Why make short films when you can make long feature-length ones? Suzanne Sherris explains the place of the short film industry and the role of the recently created regional screen agencies.
As a child I can remember the excitement of going to watch films at the cinema ? the atmosphere, the popcorn and the short film shown before the main feature. For me the short film was always a key part of going to the cinema, but in recent years this has largely been replaced by adverts and trailers for forthcoming films. So what has happened to the short film? Well, the good news is that short film is alive and well and indeed thriving, being the creative vehicle of choice for both new and experienced, young and old film-makers alike.
There are a range of definitions of short film, including ?a maximum duration of 30 minutes of camera time? by the National Archive for Short Film, although this is by no means an industry standard. There is no minimum duration but they are frequently around ten minutes in length, although this will vary from one minute upwards depending on whether the film is intended for competition, festivals or particular schemes. Furthermore, there are as many variations in genre, theme and style as there are variations on length, including comedy, documentary and animation. The length of the film does not, however, mean that the artistic and creative process is short-changed. Whilst shooting a ?short? can be a cheaper and more accessible way to produce a film, the artistic and creative merit required is the same as that necessary to sustain a feature length film. Shorts do in fact lend themselves to certain types of story-line and visual approaches, and many established directors choose to take on the challenge of making a short film to tell a particular tale.
As with any film project, external funding is still necessary. The Film Council, set up in April 2000, is the strategic agency for developing both the film industry and film culture in the UK. It was created with the objective of changing the structure of film funding in the UK to develop a sustainable film industry, as well as to promote film as part of the creative culture through access and education. With a budget of £20m, it funds a range of projects and schemes, many of which support short films, including ?Digital Shorts?. This scheme works with eleven regional partner organisations and offers up to £10,000 to eight projects in each region to produce finished films. The Film Council has also instigated ?First Light?, a short film Lottery-funded project aimed at 7 to 18 year olds (see p9).
Regional devolution
In line with the trend for devolution in funding and cultural development, the Film Council funds regional screen agencies such as EM Media in the East Midlands. These agencies in turn distribute money including the Regional Investment Fund for England (RIFE) to various organisations and production and development agencies. This structure seeks to encourage a national film-making culture and not just an industry concentrated in London.
Intermedia Film and Video, based in the Broadway Media Centre in Nottingham, is one of the recipients of the devolved funding and offers a wide range of services. These include both short and long-term training courses for both amateur film-makers and industry professionals, and production advice and support. Ceris Morris, Director of Intermedia, describes the organisation as ?a place where film-making happens?. She explains, ?Our strength lies in the holistic approach we take ? we nurture talent and provide opportunities for new film-makers through training, schemes and kit provision. We work with key broadcasters and film agencies to create professional product for distribution and exhibition across the country. Our standards are high and a large proportion of Intermedia clients have gone on to work as professionals in the industry.?
?First Cut? is one of the short film schemes it is working on in partnership with EM Media and Carlton. This scheme aims to encourage experienced directors who are new to broadcast to create five or ten-minute documentaries in film or digital format. Intermedia is also involved in administering the Digital Shorts scheme for the East Midlands.
A stepping stone
There is no doubt that although short film is an artform in itself, it does offer a stepping stone for talented directors to secure development funding for feature-length productions. This is the experience of Chris Cooke, whose first feature film is currently being made in Nottingham. Chris started his training with Intermedia on the ten-month foundation course learning all aspects of video production. He went on to create two short films, the second of which, ?Shifting Units?, was shot in and around Nottingham using actors and crew from the region. It received special mention at the Edinburgh Film Festival in 2000 and was shown on Channel 4 as part of FilmFour?s Shooting Gallery season. FilmFour then approached Chris to write and direct a feature film and so he has spent the past two years working on ?One for the Road? at Intermedia?s production development department, which is also providing equipment and editing facilities for the film. The film uses an almost entirely East Midlands-based crew and cast and is financed by East Midlands Media Investments, the FilmCouncil?s New Cinema Fund and FilmFour Lab.
These are just a few examples of the opportunities available for making short films in one region, but there are opportunities throughout the country. These days, it?s possible for anyone to grab a camera, pitch an idea, get filming and aspire to seeing their work at a cinema near you!
Suzanne Sherris is Director of Conspicuous Consultancy. t: 0115 854 8622;
e: suzanne.sherris@ntlworld.com