Everything a short film should be...

Of late I have been rather critical of short-films. In a deliberately provocative article on nofilmschool.com (entitled The Short Film Is Dead) I wrote at length about why the short-film fails to serve effectively as either professional calling card or elevated learning experience for many aspiring and emerging filmmakers. Over many years I have seen hundreds and hundreds of short films by new filmmakers and very rarely do I experience the things a short film should deliver it if is to serve effectively as a professional calling card. 

That said, Ive seen something this morning that reminds of how effective a short film can be as calling-card learning experience. The Russian made parody/homage of Transformers below isn’t going to change you’re world view, challenge your moral compass or be ringing in yours ears with philosophical weight. BUT, it works; it really really works. if the intention is present a short-film that shows :

a) shit-hot production skills 
b) a clear structure
c) an understanding of story
d) deft timing and surprise
and
d) an ability to entertain

Then this film nails it. Hell, its even a short film that has a clear, full-stop, well-deserved ending (something so many short films fail to achieve)

Transformers from repey815 on Vimeo.

This is a short film that isnt going to change the world but it is one that fills me with confidence. Confidence that these guys know how to technically make stuff happen, confidence that they know how to tell a complete and succinct story, confidence that they have skills that can move beyond a short film. It also fills me with confidence they know who to be efficient and aren’t attached to bloated ideas of grip-trucks and camera cranes; that they know how to work with what they’ve got and get great results. This project was shot on the Canon 550D - the cheapest DSLR on the market - with 3D in Max, Compositing in After Effects and Editing in Sony Vegas. 

Seeing this film reminded me of 2 other short films that punch well above their weight. Shorts that used minimal gear, a focused singular story with a clear and conclusive end. Short films that fill me with confidence the makers could go onto to make much more than short films.

White Red Panic (HD) from Ayz Waraich on Vimeo.

World Builder from BranitVFX on Vimeo.

Comments

[yitux]

Why should short films be calling cards for long featured films? Why cant short films be just what they are, short films, whith their own artistic independence. I dont want to make short films because I dont have money to do anything else, nor do I want to make one to show what I am able to do, thats what a demo reel is for. I like short films as an pure an original genre.

[Mike Jones]

An absolutely fair and reasonable perspective. You're absolutely right. Short Films unto themselves are more than valid and viable. But thats not the point of my post (or my article on nofilmschool.com) My concern is for those filmmakers who intend and want their short film to serve as calling card. The truth is that 90% of short films are made as calling cards for further longer-form work by aspiring filmmakers. You can be a short-film artist but almost no one makes a living and a career in short - films (unless you include advertising and music videos as short films which is more than viable). What Im suggesting is that IF the intention of is short-film as calling card, career development and learning experience, then most short-films fail this purpose as the fail to demonstrate skills that translate beyond the short-film format.

thanks for reading.

Mike