Codes and conventions of short films

Codes and conventions of short films

1. Length and Basic Information

   • normally 5 minutes long
   • A few main characters and no extras as the film is too short
   • Popular at UK film festivals
   • most popular conventions of short films are animation or live action

2. Concepts

   • short films tend to be realistic
   • Normal everyday situations
   • normally involve problems which need to be solved by the protagonist

3. Budgets

   • Often have low budgets or no budget at all
   • Actors in short films are often young or amateurs aged between 16-25
   • Short films are usually for first time directors and people just starting out.
     • no big names, no star appeal

4. Twist

   • Often normal day situations with an added plot twist involved
   • some parts of the story aren't revealed until the end

5. Technical Ideas and Recurring Themes

   • Commonly short films don't use CGI
   • Normally more basic equipment is used
     • It is common to see voiceover and narration used to tell the story rather than dialogue