Assignment Paper - 15 Mass Communication and Media Studies

 Prepared by :Sima Rathod

Paper – 15 Mass Communication and Media Studies.

Email Id : rsima144@gmail.com

Submitted to :Smt.S.B.Gardi.Department of English, MKBU.

Abstract : 

In this Assignment I have tried to discuss about the importance of Short films,history of short films, types of short films and purpose of short films.

Keywords : Short films, Charlie Chaplin, Thomas Edison, George Melies Whiplash.

Introduction :

What is a short film? Academy of motion picture arts and Sciences define a short film as an original Motion Picture that has a running time of 40 minutes or less including all credits in the United States short films were generally term short objects from the 1920 is into the 1970 when confined to to 35mm reels or less and feature  for a film of three or four reels, short was an abbreviation for either term. Short films definitely capture the attention of the audience, since the time is shorter than a feature film. You don’t have to wait an hour or so for the ending — a perfect film for the impatient movie-goer.

 

History of Short Films :

In the beginning of all films where short films only lasting a few seconds the very first film wear on Thomas Edison Kinetoscope a device that allowed one weird to see a series of photographs on film telling a story or an action his first films were filled with celebrities current affairs and small exhibition shows. The first ever us copyright for a motion picture was given to Thomas Edison for a 5 second film of Edison’s assistant Fred Ott Sneezing.

As Technology took off so did the film industry started making longer pictures George melies’s short film a trip to the moon was one of the first longer but still short since this was an internationally successful film about a group of astronauts to take a trip to the moon a trip to the moon was an inspiring to other filmmakers because Melies used innovative editing and special effects techniques.

During the 1910 and 1928 Charlie Chaplin was claimed to be the most famous man alive his comedy short films like laughing gas and champion made him the first real international star it was considered as the golden Era for shorts films.

The shots in started to lose favour to bigger and longer feature films films begin to required dialogue and actors as story group from shots into longer stories eventually sound was played in time with the film which lead to the invention of the take talking picture aur Talkies .as longer pictures increasing popularity the short film moved into the world of animation the addition of sound and colour to film Led way to the popularity of the Disney universe and creation of the Warner Bros’s Merrie Melodies and Looney Tunes series. This short animated films were often shown before feature length movies from the 1920 through the 1960 as audience mood from movie theatres to television so did the short films giving life to shows such as the Jetsons, Top cat and Scooby Doo. Internet given new life to the short films YouTube Vimeo and many other free video streaming services for anyone with phone and motivation and the chance to make a short film for wider audiences 2014 movie whiplash started off as a short film from director Damien Chazelle. He was unable to get financial for the movie but no he had a great idea so he made an a 3 minute short film after winning the 2013 London film festival short film jury award he was able to end time in A Baker's to make his Oscar winning feature film Whiplash. 

Characteristics of short films:

The structure of short films has been experimented with but usually it follows the simplest structure of introduction conflict and resolution.

A short films screenplay focuses mainly on the theme and concept.

Presented scenes are explored way more in depth as compared to feature films.

The theme needs to be well thought out as that would then lead to better storytelling.

Types of short films:

Drama Short Films

Comedy Short Films

Horror Short Films

Sci-fi Short Films

Animated Short Films

Experimental Short Films

Documentary Short Films

Importance of Short Films :

1. Expose independent cinema to new audiences

Most of the general public are bombarded with marketing messages about mainstream movies. A good festival shows films and related content that are resistant to the commercial pressures of the standard mainstream fare. It is through independent films made by independent voices that new ideas are expressed. A great film festival champions these ideals at its core.

2.Test screenings

Over the decades we have seen many filmmakers use the platform of our festival as a test screening. They attend and canvas the audience in much the same way as commercial film production companies test screen their films. After weighing and gauging the audience reaction at a film festival screening, the filmmaker may choose to re-edit their film prior to a commercial release.

3.Marketing exercise

The importance of film festivals to a filmmaker rests in the marketing nous of the film festival they attend.

Any filmmaker, large or small, needs to raise awareness of their film. Large studios use large-budgeted public relations and marketing campaigns out of the financial reach of an independent filmmaker.

There are three ways a film festival strives to assist the filmmaker in their film’s marketing:

a. Awards

Winning an award is a great reason to put laurels on a festival poster. Of course, the stature of the festival will determine the importance of the award. But does a passerby really read which festival has awarded the film? And if the laurel comes from a prestigious festival like Raindance – wouldn’t the filmmaker make the important laurels larger? Raindance Film Festival has a wide range of awards, from its features and (OscarTM qualifying) shorts, to its dynamic Virtual Reality strand.

b. Reviews and interviews

One of the great reasons to attend a festival is to start the hype of the film. Getting local bloggers and reviewers to view and comment on a movie is one way filmmakers start the buzz about their latest projects.

c. Selling the film

Certain festivals are really good at attracting film acquisition executives and commissioning editors to their screenings. These film buyers attend hoping to discover and acquire the latest hot property before their competitors do.

4.Learning

Many festivals have engaging panel discussions and masterclasses on aspects of filmmaking. These are of interest to both filmmakers and to the general public. Events like these are a useful way to promote the filmmakers and their films, as well as to help attendees learn about what goes on behind the mysterious black curtains shrouding the film industry.

A good series of learning events at a festival will also strive to create debate about important issues facing not only filmmakers, but humanity in general. At Raindance festival past we have engaged on panel discussions on a wide range of general interest topics: everything from climate change, to racial and sexual prejudices and social injustices.

5.Networking

The film industry is a people industry. It’s not what you know, but whom!

Attending a festival with an audience of like-minded people from all walks of life is a great way to expand your circle of influence, underscoring again the importance of film festivals.

Whatever your position in the film industry, or whatever your interest in filmmaking, a film festival is a terrific place to meet new people.

6.Platform for new talent

Festivals have traditionally been the place where professionals and filmmakers alike go to spot new talent.Raindance itself has championed new filmmakers like Edgar Wright, Christopher Nolan and many others since it’s launch in 1993.

 

Conclusion :

Problems are important to audience and societies because they are simple form of entertainment that usually are edited tightly and well and stay entertaining throughout the entire length of the short movie short films are important to filmmakers audiences society and Studios also in the age of short attention span and 2 minut YouTube viral video short films are more important than ever the short film form is more digestible to audiences it has become normal comfortable and desirable for audiences would now take in entertainment more frequently in short sleep throughout the day where they can fit in it. Short films is effective and useful it enhances the memorization and the comprehension it enables the student to remember the subject easily and creates a special feature is about Creative Thinking. Short films are budget friendly easy to make and more easy to watch it provides a wider scope for experiment and creativity short films provide an outlet for creative expression and opportunity for learning and the chance to be discovered it has an Universal appeal also. 

References :

•        Burt, Kayti . Den Of Geek. 23 November 2019. 29 April 2021 <https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/a-tribute-to-the-first-ever-science-fiction-film-a-trip-to-the-moon/>.

•        Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Georges Méliès". Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 Jan. 2021, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Georges-Melies. Accessed 29 April 2021

•        Hall, Mark. "WarnerMedia". Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Sep. 2018, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Time-Warner-Inc. Accessed 29 April 2021.

•        HENDRICKSON, PAULA . Script. 30 October 2020. 29 April 2021 <https://scriptmag.com/screenplays/the-power-of-short-films>.

•        Josephson , Matthew . Britanica. 7 February 2021. 29 April 2021 <https://www.britannica.com/biography/Thomas-Edison>.

•        Kamath, Sudhish . The Hindu. 24 May 2016. 29 April 2021 <https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-reviews/whiplash-review-the-music-of-violence-works/article6919751.ece>.

•        MANJULAA. 7 July 2017. 29 April 2021 <http://asu.thehoot.org/research/special-reports/why-short-films-have-begun-to-make-it-big-10217>.

•        RICH, KATEY . Vanity Fair. 16 FEBRUARY 2017. 29 April 2021 <https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/02/the-big-script-cne-josh-hutcherson>.

•        Stein, Frankie . Film Daily. 11 January 2020. 29 April 2021 <https://filmdaily.co/craft/short-films/>.

•        Ziegler, Jacob . TOPEKA & SHAWNEE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY. 12 September 2019. 29 April 2021 <https://tscpl.org/books-movies-music/short-films-a-short-history>.