From Script to Screen: How Verside Productions Made a Short Film in Nepal – A Complete Breakdown
At Verside Productions, we believe in turning creative visions into cinematic reality. Recently, we embarked on an exciting journey to produce a short film in Nepal—a project that tested our skills, adaptability, and passion for storytelling.
From the initial scriptwriting phase to the final edit, every step presented unique challenges and learning opportunities. In this guide, we’ll take you behind the scenes of how we brought our short film to life, covering:
Pre-production (scripting, location scouting, casting)
Production (filming in Nepal’s challenging terrains)
Post-production (editing, sound design, color grading)
Distribution (reaching audience locally and globally)
Whether you’re an aspiring filmmaker, a production company, or simply curious about filmmaking in Nepal, this guide will provide valuable insights.
1. Pre-Production: Laying the Foundation
i. Script Development & Storyboarding
Before a single frame is shot or a location is scouted, everything begins with the script. This is where the soul of the story is born.
Script development is the process of turning a raw idea into a structured narrative. It usually starts with brainstorming—maybe it’s a character that pops into your head, a place you visited, or a real-life event that inspired you. From there, you begin building a storyline: Who is the main character? What do they want? What obstacles are in their way? How does it all end?
Storyboard is basically a visual representation of the film—kind of like a comic strip version of your movie. Each frame shows a key moment or camera shot, with notes about movement, angles, or dialogue. This helps the director, cinematographer, and the entire crew understand what the final film is supposed to look like.
ii. Casting and Crew Assembly
One of the most critical phases in any production is assembling the right team—both in front of the camera and behind it. The casting and crew assembly stage sets the tone for the entire project, bringing together the creative minds and talents who will help bring the story to life.
2. Production: Filming in Nepal’s Challenging Conditions
i. Equipment & Technical Setup
To tackle the diverse and unpredictable shooting conditions, we curated a gear setup that balanced performance, portability, and durability:
a. Camera Gear:
We used lightweight cinema cameras for their ability to handle extreme lighting conditions and rapid movement, while staying mobile on rugged terrain.
b. Lenses:
A combination of prime and zoom lenses allowed us to stay versatile—switching from wide landscapes to intimate character moments without missing a beat.
c. Drones & Stabilizers:
Aerial shots were crucial to capturing Nepal’s scale. Compact drones and handheld gimbals gave us flexibility on the go.
d, Power & Storage:
With limited access to electricity in remote locations, we relied heavily on backup batteries, and high-capacity SSDs to keep rolling without disruption.
e. Sound:
High-wind conditions and environmental noise made sound capture tricky, so we used directional shotgun mics, lavaliers, and windshields to ensure clean audio.
ii. On-Set Challenges & Solutions
Nepal’s terrain and weather didn’t hold back—but neither did our crew. Here are some of the key challenges we faced, and how we overcame them:
a. Cultural Sensitivities:
We obtained permissions before filming in local areas.
b. Language & Cultural Barriers:
Working with local communities was vital. We brought on cultural liaisons and interpreters to ensure respectful, smooth communication and collaboration.
c. Unpredictable Weather:
Sudden rain or fog would often delay filming. We used portable weatherproof tents for equipment and adjusted the shooting schedule dynamically based on local forecasts.
3. Post-Production: Crafting the Final Film
i. Editing & Rough Cut
The editing process started with organizing footage and reviewing takes to identify the strongest performances and most striking visuals. The goal of the rough cut was to build the film’s narrative arc—laying out scenes in sequence, testing pacing, and finding the emotional beats.
Our editor worked closely with the director to preserve the story’s authenticity while refining its flow. Scenes were trimmed, rearranged, and sometimes reimagined entirely to heighten impact. This version was shared with a small group for feedback before moving on to the finer details.
ii. Sound Design & Music
Sound is half the experience of a film—and in a project rooted in Nepal’s rich environments, it played a massive role.
- Sound Design involved layering ambient audio, dialogue cleanup, Foley effects (like footsteps or rustling fabric), and atmospheric textures to create a believable world.
- Original Score & Music were composed to reflect both the emotional core of the story and the cultural backdrop. We blended traditional Nepali instruments with modern cinematic scoring to create a soundscape that felt both grounded and expansive.
iii. Color Grading
Color Grading enhanced the film’s visual tone—cool hues for high-altitude isolation, warm palettes for intimate moments. We used color to subtly guide emotion and atmosphere throughout the film.
4. Distribution : Sharing the Story with the World
After months of dedication from cast and crew, and countless hours in post-production, our final goal was clear: to share this story with as many hearts and minds as possible. Distribution wasn’t just about visibility—it was about finding the right platforms and audiences to truly connect with the spirit of the film.
Creating a short film in Nepal was a rewarding challenge. From scripting to distribution, every phase taught us something new. At Verside Productions, we’re proud to showcase Nepal’s beauty through film—and we’re just getting started.
