Exploring The Criteria of a Good Short Film...

The creation of a good short film cannot be based on set rules as the interpretation of a good short film is all based on the subjective views of the audience. However when an exhibitor reviews short films in order to develop an understanding of what is successful or not, the exhibitors may looks towards certain criteria's:

• An exciting and original idea = a purely original idea is hard to come by however a basic subject matter, can be used in a variety of ways demonstrating the matter from a different angle or with the use of a different technique, by researching lots of different short films leading trends can be identified, therefore a successful short film would be one that rather than following a cliched idea, develops its own twist and original aspect to a certain subject matter
• A strong script = the key element to a narrative-based short film is a good script, therefore many short films are let down by a weak, overwritten or underdeveloped script, strong scripts are those that have been developed and reviewed by the target audience, feedback received and taken into account before the actual production of the film therefore resulting the creation of a good short film
• Good acting = strong films created by local film makers will be one's that have recruited up and coming actors who are searching to make there names known, this recruition could of been done by advertising on message boards of film making communities, therefore not only is the filmmaker gaining great actors but also advertising the film via another Internet connection
• High production values = a good digital produced film will be one that has always applied the basic production values used to create any film. Many low budget short films are let down by the poor sound, lighting, camera work and editing, however by ensuring the values are applied a good low budget film is accessible and affordable for all to create
• Making it short = the longer the short film, the less chance of capturing the viewers attention therefore a successful short film that is popular amongst distributors and buyers are very short films as they are easier to programme and in turn can be sold to a range of multi-platforms (example = online, mobiles and VOD). Evidence has also shown that on Film Network the average time a view watches a film for is four minutes, and no film longer than thirty minutes are accepted by film festivals.
• A strong beginning = a film that grabs the attention of the audience from the very first shot is an exemplar of a good short film, an unsuccessful short film therefore is one that has not pique the audiences interest within the first two minutes
• Exciting new techniques and styles = an average plot can be made intriguing by a new technique or style, this could be anything from a new kind of animation, camera work or art direction, therefore a successful and good short film is one that exhibits the exploration of the director and in turn the development of their own unique style

In order to also gain a professional opinion on what goes into a short film, the BAFTA's short winner Michal Please expressed his own view on what determines whether a short film has been successful or not :