{{short description|Type of short film}} A '''micro movie''' is a type of [[short film]] characterized by a [[Low-budget film|low budget]] and distribution via [[social media]].
Micro movies originated in [[Hong Kong]] in 2010.<ref name=NottinghamScreenPartnership>{{cite web|title=What is Microfilm?|url=http://www.nottinghamscreenpartnership.com/index.php/events/what-is-microfilm|website=Nottingham Screen Partnership|access-date=2016-03-24|archive-date=2016-04-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160405183256/http://www.nottinghamscreenpartnership.com/index.php/events/what-is-microfilm|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Karen Mok]] (Hong Kong–based singer and actress) and Adam Duke starred in "[[Cadillac (micro movie)|Cadillac]]," which is regarded as the first micro movie.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Wenpeng|first1=Hu|title=Micro-film advertising getting popular|url=http://en.ce.cn/Insight/201201/11/t20120111_22991381.shtml|website=China Economic Net|access-date=2016-03-24|archive-date=2016-04-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406214106/http://en.ce.cn/Insight/201201/11/t20120111_22991381.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> Afterwards, micro movies became a trend in South Asia. As professional-grade technology has become more accessible, amateurs hoping to enter the film industry have turned to the micro movie format to avoid limitations imposed by television and film studios. The accessibility of production, along with a growing popularity, has led to a wide range of subjects being featured and examined in the micro movie format.
==Characteristics== * Short film duration * Distributed via [[social media]] websites * Good connection to daily lives<ref>{{cite news|last1=Adrian Wan|title=Chinese directors find greater freedom online making micro movies|url=https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/1401565/chinese-directors-find-greater-freedom-online-making-micro|publisher=South China Morning Post|date=January 9, 2014|access-date=March 24, 2016|archive-date=April 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170403215521/http://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/1401565/chinese-directors-find-greater-freedom-online-making-micro|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=NottinghamScreenPartnership /><ref>{{cite news|last1=Rachel Mok|title=Online micro movies prove useful for directors and businesses alike|url=https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/1233789/online-micro-movies-prove-useful-directors-and-businesses|publisher=South China Morning Post|date=May 10, 2013|access-date=March 24, 2016|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304161704/http://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/1233789/online-micro-movies-prove-useful-directors-and-businesses|url-status=live}}</ref> * [[Low-budget film|Low budget]] * Commercial or non-commercial * Includes all genres
==Censorship== [[Movie censorship]] is the legal process that regulates whether a movie, film, video, or cinema has content that is permissible to undergo broadcast and distribution. While certain movies are permitted to undergo public disbursement and release, other types of movies are limited to private screenings—in certain cases, movies are prohibited and banned in their entirety. Movie censorship regulation takes length, content, and subject matter into consideration with regard to altering or banning the work.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://censorship.laws.com/movie-censorship|title=Movie Censorship - Censorship {{!}} Laws.com|website=censorship.laws.com|date=5 April 2015 |access-date=2016-04-18|archive-date=2015-09-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150916192030/http://censorship.laws.com/movie-censorship|url-status=live}}</ref> Obscene and violent content is avoided in the process of making micro movies due to national [[censorship]] policies.
In [[Hong Kong]], all films are required to undergo the motion picture rating system,<ref>{{cite web|title=Film Division|url=http://www.ofnaa.gov.hk/eng/aboutus/aboutus4b_2.htm|website=Office for Film, Newspaper and Article Administration|accessdate=3 June 2014|archive-date=30 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151230190434/http://www.ofnaa.gov.hk/eng/aboutus/aboutus4b_2.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> which is organized by the Office for Film Newspaper and Article Administration (OFNAA). Movies are rated I, IIA, IIB, or III. Scenes deemed to be unacceptable are censored. The [[State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television|Chinese State Administration of Press, Publication, Video, Film and Television]]<ref>{{cite news|last1=Lin|first1=Lilian|title=China Is Decentralizing Movie Censorship. But Will It Make a Difference?|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2014/03/17/china-is-decentralizing-movie-censorship-but-will-it-make-a-difference/|accessdate=17 March 2014|publisher=The Wall Street Journal|archive-date=21 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321014513/http://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2014/03/17/china-is-decentralizing-movie-censorship-but-will-it-make-a-difference/|url-status=live}}</ref> oversees the theatrical release, to ensure that immoral content is not promoted in the movies. The goal of these measures is to protect the audience from receiving extreme and unhealthy messages.
In [[Australia]], The Office of Film and Literature Classification<ref>{{cite web|last1=Kim|first1=Jackson|title=Censorship and Classification in Australia|url=http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/Publications_Archive/archive/censorshipebrief|website=Parliament of Australia|accessdate=19 October 2001|archive-date=21 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190521121740/https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/Publications_Archive/archive/censorshipebrief|url-status=live}}</ref> is responsible for classifying films, [[video]] publications, and [[PC games]] according to the National Classification Code and the Classification Guidelines, which are approved by the Commonwealth State and Territory Ministers responsible for censorship.
There is, however, more leniency in censorship online—especially on [[YouTube]]. That is why most micro movies are accessed through social media websites and online databases. Some countries even block all internet access to YouTube.
==Cinematography== [[File:Cinematography.jpg|thumbnail|Example setup for filming micro movies.]] Micro movies are created by cinematographers of all skill levels, ranging from a first-time producer to a high-level producer with a top-level cast and crew.
Film techniques used in micro movies are similar to those of traditional movies seen in theaters. For instance, the types of shots and angles are the same, but they typically differ in film length, equipment level, budget, number of cast and crew, and acting skill. There are, however, exceptions to the rule such as the group [http://www.rocketjump.com/ Rocket Jump] or prime-time TV commercials.
==Application== Micro movies are used for [[advertising]] and entertainment purposes. The short length of micro movies allows them to be promoted and published on platforms such as [[YouTube]] and [[Facebook]]. This makes micro movies free, easy to access, and able to go viral online.
There are both [[commerce|commercial]] and noncommercial needs for micro movies. Commercials are now not only selling a product, but telling a story— the [http://www.budweiser.com/en/our-ads.html Budweiser] and [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUyxbX78CiDDYsVU21omaJw/ Extra Gum] commercials are examples of this. Micro movies have become a new way to promote products and brands. People also create and shoot micro movies for fun. There are several micro movie film festivals and platforms for both amateurs and professionals to tell their stories and be recognized for their work.
==Examples of micro movies== * OPPO endorsement film Find Me<ref>{{cite web|title=OPPO Mobile: Leonardo DiCaprio Chinese 'Find Me' Commercial (Part 2 of 5)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLJqEx44X2Q|website=Youtube| date=12 June 2011 |access-date=2016-03-24|archive-date=2013-11-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101112747/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLJqEx44X2Q|url-status=live}}</ref> * Route 66<ref>{{cite web|title=Chinese Cadillac SRX ad with Karen Mok captures romance of Route 66 chineseheart|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZTpZEUBSks|website=Youtube| date=June 2011 }}</ref> * The Bright Eleven-Old Boys<ref>{{cite web|title=11度青春之《老男孩》The bright eleven Old Boys wthanfu|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ryz_tDksfaE|website=Youtube}}</ref> * Rapido (Long Distance Love)<ref>{{cite web|title=#ParkShinHye for #RAPIDO "LONG DISTANCE LOVE"|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJHw0JCry04|website=Youtube|access-date=2016-03-24|archive-date=2024-05-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240515201910/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJHw0JCry04|url-status=live}}</ref> * J'attendrai le Suivant Sub Chinois<ref>{{cite web|title=法國微電影: 我會等待著下一個,中英文字幕版 J'attendrai le suivant sub chinois|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2z1jlNBpy6o|website=Youtube| date=20 August 2011 |access-date=2016-03-24|archive-date=2014-02-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140218215924/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2z1jlNBpy6o|url-status=live}}</ref> * Love is All You Need<ref>{{cite web|title=Love is All You Need (Full Length)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ROXTFfkcfo|website=Youtube|access-date=2016-03-24|archive-date=2016-03-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160325013423/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ROXTFfkcfo|url-status=live}}</ref> * Finch's Landing<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://vimeo.com/162275350|title=Finch's Landing (Sam Thomas Short Film)|website=Vimeo|access-date=2016-04-18|archive-date=2024-05-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240515201838/https://vimeo.com/162275350|url-status=live}}</ref> * Holding the Rain<ref>{{Cite web|title=Holding The Rain|url=https://youtube.com/watch?t=45s&v=M0HOThgWQes|website=YouTube|access-date=2018-02-09|archive-date=2024-05-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240515201839/https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=45s&v=M0HOThgWQes|url-status=live}}</ref> * The Elevator<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Elevator|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cLSAUZgocI|website=YouTube| date=30 April 2021 |access-date=2021-05-02|archive-date=2021-05-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502135321/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cLSAUZgocI|url-status=live}}</ref> * 2088<ref>{{Cite web|title=2088|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePsq_rlBEBU|website=YouTube| date=14 March 2021 |access-date=2021-05-02|archive-date=2021-05-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502135503/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePsq_rlBEBU|url-status=live}}</ref> * Curtains Down: The Last Rod!<ref>{{cite web|title=Curtains Down: The Last Rod (Full Length)|url=https://vimeo.com/738980525/ba47701b63|website=Vimeo|access-date=2022-11-08|archive-date=2022-11-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108014251/https://vimeo.com/738980525/ba47701b63|url-status=live}}</ref> *The Black Hole<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Black Hole|website=[[IMDb]]|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1430144/|access-date=2022-12-03|archive-date=2022-12-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203005705/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1430144/|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Examples of micro movie competitions== * Nottingham International Microfilm Festival (NIM)<ref>{{cite web|title=Nottingham International Microfilm Festival (NIM)|url=http://www.nottinghamscreenpartnership.com/index.php/events/nimfestival|website=2015 Nottingham International Microfilm Festival (NIM)|access-date=2016-03-24|archive-date=2016-04-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160405194845/http://www.nottinghamscreenpartnership.com/index.php/events/nimfestival|url-status=live}}</ref> * Beijing International Micro Film Festival<ref>{{cite web|title=2016th Beijing International Film Festival|url=http://www.bjiff.com/enHome/|website=Beijing International Film Festival|access-date=2016-03-24|archive-date=2016-03-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322220257/http://www.bjiff.com/enHome/|url-status=live}}</ref> * Lander University Film Festival<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lander.edu/news/page/7|title=Lander University - News|website=www.lander.edu|access-date=2016-04-18|archive-date=2016-09-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921005820/http://www.lander.edu/news/page/7|url-status=live}}</ref> * New Jersey Micro Minute Film Festival <ref>{{cite web|title=Micro Minute Film Festival|url=http://microminutefilmfestival.com/|access-date=2024-05-15|archive-date=2023-12-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209043305/http://microminutefilmfestival.com/|url-status=live}}</ref>
==References == {{reflist}}
[[Category:Chinese culture]] [[Category:Film genres]]