Rules I learnt from the BFI;
1. Don't waste time on back story.
We were taught that making the script incredibly intricate with back stories to then explain the big finish within an 8 minute period doesn't work, and any 'backstory' is a waste of screen time and should only be used for feature length movies and TV dramas etc. Our script does have a backstory (the fairytale) but screen time isn't wasted on it as the audience who watches our film is likely to already know the fairytale and therefore nothing will have to be explained.
2. Avoid repetition/ Punchline twists
Although repetition does work in comedy, using it extensively in short films doesn't work as on average you have 5-8 minutes and repetition can become predictable, unfunny, and generally fall flat. If there is a great punchline twist in the short film then it should be short and witty as the audience can get tired and disappointed throughout the 6 minutes to hear a joke that they saw coming.
3. The first page is everything
As you have very limited time to grab the viewer, the first page of the script (1 minute) is very precious and shouldn't be wasted. The viewer will want to know as soon as possible;
- The main character
- Basic characteristics
- Their problem/goal
- What's standing in the way
How long should a short film be?
On the screenwriting course we looked through several different lengths of short film and the different impacts and styles of film the length of it has. We have also looked at websites such as films short and the film network which each specify and refine searches due to length. The films short has specific sections for films under 5 minutes, which there are several, and then films 5+ minutes, which we have found films no longer than 20 minutes. On the film network, they refine their length searches by 0-2 minutes, 2-5 minutes, 5-10 minutes and 10+ minutes, where we have also found no film longer than 20 minutes. From this research and what I was previously taught, 20 minutes seems to be the maximum length for a short film.
The films under approx. 3 minutes tend to have very little dialogue and are very visual, usually comedic. There are also a lot of animated films at this length, and are very artistic. I've noticed a trend where the ideas in this length of film aren't 100% original and completely different, but the artistic twists and style of film make them unique. They also tend to include only 1, or very minimal actors (usually less than 3-4).
Example: A Film About Poo
The films from 4-7 minutes have more dialogue in them and generally go into more depth with characters, and have more characters that the shorter films. If these films do have only 2 or 3 characters, they all have significant speaking parts. Generally we haven't found any animations at this length, but we have found film that include more special effects than animations. Its also at this length that we find more dramas and a range in genres as they now have the time to have the set up/goals/obstructions/over coming/reaching goal.
Example: Clowns vs Society
The films that were 8-12 minutes long were all generally dramas/suspense thrillers, however horror was practically not there, gore may have been involved but wasn't the main focus. Special effects were also very minimal or non existent in this length of film, and were on average quite dialogue heavy and aimed to make the audience become emotionally invested in the character.
The rest of the films that were 12-20 minutes long, we found, were very hard to stay invested in the film and finish. When a short film gets to this length, it become similar to an episode of a programme on TV and more often than not, dragged. Nearly all the films this length were drama/tragedy and involved a singular person struggling to cope, which made the watching experiences very 'samey'.
Example: Detour
Our script is 8 pages (including descriptions) and we predict after filming and editing it will come out as around 6-8 minutes.
Other Conventions:
Budget:
When budgeting a short film the first things that need to be included are all the aspects that are essential;
- Cast and crew
- Location
- Travel
- Camera, Lights
- Equipment
- Post production and marketing
Applying this to our film, luckily we won't have to pay any of our cast and crew, hire equipment or pay for post production/marketing but we do need to arrange a date and pay for 'The Island' prison cells (£30 and hour).
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