ACTF

Getting started

If you haven’t already, read the About Trop Jr section of this resource! 

  • A large outdoor crowd gathers under colorful lights at a nighttime festival, with a prominent stage displaying a banner for Tropfest. The atmosphere is vibrant, enhanced by beams of purple and orange lights illuminating the scene, while palm trees can be seen in the background.

    About Trop Jr

    Learn more about Australia’s biggest short film competition for young people aged 15 and under. 

Build your dream team

Want to make an awesome short film? You can totally go solo… but filmmaking is way more fun with friends. Most great films are made by a team, because everyone brings something special to the table. Maybe someone is a natural actor who loves being in front of the camera or maybe someone is a director or editor who likes to be behind the screen. Someone else might have a wild imagination and can dream up the coolest story ideas. Another friend might be a style superstar who knows all about costumes, hair and make-up. Filmmaking is all about sharing and mixing ideas: The more brains, the better. Throughout the resource we will refer to your team as your 'production team', this might be your whole class or a small group of 4 - 5 talented filmmakers. 

Trop Tip: Teamwork makes the dream work! 

Spark some ideas

This is your time to get creative and come up with an awesome short film idea. Forget about being perfect, leave that at the door. Brainstorming is all about letting your imagination run wild. Start by throwing out every idea that pops into your head, even the odd ones. Using a large piece of paper or a whiteboard, brainstorm all your ideas. Sketch pictures, jot down words, write half-formed thoughts and collect as many ideas as you can. Keep talking throughout the whole process and build on each other’s thinking by saying “Yes, and…” instead of shutting ideas down. 

If you are stuck, try these prompts to kick things off: 

  • A moment from everyday life… with a twist! 
    What if your school lunch started talking? What if the bus ride home turned into a race against time? 
  • A feeling or emotion… but make it unexpected! 
    What if laughter caused trouble? What if fear made someone super brave? 
  • A “What if…?” question that flips reality! 
    What if homework could come alive? What if pets could talk – but only when no adults are around? 
  • An object or place… with a secret! 
    What if a school locker hid a mysterious note? What if the park near your house was a meeting place for superheroes? 
  • The Trop Jr signature item… with a twist! 
    What if the item was magical, cursed, or the key to solving a mystery at school? 
  • Something you care about… turned upside down! 
    What if your favourite sport suddenly had strange new rules? What if saving the environment meant breaking the school rules? 

Trop Tip: There are no wrong answers. This is your creative playground, so experiment and see where your ideas take you.

Narrowing your brainstorm

Now it’s time to choose the ideas from your brainstorm that really excite you. Here’s how: 
 

  1. Pick your favourites
    Each person in your team should highlight one or two ideas that feel fun and original.     It’s okay if you all like the same idea.     

  1. Share and explain 
    Tell your group why you love that idea. What makes it stand out? How could you add a twist or make it unexpected?     

  1. Decide together
    After everyone shares, choose the idea you would like to develop further. You can even merge a few ideas to make something unique. If your choice doesn’t work later, you can swap to another idea.

  2. The signature item
    Now that you have your story idea, brainstorm     ways the signature item could appear:  Is it important to the story? Does it cause a problem or help solve one? Does it change how the characters feel or act? Could it appear in a surprising way? Write down your best ideas and choose the most exciting option. Remember, the signature item must appear in your film. Aim to make it clever and connected to the story, not just thrown in.

  3. Reality check
    Before you move on, make sure your idea is achievable with what you have. The best stories     don’t need fancy equipment or huge stunts. Consider whether you can film in easily accessible locations, such as schools, homes, or your local community. Can you use props and costumes you already own or get creative with DIY solutions?     

Trop Tip: A clever idea filmed simply will always beat a complicated idea you can’t pull off.

Shape the story

Now it’s time to turn your idea into a simple, clear story. Use this worksheet below to help you shape your story.  

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