The Codes and Conventions of a Short Film

CODES & CONVENTIONS OF SHORT FILM

Length:

A short film usually lasts between 1-20 minutes.

Story lines:

Story lines are generally kept simple and easy to understand. Narrative is condensed and hardly any dialogue. Usually, the characters are developed through images and actions rather than dialogue like in feature-length film. A short film is usually very clear from start to finish which helps structure it and the music is used to set the mood and atmosphere quicker than character's dialogue that is normally portrayed in a feature-length film.  

Character:

Usually one or two main characters, could be binary opposites or two very similar characters throughout the short film, this is because with a longer film, you can take your time to introduce various characters, however having too many characters all at once might confuse the audience. This is done in order to entice the audience as they have too little time to keep the audience interested.

Twist:

There is usually a twist in short films, because a twist allows the audience to become interested and the film maker is able to do this as a short story line gives less clues to the ending.

Creativity:

Short films can be quite creative and abstract and can turn into quirky short films which will interest the audience. The same can be said for animation, through animation, the film-maker's thoughts and imagination are limitless as the boundaries between what's real and not can be distorted to make a much more interesting short film. 

Budget:

Usually low for short films. Therefore special effects are not needed as much, the overall look of the film is usually home-made or arty, they are unlikely to make money. 

Audience:

Audiences will be a lot smaller and will probably be a niche audience rather than mainstream due to the nature, length and narrative, usually not many people are aware of short film, due to the variation of style and technique, short films will only appeal to certain types of audience. 

Emotion:

Short films are used to convey a powerful emotion to the audience, be it happy, sad, anger, terror to make the audience feel part of the action within a certain amount of time and leave thinking about the film and the message throughout it. 

Distribution:

Unlike feature-length films, short films are usually free and easily accessible through the internet. This is the easiest and most effective way for short films to reach audiences as they are seldom shown at cinemas or on TV. Through this way, the audience are made aware of the different types of short films out there.

Opposite to mainstream:

The codes and conventions of short film are opposite to mainstrean as they are portrayed in a different format and style, each short film is different to the other and each will try and portray messages and give audiences different ideas and themes of film in a unique and individual way as opposed to mainstream film.