Some good advice from the BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/filmnetwork/filmmaking/guide/introduction/what-makes-a-good-short Taking snippets that relate to me and my short film:
“An Exciting & Original Idea: Original ideas are not easy to come-by but a good way of avoiding clichéd ideas is to watch lots of other short films, look out for any trends and stay clear of them (See our Related Links: Recommended Watching for places to watch shorts). Even if your idea isn't completely original try to look at the subject matter from a different angle or using a different style/technique.”
“ A Strong Script: A good script is key to narrative-based short films and in many ways it's harder to write a short than a feature because you need to condense your story and develop your characters in a very short space of time. All too often films are let down by weak, overwritten or underdeveloped scripts. Before investing money, time and effort into shooting your film, it's a good idea to test your script out on friends and strangers (as friends might fear offending you) and get as much feedback as you can.”
“Good Acting: Unless your friends are actors or demonstrate acting talent, it's a good idea to avoid casting them in your film. Even one bad actor in a film can really let it down and destroy the viewer's belief in the reality that your film is seeking to create. There are lots of great actors out there who are willing to work for reduced fees to learn their trade and make a name for themselves.”
“High Production Values: Whilst digital filmmaking has had the positive impact of making the process more accessible and affordable, it's important to ensure that you still apply the same production values that you would if you were shooting on film with a crew. Many low-budget shorts are let down by poor sound, lighting, camera work and editing and/or by directors who are trying to do it all by themselves without anyone else's input. Filmmaking is predominantly a collaborative process and it's much better to find crew who are specialising in these areas who can offer different skills.”
“Make It Short: As a general rule, the longer your short film is, the harder it is to keep the viewer's attention. This is especially true of online viewing – for instance on Film Network the average time that a viewer spends watching a film is 4 minutes. Note – exceptions to this rule is documentary, which viewers will often watch for longer.”
“Strong Beginning: Most programmers/distributors will be inundated with submissions and so your film has to grab their attention from the very first shot. The harsh reality is that if your film doesn't pique their interest within the first two minutes, in all likelihood they may not sit through it till the end. Don't waste time on lengthy introductions and credits – spark their interest in the story as quickly as you can. Credits at the start can distract the viewer (especially if the direction, production and editing are all by the same person!) so leave them out unless you have it written in an agreement with one of your cast. Similarly if your film starts with a long establishing shot where nothing really happens, viewers may switch off before you get to show them your great plot and idea. If the pace of your film is naturally slow and ambling, make the shots as rich and enticing as possible to draw the viewer in. Note – a good editor can really transform a film. If you're directing and editing your own film you might be too attached to certain shots to know which bits to chop out to make your film a stronger, more coherent piece. In big blockbusters, scenes that have cost thousands or even millions can be chopped if the studio/filmmaker feels that they are not integral to the final edit of the piece.”
“Avoid Repetition & Punchline Twists: Whilst sometimes a repetitive scene can be used for comedy/dramatic effect (Groundhog Day being a classic example of where this can work), if you are not careful it can end up being repetitive and predictable.”
Research into Alcoholism for my story,from: http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/alcohol/Pages/Caringforanalcoholic.aspx
If you're a carer for a problem drinker, finding help can be a frustrating experience.
People who care for problem drinkers sometimes have to struggle to get the recognition and support they're entitled to.
"They have not always been perceived as 'legitimate' carers," says Drew Lindon of The Princess Royal Trust for Carers (now the Carers Trust).
"But it is clear from the legislation and the National Carers Strategy that people who take care of problem drinkers should be recognised as carers," he says.
You have legal rights as a carer if you provide regular and substantial unpaid care for someone who may be entitled to community care services.
For example, you are entitled to a carer's assessment and may be entitled to carers' services (including breaks), whether or not the person you care for receives any services.
The shame often associated with alcoholism, as well as denial, can be an obstacle to getting help. "The stigma will affect both the alcoholic and the carer," says Lindon. "It can affect their ability to ask for and get help."
Being a carer is hard work and, with so much to do, it can be difficult to find quality time for yourself. Staying well and healthy increases your ability to look after someone.
The first place to go to for support will depend on your circumstances, but Lindon advises contacting your council's social services department or a local Carers' Centre.
Carers' Centres can help you get access to services and benefits through your local authority, and can give you information about other useful organisations.
Most carers have a legal right to an assessment of their needs. It's your chance to discuss the help you need with caring with your local authority's social services department.
Discuss what type of support will help you maintain your own health and enable you to balance caring with the other areas of your life, such as work and family.
Social services departments use the assessment to decide what help would be useful for you, although they're not legally bound to provide this support. But the support they may provide includes benefits, such as Carer's Allowance, and grants for breaks or to make caring easier.
Resources and support groups
NHS Choices' Care and support section has information, advice and support for carers on all aspects of caring, from financial and legal issues to respite care and access to local services. Call the Carers Direct helpline on 0300 123 1053 or ask a question by email.
Carers Trust is the largest provider of carers' support services in the UK. Through its network of 144 Carers Centres and websites, including Babble for young carers, the trust provides information, advice and support services to 368,000 carers, including 20,000 young carers.
Al-Anon Family Groups offer support to people affected by someone else's drinking. Around 800 groups meet weekly around the UK to offer understanding and encouragement, and share their experience of dealing with their common problem.
Adfam provides direct support to families through publications, training, prison visitors' centres, outreach work and information about local support services. The charity's website has information to help families deal with the problems they face.
Living with an alcoholic-a story from The Daily Mail. Some snippets that will be useful to me:
“It’s easy to imagine an alcoholic as a vagrant on a park bench with a bottle of spirits in a brown paper bag. It isn’t so easy to imagine that drunk to be your husband, swigging vodka from a crystal glass in your five-bedroom house.
But this was the grim reality I faced when Colin began his descent into alcoholism seven years ago. He morphed from successful businessman and father-of-three into a broken man on his knees, and went from being my protector to my responsibility.I’d never been interested in alcohol and, when I met Colin at 17, he felt much the same. We drank socially but not every night, and even less after we married and had our first child, Steven, in 1990.
Colin’s drinking increased so slowly that I barely noticed. His management consultancy business was going well, and as I didn’t work, he insisted on shouldering all of our financial responsibilities.
Providing for his family meant everything to him, which sometimes meant any pressures he felt were internalised rather than shared. After a stressful day, he’d prefer to drink a vodka and tonic to confiding in me.By 2001 we’d had two more children – Jon, now 13, and Susan, now ten – and bought a five-bedroom house in Norfolk with a 14-acre garden and an annex for Colin’s mother, Brenda. Our mortgage payments increased, but business was booming, so we could afford it.
Within weeks of moving, Colin started drinking every evening – usually three beers or vodkas. It was more than before, yet not serious enough to spark any real worries, and I told myself he was stressed after the move. As soon as he took that first sip, he’d visibly relax.
He started inviting the new neighbours round for drinks. They thought him the perfect host – amiable and liberal with the measures – but I couldn’t ignore my doubts; was inviting people round a way of making his own drinking acceptable?
.........
“The balance of our relationship changed. I became the one in charge, the one shouldering the worries. I got a part-time job which at least meant the kids were fed and clothed. But Colin was still inviting people round, and when I went shopping, he’d give me a list of alcohol to buy – four bottles of wine, beer and two bottles of premium spirits.
The money he gave me barely covered the cost of drinks, let alone food. We’d have rows but it was useless. I knew that if I didn’t buy it, he’d get it himself. I kept explaining away his behaviour as financial stress, and thought that when work picked up, he’d cut back.
“It affected Steven the most because, at 13, he needed father/son time. He’d say, ‘Is Dad drunk again?’ and I’d reply, ‘Yes, but I’m going to sort it out.’
I tried to reason with Colin, telling him to think of his health, the kids, the business, our relationship. But he denied having a problem. The constant struggle made me very tired, but I wasn’t going to give up. What sort of a wife would I be if I left him at the first hurdle?”
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