Short films are defined simply by their length. The length varies from 5-35 minutes, but anything exceeding 35 minutes is considered to be feature-length.
Short Film Conventions
- Tend to only contain 2-3 main characters
- Usually contain some type of "plot twist"
- Due to a characteristically low budget, cast and locations are limited
- The story usually involves everyday situations and events
- Don't always rely on dialogue
Examples
Paperman (2012) - After seeing a beautiful girl on the train a man uses paper airplanes to try and get her attention after spotting her in the window of a nearby building. This short is around 6 minutes and length and follows two main characters. The "twist" occurs when the protagonist sees his dream girl after losing her on the train. There is also very little/no dialogue and the story is driven through music and movement.
Link - www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QAI4B_2Mfc
Uncanny Valley (2015) - In the slums of the future, virtual reality junkies satisfy their violent impulses in online entertainment. An expert player discovers that the line between games and reality is starting to fade away. This short is around 8 minutes long and follows one main character, but it also feature other players. The "twist" featured in this short occurs when the protagonist discovers that the virtual reality he plays in isn't as imaginary as he seems. This short is heavily driven by dialogue that is either in the form of a voiceover or from an indirect interview. It also takes the idea or virtual reality, which is currently growing in popularity, and shows what it could eventually lead to in a dystopian future.
Link - https://vimeo.com/147365861
World of Tomorrow (2015) - On the longer end of spectrum this short runs for about 17 minutes and it is an animated piece about a young girl who is shown the content of her future. This story follows convention as it focuses on two main characters (the main character of the present and of the future, who also happens to be a clone). The "twist" occurs as the main character, Emily, is shown what her future looks like by her future self. This short is also very dependent upon dialogue as it is used, along with the visuals, to progress the story.Link - https://vimeo.com/ondemand/worldoftomorrow
Code 8 (2016) - This short is 10 minutes in length and it was created as a sort of storyboard for a feature length film, but the short stands on its own in terms of story and plot. The story takes place in an alternate world where 4% of the population possess special powers. Contrary to popular dystopian pieces, these 4% are on the bottom of society and most live below the poverty line. This short follows two in particular who run into a conflict with the police after committing a petty crime. This story follows the typical conventions in that it only contains around 2-3 main characters and adds a "twist" to the everyday situation of people living in poverty trying to get work and support themselves.Link - www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqO90q0WZ0M
Why a short film?
When deciding what to do with this portfolio project, there was little question as to what I should do. I wanted to create a complete piece that had a beginning, middle, and end. I wanted to have the opportunity to create a piece in its entirety in order to work on my ability to convey my story. This is the first time I have ever worked on a short film before and, while it may be intimidating, I'm excited to share my story with the world.
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