A Little History on Short Film

There has always been an idea that has inspired and determined what is made in short films nowadays.  Short films were the starting point for any kind of film that we see today. This is the history of short films:

• 1895 - La Sortie de Usine - by the Lumiere brothers was the first ever film to be released.  It was also the first ever commercial film to be released, to a paying audience.  It was only 1 minute due to technical restrictions.  Their other film - L'Arrivée d'un train à la Ciotat - was the first film to have camera movement (panning).  

and in 1902 the first short film with narrative was released.  Shot in black and white, but the frames were coloured over in post-production.  Directed by George Méliès, it's called Le Voyage dans la Lune.




Other films competed, aiming to supersede their predecessors.  

• 1910 - the term 'short subjects' was coined.  It became a phenomenon amongst audiences because they could go to see multiple short films.  This was a major breakthrough in film because it entertained numerous people.
• 1930s - Hollywood - short films start to turn in to feature films.

Narrative became a popular thing and this was needed for feature films.  'Classical Narrative' as it was known as - 90 minutes or more (feature film).

• 1960s - 80s - TV was invented, which gave people an alternative.  They had film in their lounge and could stay home to take care of the family.  Nuclear family was the main priority for the majority in post-war Britain.  Short film eventually came back, however, it was darker in theme.  Focus wasn't primarily on commercial success anymore, but narrative.

Modern contemporary short film has massively progressed on since then, with CGI being the main development followed by enhancements in image and sound; narrative has developed too.  Fundamentally however - short film has elements that you can date back to the last century.