Short films over 10 minutes

FrankLad

FrankLad

Hey guys!

From everything I've read in books on writing short film, as well as forums and festival requirements at various sites... 10 minutes is the best length for short films.

(I've read "10 and under", “8 to 12”, "shorter = better" and - more vaguely - "whatever time is required to tell the story"... but 10 seems to be the number that comes up often.)

I understand this is for ease of programming. ie. They'd rather show three 10-minute films than one 30-minute film.

So I’d really like to hear from the folks who have made short films with running times over 10 minutes, who have submitted their films to festivals. Where you successful? Which festivals tend to be a bit more lax in running time?

I’ve just completed the first draft of my film that I’ve planned on having a running time of around 17 to 20 minutes, and your responses will be helpful to me as I work on the next drafts.

Thanks a bunch for any help you can provide!

Frank
 
Sort by date Sort by votes
Just last night my 27 minute prison movie played at the Blue Water Film Festival in Port Huron, Michigan. It is a festival that doesn't separate feature length films from short films; all films are eligible for all awards. We were nominated twice for acting, for the screenplay, and for best picture. There were four screening blocks starting at 11:00AM, and in my screening block at 8:00pm were one feature length film, two films that were around a half hour long, and four shorter length films. A nice program.

And it was crowded, too...full house. Not like some festivals where the filmmakers are the only audience members.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Uranium City,

First, CONGRATS to you on the success! I bet the feeling was extraordinary. :)

Thank you for the information.

From all I've been reading, it's like films over 10 minutes are hopeless. (One example came from the book "How Not To Make A Short Film", where longer shorts - though really nice - were often cut. But of course, this was Sundance.)

So your feedback does give me a little more hope!

I'm having a look at your site now...

Thanks again!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
FrankLad,

My short is 16min long, and I'm batting 1 for 6 since starting the process in June... Coupla thoughts:

Success at festivals is no doubt dependent on many factors seen and unseen, but common sense says a proper submission (is it the right length, etc.) is essential. I really don't think they bother with ANY submission if it doesn't meet basic requirements. "Bye, thanks for the $35, you're outta here."

For example, even though small test audiences liked my film, I'm not having much success. Why? Well, the festivals don't tell you. Did some real face-in-the-mirror thinking, and I'm planning to re-cut the opening. Next time I plan to take more time making sure the story is solid and audience-worthy at the script stage.

If you haven't been there yet, withoutabox.com is invaluable for making sure your film is what the festival will accept (festivals are *always* happy to take your money on a bad or inappropriate submission, so pay attention to the details).

My conclusion is that if you submit your film to a festival that accepts it's length (and other qualifications), then it comes down to (it's written on my pillow)... Does your film story grab and move the audience??

Best of luck to you!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Guys... thanks so much for all the feedback! It's great to hear from folks who have been through the actual process.

escher: Bummer, man! As in... they wouldn't even check it out due to length? ...or it was too long for the story that was being told? That's got to be frustrating, to say the least.

kjones: Lots of good info there! I'm going the route of letting a select handful of folks read the script before going further. The responses have been positive and encouraging. I'm also getting some useful perspective (ie. stuff I took for granted since I've been "living" with the characters in my mind... the test readers didn't necessarily get. Good stuff to know.) I'm definitely planning to get a WithoutABox account when submission time comes.

NicklausLouis: It's good to hear that side of it! ...and I commend your tenacity!

Randy: Interesting. That was for short docs or shorts in general (narrative, etc)?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
What I'm wrestling with is... I don't want to prune the story down to a lower time and have it feel compressed/rushed.

I think ultimately, since I feel very strongly about the story, I'll have to let it run as long as it needs to (Well, within reason... heh!) and see where it goes. Almost like I have to get this one out of my system, even if it means no profit or little exposure.

...then maybe the next one(s) will have a more strategic length.

I want to add... I'm glad to have joined IndieTalk today. This seems like a fantastic resource... and you guys are fast with the replies! Big thanks!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
FrankLad said:
escher: Bummer, man! As in... they wouldn't even check it out due to length? ...or it was too long for the story that was being told? That's got to be frustrating, to say the least.
Click to expand...

Even more frustrating: they actually liked it but rejected it solely on length. We tried cutting out some of the slower parts since there were a few segments that we thought could be easily shortened or dropped, but that threw the pacing of the entire film out of whack and it lost all of its impact.

You can see it here if you're curious.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You might consider reading through the Screenwriting forums to find another 5+ folks to read your script. Folks who don't know you, your story, or its subject.

A well-researched script consultant (if you have the money) who knows short films might also be worthwhile. I went this way years ago, and didn't pay *near* enough attention to what she said.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Short films for 90% of the festivals out there need to be just that - short. It's a reflection of the millennial post-MTV mindset; make it fast (paced), cut to the chase. Five to eight minutes should be the goal.

Short films are a separate art-form. You don't have a lot of time for exposition, character development and the other luxuries of narrative feature films. You have to grab the audience hard within the first 45 to 90 seconds or you've had it. I worked on a brilliant comedy short titled "Hard Attack" (about a guy who accidentally overdoses on Viagra) which ran 16 minutes. It did everything it was supposed to but was, at least by festival standards, too long.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
escher: Just checked it out, and thought it was really interesting (if not a little unsettling, which I'm sure you were going for). Knew it was going to be a bit strange after the scene w/ the over-enthusiastic coffee shop lady. LOL! After that, I kept wanting the poor guy to wake up or something. btw, I would have been intimidated with a shoot featuring so many public locations! Nice job!

kjones: Good advice! I did avoid giving it to all-friends-and-family (one reader was a college film teacher) but I may indeed do some searching here and try to reach out to other folks who may be interested. Thanks!

Alcove Audio: You reminded me of an article I was reading which mentioned - thanks to YouTube - how attention spans seem to be dwindling. ie. that some people see a length over 4 minutes and don't even watch the video... they just go to the next thing. Kinda sad. I know this is more for online content delivery as opposed to festivals, but still.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Not that it comes as any surprise to anyone here, but I'm really revealing my age here...:)

When I was in high school we eagerly anticipated the release of our favorite bands album. It would come out - on vinyl - someone would break the shrink wrap, we would ooh and aah over (or bash) the artwork, read the liner notes and, if it came with one, immediately hang up the included poster. Then we would get some drinks and munchies, arrange ourselves around the room, turn up the stereo and bathe in the new release without saying a word until the album side was done; many albums were concept albums, the songs all connected thematically and sometimes continuously (i.e. Pink Floyd). When the band came around on tour you didn't mind - in fact you expected - that there would be an extended instrumental jam; that four minute song took at least seven or eight in concert. It was usually four or five guys on stage, no fancy set, no costume changes and probably just some great lighting. That is unless, of course, you were into prog rock when songs sometimes ran 10 or even 20 minutes - groups like ELP, or Yes - where the staging was impressive as well, but it was almost like going to see an opera or a symphony. You loved the songs, but you also admired the great instrumental and vocal chops.

In the 80's as a band you were now competing with MTV. No one cared about the album, you now waited for the video. Even local bands had to compete visually - cool clothes, good lighting, "clean" stage - and had to pound out continuous music during the set to compete with the DJ. No more long jams except for, maybe, extended intros and endings.

Then came the 90's - rap, techno, inexpensive home computers, cell phones and the internet; I want it now and I want it fast!!! And it has only gotten worse in the new millennium.

Times have indeed changed my young friends.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Short Film Length by How Not To Make A Short Film - Author

Hey there everyone,
I have only one point to add to this thread:
1. Your film should only be as long as the STORY requires. Often we filmmakers like to add what we consider elements of style, substance, examples of stellar cinematography to show what great artists we are. It is these elements that more often than not make your film too long. Kill the babies, save them for your feature.
Get feedback from as many SUCCESSFUL short filmmakers, industry folk and friends *before* you lock picture. If you're in film school and you have to hand in 18-20 minutes don't think that this needs to be the cut you submit to festivals. For more tips check out my website http://www.robertamunroe.com or watch a few video tips on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/robertamariemunroe
All my best,
Roberta Munroe
author - How Not To Make A Short Film: Secrets From A Sundance Programmer

FrankLad said:
Uranium City,

First, CONGRATS to you on the success! I bet the feeling was extraordinary. :)

Thank you for the information.

From all I've been reading, it's like films over 10 minutes are hopeless. (One example came from the book "How Not To Make A Short Film", where longer shorts - though really nice - were often cut. But of course, this was Sundance.)

So your feedback does give me a little more hope!

I'm having a look at your site now...

Thanks again!
Click to expand...
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Alcove: You're talking to the guy who refuses to own a mobile phone. Not that I'm very old (or very young, though I guess it's all subjective)... I'm just an anti-having-too-much-technology kind of guy. Ha! Everywhere I go these days, someone is "plugged in" to their mobile device... texting, searching, frozen zombie-like, right there in the middle of the shopping isle. Everything at our fingertips... no need to work/hunt for anything. Immediacy. Ok, sorry to ramble. But I do feel where you're coming from with the music example!

Roberta: I'm enjoying your book! It has really made give credence to things like running time, which I'd not placed a lot of value on before. This particular story is something I go to sleep and wake up thinking about. As mentioned, I may just have to let it run what it runs, just to get this one out of my system, then plan my next one to fit within the 10-minute timeframe. Thanks for your response! (Checking out your website now.)
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
My first short was 35 minutes long and accepted at 3 of 15 festivals submitted to. My current short is 25 minutes, and has been accepted by two festivals already (the only two that have reached their notify date). Now, none of these are "top tier" festivals, but a couple are fairly respectable. Does a shorter (10 to 15 minutes) film increase your chances, almost certainly so, but none of the stories I wanted to tell could be told the way I wanted to tell them in that length. I'm placing an obstacle in front of myself, and just have to hope the work is good enough to overcome it.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top