The Benefits of Being Short-Sighted
Or why you should watch more shorts.
Short films are not just for the art house crowd. I know that’s difficult to believe at times, but I promise you, they deserve everyone’s attention. Shorts are where we see new ideas, style and techniques tested. They’re also where we discover some of the greatest beginnings of voice, character and story. As a creative, I see them as experiments — a mixed bag of successes and failures. I enjoy both because I believe there is absolutely as much to love and learn from a disaster as there is from the sublime.
The problem is that most of us avoid short films entirely. Yes, even people inside the television, film and advertising industry rarely make time for them. Don’t get me wrong, many of us want to be interested, passionate even, but they nearly always just get added to the ‘Watch Later’ list. You know, The List of Best Intentions. AKA: The List You Never Look At Or Do Anything About.
Then, when we eventually see the short (by accident or out of necessity), we all wonder why we didn’t just stop and watch it in the first place.
Take Time to Start a Habit
Full disclosure, I balk when a runtime reads ten minutes plus - ain’t no body got time for that! But really it’s just because, perhaps like yourself, I’ve become unreasonably impatient.
I tell myself it’s the film’s fault and ask stupid questions. Does anything need to be that long? But that’s bullsh*t. To get something out of anything you have to put the time in. That means putting in the work and learning to appreciate the occasional groaner. They make the great ones so much sweeter. So, whenever I do hesitate, I remind myself that professionally — and almost spiritually — I know it’s worth every second I invest into searching for the good sh*t.
To make sure I live by these words, I’m going to dedicate my early mornings and late nights to watching less Love Island and more shorts. As something of a journal and creative exercise, I’ll compose a monthly shortlist of five short films that I think are worth everyone’s time.
Don’t Be a Jerk About It
I want to stay as positive and open as possible — not be that person who tuts at Vimeo Staff Picks or a film that isn’t super hot fresh. I don’t mind. I’m going to embrace the fear of appearing painfully late-to-the-party and uncool, the dread of sharing stuff everyone’s already seen. I mean, of course I’d like to find new or little-known gems, but I also don’t want to be a snob about films that have already connected with a sizeable audience. Notable is notable. And sometimes it’s nice to be reminded!
With that in mind, here’s my Short-Sighted List for August 2018:
Title: Noise
Director: Kijek/Adamski
Year: 2011
Title: One Minute
Director: Max Sherman
Year: 2017
Title: Velodrool
Director: Sander Joon
Year: 2016
Title: Regular
Director: David Elms
Year: 2017
Title: SEED
Director: Daniel Bird
Year: 2009
There you have it. It was difficult to pick just five, but I’m glad they all offer something different. If you like any of those, remember to show their creators some love and check out the other things they’ve done. Surprises lurk around every corner…
This Isn’t the End!
As I said, this is going to be a bit of a journal series, so follow me or the Midnight Oil publication for more. It will evolve over time.
As always, claps and shares are appreciated 👏
Oh, and if there’s a short film you think I should watch, let me know.
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Ross Olivey is a Development Consultant at the creative development studio In Development.
