A short film expert, I got a feel for what it takes to make a good short film and how best to achieve this. Also the codes and conventions it takes to make up a short film and what it needs to include to do well. For example the structure, the characters actions and the importance of genre.
The Structure Of A Short Film
Idea Is it executed well?
Writting Imaginative?
Structure Plot Dialogue Characters Interesting? Different? Will it get people's attention?
Audience How to get it to them?
Budget Have you got the enough money?
Money Where to get funding from? This structure will definitely help me when creating my short film as it makes you think about all the processes involved and stops you from missing sections out, as well as being thorougher with decisions.
Length: There are usually three different time categorise your shot film can fit into... The length of your film is very important to how you would create it, so as not to put to much, or to little, information into it. 5 minutes- Usually there is not enough time, and characters have to be stereotyped to make them easier to identify. 5-12 minutes- Can create unique characters and two strands to the story, however will not be very complex. Our short film is 6 minutes so will be in this time frame. This means when thinking about writing my script i need to take into consideration the conventions usually used and translate them into my own text. 12-30 minutes- Allows time to develop characters using characterisation and involve a secondary storyline- especially as it may become boring otherwise.
Story: When creating you story it is important to remember that... Short films are usually shown in real time. Shows a moment/ event in the characters life. Has either an internal or external problem which must be identified by the audience.
*Producers must also think if it is being seen from the best point of view. For example if Cinderella was shown from an Ugly Step Sisters point of view there would be a very different meaning, and shown as more of a cautionary tale rather than fairy tale*
Characters: As there is not a lot of time in short films you must get to the point, and to make a good, interesting short film your character must have a function! Either a... - Want - Need - Obligation (Without a problem you have no chance of a dramatic narrative). The want, need or obligation must be visible to the audience throughout, even if not to0 the character. There must also be something making it hard for the character to overcome their issue as that is what creates the problem. There must also be a high risk at stake if the character does not complete what they set out to do, so the audience understands why it is so important to solve their problem.
*Also do not put to much or to little into the story as there is not enough time to change protagonist or the point of view*
When you have a clear understanding of what the story will contain and what the character sets out to do, you will then discover the meaning you want to portray and will have to make important decisions to help refine and develop your script. Particularly in relation to...
Tone: Genre- What kind of film are you writing about? Romance, horror, comedy, etc. Make sure the tone keeps in line throughout. Use one tone which can communicate to the audience. Be careful not to create the wrong impression with the tone- do not take something to far. For example portraying a character in one scene to be something there not, as it changes peoples opinion of them for the rest of the film.
10 Point Plan
When creating a short film the best way to structure is by using the 10 Point Plan. Although you will have used the structure from above to decide on the elements of the film, this helps you choose step by step what your short film is going to contain. So in a way acts as a plan.
Title- Shouldn't tell to much, or give to much away.
Genre/ Tone
Setting- Time and place. It can be useful to set your film around a familiar event or ritual: a wedding, Christmas Day etc. With a setting of this sort you can take for granted the audience’s familiarity with the situation and you have immediately placed your characters into a story world full of barely suppressed emotions. Plus keeps you in a finite time frame. Another is the form of a journey. As the protagonist usually sets out on an emotional journey it makes sense to use a literal setting.
Main character- who are they?
Want, need or obligation
Opposition
Catalyst change
Climax
Resolution
How do you want the audience to feel?- Know more or less than the character? Do they need to understand the character and story?
Ideas to think about when you have drafted your short film...
A Logline- Can you explain your film in one sentence? If not there is to much in it.Treatment- should be around one page telling the story.
Step Outline- Each scene without dialogue. One sentence which summarises the scene. The plot, characters and tone are understandable for the audience.
Sound- Is the music suitable, and if hyperbolic sounds are needed etc.
Re-writing- Need to twist it to get everything out of it, making the most out of every element. Showing rather than telling. For example stereotyped movements, rolling- eyes. Getting someone else to read your script in case it comes across differently from what you had in your head.
Short Film Script
Short films are structured in a very different way from feature films as they require a lot less text and more stage direction because of the time span. Also there is usually no special effects and stunts because they are to expensive and less change in setting and costume.
The most obvious difference from looking at a short film script is that there are no camera directions. They also seem to be filled with a lot more direction on the scene with details of the characters movement and everything which is going on. In some films the names of characters are not always established therefore have a title in the script such as FATHER or THUG. There is also usually much less dialogue, this is clearly apparent in the 'DONNA' script, which is mainly stage directions.
When looking at the 'DONNA' script is was quickly apparent that there is not a lot of dialogue as there were paragraphs of stage directions in great detail from the sound of 'ice cream chimes', to the appearance of her hair. From reading the script you can visualise exactly what is going on as it is in so much detail, so is as if watching it.When I watched the film obviously there were parts I interpreted differently but the main outline was the same. Although this is not the same with all short film scripts. For example with, 'Does God Play Football', there is a lot more speech, but again the stage directions are in such depth that you can picture the scenes as you read, and is a similar visual when watching the film.
Profile study of 5 Short Films
I took five of Rebecca Knapps films and analysed them for directors, length, associated companies, awards, plots, etc. This is to see how British short films are put to the pubic and how popular they are. Also to get a feel for short films already out there and which ones do the best.
References: http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/article3336775.ece?token=null&offset=36&page=4
http://braveheartfilms.co.uk/
Target Audience
Target audience is very important to capture as it creates popularity among your film and could be used to your advantage if you already have one interested in your work. Because of the way short films are funded you need to impress the main people and get their attention to help promote and spend on your film. For example when meeting with Rebecca Knapp- a s
horts producer, we saw had a true insight into how to make up a good short and know what people are looking for, as your aim is to get discovered and allow your work to be made into a feature film. Also knowing the best angle to take to attract and already made audience. For instance most of the films we saw were social realist themed showing this particular genre to be popular within this section of film, possibly because the audience can relate. However this is not the case for all of them as 'Signs' gives off a lighter message. Therefore with the research into previous short films we can use them to help decide on a theme which will impress the industry and attract a large audience.
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