Short films typically have no more than 2-3 characters to keep the narrative focused. They are also commonly between 5-10 minutes long, which is considered short. Due to the limited time, short films tell clear-cut stories that resolve a minimal problem. The settings of short films are usually everyday scenes like a home that audiences can easily relate to, rather than complex settings that would require more explanation. Short films also typically have low budgets since they are often independently produced with only 2-3 locations and possibly unpaid actors. Todorov's Theory of Equilibrium, describing an initial normal state, a disruption, and a new resolved state, is commonly applied to the structure of short films.

1. CODES AND
CONVENTIONS
OF SHORT FILMS
Max Ragan

2. CHARACTERS
Usually in short films, due to the
limited length of the piece, there are
no more than 2 or 3 characters.This
is because it would make it
extremely difficult for the audience
to keep track of multiple characters
in such a short space of time.
Therefore, by keeping the characters
to no more than 3, it is easier to
introduce the characters to the
audience via visuals and help them
keep track of who is who and what
their motives are in a short space of
time.

3. LENGTH
Short films are commonly
between 5-10 minutes long
which is considered ‘short’ in
film. Any longer than 10
minutes and the ‘short’ film
now becomes an episode as it
is now feature length. Due to
the limited time for a short
film, the story is supposed to
be clear-cut with minimal
problems making it clear what
the problem is and how it will
be resolved.

4. SETTING
Short films are always set in everyday scenes such as a home.This is because the audience is able to relate
straight away to the setting in which the characters are. For example, if a short film began by a character
waking up in bed, this is something the audience can instantly relate to and needs little explanation through
visuals. However, if the short film was set on another planet with aliens and has aspects which you only see in
longer films, the audience may become confused and not understand what is happening.This occurs all because
of the short amount of time a short film has to tell a story and therefore setting the scene in a place which is
simple saves a lot of time for narrative.
As a result, it is important to make an everyday scene more interesting.This may be done by adding a twist to a
scene such as showing a character walking through a wall; adding synergy.

5. BUDGET
Short films typically have a low budget.
This is because of the fact that most Short
Film Directors are independent and
therefore have no funding. As a result,
short films will stick two 2 or 3 settings and
actors to not only make it simple for the
audience but also to keep the costs as low
as possible. Some actors may even work
for free due to the small amounts of work
required and they like the story given to
them.

6. TODOROV
Todorov’sTheory of Equilibrium is normally applied to short
films.
This theory is about the events of a film in this order:
Equilibrium – Everything is normal
Disequilibrium – A problem/twist occurs
New Equilibrium – Problem is solved, everything is back to
normal however a change is noticeable.