When we look at the long history of the short film, we see hat it dates back to the technical invention of the cinema because the cinema started with the short film. Appearing as a type of movie as a result of short news and document films' being shown before the film on the performance in 1940s, started to change and became more mature in 1960s. All over the world, particularly in European continent, cinema affected by the impacts of free thinking and societal changes which had a great impact in the era, started to be reshaped as a means of expressing ideas, resistance and controversial opinions. A new cinema generation who were opposing, anarchist and radical and attempting to express what they could not write, draw and say through the outstanding power of the cinema emerged. Experimental cinema, underground cinema were come into being in this era as a type of cinema.
What made the people who were involved in cinema business look for this new understanding of cinema was big changes seen in political and cultural fields and restrictions imposed on the production of the movie makers by the technical restrictions of the era.
Short film genre developed under these conditions generated several very important creative director in 1980s. In addition, directors such as pioneer of the pop-art, experimental film maker Andy Warhol, German short film maker Werner Nekes, who never give up making short films have sustained their existence.
In the not very bright past of the Turkish short film making, there were very few short film makers who did great jobs and caused lasting impact, and very few short-film related activities. The short film-related activities that can be remembered from the past include Hisar short film competition held by
Everybody is making short films..
Having been existent until 90s, 16mm and
Although DV format is considerably new, its superior version, High Definition, is a new candidate for the leading position in showing images. HD and its derivatives are about the give the sense of realness which was converged in standart films. Distribution, being on performance in cinemas, finding saloons, taxing, and legal procedures are concepts outside the universe of the short film maker. The main target is to participate in festivals, mass display, competitions and make their voices heard.
WHAT ABOUT CREATIVITY
This is the real problem... how is the state of expression, creativity and having lasting effect in an environment where a lot of short films are made, the number of festivals and competitions has increased ? In 60s, while the short film makers (including ours) grounded their films on a perspective of cinema, today, short films seem to be made with concerning haste and carelessness. A few examples should be given about this boom of short film production:
When we review the sources and past films produced since 1981, the production by year is as follows: in 1981, only one film was made. From 1981 to 1990 112 short films were recorded. Most of them are
There are quality films among these produced with haste and carelessness. However, when compared to the total, the number of these quality products is very small. Those who are trying hard to make short films are usually young students who have cinema education and planning to have a place in the sector. The starting point of these students in their endeavour to make a short film is its being a reference in the future rather than their preferring short film as a type of cinema. The main target and desire here is to be transferred into long film or advertisement sectors.
Other short film makers also share the same perspective as students. their main purpose is somehow to be a professional and make a cinema film. For them short film is also a springboard a preparation period. Some well-known examples can be given here. Mustafa Altıoklar, Yeşim Ustaoğlu, , whose name we heard of by means of short film festivals in 90s, series director Taner Akvardar, Serdar Akar, Kudret Sabancı, who finished their cinema education in 90s are first to remember.
Most of the short films made are devoid of the basic technical rules, aesthetic, expression opportunities of the cinema, they are produced without much creativity and care. The shortcomings in thematic plot, story, depicting, characterisation, directing actors or actresses, and putting on performance are clearly seen. The short film maker attempts to express something with a short film, but he finds himself in the trap of not telling anything. The real purpose of the film, taking part in a festival or organisation and having one more reference for future career, can clearly be seen in the short film.
All these judgements can be seen a bit merciless and tough. Of course there are quality films in the sector. But they are not enough. However, praising every short film can make the short film makers very proud of themselves, and this may pose a threat to the development of short films. The opinion like the more short films are made, the better it will be for the short film sector may undermine the short film.
RESULT
In the light of all these, we can say that the short film is viewed as an area of freedom for some and stepping stone for others. In any case it is an important cinema attempt. There are differences between its mission and state thirty years ago and now. The most important determinant of this differentiation is outstanding improvements in the image technology. There is a quantity boom in the short films. However, the quality of content and aesthetic has not increased parallel to the number. Now, the organisers of festival, competition and similar organisations encouraging short film production has important role. They should have certain requirements considering depiction, aesthetic, and cinemagrofic values so hat quality products are encouraged. Over time, elimination system treating each product equally, organisations with high budgets, encouraging prizes, and serious organisations will improve the total quality.
As long as the gap between quantitative boom and qualitative deterioration does not close, the future seems to be not bright for the short film. Technology used carelessly, as in every field, will continue to improve by harming the field of art
Dr.Serdar Karakaya-Mugla University / TURKEY
0 comments:
Post a Comment