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If you’re an aspiring filmmaker looking to make your mark by writing and producing a short film, or if you’re simply a film enthusiast eager to learn more about In the realm of business, it’s likely you’ve come across the phrase ‘brief cinematic creation’ at some point. But what exactly is a short film, and why would someone want to make one or even need one?
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences : The responsible professional organization for preserving and perpetuating the art of motion pictures. Defines any film as “short” if its runtime, including credits, is less than 40 minutes. Creatively and practically, short films are entirely distinct from their longer-running counterparts, feature films
There is no technical distinction between short films and feature films. Meaning they may employ identical processes for casting, production design, lighting, cinematography, and more. The runtime is simply shorter!
There are several reasons why filmmakers prefer to create short films instead of feature films. It often comes down to budget constraints. In the world of filmmaking, it’s often said that “time is money” elsewhere. Filmmaking involves casting contracts for extended periods, renting a crew for extended periods and renting equipment for extended periods. So on, for every minute of screen time in your script. This makes filmmaking more financially feasible, especially for emerging talent with limited budgets.
However, short films play an incredibly vital role in the filmmaking landscape beyond just cost savings – they help identify emerging or undiscovered filmmaking talents and serve as a launchpad to take a great short film to greatness, where all the magic resides. This is why you often see short films featured in dedicated film festivals (sometimes short film advertisements too) or within larger festivals: they are the perfect showcase to enhance and demonstrate your filmmaking skills for up-and-coming talent.
The Purpose of a Short Film
Whether a short film is funded through Government grants, financed out of a filmmaker’s pocket, or supported by a network or studio. The overarching goal is the same – to create a concise piece that tells a story at a significantly lower cost compared to a full-length feature film.
In the world of filmmaking, short films are often the first defining piece. They encapsulate the essence of your story, vision, and filmmaking prowess. It’s why you’ll often hear short films being dedicated to film festivals. It’s the best way to elevate your vision and provide it with a budget.
Three Types of Short Films
Like feature-length motion pictures, short films come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, meaning they are just as versatile and accessible as medium. From drama to comedy, animated to live-action, short films offer a wealth of possibilities for style and storytelling.
Similarly, short films can differ dramatically in their narrative approach, just like feature films. The most common categories for short films include:
1. Narrative Short Films:
These often scripted films function much like a theatrical play in terms of storytelling. Frequently presenting a dramatic rendition of a story. In other words, they are a “regular” film with a shorter runtime. The best examples can be found in the annual Oscar nominations for live-action and animated short films.
2. Documentary Short Films:
A non-fiction and subject-focused film that authentically explores a subject, individual, place, or topic. These are prominently featured as part of Oscar nominations as well.
3. Avant-Garde Short Films:
This serves as an experimental, stylistic, or abstract way of describing a film that places more emphasis on mood, tone. and aesthetics than narrative or story. Although “avant-garde” is a highly individualized term, such short films are often used as teasers, sizzle reels, or proofs of concept within the industry, often by established filmmakers or studios.
In a brief film, the first thing that’s done is defining it through its conciseness. Although they come in various forms, purposes, and styles, their objectives are almost always the same: to spend less than feature films, achieve professional visuals, and practice telling smaller, more focused stories before graduating to feature films.
– Sultan Gill
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