MINI WORKSHOP
CINE PRAGUE
INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2026 — AI SHORT FILM EDITION

STORY STRUCTURE & EDITING

As a jury member, I review dozens of films from creative enthusiasts every day. Many of them fail to reach the finals because of a small detail — while the visual quality is top-notch, the story lacks structure and purpose. Even the best images start to bore the viewer after a while, causing them to switch channels.

That is why I decided to create a quick course on the fundamentals of storytelling. The principles that make stories work have remained virtually unchanged for nearly three thousand years since Homer's epics, the Iliad and the Odyssey. What do Homer and Indiana Jones have in common? Everything essential: a hero, a quest, obstacles, danger, suspense, victory, and defeat. Only technology and storytelling mediums have evolved — from orally transmitted epics to books and the silver screen, human emotions and the core power of a good story remain the same.

If a storyteller in literature or cinema wants to be successful, they must follow certain rules. Do you know a boring movie that you turned off midway through? I know hundreds. Those were made spontaneously, without rules. And do you know a film where you were sad to see it end and eagerly anticipated the sequel? I know only a few. Those films are slightly more demanding to produce because they adhere to the rules of building a rich, compelling script. Furthermore, a film requires not only visual quality to tell its story, but also editing precision.

Let's break down these essential rules step by step.

Plot Building Rules
📖 Desperate Woman & Loan Shark

Controlled Prompt

To keep the audience engaged, they must never get bored. It is emotion and the gradual shaping of character traits that bring dynamic energy to the plot.

Read More →
01 Character Shaping – a character is defined primarily by their actions and the decisions they make under pressure.
02 The Hero and Their Goal – who the main character is, what they want, and why it matters to them.
03 Conflict and Obstacles – nothing should come too easily. Obstacles force the hero to act and adapt.
04 Advancing the Plot – every major scene should reveal new information, change the status quo, or move the story forward.
05 Twists and Complications – just when the audience thinks they know what happens next, surprise them with an unexpected turn.
06 Early Introduction of Key Characters – if the protagonist is meant to fall in love later, the love interest should appear around the first quarter of the story.
07 Running Gag / Recurring Motif – repeating a line, situation, gesture, or object. Each return gains new context, culminating in a powerful payoff.
08 Tension and Stakes – the audience must understand what the hero stands to gain, but more importantly, what they risk losing.
09 Character Arc – by the climax, the protagonist should no longer be the exact same person they were at the start.
10 Climax and Resolution – the central conflict reaches its peak, forcing a decisive choice, followed by the outcome and new reality.
Basic Editing Rules
🎬 Editing

Fundamental Rules of Editing

The editor alternates wide, medium, and close-up shots while timing shot lengths according to rhythmic peaks in the soundtrack — roughly every 5.5 seconds.

Read More →
01 Vary Shot Sizes – alternate wide shots, medium shots, and close-ups. This keeps cuts dynamic and helps orient the viewer in space.
02 Respect the 180° Rule – keep spatial relationships consistent. Characters and movement must maintain directional integrity across cuts.
03 Avoid Holding Shots Too Long – as a guideline for energetic editing, aim for shots under 6 seconds. Exceptions apply for intense performances or deliberate pacing.
04 Cut on Action – hide cuts within physical movements like opening a door or turning around to make edits feel seamless to the viewer.
05 Watch Out for Jump Cuts – refrain from cutting between two nearly identical frames. Noticeably change shot size or camera angle between cuts.
06 Every Cut Needs a Purpose – don't cut simply to show another angle. Each edit should introduce new information, emotion, or narrative progression.
07 Cut to Reactions – showing the listener's emotional response can often be more impactful than focusing solely on the speaker.
08 Establish Geography First – show the space and character positions before diving into close-up details and intense emotions.
09 Maintain Screen Direction – if a subject moves left-to-right in one shot, they should continue in that direction in the next cut unless deliberately disorienting.
10 Audio-Driven Edits – let audio overlap shot transitions. J-cuts and L-cuts make scene changes feel significantly smoother and more cinematic.
11 Edit to Rhythm – cuts don't always need to hit the exact beat, but the cadence of music, movement, and emotion should dictate the scene's tempo.
12 Allow Pacing Breathing Room – fast-paced editing is effective only when contrasted with calmer moments. If everything is fast, nothing feels fast.
13 Break Rules Intentionally – crossing the axis, long takes, or jump cuts can be powerful creative tools when used with clear artistic intent.
→ Continuation – Rules of Editing to Keep Audiences Engaged ←
✦ TIMECODE ✦
000 : 000