Running time for short films at DVinfo.net

Justin Morgan · December 2nd, 2005, 03:29 AM

When stating the running time of a short film is it usual to use the time of the entire thing including the credits at the end, or is it usually just based on the actual 'film' bit?

Shane Ross · December 2nd, 2005, 06:12 AM

Including credits.

Justin Morgan · December 2nd, 2005, 07:04 AM

Thanks. I asked because I've noticed that on features they don't seem to include the credits in the running time.

With a feature whether the film is 120 mins or 124 mins doesn't make much difference but with a short it would, proportionally, make a bigger difference (eg 7 mins instead of 6).

Shane Ross · December 2nd, 2005, 07:37 AM

Hmmm...every movie I've seen includes the credits in the running time. Well, it has been a while since I paid attention to that. The last feature film I worked on was in 1997, and it included the credits...hmmm.

Richard Alvarez · December 2nd, 2005, 07:51 AM

Pretty sure the running time of features also includes credits... but again, things might have changed.

Always included in shorts. The definition of 'short' is fluid however, depending on the festival accepting them. Could be 'under' 15...20...30...45...59 minutes, and it's often different for documentaries than for narratives. Check with the festivals for their definition of 'short'.

December 2nd, 2005, 03:29 AM	#1
Justin Morgan Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: London Posts: 189	Running time for short films When stating the running time of a short film is it usual to use the time of the entire thing including the credits at the end, or is it usually just based on the actual 'film' bit?

December 2nd, 2005, 06:12 AM	#2
Shane Ross Major Player Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Los Angeles, USA Posts: 539	Including credits.

December 2nd, 2005, 07:04 AM	#3
Justin Morgan Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: London Posts: 189	Thanks. I asked because I've noticed that on features they don't seem to include the credits in the running time. With a feature whether the film is 120 mins or 124 mins doesn't make much difference but with a short it would, proportionally, make a bigger difference (eg 7 mins instead of 6).

December 2nd, 2005, 07:37 AM	#4
Shane Ross Major Player Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Los Angeles, USA Posts: 539	Hmmm...every movie I've seen includes the credits in the running time. Well, it has been a while since I paid attention to that. The last feature film I worked on was in 1997, and it included the credits...hmmm.

December 2nd, 2005, 07:51 AM	#5
Richard Alvarez Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 3,840	Pretty sure the running time of features also includes credits... but again, things might have changed. Always included in shorts. The definition of 'short' is fluid however, depending on the festival accepting them. Could be 'under' 15...20...30...45...59 minutes, and it's often different for documentaries than for narratives. Check with the festivals for their definition of 'short'.