Short Film Codes and Conventions

There are many advantages and disadvantages of short film compared to feature length films as feature length films usually have well established actors and actresses. This is used as a way of attracting the audience as they are then able to watch their favourite actors or actresses on the big screen. This also applys for directors. Feature length films have a huge budget which means they will often have amazing graphics and special effects and the narrative will appeal to a more mainstream audience. The success of big budget films such as Transformers create sequels becuase the ending of the first film is left open. Which means the target audience will then be in suspense to watch the next one.

Short film on the other hand, has unknown actors and actresses who are trying to make it in the industry. Short film offers the opportunity to those aspiring actors and actresses to get a feel of how being in a film works and may even get them established, it's like a stepping stone for them. Short Film has a small budget which some may view as a bad thing but in the world of short film this means the filmmakers are then able to experiment and create their own unique style without being tyed down with tyring to appeal to a wide range of people. Because not a huge amount of money is riding on a short film, it means it doesn't matter if it flops which means there is less added pressure. Short film is not left with an open ending so when viewing it you understand and get the whole concept of what it's about without having to watch an hour and half or how ever long it is to watch a feature length film. Many directors start of making short film before they become established. Short film is often heard about through word of mouth rather then through marketing and is usually national rather then global.

Catherine Des Froges
"Spare economic narratives, interesting storytelling, well structured work which draws in the audience quickly"
Gareth Evens
"Short films are long films that finish earlier."
"A good idea, succiently told, less is more"