How To Make Great Short Feature Films: The Making Of Ghosthunter.(Book Review)

HOW TO MAKE GREAT SHROT FEATURE FILMS: THE MAKING OF GHOSTHUNTER

Focal Press, Oxford, 2001

This book attempts to fill a niche in an already crowded marketplace of filmmaking manuals--that of the short film. The term, short feature film, from the title is perhaps a little misleading for readers in this part of the world--indeed for any reader outside of the United States, where the term is commonly used to refer to any film which isn't feature-length. The use of this phrase to describe their twenty-minute short Ghosthunter however, reveals the ambition of its English filmmakers, Simon Corris and Alison Reddihough, and the book is just one part of larger project which includes the film itself, a twenty-five minute 'making-of', documentary, and a behind-the-scenes look at postproduction sound and special effects used in the movie-all of which are included on a DVD which comes with the book. The DVD also contains sample contracts and production forms plus free budgeting and screenwriting software. It's an impressive package from a couple of actors who had no real filmmaking experience before Ghosthunter and had never been to film school. Indeed it was during this period of self-education that they discovered that most of the 'how to' books on filmmaking dealt mainly with feature length films and also that they were predominantly American. So the idea for the Ghosthunter package was born.

Although this review is concerned primarily with Ghosthunter the book, it may be helpful to speak a little about Ghosthunter the film. Whilst technically impressive, the film is a rather overheated affair about a young woman called Sarah who is investigating a macabre event that took place in a now abandoned church almost a century ago. Staying at the same guesthouse as Sarah is Charlie, a ghosthunter--and together they attempt to exorcise some demons from a past to which Sarah is inextricably linked. Disappointingly, as is the case with so many short films, we are let down by an underdeveloped script that ventures into supernatural terrain without ever being fully convincing. However, the beauty of the whole Ghosthunter package is that we can see the entire process from the germ of the story idea through to the final polished film. Highlights from the DVD include the special effects 'show and tell' with The Computer Film Company, and an interview with sound designer Robin O'Donoghue, illuminating two of the most misunderstood areas of film production. They outline an approach for the filmmaker that foregrounds practicality and budget, without compromising on creativity--so different from the 'we'll fix it in post' mentality.

The director/producer team of Simon Corris and Alison Reddihough had high aims for Ghosthunter right from the beginning. Their initial capital had originally been slated for an ultra low budget feature film but they were convinced by filmmaker Jamie Payne to invest in a high budget short instead, one with strong production values and using an experienced crew. Payne also introduced them to a friend of his for advice--Kenneth ...