Short film was actually the first type of film created, with Sortie de l'usine being created in 1896. Another example to illustrate this point would be the first British crime drama "Arrest of a pickpocket" directed by Birt Acres in 1895. This film lasted only 50 seconds and included three characters. (http://amazon.imdb.com/title/tt0187702/). These were the first films that people were able to create because of the technical restrictions and the lack of technology. this made these films very experimental and quirky.
However when Hollywood advanced and the creation of the classical narrative creating feature length films came about the short film industry decreased. Hollywood brought along with it genre production making the experimental themes of short film decrease too. The Hollywood studio system was also introduced making film making a lot more expensive and making it a lot harder for short films to be viewed and get publicity as cinema exhibitions required films to be 100 minutes.
As short film could not compete with Hollywood and mainstream cinema it found its way to its audience by becoming a form of art. this created the experimental, Avant Garde,, art house short films. A good example of an Avant Garde film would be Baraka (Ron Fricke, US, 1992—96 mins). Densely packed visual story of the evolution of Earth and humanity, and the manner in which human beings relate to the natural environment. Shot on location in 24 countries. No dialogue, only sounds and images—stream of consciousness. Beauty and grandeur of visuals make this definitely one for the big screen (shot with 70mm cameras). Some disturbing imagery, nudity. See Gianetti 163. Chris Hicks writes, "Taking his 70mm camera to 24 countries, cinematographer Ron Fricke has compiled an answer to Godfrey Reggio's Koyaanisqatsi, on which Fricke was chief cameraman. That film, whose title is a Hopi word for "Life Out of Balance," contrasted the serene natural wonders of America with its hustling, bustling industry, without narration or plot, using only gorgeously photographed, fleeting images set to a driving, mesmerizing Philip Glass score. Fricke's Baraka — the title, an ancient Sufi word, loosely translates as 'The Breath of Life' — is apparently intended to counterbalance Reggio's work, showing how the human race and life itself are tied to the earth." Also considered a documentary. David B. Spalding writes: "Baraka begins and ends with supremely spiritual images and sounds. . . . the film is a glorious tone poem. . . . Baraka is a profound celebration of each culture's, each individuals, personal experience of our universe" (http://www.korova.com/kmr95/kmr5034.htm
Currently a lot has changed in the world of Hollywood and short film production. For example Hollywood no longer follows the studio system. It now looks at film as a low budget, opportunity for experimentation and innovation. Short film is also seen as a safe way to experiment and create original films without losing too much money. Studios have also found short films are good ways to scout undiscovered talent through short film festivals in which all this work is exhibited.
Short film then advanced further, especially in England, becoming British new wave also referred to as free cinema. this meant that these films had an experimental approach to sound, were funded by the BFI experimental film fund and featured working class people at work and in their society. For example in "We are the Lambeth Boys (1958)". This short film was filmed in the "fly on the wall" style and was the first time working class people were shown on T.V not regarding a crime.
There was also a lot of protest within free cinema as they protested to the dominance of the mainstream creating the British free cinema of the 50s which was filmed in documentary style. Most films in free cinema are short films as they are low budget and allow a lot of opportunity to be experimental.
Video activism also has a symbiotic relationship with short film as a lot of little film studios work has been done on the role of short film as an agent of social change. for example Green Peace, Amnesty International commissioned specialist subject short film to make people more aware of a topic or situation they deem important. There is a good example of a pressure group commissioning a short film director to create a short film to publicize their cause.
Short films on TV
in the 1960s to 70s TV did provide some minority viewing of short films scheduled into "filler" and late night slots. In 1999 BBC 2 series 10x10 in association with the BFI showcased short films and in 1991 the BBC launched Video Nation which was populist mass observation on the close up straight to camera. This influenced the video diary, reality TV online in 2001 and this is because video cameras became smaller and cheaper.
Now in the 21st century there are many changes to the way short films are broadcast. For example channel 4 has "Shooting Gallery", BBC has ?The Film Network" and there is also a channel dedicated solely to short films on the Internet which is Movieola (http://www.movieola.ca/). There is also a channel on Skys style and cultures subscription pack that broadcasts short films 24 hours per day. This channel broadcasts many different genres of film targeting 18 to 25 year olds.
"Shorts International has announced that it will launch ShortsTV on the Sky platform from November 26,targeting 18-25 year old viewers who currently watch shorts online.
The channel will show films of all genres, from comedy to thriller, each less than 30 minutes. ShortsTV launched on Numericable's cable systems in France, Belgium and Luxembourg in February 2007."
"Anytime, Sky's push video-on-demand service, and monthly comedy releases on Go!View, the joint venture between BSkyB and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe which allows owners to download and view video via their PSPs." This is a good example of how convergence is changing the distribution of all these short films.
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