The Anatomy of a 1 Minute Film

Valley Films were delighted and proud to win “best film” in a major competition with a 1 minute film but saddened by the reaction of some clubs. I quote from one of the letters of complaint :-

 “How can a one minute film win the best film in the Festival over all those medium length films made with so much more effort”

A prime example of “ignore the quality and feel the width”?

To answer the criticism and show how much work is involved in making a “short” film, I decided, on behalf of Valley Films, to document the making of “The Mystic” which can be seen on our web site at:  www.valleyfilms.co.uk.

First the script

We had a small competition within the group to write and present a 1-minute script.  7 scripts were produced.  Not bad from a membership of 12.  Be warned  “The Mystic” was not the winning script.

The Actors

We decided that “The Mystic” script would be one of our next films. After a group discussion two highly acclaimed amateur actresses were approached and offered scripts.  They jumped at the chance to make the film and entered into the spirit of the project by researching and supplying authentic costumes and accessories.

The location

One of our members offered their front room as the location. This enabled us to rehearse camera movements and angles, lighting levels and perfect our sound techniques before the shoot.  It was High Summer so the windows had to be blacked out and all traces of daylight eradicated. After rehearsals the room was left ready for the shoot for several days.  Now that’s dedication or, to use the buzz word of our group, Commitment

The props

We needed props to set the scene. Suitable tablecloth, authentic looking lighting source and above all a crystal ball.  The production team swung into action.  After much rummaging one member purchased a damask cloth from a stall (at a knock down price, but that’s another tale) A variety of candleholders were procured and tested before the final selection was made. But the crystal ball became problematical. Then one of the team saw a prime example in a shop window.  After protracted negotiations (this same member found us a hearse with optional coffin for a previous film) we had our crystal ball.

The day of the shoot

The day dawned bright and sunny.  Unusual, because this was the day of the Wimbledon tennis final.  That’s what we mean by commitment. Filming started at 10 a.m. “Won’t take long” someone said, “It’s only a minute long. They forgot about; Murphy’s Law; Sod’s Law; giggles from the actress and interest in the tennis final. By 3p.m. we had finished.

The edit

Editing was straightforward. Just go through an hour’s video footage and extract just the right minute.

But the Director wanted more.  First some copyright free, eerie music.  Out came the trusty Yamaha keyboard, a copy of Cubasis VST installed on the computer and a study of the manual. 2 hours later a masterpiece lasting 58 seconds.  2 seconds short! Well you can’t win them all.

 Next the Director wanted (no demanded) a soundtrack of a clock ticking.  Not any old clock, but a stately; steady; deep sounding; old-fashioned; multi timbre; fully resonant; acoustically accurate clock tick.  We turned over a number of houses to no avail.  Then one of the members remembered a relative who lived a short distance away who had just the clock.  A twenty mile round journey procured “the sound”.  Remember our motto: - “Commitment”.

Well I won’t labour the point any more. I think you get the picture.  We did!

One final note.  Many years ago my English master told the tale of a writer who, having penned a six page letter finished with the sentence.

“Sorry this letter is so long but I did not have the time to write a shorter one”.

Jeff Friend

On behalf of Valley Films.