On the 18th of March, 2024, Brookes Creative, in collaboration with the OBU Film Society, will host a One-Minute Short Film Competition!
The event will take place in the Kennedy Room, in the JHB Building, room 308 – at 5:00pm!
There are very few requirements to the competition. The most important one is to stick to the time limit: the film’s must not go over one minute. Another important requirement is that the film is most not include an copyright material and must not be AI generated.
Apart from that, there are no boundaries. Participants have the liberty to choose whichever film genre they prefer, and can do it either by themselves, in pairs, or even in groups! The winner will receive a prize!
If you are interested in participating, click on the following link to register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1JV_RBkKaWjuWgIFqG_KBiHlfm8BtNK2mmapvKPpLM1o/edit
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1 Minute Short Film Competition
Poster made by Orla Evans.
Digital-Media Production (DMP) Professor, Jon Dempsey, gave a few useful tips on how to make a one-minute film during the last Creatives Meetup. These were a few of them:
- Keep it simple. The structure of a one-minute film is completely different to a five-minute film, even more different than a fifteen-minute film, and even more different than a feature film. A one-minute film does not have a 3-act structure like a feature does, which therefore means, the story must be told in a completely different way, shape and form. Avoid overly complex plots or multiple characters, as they can be difficult to develop within a one-minute timeframe. Instead, focus on a single, clear storyline or idea that can be effectively conveyed in a short amount of time.
- Start with a Strong Concept: Since you only have one minute, your concept needs to be concise and impactful. Choose a simple yet powerful idea that can be effectively communicated within the short time frame.
- Plan Carefully: With such a short runtime, every second counts. Plan your shots meticulously, and storyboard your film to ensure that every scene contributes to the overall narrative.
- Create Tension or Conflict: Even in a one-minute film, it’s important to have some form of conflict or tension to engage the audience. This could be a simple obstacle that the protagonist must overcome or a dramatic twist that takes the story in an unexpected direction.
- Keep the Audience Guessing: Since you only have a minute to tell your story, consider incorporating elements of mystery or ambiguity that leave the audience thinking. A well-executed twist or unanswered question can make your film memorable and leave a lasting impression.
Here are a few one-minute short films that might inspire your own creation:
The Wait: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7OQHIpDlvA
Between Days: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVvNgKQy1nI
Toast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xV9HnITo2C0
Late: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gfy34-v74DM&t=59s
Black Hole: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ijTTyxyaKk&t=62s
Wildebeest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdL17lg-GUw&t=53s
The evening cigarette: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-NjfgK6FYY&t=63s
And remember: as with any creative endeavor, practice makes perfect. Don’t be afraid to shoot multiple takes and experiment with different approaches until you’re satisfied with the final result. And don’t forget to gather feedback from others to help you identify areas for improvement.
We hope to see you there on the 18th of April!
Article Written by Sabrina Theodoro