Short Film Research

In order to fully understand some key concepts of producing a short film, I undertook some research into certain necessary components to involve in it. I found an article, entitled, "How to write a good short film script", written and included in the Sunday Times. 

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/article3336775.ece?token=null&offset=0&page=1

Many of the aspects outlined in this article highlight the importance of making an effective yet reasonably short storyline. Also, it addresses the necessity of being realistic of your film making capabilities; if you have limited funds, do not plan big car chases, fires and explosions and extra special effects that will astound even Hollywood directors. It is an extremely helpful article, and I will now include many important facts and features within that will help me to further plan and create an effective short film of my own. 

Any kind of dramatic story requires 3 basic elements:
 

• A world

• A character

• A problem

Short films are no different; you just have less time to establish and develop each element. Most successful short films focus on ONE moment or event in the life of ONE main character. Because of that it is unusual for a short film to take place over a long period of time – it’s usually just looking at the immediate build up to and/or consequences of that one event. A lot of the best short films play out more or less in ‘real’ time, and a story that spreads over more than a few days is unlikely to work well as a short film. 

Another popular setting for the short film is the journey. Most short films focus on a pivotal, significant event in the life of the main character so that the story inevitably takes the character on a metaphorical emotional journey and it can work well to use a literal journey as its setting.  

The most important questions to ask yourself when you begin to develop your story are:

Who is the main character?

What is their problem?

How will the audience recognize the problem?
Are the stakes high enough?

Am I telling the story from the best point of view? 

The audience must be clear from the outset who the film is about and they won’t be if you aren’t. Your main character is the one who has the problem and if there isn’t a character in the story with a problem then you don’t have a film, or at least not one that will work as a dramatic narrative.

What is driving your main character through the story must be one of the following:

• a want
• a need
• an obligation 

You probably don’t set out to write a film with a moral or even with a conscious awareness of what your story means but every story communicates some meaning to the audience. Once you are sure how the story begins and ends then you have a clear indication of its meaning and this will help you make important choices as you refine and develop your script particularly in relation to... 

The Tone of the Film

Tone is intimately connected to genre and though genre is less of an issue in shorts than in features it is still important to think about what kind of film you are writing in broad terms.

These helpful elements and extracts have assisted me in my understanding of the world of short films, and from their guidance I will now research other aspects that are important to the general composition of my film, such as the pre-existing extremely successful short film by Spike Jonze, "I'm Here", funded by Absolut vodka. The end product will definitely include each aspect i have researched in depth, and hopefully tie all loose strings of audience preference, location choice and filming techniques together to create an effective and highly entertaining five minute short film.