What makes a good short film?

According to the BBC Film Network, there are no set rules which guarantee a good short film however; there are a few factors to think about when in the process of creating a short film:

1) Try to have an original and/or exciting idea:

Original ideas are not easy to come-by or think up, but a good way of avoiding clichéd ideas is to watch lots of other short films, look out for any trends and stay clear of them. Even if an idea isn't completely original, the filmmaker can look at the subject matter from a different angle or use a different style/technique. If they are struggling for ideas, filmmakers can try to find inspiration in their experiences or those of the people that they meet or through the stories that they read in newspapers, magazines and online.

2) Have a strong script:

A good script is key to narrative-based short films and in many ways it's harder to write a short than a feature because filmmakers or script writers need to condense the story and develop the characters in a very short space of time (all too often films are let down by weak, overwritten or underdeveloped scripts). Before investing money, time and effort into shooting a film, it's a good idea to test the script out on friends and strangers and get as much feedback as they can. If someone can write and direct their own films, it's a good idea for them to consider where their strengths lie. It's great if they can do both but if they are stronger at direction/animation then it’s a good idea to consider collaborating with a talented scriptwriter.

3) Get good actors:

One bad actor in a film can really let it down and destroy the viewer's belief in the reality that a film is seeking to create so it’s a good idea to avoid using friends as actors unless they show a talent for acting. There are lots of great actors out there who are willing to work for reduced fees to learn their trade and make a name for themselves and can be found through advertising on the message boards of filmmaking communities.

4) Aim for high production values:

Whilst digital filmmaking has had the positive impact of making the process more accessible and affordable, it's important to ensure that you still apply the same production values that you would if you were shooting on film with a crew. Many low-budget shorts are let down by poor sound, lighting, camera work and editing and/or by directors who are trying to do it all by themselves without anyone else's input. Filmmaking is predominantly a collaborative process and it's much better to find crew who are specialising in these areas who can offer different skills. Film crew members to collaborate with can be found on the message boards of filmmaking communities.  If new to filmmaking, one of the best ways to learn the skills required is for a filmmaker to assist on other people's films. Also check message boards for call outs for volunteers from filmmakers.

5) Keep it short:

As a general rule, the longer your short film is, the harder it is to keep the viewer's attention. This is especially true of online viewing – for instance on Film Network the average time that a viewer spends watching a film is 4 minutes however exceptions to this rule are documentaries, which viewers will often watch for longer. Many festivals don't accept short films that are over 30 minutes long; a long film will really have to impress the programmers for them to include it in their screening, as it means they will not be able to show so many films in their short film programme. Very short films, especially romance and comedies, can be popular with distributors and buyers as they are easier to programme and can be sold to multi-platforms e.g. online, mobile, VOD etc.

6) Ensure a strong beginning to the film:

Most programmers/distributors will be inundated with submissions and so your film has to grab their attention from the very first shot. The harsh reality is that if a film doesn't pique their interest within the first two minutes, in all likelihood they may not sit through it till the end. It is important to not waste time on lengthy introductions and credits but to spark their interest in the story as quickly as possible. Credits at the start can distract the viewer so it is wise to leave them out. Similarly if a film starts with a long establishing shot where nothing really happens, viewers may switch off before the plot really begins.  If the pace of a film is naturally slow and ambling, a filmmaker needs to make the shots as rich and enticing as possible to draw the viewer in. A good editor can really transform a film so if someone is directing and editing their own film, they might be too attached to certain shots to know which bits to chop so having someone else as an editor is a good idea. In big blockbusters, scenes that have cost thousands or even millions can be chopped if the studio/filmmaker feels that they are not integral to the final edit of the piece.

7) Avoid repetition & punchline twists:

Whilst sometimes a repetitive scene can be used for comedy/dramatic effect (Groundhog Day being a classic example of where this can work), if a filmmaker is not careful it can end up being repetitive and predictable. Comedy is notoriously difficult to pull off in short films – if a filmmaker is looking to make humorous shorts then it's a good idea for them to test their idea on an audience or to cast their film carefully and get a funny actor. Be careful of one-line gag/punchline films. Some shorts can do this to great success but many often fall flat. If a filmmaker has to make a great punchline twist then they have to consider making it short and snappy as viewers might be disappointed if they sit through 7 minutes for one joke at the end, especially if they've already seen it coming.

8) Explore exciting new techniques & styles:

Even an average plot can be made intriguing by an exciting new technique or style - whether it be a new kind of animation, camera work or art direction so it’s a good idea to experiment and develop a unique style.