short films with a twist?

[twilight]

I'm writing on a short, 5 min maximum and wonder if it's a must to have a twist when writing a script, around 5 pages. Or is it ok to do a short with a heroes journey but with a simple goal.?

I ask because I often get stucked because of that twist thing.

[Wordsmithteer]

I don't know that you would call it a twist. But, there is an arc, a change of some kind. Many short films are set up almost like a joke with a punch line at the end (although not necessarily funny).

[twilight]

Originally Posted by Wordsmithteer

I don't know that you would call it a twist. But, there is an arc, a change of some kind. Many short films are set up almost like a joke with a punch line at the end (although not necessarily funny).

Ok I maybe mean the joke thing with a punch line at the end when I say twist and of course not necessarily funny.

I know that story have a arc, a change, transformation and that part is clear for me but is it harder to make that arc thing when written a short story? Is that why many shorts is set up like a joke?

[Joaneasley]

It could be a straightforward hero's journey if it works emotionally that way.

Many filmmakers use some kind of surprise ending because they don't want their short to be so straightforward, everyone can see the predictable ending coming. But there's no rule it needs to be that way if you can find another way to make it satisfying.

Yes, it probably is harder to have an arc in a short. You don't have room to do much. But you still may be able to make a short that works.

[Wordsmithteer]

Originally Posted by twilight

is it harder to make that arc thing when written a short story? Is that why many shorts is set up like a joke?

I don't think it is harder. Individual scenes in a full length script often have an arc. It's those changes and reversals in a story, in characters, and in scenes that keep a story interesting whether it is 1 minute long or 120 minutes.

For instance, the protag is confident at the beginning of the scene and is confused or lost at the end, or they are sad at the beginning and laughing at the end.

As an example and fitting with the Halloween season - here's a page and a half short I wrote with a "twist" at the end.

EXT. FARM - DAY

A large field covered in growing pumpkins.

A FARMER, with laugh lines around the eyes, moves the last
pumpkin from a trailer to a table. He looks over his orange
charges with fatherly pride.

FARMER
Be plump, friendly, and orange.
That's how you'll find a family.

Farmer hops onto a tractor and pulls the empty trailer away.

SPOUT, a periwinkle blue pumpkin, SNIFFLES, as he bravely
holds back tears. OJ, the orange pumpkin beside him, SNICKERS.

OJ
Pity, you can't change your color.

A child's hands picks up OJ.

CHILD
I want this one, Mommy. This one.

OJ sticks his tongue out at Spout, as the child carries him
away.

EXT. FARM - NIGHT

An oval shadow flies across the moon.

A snow white OWL flies up behind Spout as he CRIES, the lone
vegetable on the table.

Owl lands on a nearby tree.

OWL
Who? Who?

Spout jumps. Startled. Searches the darkness. Spies the owl.

SPOUT
W-w-what do y-y-you want?

Owl flies and lands beside Spout and searches under a wing.
Pulls out a hankerchief. Wipes away Spout's tears. Drops
the hankerchief on the table.

OWL
Do you know what they do to
pumpkins, Spout?

Owl bends down. Whispers in Spout's ear.

SPOUT
Really?

Owl nods solemnly. Searches under wing. Pulls out a first
prize blue ribbon. Places it on Spout.

OWL
No more tears. The world loves a
winner.

Owl flies away. A shadow across the moon.

INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT

MOM pulls a knife out from a drawer. The sharp edge glints
under florescent lights.

OJ, horrified, watches as Mom stalks towards him WHISTLING
an upbeat tune.

Mom stabs the knife into soft orange flesh. OJ SCREAMS. Mom
keeps whistling merrily.

LATER

Darkness. A child's hand places a lit candle inside a carved
pumpkin.

OJ, now a jack-O-lantern, his horrified face forever frozen
in death.

FADE OUT

[The Road Warrior]

Hello twilight.

I think the approach is more open for a short, a lot of different ways to go. Why not experiment, with less time to develop character and narrative, often shorts, or the few I've seen recently, tend to make a statement rather than go for a final twist/pay off, some are simply open ended, artistic pieces. Anything goes.

However, if you are using a short to demonstrate the potential for a larger -- commercial -- project perhaps it's better to keep it conventional. It's up to you.

Have you considered watching a few shorts to see how they've dealt with structure ? Possibly using the web and Youtube as a source, or ask a fellow Done-d'er who has made one recently, to refer you to their work and provide some talk - around.

[twilight]

Thanks all of you.

Do you have any good shorts around 5 min that you can recommend me to watch?

[dhsteinberg]

http://www.atom.com/funny_videos/the_babysitter/

Glad to be of service.