What are pros and cons in creating a short film in comparison to a feature film?

The pros can include a limited amount of boundaries which allows the artist to experiment with creativity, for example, most feature films have a set purpose and strict boundaries to stick to in order to appeal to a certain audience and produce more profit; many short film makers create short films to express their creativity opposed to reach a specific figure in sales and can take more risks as they have little to lose. Short films can be a maximum of 40 minutes long, meaning that, unlike feature films, they have a limited amount of time which be beneficial in avoiding complicating the storyline and confusing the audience, where some feature films have been unsuccessful. However, the main cons are that short films are often not viewed as much as feature films as they lack the world wide market appeal that feature films achieve through their mass advertising, meaning that, although several film festivals attempt to display these, some exceptional short films do not receive the credit and recognition they deserve. The limited amount of time can also be a burden on short films as there is a limit on how much background/story can be created in maximum 40 minute time limit.

How has the short film market benefitted from digital technologies?

As digital technologies have continued to grow and advance it has become easier for independent companies and individuals to produce high quality films through easily-accessible equipment and software. Although the cost of digital technologies can be rather pricey, the advancement of digital technologies also means that more people are able to afford to purchase certain equipment or software, opposed to having to pay £4000 per reel. You can easily buy a camcorder for as little as £30 from Argos and most computers/laptops are already fitted with some kind of editing software, such as Windows Live Movie Maker, making it a lot easier for most people to simply create short films with a limited budget.

Who is the short film markets audience?

The audience for short films tend to usually be more niche than feature films as they are often produced for more reasons than to simply generate profit and boost ancillary revenue. A large number of people may view short films now and again, there tends to be a more specific audience that are more interested in what a film means and what the creator is trying to say. Short films are typically produced by aspiring directors, people wanting to add to their portfolio in order to break into the film industry and therefore short films appeal to film makers and fans of independent industries/artists that want to see their work flourish or display a dedicated interest in short films, or just film itself.  

How are short films consumed?

Short films can be professional or amateur productions and are often screened at local, national, or international film festivals. Short films are often made by independent filmmakers for non profit, either with a low or no budget. Short films are usually funded by film grants, non profit organizations, sponsors or out of pocket funds. Short films can also be consumed via YouTube and other such websites, such as Shorts Bay, 4Shorts or Short of the Week, which are accessible by anyone with an internet connection.

What is a short film?

A short film is any film not long enough to be considered a feature film, which, as defined by  the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences a short film is "an original motion picture that has a running time of 40 minutes or less, including all credits".The term featurette is usually applied to a film longer than a short subject, but shorter than a standard feature film.