Definition

1. Noun:
   • A brief film; often shown prior to showing the feature: A "short subject" is a short film, typically of a documentary, animated, or comedic nature, that is screened before the main feature film in a cinema program.

Usage

• The term "short subject" is used primarily in the context of cinema and film programming. It refers to the complete, standalone short film itself, not its content or genre. It is a formal or industry term for what is commonly called a "short film" when shown with a main movie.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The theater showed an animated short subject before the main feature.
  • In the 1930s, many comedy short subjects were produced by studios like Warner Bros.
  • The festival has a category dedicated to short subjects under 20 minutes.

Advanced Usage

• Historical Context: The term was particularly common during the classic Hollywood era when cinema programs regularly included newsreels, cartoons, and live-action comedies as short subjects.
  • Before television, newsreels were a popular form of short subject.

Variants and Related Words

• Short film (n): The more common contemporary term for a brief motion picture. "Short subject" is a more specific subset often associated with traditional theatrical programming.
  • She directed a short film that won several awards.
• Featurette (n): A very short feature film or a longer type of short subject; the distinction can be fluid.
  • The DVD included a featurette about the making of the movie.

Synonyms

• Short: A common abbreviated form (e.g., "an animated short").
• B short: An informal or industry term.
• Supporting film: A descriptive phrase emphasizing its role in the program.

Related Phrases

• Pre-feature short: A phrase explicitly describing a short subject shown before the main movie.
  • The pre-feature short was a delightful Pixar animation.

Noun

1. a brief film; often shown prior to showing the feature