The shorter the better.

When we think of films and the beginning of it all when referring to the work of the Lumière Brothers and Méliès, yes for different aspects regarding film making but essentially they introduced innovative elements. In relation to the “origin” of short films… well, briefly all films in the beginning were practically short and “imitated other entertainment media already in existence […]. So short was the norm”, (Dixon).

Probably it was also given by the fact that technology and equipment weren’t that advanced back then, however it began like that. Then the old tends to fade into darkness while the new shines in the spotlight; more feature length films were demanded.

Most shorts weren’t highly perceived and they began to fade with the coming of longer films, but this may be in the past as nowadays, also due to internet, making shorts is very popular and rewarding. Look at all the film festival which allow young people to stand out by producing shorts and even big film industry like Disney constantly make short films (watch the Paperman, adorable!).

Even ‘big names’ created shorter movies, some of which were then made into features, such as Tim Burton’s Vincent or Guillermo del Toro’s Geometria (another good director.. although weird, after watching Pan’s Labyrinth… ahahah).

But moreover… why even make a short? Tips from the BBC may enlighten us on this.

Firstly, the reason why you want to make any film is up to, there may be various and diverse reasons; me? It could be that mine is more sentimental. Love the work atmosphere, commitment and passion is what I use and I admit I’m kind off tired of books… I want to get my hands dirty! I don’t necessarily have to make my own film but only being part of the production of any sort of filmmaking activity makes me feel I’ve chosen the right path. Accounts or dissection? Mmmh, no.

Reading through the “BCC tips”, I realized that there approach is more technical, but appropriate (well, obviously). So we’re going to scan through what makes a good short, however by picking out the most relevant aspects, because in the end whether you make a short or feature, there are many elements that they both share and need. The introduction highlights my point of comparing short films with features but also states that most shorts are per se subjective (while feature length films are mainly to entertain the audience, does apply to most). Moving on, your first step is to come up with an original idea. Which we know, and the BBC suggests to watch other shorts in order to bare in mind what has been done already but you may want to recreate the same subject by using your own style. It’s got to be you. As we all know, a film without a good script won’t be as successful; this applies to any film you want to produce. With short films it may be a bit harder as you do not have as much ’story development’ as in a feature.

Even though you are producing a short, you should approach it as if it were a feature meaning that even if it is not a  Hollywood big budget [example] the quality of your film will need to stand out as much as your story.

The shorter the better! It is hard to keep a film short, maybe not for everyone (and if you have that gift I would be glad to work with you! No jokes!) but one thing I learned about writing a script (or even your film sometimes) is: CUT, CUT, CUT, CUT, CUT, REWRITE, REWRITE, REWRITE. Sometimes its painful ahah.

Best way to catch the audience’s attention is to have a strong beginning: “spark their interest in the story as quickly as you can”!

I should actually follow this myself but luckily I’ve taken part in some short productions and even though it was for a day or two, loved every bit of it! Working with a great team, getting an insight to what this may lead to and building up experience whatever it takes.

The thing is to start! Do anything but just do it, even find friends or class mates willing to take part and help.

Hopefully, this may be useful information for you all and watch as many short films as you can; now it’s so easy, you just need to click on Youtube or even MTV (music videos are great examples inspirations too!).

Good Luck!

AG

Links:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/film-life/7593291/The-long-history-of-short-films.html

http://theweek.com/article/index/238980/12-early-short-films-by-famous-hollywood-directors#bottom

http://www.bbc.co.uk/filmnetwork/filmmaking/guide/introduction/why-make-a-short

http://www.bbc.co.uk/filmnetwork/filmmaking/guide/introduction/what-makes-a-good-short

Video Links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QAI4B_2Mfc    - Paperman

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KomTrxiY86g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pJCzHk0Jes      - Numb

Emotional Monsters

“The idea of science and short film-making is a similar vein”.

- Tim Burton

 I’ve done a few school projects where I had to build and create an ancient house or primitive village and always found it was fun getting my hands dirty. Although mine weren’t the typical science project for the science fair, the secret in doing these works of art is being creative; I guess most would agree or just automatically assume such approach. Director Tim Burton, he himself considers science and art something similar and has always tried to treat them as such. His latest film Frankenweenie (2012), remake of his original short (1984 – wow I really feel I haven’t been around that long) revolves around Victor’s lost and his scientific skills: the whole process is creative, like building his machine with a bike, Christmas reindeers, his mum’s waffle maker and so on. I interpret it as a process of creation, both for art and science [as in Victor’s chase], although the aims/purposes may be different; I would tend to favour art as I don’t see it as a limited performance while science seemed to be bound to certain boundaries. However, throughout time even science has proven to cross unknown horizons. Burton’s films tend to mix fantasy and horror to create something similar but different from mainstream Disney, regarding in particular his stop motion animation films; I consider The Nightmare before Christmas (1993) a classical such as The Lion King (1994) or Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937 – ’37, what the...). I would imagine Burton’s prince charming as Jack Skellington on a dead horse with falling pieces... or Johnny Deep. 

 Even before he could walk and talk, Burton watched and devoured monster movies; that’s what his parents told him. I mainly got, stop day-dreaming. Since he was a kid his passion for monster movies was profound and developed a sense of devotion to the most human of them all: the monsters. People do tend to look at you differently when you grow into liking certain things but it worked out fine for Timothy (so cute); most people would kill to work with Disney but let’s say the relationship between the two... is complicated and peculiar. Burton stands out for his unique style, although he tends not to fixate himself to a particular style/image; when you see a Tim Burton film you know it’s his due to a gloomy, dark atmosphere with unusual characters but that is how I perceive his talent: it’s innovative, unique and creative. 

Let’s draw upon his latest film Frankenweenie and detect his monster influences [probably containing some *SPOLIERS*]. The story is taken from Burton’s original short made in 1984, which at the time didn’t attract Disney, and traces the story of Victor Frankenstein who unexpectedly loses his dog Sparky and incited by his science teacher, tries to bring his dog back to life; which eventually entices his class mate’s attention. The film invokes the black and white movie monster Frankenstein, as Victor brings his dog back to life by sewing pieces together and using lighting; Sparky embodies “the monster”, while Victor the mad scientist and there is also Frankenstein’s bride, Elsa’s dog. Other than the names and characters, also scenes are inspired from the old black and white monster movies: like the ending part where action takes place in the town’s windmill which is burning to the ground, with the angry mob outside (Frankenstein, 1931); Shelly the giant turtle which threatens the town reminds me of Godzilla (1954), a giant monster which roams the streets while screaming people flee; the sea monkeys reminisce the monster from the black lagoon. Burton himself affirms that he considers many monsters as horror icons, such as Boris Karloff [Frankenstein] and Japanese movies: “I was never scared by monster films because I felt the monsters were the most emotional characters – at least in those old films”. 

Timothy reveals that he “find[s] black and white very beautiful. It gives a real sense of emotion”. I personally think black and white films are a bit more dramatic, there is no colour and so you perceive the story and characters differently; “when you take out the colour out of something, sometimes you start looking at other things, such as textures and characters”, can't disagree with Burton. I know you’re not here to really listen to my opinions but I can’t help but say what’s on my mind. I just love film in general and whether it’s silent, black and white or with special effects, if the plot and characters are exceptional and genuine I would watch anything. Tim Burton’s films are different and I like his gloomy characters and settings, also fascinated by stop motion. I produce a stop motion last year for digital media, simply tell a story with pictures, but I always have to complicate my life: I decided I wanted to create an animated stop motion and funny enough I took inspiration from old movie monsters revived by an episode of Supernatural (also in black and white)! The scene I really wished to recreate was Dracula, I just loved the lighting on his face; if you haven’t seen the episode do so [see clip]. 

 “I always felt confident it [Frankenweenie] was a traditional Disney film”. Burton claims that his work is similar to that of Disney, which saw his films as too dark for their line of work but in the end one particular theme coincides with both: the issue of death. He recalls films like The Lion King and Bambi (1942) which both deal with such aspect. In many other films and even TV programmes people have tried to explain death and what happens after but I guess as kids you still don’t grasp the concept that much... until you grow older and re-watch Bambi realizing your eyes have swollen and that you are running out of tears. 

AG 

Clips 
http://youtu.be/ki2CtwigsDY   Tim Burton – interview (29min)

http://youtu.be/BW5t9e8wemU  Frankenweenie (2012) – Science Teacher speech 

http://youtu.be/SoL6a37d1Rg   Frankenstein (1931) – Windmill burning 

http://youtu.be/FQitxcxiZbc  Supernatural, Monster Movie, Season 4 ep. 5 (2008)