Short films typically follow several conventions: 1) They have a small number (2-3) of main characters to allow viewers to relate to them within the short runtime. 2) They nearly always include a plot twist to make the short storyline more interesting. 3) They have a low budget due to independent filmmakers having limited funding, keeping costs low through few locations and actors.

1. Codes & Conventions of Short Films By Tom Smith A2 (7575)

2. Characters - We Intend to FOLLOW This Convention. Characters is an Obvious Convention as ‘Short films’ tend to stick to 2 or 3 main characters. Being ‘short’, short films don’t have time to create deep back story or history for the characters, therefore character numbers are kept low in Short Films to allow the viewer to relate to the characters in the small amount of time. For Example, Hirsute is a Short Film staring the same Actor, yet play two different Characters.

3. Twist - We Intend to FOLLOW This Convention. Short Films nearly always contain a ‘Twist’, the reason for twisting the storyline is to make the short film more interesting as they are so short. Without a Twist in a Short Film the storyline would simply be uninteresting. For Example, The Black Hole is a Short Film About a normal night at the Office, however the twist is about a Black Hole with Unique Powers.

4. Budget - We Intend to FOLLOW This Convention. Short Films typically have a low budget. This is based on the fact that most Short Film Directors are independent without the sufficient backing in terms of funding. They keep their budget down by sticking to one or two locations and only using one or two actors. Having such a short film allows costs to be little to nothing in some departments as some actors will work for free if they really like the storyline. For Example, The Black Hole is a Short Film based in an Office with only one Actor/Character; meaning small budget.

5. Length - Short Films are typically ‘Short’ and usually have a max length of 35 Minutes. They are typically around 5 – 10 Minutes in Length. If these ‘Short Films’ were any longer they wouldn’t be classed as ‘Short’; and would be named Feature Length. Examples: Connected – Short Film / 7:30 Minute Luv Deluxe – Short Film / 5:21 Minute Heartwork – Short Film / 9:26 Minute We Intend to FOLLOW This Convention.

6. Situation - We Intend to FOLLOW This Convention. Short Films usually take an everyday situation that we can all relate to and then flip it on its head in some way. This allows the viewer to relate to the Short Film, but at the same time intriguing the viewer. For Example, The Black Hole is a Short Film Based in a Normal Office Environment, But Special Powers are revealed by a ‘Black Hole’.

7. Todorov - We Intend to FOLLOW This Convention. Todorov’s Theory of Equilibrium is typically applied to Short Films. Equilibrium – Everything is Normal Disequilibrium – A Problem Occurs. New Equilibrium – Problem is Solved, Everything is back to normal; However a change is Noticeable.