Information Package / Course Catalogue
Making Short Films
Course Code: RTS314
Course Type: Area Elective
Couse Group: First Cycle (Bachelor's Degree)
Education Language: Turkish
Work Placement: N/A
Theory: 2
Prt.: 2
Credit: 3
Lab: 0
ECTS: 5
Objectives of the Course

This course aims to provide students with knowledge and experience in the field of short films. To this end, the course seeks to establish a theoretical framework regarding what short films convey and how they do so, and to apply this knowledge in practice through the films students will shoot throughout the semester. Another objective of the course is to prepare students for the graduation projects they will undertake in their senior year by having them experience all aspects of the production process.

Course Content

The course begins with a comprehensive definition of the short film, followed by an analysis of the elements that distinguish short films from feature-length films and those that they share. Questions such as how to come up with a short film idea, how to develop a story, and how to apply shooting and editing techniques in this context are addressed through the weekly review of short film assignments submitted by students, with answers sought through peer evaluations.

Name of Lecturer(s)
Learning Outcomes
1.Defines a short film and learns the difference between a short film and a feature-length film.
2.Learn to create meaning and tell stories using visual and auditory imagery.
3.By completing practical assignments, develop their ability to generate original ideas and creative narrative forms for short film storytelling.
4.Shoots short films.
5.They learn about individual responsibilities and teamwork in short film production.
Recommended or Required Reading
1.Piper, J. (2013). Kısa Film Yapımı (Çev. Metin, G.). Say Yayınları.
2.Nash, P. (2013). Kısa Film Senaryosu Yazmak (Çev. Baysal, B.). Kalkedon.
3.Raskin, R. (2002). The Art of the Short Fiction Film: A Shot by Shot Study of Nine Modern Classics. McFarland, Jefferson.
4.Felando, C. (2015). Discovering Short Films: The History and Style of Live-Action Fiction Shorts. Palgrave Macmillan.
5.Cooper, P. ve Dancyger, K. (2005). Kısa Film Yazmak (Çev. Güneş, S.). Es Yayınları.
6.Gündel, N. & Erçetingöz, A. (2023). Kısa Filmler Ne Anlatıyor, Nasıl Anlatıyor?. Literatürk Yayınları.
7.Erçetingöz, A. & Gündel, N. (2023). Kısa Filmler Ne Anlatıyor, Nasıl Anlatıyor? 2. Literatürk Yayınları.
8.Can, A. (2005). Kısa Film. Tablet Kitabevi.
9.Vineyard, J. (2010). Sinemada Çekim Teknikleri (Çev. Rızaoğlu, G.). İstanbul Organizasyon.
10.Mascelli, J. V. (2007). Sinemanın 5 Temel Ögesi (Çev. Gür, H.). İmge Kitabevi.
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
Week 1 - Theoretical & Practice
What is a short film? What are the differences between feature-length and short films? How do you come up with an idea for a short film? Watching and analyzing short films ranging from 5 seconds to 1 minute in length. Explanation of the guidelines for the practical assignment.
Week 2 - Theoretical & Practice
Monitoring, evaluating, and discussing practical assignments: The use of “abstract” themes in the context of storytelling and creating meaning through images in cinema. Explanation of the guidelines for the practical assignment.
Week 3 - Theoretical & Practice
Monitoring, evaluating, and discussing practical assignments: The use of “concrete” themes in the context of storytelling and creating meaning through images in cinema. Explanation of the guidelines for the practical assignment.
Week 4 - Theoretical & Practice
Screening of selected short films and discussion.
Week 5 - Theoretical & Practice
Monitoring, evaluating, and discussing practical assignments: Distinguishing between shots, scenes, and sequences. Defining the roles of moving and static shots in conveying meaning. Explaining the guidelines for the practical assignment.
Week 6 - Theoretical & Practice
Monitoring, evaluating, and discussing practical assignments: Identifying the roles of camera angles and shots in conveying meaning. Explaining the guidelines for the practical assignment.
Week 7 - Theoretical & Practice
Screening of selected short films and discussion.
Week 8 - Theoretical & Practice
Monitoring, evaluating, and discussing practical assignments: Identifying the roles of composition and framing techniques in meaning-making. Explaining the guidelines for the practical assignment.
Week 9 - Theoretical & Practice
Monitoring, evaluating, and discussing practical assignments: Identifying the functions of narrative in creating meaning. Explaining the guidelines for the practical assignment.
Week 10 - Theoretical & Practice
Monitoring, evaluating, and discussing practical assignments: Identifying the roles of diegetic and non-diegetic sound in meaning-making. Explaining the guidelines for the practical assignment.
Week 11 - Theoretical & Practice
Screening of selected short films and discussion.
Week 12 - Theoretical & Practice
Monitoring, evaluating, and discussing practical assignments: Constructing a film universe through choices made under the headings of “genre,” “duration,” “character,” “style,” “voice,” “theme,” and “action”; defining systematic logic and an understanding of genre. Explanation of the guidelines for the practical assignment.
Week 13 - Theoretical & Practice
Monitoring, evaluating, and discussing the practical assignments: Identifying the functions of spatial use in creating meaning in a short film. Explaining the guidelines for the practical assignment.
Week 14 - Theoretical & Practice
Monitoring, evaluating, and discussing practical assignments: Explaining how opening and closing strategies and credits contribute to meaning-making in short films. Explaining the guidelines for the practical assignment.
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Type of AssessmentCountPercent
Attending Lectures1%4
Presentation1%4
Assignment3%32
Final Examination1%60
Workload Calculation
ActivitiesCountPreparationTimeTotal Work Load (hours)
Lecture - Theory140228
Lecture - Practice140228
Assignment95263
Individual Work6106
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours)125
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
PÇ-1
PÇ-2
PÇ-3
PÇ-4
PÇ-5
PÇ-6
PÇ-7
PÇ-8
PÇ-9
PÇ-10
PÇ-11
PÇ-12
PÇ-13
PÇ-14
PÇ-15
PÇ-16
OÇ-1
5
5
2
2
2
5
OÇ-2
4
5
2
3
5
OÇ-3
3
5
5
4
5
5
OÇ-4
5
5
3
4
5
4
5
OÇ-5
5
2
2
3
5
4
Adnan Menderes University - Information Package / Course Catalogue
2026