Slog - Comments on The Problem With Short Films http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/the_problem_with_short_films After watching Paris, je t'aime: And SIFF's 2007 Fly Filmmaking Challenge, which contained three short films by local directors (Lisa Hardmeyer, Matt Daniels, and Dayna Hanson), I have come to conclude that film, as an art form, requires length if it is to be meaningful. Short films, unlike short stories, are mostly empty and consistently end in disappointment. To make a short film is to make something that is bound to fail. Even the best short films are barely worth the effort required to make them. For example, Hanson's "Rainbow," the second film shown in the Fly Filmmaking Challenge, has... Copyright 2008 Tue, 29 May 2007 15:00:12 -0800 Tue, 12 Jun 2007 11:11:33 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Comment by Mr. Poe Holy fucking shit. I agree with Mr. Mudede! There is hope after all!

]]> Mr. Poe http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/the_problem_with_short_films#c730278 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/the_problem_with_short_films#c730278 SIFF Tue, 29 May 2007 15:08:21 -0800 Comment by josh can't agree. chicken (dir. barry dignam), the heart of the world (dir. guy maddin), the stars are beautiful (dir. stan brakhage)—all three leap to mind when i think of great film. all three are short films as well.

]]> josh http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/the_problem_with_short_films#c730311 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/the_problem_with_short_films#c730311 SIFF Tue, 29 May 2007 15:31:25 -0800 Comment by shortshorts I suggest watching "I Remember Now, We Never Danced, I Miss You Goodbye" in the I DOT THE EYE shorts program at NWFF tonight at 9pm. It is by far the most magical 8 minutes you'll spend in a theatre this year.

]]> shortshorts http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/the_problem_with_short_films#c730334 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/the_problem_with_short_films#c730334 SIFF Tue, 29 May 2007 15:49:45 -0800 Comment by chrisdiani I wholeheartedly disagree! Clearly you've been watching the wrong short films, Charles - I've caught many over the years that have entertained and enlightened me. Have you ever seen Robert Enrico's haunting An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge? How about Robert Rodriguez's hilarious and energetic Bedhead? Allison Maclean's creepy and unforgettable Kitchen Sink? Certainly, all short films aren't winners, but do you really want to dismiss the entire format because a few recent duds didn't pass your muster? It's like declaring the feature film dead after watching Pirates 3.

]]> chrisdiani http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/the_problem_with_short_films#c730339 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/the_problem_with_short_films#c730339 SIFF Tue, 29 May 2007 15:52:45 -0800 Comment by elswinger An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge is a classic!

]]> elswinger http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/the_problem_with_short_films#c730378 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/the_problem_with_short_films#c730378 SIFF Tue, 29 May 2007 16:20:34 -0800 Comment by DCM Wrong wrong wrong. To name two masters, off the top of my head: Guy Maddin has a number of shorts that defy the trend and defile the mind -- 'Heart of the World', 'Sombra Dolorosa', 'Sissy Boy Slap Party', 'Eye Like A Strange Balloon', etc. And Jan Svankmajer makes amazing animated shorts; 'Darkness Light Darkness' anyone? Check Youtube.

The form simply needs to be approached differently. I mean really, what mystical force operating in the universe could render it impossible for a short film to succeed aesthetically? That's just silly talk.

]]> DCM http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/the_problem_with_short_films#c730385 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/the_problem_with_short_films#c730385 SIFF Tue, 29 May 2007 16:41:08 -0800 Comment by josh ok. sissy boy slap party is retarded. we're seeing eye to eye on heart of the world though.

]]> josh http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/the_problem_with_short_films#c730387 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/the_problem_with_short_films#c730387 SIFF Tue, 29 May 2007 16:45:41 -0800 Comment by robespierre & maurice and feature filmmakers aren't equally guilty of making crap upon crap? the difference is you have to watch btw 80-180 minutes of it. advantage: short film.

]]> robespierre & maurice http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/the_problem_with_short_films#c730393 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/the_problem_with_short_films#c730393 SIFF Tue, 29 May 2007 16:57:23 -0800 Comment by robespierre & maurice and feature filmmakers aren't equally guilty of making crap upon crap? the difference is you waste btw 80-180 minutes waiting for something to happen. advantage: short film.

]]> robespierre & maurice http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/the_problem_with_short_films#c730394 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/the_problem_with_short_films#c730394 SIFF Tue, 29 May 2007 16:58:04 -0800 Comment by Andy They're not trying to achieve the same objectives, Charles.

]]> Andy http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/the_problem_with_short_films#c730409 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/the_problem_with_short_films#c730409 SIFF Tue, 29 May 2007 17:22:49 -0800 Comment by wf translation: mudede doesn't make short films.

if he didn't make films at all, he'd simply conclude that film is dead, a mere sad repetition of some part of the phenomenology of spirit better represented by hip hop.

]]> wf http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/the_problem_with_short_films#c730490 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/the_problem_with_short_films#c730490 SIFF Tue, 29 May 2007 21:02:34 -0800 Comment by demolator I think that a major problem with short films is that the filmmaker focuses on character over situation. Short films that focus on character usually fail, while feature films that focus exclusively on situation (most action/adventure) fail.

]]> demolator http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/the_problem_with_short_films#c730511 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/the_problem_with_short_films#c730511 SIFF Tue, 29 May 2007 21:23:34 -0800 Comment by -B- Charles do you just post to cause debate by posting things you really do not believe but think it would be a cool idea to have some fun by watching people disagree with you. Most of the time it seems that way.

]]> -B- http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/the_problem_with_short_films#c730553 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/the_problem_with_short_films#c730553 SIFF Tue, 29 May 2007 22:44:32 -0800 Comment by DCM Ah come now; 'Sissy Boy Slap Party' is funny as hell. Great rhythm and editing, and just plain silliness. Totally legit. Also, someone should have mentioned La Jetée by now....

]]> DCM http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/the_problem_with_short_films#c730929 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/the_problem_with_short_films#c730929 SIFF Wed, 30 May 2007 11:15:26 -0800 Comment by Bill MSN I NIIPET
MSN

]]> Bill http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/the_problem_with_short_films#c740538 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/the_problem_with_short_films#c740538 SIFF Tue, 12 Jun 2007 11:11:14 -0800 Comment by Bill MSN I NIIPET
MSN

]]> Bill http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/the_problem_with_short_films#c740539 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/05/the_problem_with_short_films#c740539 SIFF Tue, 12 Jun 2007 11:11:33 -0800