[Watch the video interview on YouTube here]
Film Courage: What do successful short films have in common?
Eric Conner, New York Film Academy Instructor/Podcaster/Writer/Filmmaker: Am I allowed to say they’re short?
Film Courage: Sure, that’s okay.
Eric: So sometimes I do a lot of judging for short films through HollyShorts, Burbank Film Festival and occasionally get roped into some other ones.
When I say a movie is 25 minutes long, again I don’t want to make it sound like I hold something against longer films right. I’m not a lengthist or whatever the term might be but you better have a great reason for that being 25 minutes.
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And guess what? Some of them do but then other times I’m like:
Okay, I’m 5 minutes in where’s this thing going?
That doesn’t mean a movie can’t be abstract. It might not have the most clean approach to what hero was starting a three-act. That’s fine but I’m thinking about this is going to be part of a slot of films. When we talk about short films, if you’re talking festival, it’s a little bit different.
If you’re only thinking about putting it up on YouTube but if you’re thinking festivals you have to think about:
Okay, will this film play nice with others?
If it’s really long it’s like:
Well, did it earn its length?
Sometimes by the way I’ll see a two-minute short film I’m like:
Oh, cool.
And then you’re like:
Oh, even two minutes was too long.
I think it’s just in the end of it all:
What are you going after?
What’s the hook of it?
I sometimes will see a short film which baffles me and yet I can’t stop thinking about it. David Lynch did that to me many times over as a filmmaker and so those are movies I’ll totally push for…(Watch the video interview on YouTube).
About:
Eric Conner has taught hundreds of aspiring storytellers at the New York Film Academy (LA), the Writer’s Store, the Animation Guild and Starcoach – China. At NYFA, he’s interviewed dozens of entertainment professionals including Django Unchained producer Reginald Hudlin and John Wick director Chad Stahelski and wrote/hosted the podcast The Backlot.
He recently produced the feature length documentary Other Voices (Aswat Acherim), available on Amazon. His work has also been featured on the Howard Stern Show, On Demand Cable, Entertainment Tonight and Ranker.com. Eric has been a Burbank Cultural Arts Commissioner since being appointed by the City Council in 2019 and recently joined the board of the Burbank International Film Festival.
As a writer he’s adapted projects based on Knott’s Scary Farm and the NY Times bestseller Vampire Kisses. You may have seen Eric appear regularly on the Geekscape podcast, perform as plant victim Mr. Mushnik in Conundrum’s Little Shop of Horrors or share his true tale of being a woefully underprepared Santa Claus at JAM Creative’s Jingle Tales. He’s also worked with HollyShorts for several years as a film judge and moderated multiple panels / Q&As at their annual festival.
A rare native Delawarean, Eric lives in Burbank with his wife Lauren, sons Alex & Judah and their chaotic canines Fezzik and Iggy Pup.
CONNECT WITH ERIC CONNER
About New York Film Academy:
Founded in 1992 by Jerry Sherlock, the New York Film Academy (NYFA) provides an accessible, hands-on education in filmmaking, media, and the performing arts. With a mission to make the film industry more accessible to all, NYFA empowers students from diverse backgrounds to tell powerful stories through a project-based, immersive curriculum. Students work closely with industry professionals, gaining invaluable mentorship and real-world experience while building creative, technical, and collaborative skills. NYFA’s global community includes students from over 160 countries, fostering a network of passionate storytellers. From day one, students dive into creating projects that refine their craft and prepare them for successful careers. With a focus on practical experience and individualized support, NYFA equips students with the tools and confidence to excel in the competitive world of filmmaking and the arts.
CONNECT WITH NYFA
Nyfa.edu/location/nyfa-los-angeles
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