The Power of Short Films

Completing my first short film marked a significant milestone in my journey as a filmmaker. 

With this accomplishment, I now proudly present myself to the world as an up-and-coming film director, dedicated only to pursuing directing jobs that align with my wildest dreams and aspirations. Coming from six years of experience in corporate filmmaking, where I collaborated with some diverse brands to create web and social media content, I realised that while it offered creative opportunities, it fell short of fulfilling my ambitions. 

It became clear that I needed to go beyond being a video maker and prove my ability to deliver on a larger scale; I need to shoot more content.  This need has two objectives:

1- I need to refine and establish my visual style as a director

2- I need a way to make experience without committing to a full length projects before I transition to making my first feature.

But as any filmmakers know, creating a short films is no easy task. 

It requires strong ideas, careful planning, meticulous execution, and an enormous amount of energy and time.  So, I started researching the topic to understand how to maximise the potential of a short film. With this article I want to present my findings.

The Rise of Branded Content

In today’s fast-paced digital era, brands are constantly searching for innovative methods to captivate their target audience and effectively communicate their unique value proposition. 

One approach that is gaining significant popularity is the use of short films.

Traditional advertising methods, such as interruptions and annoying ads, no longer resonate with viewers who are increasingly using ad blockers or simply skipping ads to focus on the content they genuinely desire. 

The effectiveness of classic advertisements is fading, compelling brands to explore new avenues to capture audience attention.

Short films offer a condensed storytelling format that allows brands to convey their core values and brand narrative in a captivating and emotionally engaging manner. 

By crafting compelling characters, exploring thought-provoking themes, and weaving narratives that resonate with the audience, brands can forge a deep emotional connection that effectively promotes their values while prioritising audience satisfaction and entertainment. (Dens, N. & Poels, K. – The rise, growth, and future of branded content in the digital media landscape, 2022, International Journal of Advertising)

Short films possess immense potential for sharing and engagement in the age of social media, where content spreads rapidly. More and more brands are using it to convey their values, their ’themes’, to us audiences.

I love how some brands use incredible storytelling techniques to entertain audiences all over the world. I recently saw a short film made by Vogue about NYC, and I absolutely loved it. 

Another excellent example of branded content that gained significant attention is Discord’s “Imagine a Place” short film.

I think that by making branded  short films one learns and showcase skills profitable on the market. More than ever, brands are striving nowadays for great content.

The Importance of Proof of Concept

Proof of concept short films play a crucial role in the film industry. 

These short films serve as visual representations of a larger project’s potential, be it a feature film, a television series, or a web series.

A proof of concept short film allows filmmakers to convey their creative vision, tone, and style to potential investors, producers, and collaborators. It provides a glimpse into the larger project’s potential and helps stakeholders understand the filmmaker’s storytelling capabilities. 

This powerful tool aids in securing funding for a feature film or series, as it demonstrates the commercial viability of the concept and increases the chances of obtaining financial support.

Additionally, releasing a well-executed proof of concept short film generates buzz and excitement around the project. It garners attention from industry professionals, critics, and audiences, igniting interest and anticipation for the larger work. 

Furthermore, it serves as a testing ground for ideas, enabling filmmakers to refine their execution and identify areas for improvement before committing to a full-length production.

As an example, I would like to share a nice proof of concept short film that caught my attention due to its ability to surprise and defy expectations, while keeping the shooting budget fairly low.

Conclusion

Proof of concept short films and branded content have become essential tools for filmmakers and brands alike. These mediums enable filmmakers to effectively communicate their vision, secure funding, generate interest, refine their ideas, and foster collaboration.

As I embark on my journey as a film director, I firmly believe that the power of short films will rise more and more to shape the industry. In fact, I think that creating a proof of concept short film or a branded content short film is the most secure and effective way to ensure a return on the investment of time, energy, and resources dedicated to crafting a short film.

These approaches not only allow filmmakers to showcase their talent and creative vision but also offer a tangible and strategic value for the effort put into the project. 

By aligning with brands or demonstrating the potential of a larger project, you can leverage these short films to attract funding, generate buzz, and create opportunities for future collaborations. 

The combination of artistic expression and commercial viability makes proof of concept or branded content short films the best choice, in my opinion, for young filmmakers planning the next step in their filmmaking journey.

In my next article, I will go into details of my process to prepare for a short film, highlighting the key steps and learning I had while creating my latest short ‘Doppelganger’.