Part One: Context
Short films have no restricted time limit. The usual interpretation of a short film would be no more than twenty minutes at the very most; whilst others believe that anything up to sixty can be a short film. Many believe that with a shorter time period, the film -maker is able to capture more meaning and keep the audience watching. Another belief is that the most able film –makers are able to do this more effectively in less time.
Many people go into creating a short film in order to build up their reputations as directors, to create a personal ad that would allow these directors to go on to make feature films. However, these sorts must also have a huge impact in order to get the funding for the feature film. On the other hand, others see short films as an art form, creating a meaning from their own lives, rather than building up personal ads, as the short films no longer have a regular slot in commercial cinema. Short films were once shown before feature in cinema’s, however, as the films became longer and more advertised and sort after by the audiences in the 1970’s, short films were almost discarded from the huge chain cinema’s.
Short films have become more affordable to make since the introduction of DV technology. This has enabled new filmmakers to secure public funding as budgets for celluloid films have steadily increased. The costs of the celluloid as a result, have been difficult to justify as for a fraction of the cost, more emerging film makers working with digital equipment, so with the price of celluloid film making, more new, talented film makers could be funded and recognized. The new DV technology has said to be a result of short films as they encourage and allow technical innovation.
Shorts are often shown on Television and Internet, although there are some companies that do try to distribute short films by approaching independent cinemas and using funding to reach an agreement with them. Huge chain cinemas rarely agree to show shorts before the feature film. This means that the Internet and Television are the main distributors of short films; however this still has its limitations. Television channels often broadcast films at off peak times, especially the early hours of the morning, making it hard to get a huge audience. The Internet is a huge distributor of short films and they enjoy huge popularity but these can be very hard to find as the websites are not advertised clearly and can only really be reached by those who actually know them rather than those who are trying to find them.
Some believe that there are limitations of the format that the shorts are filmed in and where they are distributed. Filmmaker Asif Kapadia believes that “ digital… can affect makers decisions on set (and that the films) can be made better in editing.” Meaning that the new technology has resulted in filmmakers not worrying about budget (as celluloid made them do) and they do not think things through before going on set. By editing out the unwanted parts of the film it affects the quality of the film, no matter how good the story might be. However, many believe that the new technology has allowed better quality as filming as by knowing and recognizing that the quality of DV isn’t as clear as celluloid and working with it, allowing new talent to shine.
The writer of the article ‘Eat my Shorts,’ believes that the UK had found it hard to find great talent in recent years as although there is more government funding, it only supports the production of short films slightly. The writer of the article on ‘Screen Online’ has suggested other reasons for this decline in finding effective shorts and new talent. It suggests that short films can be repetitive and that new, thought-provoking plots are being compromised for the desire of the audience, as the want to reach a big audience is greater than that to make a fresh, innovative film. The article offers one more reason for this decline and that is that; films are often constrained by the lack of funding, limiting filmmakers in what they can create. Through reading both articles it is also clear that the difficulty of distributing the shorts also affects finding new talent, as it doesn’t reach a large enough audience to have an affect on both the filmmaker and the reputation of short films.
Part Two: Funding and Support
The UK Film Council has set up a series of funds in order to support new film- makers and short film -making. They fund script development, film production, short films, film export and distribution, film education, culture and archives, festivals and finally, audience support schemes. They have also created new funds in order to support certain areas of film -making.
The first of these funds is The Film Fund, which funds the production and development of film, both feature films and short films. It is said to be ‘the heart of the UK Film Council,’ as it is a new fund, specially created to help and support new film- makers. The second of the new funds is the ‘New Production and Development Fund,’ which is solely for British film making, the budget for this fund is £15 million a year for the development, production and completion of these British films. The third is the ‘Innovation Fund,’ which was set up to support film made in the UK that use digital technology successfully, rather than celluloid. The final fund is the ‘Prints and Advertising Fund,’ which helps to create and support the distribution and marketing of films. It has an annual budget of £2 million and hopes to widen the access to a range of films, opportunities to see films and the audience awareness of the range of films available by new film- makers.
As well as these funds, the UK Film Council also invests £6.3 million a year to nine Regional Screen Agencies (RSA’s), which the funding of the film council is delivered through. These nine are:
• EM Media: this is the screen agency for the East Midlands. It has co-funded successful films such as ‘This Is England,’ whilst its goal is to raise the regions profile in terms of their ability to make films and create a range of media.
• Film London: it is the capitals film agency and is the larger companies of the RSA’s.
• Northern Film and Media: is the screen agency for the North East of England. It aims to develop expertise in TV, Film, Animation, Multi – Media and new Technology.
• Vision and Media: this agency is the agency for the North West of England. It has a huge database, which lists 100’s of crew- members in order to support new film- makers and help them to get a number of competent crew- members. It also provides support and advice for people within the industry.
• Screen East: the agency for the East of England it mostly focuses on TV and film production. It predominantly focuses on providing locations and crew for new film- makers.
• Screen West: this is the screen agency for the Midlands and it helped make ‘MySpace’s’ ‘Faintheart.’ It provides support and funding.
• Screen Yorkshire: Yorkshire and Humber’s screen agency it again has a large database for locations, crew and educational resources.
• Screen South: it mainly focuses on digital shorts in Surrey and Kent. This agency provides crew, locations and festivals for new short films.
• South West Screen: for the South West of England, it uses Media Box for disadvantaged teenagers and also provides post graduate bursaries.
Part Three: Other Funding Sources
Although the UK Film Council is the most well known source of funding for short films, there are also other organizations that provide support and funding for short film- makers.
The first of these is ‘First Light Movies,’ which is funded by the UK Film Council. It has its own young film fund and is also a part of Media Box, which is especially for disadvantaged teenagers. The second of these is ‘Skill Set’, which are responsible for funding new creative industries. The last is ‘Media Desk UK,’ which funds distributors, operators in new technology as well as film- makers. They also organize festivals for new films.
Part Four: Festivals
There are many festivals that show new short films, promoting new film- makers. These include:
• KinoFilm: the festivals that they hold are mostly within the Manchester area, and those that apply for their work to be shown are given priority if they are from around that area. As well as a festival held every year, they have created a ‘Shorts for Cinema Tour,’ which allows short films to be shown in independent cinemas across the Northern region. They have a specific festival for shorts called the ‘Kino Shorts 10,’ festival. Their mainly funded or sponsored by the UK Film Council. The website for this festival is not very engaging, although it can be said that it is informative.
• SohoShorts: the festivals that are created by them are held over ten days and include the ‘Short Film Category,’ and the ‘Newcomers Category.’ Their main sponsors are the BFG (Big Film Group) and Short Film Festival. Unlike KinoFilm, the website for this festival group is very polished but provides much less information on the festivals that they hold.
• ShortFilms: last year, they attracted ‘more submissions and better audiences than ever before,’ showing that they are successful in their festivals, which are held within London.
• LeedsFilm: have huge well-known sponsors such as VUE Cinema’s, the UK Film Council and are supported by the University of Leeds. They also sell tickets for their festivals on the homepage of their website, promoting themselves.
There are also some international short film festivals such as:
• Aspen Short Film Fest: set up in 1979 and show only original content. The festival for shorts is an annual event which is only for original shorts.
• Cannes Festival: one of the biggest film festivals, it is held in France and has two awards for shorts that are: The Jury prize for short films and Palm Od’Or award for short films.
Part Five: Online Screening
The websites can almost be split up into four groups, as each website falls into one of these.
The first group is for more professional films, that are more artistic and mostly created by people who care about film making and are serious about it. The BBC, Film4 and Virgin Media Shorts fall into this group. The BBC film network website only shows short films that have won awards, Virgin Media do a similar thing in that they only include on their website the top ten shorts for that year and change in annually.
The next group includes You Tube and Atom. They allow any kind of film to be uploaded meaning that they show more frivolous material that have not been created in all seriousness.
Vimeo is in a group of its own as it tries to be more serious about film making but is also on the verge of becoming a sight like You Tube. However, it does have some more serious film- making on their website.
Lastly, Trigger Street is something quite different. It was founded by Kevin Spacey in the attempt to help amateur film- makers break into the film world, with the idea that they will become accomplished in Hollywood. This last website is more focused on becoming famous, rather than trying to show high quality and original work.
Of all the websites, film- makers, depending on that they wanted from their film, may aspire to be screen on the more serious websites such as the BBC or Film4, however if they want to become well-known throughout the world, rather than well known by people interested in national film. Would aspire to be screened on Trigger Street.
Part Six: Screenplay Writing
A screenplay is key to the success of a film, as without a screenplay there would be no film to shot. There are many different websites and organizations that offer guidance on how to create a successful screenplay.
The first website is ‘Screen Online,’ which discusses how a new focus on short films, using the example of the UK Film Council’s ‘Digital Shorts,’ has lead to a whole new set of screen writers, such as Simon Beaufoy. The article firstly tackles the issue of a protagonist. In most cases, the story is narrated by the protagonist but in other occasions the story may be told by somebody else such as a sibling. The protagonist must have a vital determine moment within the film, which becomes the climax of the piece, which makes up the answer to the question, ‘what does the character want?’ The climax of the film is always a crucial incident the main characters life, however, on few occasions there are defining moments rather than just one. Another key question to answer about the protagonist is ‘who or what opposes the protagonist?’ The article says that in most films the opposing force makes the main character do something that is out of character, and this is often triggered by a single opposing character or force. However this is often true of films under 10 minutes, whereas films that last longer than 10 minutes often need more than one antagonist for the story-driven narrative to work. A film under 10 minutes does not usually have more than one antagonist as it may be cramming too much into too short a space of time and not be as effective. The point of view the film is shown in is critical to how the film is received and the effect it has. Most short films have the view from a single character rather than including other points of views also. The theme or what the story is about is extremely important in any short film, yet this is not normally discovered until at least the first draft is formed, an exception to this is genres such as romantic comedy’s which would give a clear theme almost straight away. The usual style of shorts is naturalism, however, other styles have been created such as point of view and tone is used to make a short film work as it engages the characters emotions. The sense of uncertainty is a reflection of dramatic tone and is pivotal into these short films being effective. The tone is most noticeable in films such as ‘Yellow’, where the audience feels the character’s powerlessness due to the POV shots and expressionist camera work.
‘Netribution,’ also offers advice for screenplays, although it was most conversational for the reader. The first piece of advice given is to use less characters as a lot has to be said in a short amount of time so the less characters would make it easier to create complex characterizations. However for this to happen the story should be simple and direct. The biggest bit of advice given is that the film should not be too complex as the time limit would effect its effectiveness. The article also points out that short films are usually made on low budgets so the locations and action within the film should be realistic. Dialogue within the film is also important as each line should be there for a reason or should provide some sort of information.
‘The Script Factory,’ provides an article that discusses script writing training and what is it good for. Script training prioritises individual creativity, rather than craft and techniques, which produces poor screenwriters because the creativity is nurtured but the crucial craft is ignored and missed. Knowing how to construct a scene is as important as knowing when and how many painkillers someone can take. ‘www.scriptfactory.co.uk/go/News/Articles/Article_45.html’
Part Seven: Training and Development
Many different agencies and organisations have been set up in recent years to help support filmmakers, in particular short film makers. These agencies help to develop filmamkers but also offer to train them in filmamking, so they are give a good chance. The most helpful agencie provide a mixture of both.
One of these organisations is ‘Raindance’. The areas they specialize in are: writing, producing and directing. The best course for short film is the ‘Story Design in Short Fiction Films’. The course includes a talk from Richard Raskin, a renowned teacher of screenwriting and video production at Aarhus University in Denmark. The speaker gives the attendees a a chance to see inside the world of short film writing theories. This course is invaluable to both new and experienced short filmmakers. The best production course for short film is ‘Lo-to-no Budget Filmmaking’. This is a course on filming in many different formats. It teaches film maker to shoot a film well and sell it. This is vital knowledge as selling short films is often very hard. A helpful course for directing short films is ‘How To Make a Short Film’, which could be partenered with ‘The Short Film Project’ course to provide an extensive understanding for film makers of all the skills needed to make a short film. These courses give the students the chance to learn how to make the initial idea into an effective shortfilm. These products may well go on to win awards and be well received at short film festivals. the company also hold their own festival and recieve hese new talents well. This organisation also offers the chance to obtain a range of diplomas.
A second agency is ‘Lighthouse’. This agency is based in the South East and supports and commissions work by new, talented artists and filmmakers. ‘Lighthouse’ offers many commissions over many different mediums. One of these commissions is called ‘Utilitarian Dreams’, which features selected pieces of moving image artwork. It is selected on the level of exploration of links between Brighton and Havana. Many of the commissions are largely art based rather than film based however some shorts do feature in these commissions, as some are artistic. However they do offer training that is specifically film directed. One of these is the ‘Pure: dyne’. It provides an opportunity to be trained in film editing software. Other courses include an ‘Introduction into Screenwriting’ and ‘Further Steps on Screenwriting’, which are very beneficial courses for nw film makes to go on. This is because they offer crucial advice and rules on how to be a good screenwriter. These courses lead to more good, effective short films being made. Courses looking into ‘After Effects’ and more complex skill set courses such as ‘Animation Storyboarding’ are also accessible. ‘Guiding Lights’ is arguably this agencies main focus, as it nurtures emerging UK filmmaking talent. One of the mentors in previous years was ‘the director of ‘Slumdog Millionaire’, Danny Boyle’. Many of these courses are supported by very powerful organisations such as the ‘UK Film Council’, the ‘UK Arts Council’ and ‘ICO’.
‘Skillset’ is a training agency. It has worked with other agencies such as ‘Lighthouse’ on projects like ‘Guiding Lights’. One course offer provides the chance to be taught on methods of funding, marketing and distributing for independent films. An extremely important aspect for short filmmakers to understand. ‘Skillset’ also has three film academies. One of these is the ‘Edinburgh Skillset Screen and Media Academy’. The academy produces films that are shown at assorted film festivals and featured in ‘Skillset’s Trailblazers’. This agency is take on large responsiblities as it also offers knowledge and teaching on ‘The Business of filmmaking’ and film in general. The teaching is vital in showing new UK talent how just make to make a good film that will stand up within the world of shorts and features.
The ‘Script Factory’ is an agency that assists screenwriters but also offers many courses in varying aspects of filmmaking. Some of these courses include: ‘Script Reading’, ‘Story Design’ and ‘Horror & Slasher’. These courses are aimed at helping filmmakers understand the theories behind the writing and themes of films. However these courses can and often do provide links to ‘Friendly Producers’. These contacts look at the screenplays and can help to get them made into a film. The direct partnership and contacts into the mainstream world of film is very precious for filmmakers, as it offers something that many other training agencies fail to offer.
The agencies and oganisations play a major role in ensuring that the UK film industry is kept alive by educating talent and providing these talents with the tools for these talents to produce shorts and features that live up to the filmmakers potential ability. The British film industry produces films form many different types of genres, but of these genres social realism is the most widely used. This is because the genre that is the easiest to be translated into a short film.
Part Eight: Distribution and Exhibition
Short films can sometimes be very hard to get exhibited and distributed but iftey are lucky enough to overcome this, thereis still theproblem of little orno financial gain. This is mainly because conventional distribution methods such as DVD sales and cinema releases do not work for shorts because the audience is not there. The lack of audience could bacause to buy a short on DVD would probably, in the viwers mind, not be worth paying the money for when it isnt along film to watch. This is because some features sell for as little as £5.00 and some sell for even less. This meant that the price of shorts would have to be even lower and probably not make a profit. Cinema's are reluctant to show short films as their audiences want to to pay for and watch feature films. A majority of audiences would not want to pay to see a film that is between 10 and 20 minutes long. This means that the world of cinema is not something tht is open for short film makers. Even shorts backed by the ‘UK Film Council’ rarely get into the cinema because shorts are not seen as applicable. However shorts can be exhibited and distributed in new ways, which can see a film become more prolific than their feature film counter parts.
One of these methods is through festivals. Most of the films shown at festivals are shown because the have been recognised for their inovative film making andte shorts effectiveness. These festivals do however sometimes produce DVD compilations of different successful and well-appreciated shorts, which can mean that the film maker does recievea financial gain.
A very popular method of distribution is through the Internet,becaseit is quick and easilt accessable to the audiences. However, many of these shorts are shown for free which stops film -makers from gaining any profit. Publishing them on the web is , in most cases, completely free, and produces opportunities to make money for ‘Adsense’ and other advertising methods. Some filmmakers make money from their shorts by making it into a downloadable file, which the audiences will pay for.
‘Cinema16’ is a maker of many short film compilation DVDs. The shorts on them are chosen because of their success. There are many different types of DVD as the have compilations from Britain, urope, America and all around the other parts of the world. This company is well known and so is extremely beneficial to the filmmakers whose material is selected.
The ‘BFI, British Film Institute’ is a very large name within the world of film. They are the organization behind the highly regarded ‘Sight and Sound’ magazine, which is considered as one of the best film review magazines that there is. However they do also produce DVDs. The DVD ‘Moving Shorts’ has been made a teaching aid for media students ages 12 and above. The shorts on the disc have been chosen because of the ability to widely explore the micro and macro elements as well as the shorts professional look. This DVD is financially beneficial to filmmakers, however the sole purpose is to educate not make money.
‘Future shorts’ is yet another company offering short film DVDs. The website claims to be the world’s leading short film DVD supplier, which is supported by the highly acclaimed shorts on their DVD. One of these shorts is the BAFTA award winning, ‘September’. This company sources the shorts it uses very carefully and that makes for a very popular product because the content is so good
‘Shooting People’ is a filmmaker label that helps to distribute features and shorts made by new writers and directors and is responsible for many different DVDs. One of these DVDs is ‘Best v Best’, which is an anthology of short films that have been shown at very influential film festivals, including some award winners. ‘Shooting People’ is very supportive towards new film- makers.
The familiar theme with all of the companies or organisations mentioned is that only the award winning shorts are ever features on the DVDs. This means that many film makers are still unable to get thier work distributed.However this can be be seen as a good thing to some as tis means that in oder for short films to distributed well, they must be goodandeffective, meaning that the quality of short films would be high. Showing that short filmshavea reputation of being good film making rather than of amatuer film making, giving shorts a good reputation . Dvd's are not the only way that shorts could be distributed. Online direct download is proving very popular with short films and features. 'MUBI' isgood example of website that prvides ths service. The short films on this website are sold at the very low price of £1.00, some even being free. this means that thefilms couldpossibly reach a bigger audiience as more people would download them becauseof thier low price and the easily and quick way in which to get the sorts in their homes straight away. Download has resulted in huge implications for short films as they may just be seen as a good time filler between paying and waiting for the feature film, however feature films are so large that they often do not download properly or take such a long time so short film has an obvious advantage.
