SHORT FILM RUBRIC
Box Office Gold Big Opening Weekend
10 pts Dust off a spot on your
 
mantle. Your Oscar is a done
deal.
Script  Box Office Gold
Complete script for entire film
turned in by deadline. Uses
proper format as provided in
Celtx samples. Includes all
dialogue, stage directions,
scene/set descriptions, and
technical notes.  descriptions, and technical
Storyboards/Shot List  Box Office Gold
Complete set of storyboards
and shot list for entire film
turned in by deadline. Shot list
follows example, and includes
shots for entire film.  for entire film.
Cinematography  Box Office Gold
Shot composition is carefully
crafted to the mood and
purpose of each scene. Clever
and creative shots and angles
are used throughout the film.
Visually interesting and
memorable.  Visually interesting and
Indy Buzz
7 pts Lots of special effects
and pretty people, but
substance was missing.
Big Opening Weekend
Complete script for entire film
turned in close to deadline.
Mostly uses proper format as
provided in Celtx samples.
Includes most dialogue, stage
directions, scene/set
notes.  technical notes.
Big Opening Weekend
Complete set of storyboards
for entire film turned in close
to deadline. Shot list follows
example, and includes shots
OR
Set of storyboards for
majority of film turned in by
deadline. Shot list follows
example, and includes shots
for majority of film. 
Big Opening Weekend
Shot composition is
sometimes crafted to the
mood and purpose of each
scene. Clever and creative
shots and angles are used for
the majority of the film.
memorable for most of the
film.
Rotten Tomato
5 pts Some praise here and
there, but not many people saw
it.
Indy Buzz
Partial script or not even close
to meeting deadline. Rarely
follows proper format as
provided in Celtx examples.
Missing significant amount of
dialogue, stage directions,
scene/set descriptions, and/or
Indy Buzz
Only storyboards OR shot list
turned in. 
Indy Buzz
Some clever and creative
shots and angles are used, but
more attention was paid to
WHAT was shot than HOW it
was shot.  watching this film.
Director Notes
2 pts Too many shifts at the
(N/A) Comments and
restaurant made you tired.
questions for the author
Back to acting class for you.
Rotten Tomato Director Notes
Did not turn in script at all or
what was turned in barely
qualifies as a script. 
Rotten Tomato Director Notes
No storyboards. No shot list. 
Rotten Tomato Director Notes
Little, if any, attention paid to
shot composition. Shots and
angles are boring. Viewers
don't want to continue
 
Lighting  Box Office Gold Big Opening Weekend
Lighting is always suitable to Lighting is frequently suitable
the mood of the scene, and to the mood of the scene, and
technically well done.  the majority of it is technically
well done. 
Audio  Box Office Gold Big Opening Weekend
Dialogue sounds clear and The majority of dialogue
crisp. Music and sound effects sounds clear and crisp, with
suit the cinematography, few audio problems. Music
character, and mood.  and sound effects suit the
cinematography, character,
and mood for the majority of
the film. 
Costumes/Props  Box Office Gold Big Opening Weekend
All costumes and props are Most costumes and props are
suitable to character, time, and suitable to character, time, and
place. No "magical mystical place. One "magical mystical
costume changes" between costume change" between
scenes. All props look real.  scenes. Most props look real.  costume changes" between
Tech Specs  Box Office Gold Big Opening Weekend
Completed film is 9-10 Completed film is 8-9 minutes
minutes long. Exported in long. Exported in H.264
H.264 format. Saved as film format. Saved as film title.
title. Saved to correct folder Saved to correct folder on
on class flash drive.  class flash drive.  Saved to correct folder on
Evidence of influence  Box Office Gold Big Opening Weekend
Clear evidence of influence by Some evidence of influence
selected director. Themes, by selected director. Themes,
plot, character development, plot, character development,
audio use, shot composition, audio use, shot composition,
or editing techniques reflect or editing techniques
those of said director.  occasionally reflect those of
said director. 
Indy Buzz
Not much attention was paid
to lighting, but the viewer can
still see most of the action.  majority of the film.
Indy Buzz
Dialogue is overpowered by
background noise or audio
buzz. Music and sound effects
are in the film because the
team liked them, as opposed
to helping tell the story. 
Indy Buzz
Little attention was paid to
planning costumes and props,
but the end result isn't too bad.
Two "magical mystical
scenes. Some props are
inappropriate, or look
obviously fake. 
Indy Buzz
Completed film is 5-8 minutes
long. Not necessarily exported
in H.264 format. Not
necessarily saved as film title.
class flash drive. 
Indy Buzz
Flashes of influence are seen,
but those seem accidental
rather than deliberate. 
Rotten Tomato Director Notes
Footage is too dark to be seen
or overexposed for the
 
Rotten Tomato Director Notes
Dialogue is difficult to
understand for the majority of
the film. Little to no use of
music or sound effects. Audio
was not a priority in this film. 
Rotten Tomato Director Notes
People showed up in clothes.
That's it. Three or more
"magical mystical costume
changes" between scenes.
Props are missing or poorly
chosen. 
Rotten Tomato Director Notes
Completed film is 0-5 minutes
long. Not exported in H.264
format. Not saved as film title.
Not saved to correct folder on
class flash drive. 
Rotten Tomato Director Notes
No clear influence of selected
director is seen. 
Plot/Dramatic Structure  Box Office Gold Big Opening Weekend Indy Buzz Rotten Tomato Director Notes
Plot has clear beginning, Plot has mostly clear Plot is difficult to follow, and What plot? This is a collection
middle, and end. Dramatic beginning, middle, and end. lacks either a clear beginning, of random actions with
structure builds to climax, Dramatic structure is middle, or end. Dramatic nothing tying them together. 
then ends with falling action.  generally followed, but structure is only somewhat
wanders in places. Climax of followed, and actions seem
story is clear.  random. 

Character Development  Box Office Gold Big Opening Weekend Indy Buzz Rotten Tomato Director Notes
All characters are as Most characters are as Some characters are Everyone who appears on
thoroughly fleshed-out as the thoroughly fleshed-out as the developed, but at least half are screen is immediately
story requires. Clear story requires. Main just people on the screen. forgettable. No real character
protagonist and antagonist.  characters are clear, but their Who's story is this?  development to speak of. 
roles in the story may not be. 

Mechanics
1. The Short Film must be based from a literary piece from the required textbook. Choosing the story will be through draw lots.
2. Each group must submit a script that incorporates the story (short or excerpt) to film. The script must be in English. The script must be
submitted together with the Project proposal sheet and the Storyboard.
3. The script may deviate a little from the original story, but the essence of the story must remain.
4. The storyboard must show the direction plan of the entire short film.
5. The Short Film should run for at least five (5) minutes to a maximum of ten (10) minutes including the credits. The short film must be
submitted on Data File format (mp4), and upload to EDMODO.