SHORT FILM FORM

How do short films differ from long form?

 QUALITIES OF A SHORT

• TIME
• CHARACTER
• BREVITY, DISTILLED
• EVENT/MOMENT
• LOCATION
• STORY SHAPE
 QUALITIES OF THE SHORT

• EVENT - A small moment of significant change

• TIME – usually in the present (flashback or forward limited)
• TIME – running time vs story time – both usually short!
• Enter late, leave early – leave you wanting more
• STORY – usually a single storyline, start in the middle of a problem

• CHARACTER – clear and quick way o know them, what they do, what surrounds them,
where they are
• LOCATION – choose for the greatest impact
 S H O RT F I L M E L E M E N T S

• Start fast. Get into the story with something already happening. Enter late, leave
early
• Consider your set-up. We need to know who the story is about and the essence of
the drama/conflict,/need or desire FAST.
• Keep dialog selective - Characters speak when it is vital they speak. Show more,
say less. Base storytelling on action and the surrounding drama (location, actions,
objects, etc.)
• Remove all non-essential elements. Remove anything that does not move the
story forward. Bring the essence of the drama ASAP and stay on point.
 SHORT FILMS …

• Anything under 40 min. Think about story time vs run time.

• Every image counts. Use everything to layer content and meaning. Distill, focus,
shorthand
• You could think of a feature as a series of short films
• A small, meaningful moment, a taste or slice of life or character
• Usually revolves around a single character and a single event
• In the present. Not a lot of time for flashbacks, multiple story lines
• Leave audience wanting more! Get in and get out!
• Surprise the audience by taking them into an unique character or original view of
them
 FINDING A GOOD IDEA

• Small, specific, selective, personal. Pointers to something beyond the frame

• Use your own life experience, moments that stand out and then shape them creatively into
a dramatic expression
• Not easy. Take risks. ‘Fail’ early and often as your find the core of your idea
• Start late, leave early, be economical
• Structure matters - needs some kind of dramatic arc
• Could be a SLICE OF LIFE – a peek into a world or character. Why now?
• Tell it VISUALLY, use SOUND
 NEW CREATIVE HABIT
G ET A J O U R N A L

Every day, jot down an idea.

Jot down ideas with one or two details to anchor them.