You want to make a short, but how do you go about it? Watch the videos to see assorted industry professionals discuss their roles and work.
If you’re interested in training courses (and are aged 16 to 19) then the BFI Film Academy Specialist residential programme focuses on different specialisms with leading industry professionals delivering masterclasses and practical skills training. Participants also receive bespoke careers advice.
Philip Ilson on short film festival strategy
With a career of over 20 years working in short film programming, Philip Ilson has experience working at a number of celebrated festivals, including the BFI London Film Festival and Cork Film Festival in Ireland. In 2004 he co-founded the London Short Film Festival (LSFF) to showcase cutting-edge UK independent film. The festival is renowned for its innovative cross-arts programming and has screened a number of BAFTA-nominated short films, such as A Drowning Man and Aamir.
Philip shared his expertise on festival strategy, how to get your short film noticed and all the key steps to navigating the industry once your work is out there.
Interviewer: Pelumi Akindude
Amanda Tabak on casting your short film
Amanda Tabak has received Best Casting awards from the Casting Director’s Association and British Arrows. She was Casting Director for the BAFTA nominated short Slap and London Film Festival nominated short Candy Floss. Amanda’s work has earned her a reputation for developing diverse new talent and working on gritty urban drama. Her other work includes acclaimed films such as Kidulthood and Honeytrap.
Interviewer: Pelumi Akindude
Vanessa Whyte on shooting your short
Vanessa shot the 2016 BAFTA award-winning short film Operator and a number of other short films, including Tom Green’s Brixton 85. Camera department drama credits include feature films Get Santa and Dad’s Army, with TV credits on Sky Atlantic’s Fortitude, E4’s Youngers and most recently ITV’s Broadchurch.
Vanessa spoke to us about how she got her start in the industry and offered up pearls of wisdom on how to make the most of the camera/Director of Photography (DOP) in your short.
Interviewer: Pelumi Akindude
Kit Jennings on editing your short
Kit Jennings is an editor and co-founder of HAUS pictures, whose work includes BFI London Film Festival nominated short Candy Floss, London Independent film festival short Smog, as well as numerous other short-form projects.
Interviewer: Pelumi Akindude
Jerry Bland on designing your short
Jerry Bland’s body of work includes production design for the BAFTA-nominated short The Karman Line, as well as Oh be Joyful and Two Missing. Her other film and TV art department credits include BAFTA-winning Lilting, Eddie the Eagle and hit show The Night Manager. Jerry has worked extensively in the art department on a range of projects, from sourcing and making props to full creative design, and offered up her knowledge and expertise on designing your short film, especially when working with small budgets.
Interviewer: Pelumi Akindude
Scott O’Donnell on funding and distributing your short film
With a career spanning over 10 years, Scott O’Donnell has produced a succession of distinguished shorts, including Home, which premiered at SXSW before going on to win a host of awards, including the BAFTA for best short film. Scott’s other work includes Mother, which premiered at the 2016 BFI London Film Festival, and Aneil Karia’s Beat starring Ben Whishaw, which was screened at numerous festivals worldwide and picked up the New Talent award at Encounters Film Festival.
Interviewer: Pelumi Akindude