What are the types of films?

Short films

What is a short film? The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences defines a short film as “an original motion picture that has a running time of 40 minutes or less, including all credits.” While short films are a great way for aspiring filmmakers to showcase their skills and experiment with various techniques, the main reason for choosing to create a short film rather than a full-length feature film is a limited budget. The defining characteristics of a short film are concentrated storytelling with a clear focus and the use of minimal characters and locations. Popular examples of short films include 2014’s Magpie, directed by Stephen Fingleton and Christopher Nolan’s 1997 masterpiece, Doodlebug.

Feature films

Feature films, also known as full-length films or simply movies, are the backbone of the filmmaking industry. The most prominent characteristics of a feature film are its 90- to 120-minute runtime, an expansive budget, and an expectation to make money at the box office. When compared to a short film, a feature film will include a more fleshed-out story and complex characters and is likely to incorporate more elaborate equipment, props, and wardrobes. Feature films that have left an indelible mark on the cinema industry include 1972’s The Godfather, directed by Francis Ford Coppola and, more recently, James Cameron’s Avatar.

Documentary films

What are Documentary films? Documentary films or documentaries are non-fictional accounts created to educate, instruct, or maintain a historical record of real-world events. These films usually feature a 90- to 120-minute runtime. A documentary film portrays the filmmaker’s interpretation of historical facts and can be presented in a number of styles to showcase historical events or document the life of a famous personality. Documentaries play a pivotal role in bringing often obscure stories to a wider audience, and such films have been around for well over a century. Well-received documentaries include Michael Jackson’s This Is It and Apollo 11, which chronicles the 1969 moon landing.

Biographical films

Biographical films, also called biopics, are feature-length films that are based on the life story of real people. These are usually dramatisations of the life events of famous or influential personalities and use actors to portray these real-life characters. Popular biographical films include 2001’s Ali, which showcases the life of legendary boxer Muhammad Ali, and 2018’s Bohemian Rhapsody, which gives us insights into the life of singer Freddie Mercury.

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Commercial filmmaking

Commercial filmmaking is the practice of creating motion pictures with the primary intent of generating income for an individual or organisation. Commercial films are usually directed at a specific audience and highlight a particular brand’s or organisation’s products or services. The advertisements you see on TV are common examples of commercial films and can run from a few seconds to a few minutes.

Mainstream filmmaking

Mainstream cinema is defined as the creation of movies that appeal to a wide audience. These films are usually big-budget productions that are commercially bound to a producer and expected to make large financial returns. Mainstream films usually broadcast and promote dominant ideologies to appeal to a wider populace and usually feature 90- to 120-minute runtimes. Examples of popular mainstream cinema include the Marvel Studio’s Avengers movies.

Offbeat filmmaking

Offbeat films are those that deal with an unconventional topic or are created in an unconventional style. These movies do not follow the established template of mainstream films and usually rely on eccentric or alternative storytelling methods and new experiences to captivate viewers. Well-received offbeat movies include 2014s The Grand Budapest Hotel and 1999s Being John Malkovich.

Art house filmmaking

Art house filmsare less about entertaining the masses with the mainstream fare and more about creating serious works of art. These films may feature artistic and experimental filmmaking techniques and do not veer away from the filmmaker’s own artistic vision. Art house films are usually independently produced by smaller, independent film companies, can vary widely in runtime, may not be financially successful, and are aimed at a niche audience. Well-known art house films include 1971’s A Clockwork Orange and 1941’s Citizen Kane.

Studio productions

Studio production is a film or video that has been shot and produced entirely in a studio equipped with all the necessary filming, audio and lighting equipment, as opposed to a field production that is shot on-location, outside the studio. Studio productions could be short films or feature-length movies and provide the filmmaker with a controlled environment equipped with all the necessary production equipment. Popular studio productions include Gravity and The Great Gatsby, both released in 2013.

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