The document discusses several issues that independent short films may face, including genre, distribution, storyline, and copyright. It notes that genre helps distributors market films and was an important consideration for their psychological drama short film. It also explains their decision to distribute on YouTube, as their target audience frequents the platform, and that they will not pursue film distributors since their project is non-funded and for educational purposes. The document emphasizes the importance of a creative, unique storyline to engage viewers and discusses copyright clearances that may require permission or payment to use songs in films.

1. K A T I E , E M A N , L U C Y,
H A M Z A
ISSUES SHORT FILMS FACE

2. GENRE
One of the issues that independent short films face is, that the
digitalisation of films has flooded the market place and it is now
easy for anyone to make a short film. However, to make a short film
stick out, the producers, need to make the genre of the film specific.
Genre is something, the audience tend to decide on a specific
theme throughout the film, making one specific genre their
favourite/choice, in which they would go and see. Being genre
specific is important for film distributors, as the genre helps them
visualise the posters and trailers as well as setting the theme. This
isn’t necessarily an issue when it comes to producing a short film.
However, it is a big aspect we will have to consider. We used the
target audience research we looked into to figure out what genre
suits our target audience best. From this we have decided to do a
psychological drama.

3. DISTRIBUTION
Another issue we may face, during the production of our short film may be
distribution. Online distribution such as YouTube is one of the most common option
which is chosen by short film creators, short film creators need to make sure they
research into video sites which are commonly used, while factoring in the cost, sites
such as Vimeo, YouTube, Vessel all are huge video distribution sites but and are all
free to sign up to and upload the videos. Vessel is just like YouTube, which allows
short film companies and producers to upload their content, monetise and make
money for their videos that they release. However, Vessel operates on the basis that
you upload your content to them first before any other site. After some
consideration, we decided to release our short film onto YouTube as from target
audience research, we found that the majority of our target audience, rely on
YouTube to watch short films. Film distributions, when it comes to our group making
a short film, doesn’t really apply to us as, we are only making our short film for
education purposes and is a non funded project, which means we will receive no
money from film distributors for the short film we produce. This will only be
showcased to the examiner, teachers, friends and family, as well as on YouTube.

4. SUCCESSFUL STORYLINE
Successful short film producers are more likely to consider
themselves as visual storytellers. To do this successfully, they will
need to have a creative, unique and successful storyline which keeps
watchers engaged throughout the full 7-20 minutes. Ideally, the
producer will need one main character which the story revolves
around and other actors, who portray different views and opinions,
which would depict conflict within the film, which creates a storyline.
Our storyline may be successful, as we have picked a psychological
drama. This means that there is an unusual era about the film and
the storyline is not the typical ‘boy meets girl’ This storyline shows
creativity and is unique. Done rightly, we could have a very successful
storyline, as we have a beginning middle and resolution. This shows,
that we have thought about structure in our storyline, t make it
effective and to impact on the storyline of the film.

5. COPYRIGHT ISSUES
Another problem which most short film producers may face is
copyright issues. The producers would have to find song which
is relevant to their film genre, which also isn’t copyrighted as
copyright issues can be faced. One option producers can use, is
getting into contact with the record label to ask for there
permission for use of the song throughout their short film.
Permission from the song producers may normally cost film
makers money to use their song. Also, as well as a small grant,
song licensees may ask for their label to be featured in the
credits of the film. This further advertises the music label and
the artists. This means that the film company, who made the
short film have not breeched any copyright laws and have
considered legalities, during the process of making the short
film.