What is a Short Film

Definition: The common misconception is that a short film must be around five minutes long, however, this is not true. For something to be classed as a short film it can range from 5 minutes up to 40 minutes long.

Conventions of a short film

Narrative structure: can be either subjective or objective but is usually subjective as a result of the length of the film, tends to be single stranded with an open ending such as in the film 'Sold' where he does not buy what he wants but he gains something that can lead to what he would like and this is where the film ends this can be seen as a circular narrative.



Themes: the short film genre can cover any number of genres in the same way a full length feature does, but due to the length of the film it has to be much more obvious to the viewer, themes include social realism, the rom com, community, crime and vigilantism, immigration, family, segregation and war,however, themes of short films are often more challenging or unusual as they are not made for profit so are not chasing mass audiences.



Style and Genre: the style of the short film usually differs from that of the full length films, the main reason is usually the budget, for example it is common in short films to see kinetic movement with the camera, due to the camera not having tracks to run across whilst moving. it uses relativly unknown actors as the famous hollywood stars cant be coaxed in to working for such low budget films. the directors are usually unknown and they tend to be making short films in the hope of getting a big break for a larger hollywood film with a big budget. A notable style in short films is the open ended storyline. A style which is not common with the genre is a special effects one but in the film Alive in Joburg we see a very good use of special effects, which lead the director to be given the job of directing the hollywood blockbuster District 9.

Cinematography: the cinematography of short films often involves kinetic movement of the camera, very basic camera shots, breaking the 4th wall, which is when a charecter speaks to the camera, the use of high key lighting, using documentary style filming and can sometimes be gritty due to he low budget.

Sound: can sometimes have a score playing throughout the entire length of the film, sometimes uses a voiceover in the film rather then any asynchronous diagetic sound,

Editing: lots of short films use more unusual and experimental editing techniques these include: linear style editing, still keeps to the hollywood style, usually made in real time, not many cuts from one location to another, due to both budget and length of the film, uses the documentary style, use of slow mo occasionally, can sometimes use visual flashbacks.

Titles: tend to be very minimal and only really appear at the end with a short credit of the cast director and any there key members this is because the director wants to get straight into the film so the audience can be hooked straightaway.