights on creating memorable characters as well as tools to help you develop multi-dimensional characters. External samples are provided to give you more variety of the different tools and styles of character development activities done by professionals to create their stories.

A look into what makes an outline and treatment and how you can use them to develop your story and script. External samples and live samples included to illustrate the differences between the outline and treatment and how each help to create and craft your story idea.

A look into anticipating the project timeline and schedule for the entire short film production from pre-production to post-production and the beginnings of planning your time. The importance of pre-planning even before pre-production cannot be overstated and this lesson is where you learn about the importance of story complexity versus practicality.

A look into anticipating project crew, cast, locations and other resources required for the entire short film production from pre-production to post-production and where to start looking. With insights from the previous lesson, learn how complex and practical your short film is before even forking out cash or spending considerable time in pre-production.

Introduction to the pre-production phase and what this phase generally involves as a filmmaker and a producer. Pre-production is the most important phase of any film production - make it to the end of this section in order to have a good understanding of all the details involved in planning for a shoot.

Brief overview to writing a proper short film script in industry and professional standards. Learn how the development of character bios, outlines and treatments lend themselves to easing the script-writing process for your short film. Sticking to strict script formatting is key to being treated as a professional filmmaker, producer and writer.

A look into the importance of storyboards and how to create proper storyboards and concept art that is useful. Explore different styles of storyboarding and concept art and how it fits into the overall style and genre of your short film, as well as learn how useful visuals are when sharing your vision with cast and crew.

Tips on creating a professional production budget sheet, budgeting and general accounting of costs and expenses in a short film. Explore in detail, the budget summary, breakdown as well as expenditure tracking all in one or two Excel sheets.

Tips on creating professional production and shooting schedules and the art of scheduling for a short film. External samples included to illustrate how these documents are all customizable to suit your own individual production and story needs.

A look into cast and crew contracts for your short film casting and crew staffing. Contracts help enforce accountability and (hopefully) prevent flakes. In addition to being a vital step in any professional production, it also gives you the information you need for end credits and other uses.

Tips on finding all your necessary crew members and the right cast for your characters, including actions taken by the instructor to amass 40+ crew members for her short film production.

Tips on finding the locations that fit your story and the importance of different types of location scouts. Learn the different types of location scouting and how to use your limited resources to find the best locations that fit your short film.

Brief overview to production design and prop preparation work and materials required, including sample documents and exclusive behind-the-scene images from the instructor's own short film production design prep process.

Brief overview of temp and rough draft of visual effects both as a planning tool for production and as a preparation step to the final look of the visual effects. Pre-planning for visual effects in the pre-production phase differentiates a professional filmmaker from an amateur where visual effects is an after-thought.

Brief overview of necessary (or not) film insurance for certain types of production, cast or crew cases, including real film insurance document samples used in the instructor's short film. An explanation of how insurance works is also included in this lesson for those new to the insurance process.

Introduction to the production phase and what this phase generally involves as a filmmaker and a producer. Production is always what most people look forward to when making a film. In this section, learn proper set etiquette, the subtle things to look out for on set, as well as the on-the-fly planning required whilst working on set.

Insights on creating and using call sheets and shot lists on set. External samples on call sheets and shots lists are included, including templates for your own personal learning and use. The basics of a call sheet and shot list are also covered.

Brief overview of what goes on during principal photography and how to be prepared for the shoot. Set etiquette and what is expected on set is also covered in this lesson, using the instructor's short film behind-the-scene production photos as examples.

Brief overview of what pick-up shots are and how to prepare for pick-up shoots. The basics and layout of how to plan for pick-up shoots are also covered in this lesson, differentiating itself from your typical principal photography process.

A look into wrapping up after production, including returning equipment and preparing for post-production. Proper wrap-up etiquette, expectations and actions from the producer or director are also covered in this quick lesson.

Introduction to the post-production phase and what this phase generally involves as a filmmaker and a producer. The most time-consuming part of production, by the end of this section, you will be able to understand all the creative and technical elements that go into finishing your short film.

A look into using scripty notes from production for continuity and editing. Using real examples of scanned notes from the instructor's short film, learn what a daily log sheet is and how it is used on set as well as in post-production.

Brief overview of editing a rough cut with temp visual effects to getting a final cut of your short film for final visual effects and post-production sound-editing. Includes an animatic example created in pre-production to show the timed sequence and expected effects in a short film.

A look into creating and finishing visual effects shots in post-production for your short film. Explore the process of post-production visual effects, the importance of documenting visual effects shots and a real example of a completed visual effects shot.

A look into using Foley sound, editing and polish in post-production for your short film. Explore different ways to create sound for your film and hear a real example of an audio recording captured on set, and how it can be used in your short film.

A look into adding music, hiring or managing composers or using royalty-free tracks from software for your short film. Explore different ways to get music on your short film, and listen to examples from three composers and how the instructor determined which composer to work with, based on the style of her short film.

Introduction to showcasing your story and your short film to the masses. By the end of this section, you should be able to reap the benefits of having completed your short film, and start sharing your masterpiece with everyone.

A look into film festivals and how you can use film festivals to get your short seen by an audience. The lesson covers what may be expected in short film submissions and how to improve your chances of selection by selecting the right film festivals, including examples from the instructor's own short film submission entries and selections.

A look into using YouTube to release your short film to be seen by YouTubers all over the world. Understand the difference in waiting for film festivals and publishing immediately onto YouTube. A separate external course on using YouTube for this purpose may be necessary.

Conclusion to the course with a summary of the course content, goals and additional resources available, ending on a positive note. This course can always be repeated as a refresher or whenever you need a personal tutor during any part of the film production process.

BONUS: For staying all the way to the end of this course, this lecture is for you. More details inside.