What is a Short Film?

What is a short film?

A short film that is any film considered not long enough to be a feature. The cut off point between a feature and a short film is set at 50 minutes, anything below being called a short film.

What do you know about short films?

1. Narratives

• Not always required, can be experimental/artistic. Often the viewer will read there own story from the film.
• If there is a narrative it is usually single stranded, or from the perspective of one person.

2. Characters

• Not fully developed, as there is often not enough time to do so.
• Far less characters

3. Budget

• Most shorts are made by amateur film makers, so usually have very low or no budget at all.
• However some short films have very large budgets.

4. Style

• Due to the fact that a lot of aspiring directors and film makers create short films for practise, often they try to do something which may not have been done before. Therefore a lot of shorts are often indie.  
• There are also a lot of experimental style films.

5. Genres

• Comedy is a common genre for short film. This is shown on 'Short of the Week' where the genres comedy and dark comedy are two of the most popular genres. 
• Horror is also a favourite.

Key differences between feature films and short films

• Length - under 50 minutes
• Budget - often a lot lower than features
• Cast - new and up and coming (often use shorts as a way into features)
• Crew - much smaller (using shorts as experience)

Bouncer Short Film

Themes

• Death
• Friendship
• Violence
• Fear
• Authority
• Education

How does it capture attention

• Foreshadowing
• Bouncers point of view (unusual)
• Non-linear narrative
• Voice over in first person

What defines a short film?

1. Any film under 50 minutes

2. They usually have low budgets and can be made by anyone

3. Stories are usually single stranded and simplistic

4. Story/narrative not required

5. Characters are often developed quickly or left undeveloped

6. Short films can be as experimental or artist as the director likes

7. Explore themes that features wouldn't

8. Short films are often creating for entertainment purposes, were as features are for revenue

Micro and Macro Elements

Micro Elements

• Mise-en-scene
• Costume, hair, make up
• Space
• Performance
• Lighting
• Setting 
• Props

• Cinematography
• Camera angles
• Shot type
• Camera movement

• Sound
• Soundtrack
• Dialogue
• Non diegetic and diegetic
• Sound effects

Macro Elements

• Narrative
• Genre
• Representation

Gasman Micro Elements Analysis

Mise-en-scene Train track could show the distance between the two families Cigarettes - disturbance Empty bleak scenery Child like clothes Old fashioned clothes	Technical/Cinematography Obscuring characters faces ECU of faces Tracking shots Old style filming
Sound Lots of diegetic sound (on rails) Atmospheric party music	Notes/Themes Sibling rivalry Broken families Poverty Betrayal/adultery Childhood