Short Film Research.

The production of short films has been around decades before feature films were made and so well known and they are a celebrated part of the film industry. The directing of short films have lead to lots of well known feature directors success including Shane Meadow's the writer and director of This is England. The film industry however is now so focused on the growth in technology such as 3D and the production of feature films that short films are having to find different ways to create popularity within the culture we live in. This is were all the different forms of short films come in to play, advertising and music videos are some of the most well know short films. Other ways in which short films are incorporated in to the media are - newsreels, cartoons, tech films, corporation videos, cine-magazines, sponsored films making, student films, gallery installations and amateur cinematography. All of these possibilities give directors and writers a wider range of what to do.

There is a mass pressure on the niche market due to the huge competition from the feature and popular films, along with the factor that the short film makers don't have the technology and funding to create movies such as feature ones. As well as the competition from Television, due to it showing movie's that have only just been produced and released. This means that due to their niche audience they have to aim at producing something to influence the mainstream. Due to people wanting to see blockbusters its harder for directors to explore the different ways in which they can experiment with film. Instead short films can usually be generalized and commonly the same, this is due to the director wanting to create a profit from the film instead of expressing themselves.

However short film makers are able to challenge ideas and theories through film practice and with the freedom that comes from creating short films it is easy to express stereotypical or challenging view points. However many of the short films made usually lead on the same topic even though their writers have the chance to do new and different things with their filming. There are a few advantages to directing, writing and producing short films though because there is less chance they need mass funding, careers are less likely to be at stake and they can film for as long as they want. Another advantage is that the UK Film Council and BFI have opened two schools in London focusing on the helping young students and amateurs who aspire to be directors and usually from these schools short films are the first thing to come out the courses. This is because they are a good way to start a career in film and help the amateur understand the concept of filming and directing. It also gives the students the ability to experiment with the use of filming and editing facilities. The films that these students produce are more important than their grades or and university degree because it all depends on how they perform.

Although there are criticisms towards short films because some find that they can cause democratization because they can be created on careless filming, it is to much of a vague comment to make. However people feel that the short film niche market has lots its potential and is now having to compete with other industries and audiences to create profit. With the new ways that it is pushing itself in to the media industry for example with music videos. For example -

This short film was intergrated with Lady Gaga's song.

Short films are finding ways to make themselves heard within the media industry and therefore they don't need the large funding that feature films have.

To conclude the industry has become a very niche market even though it was the first type of movie made. Even though they are having to compete with the feature films and mass audience they are now able to target different sides of the media and industry. Short films are on the periphery in the industry due to the larger economic and social power that feature films and television has. Whilst feature films dominate the industry of film, short films act as a stepping stone in the industry for directors and producers to excel in the their work. The UK have been known for traditional supporting their film- makers and amateurs and always finding raw new talent within the film industry.