Short films are not just for artistic expression and independent storytelling. They can also be a powerful tool for marketing and advertising. Commercial short films, also known as branded content or sponsored films, are used by businesses and organizations to promote their products, services, or causes.
These bite-sized narratives pack a punch and can tell unique, memorable stories in a short amount of time. In this blog article, we will be exploring the world of short films and highlighting some of the best ones in Singapore in recent years. From heartwarming comedies to thought-provoking dramas, there is something for everyone in the world of short films. So whether you are a business owner, a marketer, or simply someone interested in the intersection of storytelling and commerce, this article is sure to provide insight and inspiration.
The Vivid Snaps Team
Vivid Snaps has extensive experience in creating a wide range of video content, including corporate short films, music videos, corporate documentaries, and branded content. Our team is dedicated to continuously improving our skills and producing high-quality work for our clients. We believe that video should not only be visually appealing but also engage and captivate the audience.
Notable Short Story Videos in Singapore 2022
PLEASE NOTE: The videos referenced in this blog article are not produced by Vivid Snaps. The following videos are sourced from publicly available websites, such as YouTube.
Deepavali Short Film in Singapore
In the film’s main plot, the lead character introduces her partner to her family for the first time during Deepavali. She agonizes over the fact that her father is a very obstinate guy and believes that her boyfriend must first win over her family.
The short film makes excellent use of music and bright set design, and it is quite humorous and lively. The crew has also done well to decorate the space to fit the deepavali theme. One element that stands out to us is the broken lamp’s recurrent presence; it nearly seems as if the lamp is a member of the family. Small details like this are what gives the short film character and individuality.
Community Initiative Short Film in Singapore
This short film, which was based on a true story, is about two rough sleepers named Keong and Zaki, whose lives change dramatically after Zaki is admitted to the hospital. Previously, Denise, a kind volunteer approached Keong and Zaki and offered to help them find a rental apartment. However, Keong had reservations about living in a house because of his past traumatic experiences. It is only through a conversation with Zaki after he escaped from the hospital that Keong realizes the importance of having a roof to protect him and his best friend.
The cinematography also helps to visually communicate the story. In order to depict the severity that the two protagonists must endure, the outdoor scenes are gloomy and contrasty, while the ending home scenes look bright, cozy and comforting.
Healthcare Short Film in Singapore
This heartwarming film pays tribute to the compassionate healthcare frontliners whose selflessness has made a profound impact on the lives of many. The story follows an elderly woman with cancer who secretly checks herself into the hospital after a disagreement with her family. Though puzzled, the kind nursing staff went above and beyond to care for her and reconcile her with her loved ones.
The film utilizes a tranquil cinematography style. The color palette is more subdued, and the lighting is soft and diffused, further contributing to the tranquil mood which helps create a sense of nostalgia, introspection, or longing in the dramatic context of the story.
Notable Short Story Videos in Singapore 2021:
PLEASE NOTE: The videos referenced in this blog article are not produced by Vivid Snaps. The following videos are sourced from publicly available websites, such as YouTube.
Ramadan Short Film in Singapore
In this short film by Zakat Singapore, classic horror tropes are turned on their head to tell a poignant tale of loss and resilience. The film opens with eerie music and visuals reminiscent of horror films, but soon reveals the true story of an ordinary Nenek who lives in solitude with her husband after the tragic loss of their child many years ago. The Nenek, still grieving and talking to her imaginary son, represents the struggles of the underprivileged population.
The film encourages the audience to take action and share their blessings with those in need.
Community Assistance Short Film in Singapore
From The Heart is a poignant short film about a young girl Ann who works diligently with her grandpa to earn a small income by completing errands around the neighborhood. When Ann discovers that her family is struggling financially and considering withdrawing her younger brother from school, she secretly turns to her grandpa for help earning the necessary funds. Through Ann’s innocent perspective, the film tackles the sensitive topic of finances with a feel-good, youthful tone enhanced by its pastel-colored visuals.
Chinese New Year Short Film in Singapore
This comedic Chinese New Year short film by Singtel is part of their yearly video series starring the two families, “Ang” and “Huang”. This particular video shows the two families paying their grandma a new year visit. When the grandma is reminded of her long lost friend, the youngest boy springs into action; utilizing technology and the latest 5G network to track and connect his grandma to her friend.
The film manages to seamlessly integrate the company’s products and services while delivering a humorous message. The production design should also be lauded for its effort and attention to color coordination; every costume and prop adhere’s beautifully to the color palette with not a single color out of place.
Other Notable Regional Short Films:
PLEASE NOTE: The videos referenced in this blog article are not produced by Vivid Snaps. The following videos are sourced from publicly available websites, such as YouTube.
Raya Short Film in Malaysia
Based on a true story, this raya short film by Malaysian bank RHB tells the story of an Arab refugee struggling in her new life in malaysia. She faces a language barrier but befriends Arissa after a fateful encounter, who becomes her friend and teaches her Malay. This film celebrates the commonalities that we all share as humans, rather than focusing on our differences. It is only by recognizing and celebrating these similarities that we can work towards a more united and hopeful future. Although the characters in this film are based on real people, they are portrayed by actors in order to deliver powerful performances. However, during a moment in the final scene, the character Arissa is switched to the real Arissa, adding further emotional depth to the film as the audience is able to see the person who inspired the story.
Chinese New Year Short Film in Malaysia
In this heartwarming short film, produced by Malaysian telecommunications company Celcom Axiata, we see the struggles and triumphs of three families whose lives are intertwined by hope. A college student starts his own shoe business to fund his education, a father adapts his mechanic business to keep it afloat, and a young woman starts an online cookie e-commerce business after being laid off.
The film showcases the power of hope and determination in the face of challenges, and uses dynamic and visually striking cinematography paired with beautiful music to create a very contagious and uplifting energy; making it a fresh and memorable experience for the audience.
Corporate Short Film in Thailand
This touching short film by Thai conglomerate, CP Group, stands out from the rest for its powerful visual storytelling. It tells the story of a young girl and father who became handicapped after an accident. The father is bedridden and the girl can only rely on crutches to walk. Their family is impoverished and their livelihood is at stake as no one is willing to hire the young girl because of her impairment. At wit’s end, the girl decides her only salvation is if she could somehow manage to win the prizes at her local marathon.
This film stands out from the others for its lack of dialogues, the story is instead told visually through the power of Mise-en-scène. Mise-en-scène refers to the visual elements that make up a scene, such as the setting, props, and actors. These elements are used in conjunction with music and editing to create a rich and immersive storytelling without the need for dialogues.
Short Story Videos by our Team
Insurance Claim Short Film by Vivid Snaps
We recently worked with AIA on a series of videos re-enacting some of their past insurance claim stories. In the first video, we were tasked with adapting the case of a man who couldn’t continue working after suffering from multiple strokes. As the true story spans over a long period of time, our team decided to employ a montage style direction for the video to condense the story to its most crucial plot points. The film charts the many setbacks that the protagonist faces and how the payout from the insurance is able to give him and his family renewed hope.
Our team managed every step of the process from conceptualisation, storyboarding, casting, filming to editing. We also handled the demanding logistics side of the production; every location and prop were carefully considered and sourced after weeks of research.
Insurance Claim Short Film by Vivid Snaps
In this second video, we tell the story of how a young father turned blind due to complications from diabetes. In our brief from the client, we were told that the real case study was able to raise his family and provide for his daughter’s undergraduate studies through the payout from the insurance company. That was when it struck us that the daughter would offer a unique perspective in the story as she grew up as a first hand witness of how insurance was able to help her family through the years.
Our team managed the entire production process, but unforeseen weather challenges arose near the end of our outdoor scenes. Despite the heavy rain, we were able to come up with alternative plans to complete the filming.
Conclusion
In conclusion, short films are a powerful medium for telling stories and conveying messages. From heartwarming tales of triumph over adversity to thought-provoking social commentary, short films have the ability to captivate and move audiences in a way that is unique to the medium.
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