How to make a good short film:
In this article, it goes deeper into understanding on how to make a good short film. IndieWire investigated this by asking the question to some short film screenwriters. Remy Dunagan stated that when writing a short film script, it is important to include “what explicitly needs to be known”. Therefore, this shows that it is important to only include relevant information. They also state to “leave the audience wondering”.
Creating a plot:
This piece of information is particularly useful as it suggests to not overflow a short film with too many ideas, but instead ensure that you have “one core idea”. There is no time to “develop an elaborate plot, or a raft of characters or length set ups.
It is important to stick the genre that has been chosen for the short film. Burnett (2012), states “your original goal was to create a short screenplay that scared/ moved/ amused/ shocked the audience”. This proves to be a significant statement as it is important to impact the audience’s reactions that you originally intended to, as they are expecting as well, otherwise this will create disappointment.
Burnett also states that it is important to focus on a central question for the script and that the question in the film should always be answered in some way.
Making a short film visually pleasing:
Joalland (2012) states that it is important to ensure that a short film is visually pleasing and stories “in pictures”, as this creates a visual backstory for the characters. Therefore, this creates more of an impact on the audience.
Using creative camera angles:
Another way to make a short film effective is by using creative camera angles. In my case, I want to create a lot of unstable looking footage in order for it to relate to the horror/thriller genre that I am going for. Therefore “jittery” footage as described as by McAfee, will help the audience feel slightly more unstable. I just have to ensure that my “shutter is set at double your frame rate” but depending on what will be shot, I might have to “increase or decrease” the shutter speed.
McAfee also suggests handheld camera footage, particularly for the horror genre. As this “helps the viewer feel more immersed in the story”. More freedom comes with handheld shooting as there is more chance to explore the space you are filming in, however it is better to use handheld rather than putting the camera over your shoulder can be “troublesome without a proper shoulder mount or rig”. This shows that it is safer to use the knowledge that myself and my group already have by just doing this with our hands.
Effectively editing a short film
“Do short films require a specific approach to editing?
Efficiency, efficiency, efficiency.
When editing a short film constantly remind yourself that you’ve only got between 5 and 10 minutes before your movie needs to be over. If the scene, shot, moment, isn’t great, get it OUT.
Another form of efficiency is the story arc. Make sure that every story line pays off, meaning if you suggest something it needs to come back again sometime during the film in a changed way.”
REFERENCES
O’falt, C (2016), IndieWire, SXSW 2016: What Is the Key to Writing a Good Short Film Script? Retrieved from https://www.indiewire.com/2016/03/sxsw-2016-what-is-the-key-to-writing-a-good-short-film-script-58016/
Burnett, K, (2015). FILMSOURCING, Writing a Short Film. Retrieved from, https://www.filmsourcing.com/writing-a-short-film/
Joalland, S, (2012). RAINDANCE, 7 Rules for Writing Short Films. Retrieved from, https://www.raindance.org/7-rules-for-writing-short-films/
McAfee. R, (2016). POND5BLOG, How to Be More Creative With the Camera: Film and Video Tricks. Retrieved from, https://blog.pond5.com/6604-how-to-be-more-creative-with-the-camera-film-and-video-tricks/
Elwyn, J, (2017). jonnyelwyn, Tips on Editing Short Films. Retrieved from, https://jonnyelwyn.co.uk/film-and-video-editing/tips-on-editing-short-films/
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