POST 5 - Why are there short films?

WHY ARE THERE SHORT FILMS?

WHAT IS THE POINT OF THEM?

Short film is one pf the most creative art forms on Earth, a space for research and a format in which an artist can experiment, take risks, explore their craft and develop their cinematic vision. It is common that the most notorious directors have begun with making short films, which usually highlights their independent style and how this is translated through their later work. For these directors and many others, short film served as a launching pad for success, a way to find a directorial voice, and -- hopefully -- to secure grants and studio funding for bigger projects. But ask any movie fan, critic or director, and they’ll tell you that short film is a unique medium that lends itself neatly to subtler scenes and visual experimentation. A short film is any motion picture not long enough to be considered a feature film. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences defines a short film as “an original motion picture that has a running time of 40 minutes or less, including all credits”. It can be argued that short films do not need to be

made and that there is no point to them due to an audience used to long blockbuster movies with character development and clear genres/ themes throughout. However, short films with very small budgets, you then have the freedom to experiment in another way, which can be very helpful for whoever chooses to make them. They can also be made in any form of media, and therefore a good start into filmmaking and experimentation within film, whether it begins with animation, stop motion or specific genres.

“A short film can be anything. Just like a poem. But that doesn’t mean it is easier. Sometimes it’s much harder to write one great poem than to write a whole novel.” 

Director Sara Broos

WHO MAKES THEM & WHO IS IN THEM?

It is not unusual for well known directors to begin making a short film in the beginning of their careers  

HOW AND WHERE ARE THEY EXHIBITED? 

In the beginning, all films were short. The earliest cinema audiences may not have been particularly aware of this as they marvelled at seconds-long scenes of circus performers, exotic cities, scantily clad ladies and people going about their daily business. For them, the novelty and the thrill of witnessing man’s latest technological triumph was paramount. But as the 20th century dawned, films began to get longer.

Modern short films are harder to find, and are not commonly exhibited in cinemas. From initial research I found the short films on Youtube and Vimeo or the Sundance website, but usually it is common to find short films on streaming apps, including Netflix and Amazon Prime. While it is doubtful that short films will stage a comeback in commercial cinemas – excepting the delightful animated shorts screened before Pixar features – we are living in a very exciting time for short films. And as newer, easier, cheaper means of making, distributing and watching films become available, their current popularity is unlikely to be short-lived. 

WHO WATCHES SHORT FILMS?

While shorts may have fallen out of favour with commercial cinemas, their popularity has never waned among visual artists, who first started experimenting with them in the Twenties.  Short filmmaking is also growing in popularity among amateurs and enthusiasts, who are taking advantage of affordable equipment. Video sharing websites such as YouTube, are providing easy and free ways for people to showcase their films for everyone to see. There are also Short Film Festivals such as the BFI Film Festival, give amateur film-makers the opportunity to showcase their craft. On one hand, film-makers are able to gain experience, knowledge and recognition, whilst on the other hand, the industry profit from the annual events.