The History of Short Film

Short film has revolutionised the film industry. With every new advancement in film, there has been a short film that sparked it off.

 
1985: First short film publicly exhibited. This film is called ‘La Sortie de l’Usine’ by Lumiere a Lyon.
This was very short due to technically restrictions. It wasn’t until 1910 when films got longer that the term ‘short subjects’ was coined.
La Sortie de l’Usine was a big deal as its technology was a scientific breakthrough and reflects history.
‘Short subjects’ became quite popular amongst audiences because people could go to the cinema and see three to four films rather than just one. This was important at the time as there were few forms of entertainment for the masses.
 
1930’s Hollywood block-booking.
Big Hollywood Studios forces small production companies to sell their shorts and which they turned into feature length films.
Supreme Court of US declared block-booking illegal but the damage to short film had been done.
 
The classical narrative- 90 minutes or more feature film
More profitable for film exhibitors- two hours turnover of film
 
Invention of TV- Mass medium
Short Films were aired until the 1960’s
 
1980’s short film reinvented however, they were much darker and grittier. No longer about commercial success but about content and conveying a message.