Find 5 examples of short films (from 5 genres). Watch each one of them and write an analysis of each covering:
- Camera Work
- Narrative
- Editing
- Characterisation
- #1 Your Hands - Comedy, Georgia King, 10 Minutes
"A woman grapples with a breakup while stuck on a subway train; trying to focus as her world falls apart."
Camera Work - There are many shot types presented in this short film including; close ups, crowd shots, medium close up and two shots. The main shot type being close up to focus on the protagonists face to clearly show their emotional journey through facial expressions. The two shot is used to connote the relationship between the two characters and how they interact with each other, and how that eventually affects the narrative. The camera angles at the start of the short film range from low to high angles depending on the character; the protagonist is seen at a high angle where as the boyfriend is seen at a low angle because of his dominance in the situation and to connote that he has more control, it also represents the protagonist being subordinate and vulnerable. The movement of the short film mostly includes pan/ panning shots, this is to show the transition between the two characters and the different shots.
Narrative - A girl is forced to deal with the emotional repercussions of a break up whilst stuck on a subway train; trying not to fall apart as she is forced to deal with all the different emotions represented by the different characters. In the end she has accepted that the relationship is over and is at peace with the idea. In this brief subway train journey the effects of a break up are compacted into a shorter and denser visual representation.
Editing - Some of the editing shots in this short film can be seen as 'Shot reverse shot structure' which transitioned from the a view of the face of the protagonist to a shot of the train that was incoming being what the character was looking at, involving the audience and letting the audience connect with the protagonist. Some of other editing types include making the background out of focus to create a sense of disorientation and having the camera tilt from side to side adding to that feeling.
Characterisation - The main character being the protagonist was the girl that had to deal with the break up, the other main character was the boyfriend that broke up with her. Any other characters played minor parts and represented the different emotions and stages of post-break up.
- #2 Wrapped - Experimental, Roman Kaelin, 4 Minutes
"A city gets taken over by vegetation in this VFX-driven post-apocalyptic tale."
Camera Work - There are a variety of camera shot types present in this short film; although there aren't necessarily any central characters to focus the camera on so most shots are quite broad and liked to show you a landscape and a setting. The establishing shot was used frequently in this short film as it is very effective at setting up the diegesis of the film and giving the audience more insight into what they are watching. There were some close ups in it, but they were of a rat which was seen to have caused the outbreak, this close up was necessary and was also there to set up the diegesis.
Narrative - A city is taken over by vegetation, you are shown the outbreak from the source up until it takes over the entire world. The power and strength of nature is shown in this short film, as well as it having a sort of post-apocalyptic feel to it since all humans are extinct and an alternative race has taken over. The nature can be seen as calm and peaceful at first connoted by the slow decent and flowers blooming, until they start becoming hostile and start to destroy buildings and cover the entire Earth in vegetation. At the end of the film the Earth is seen to be just a lump of vegetation which then transitions to a shot of a mouldy lump in which the rat eats, therefore causing the outbreak and connecting the start and end of the film.
Editing - The main editing used in this short film was the music played throughout, helping to add to the emotions and narrative conveyed by the events taken place. But the whole film itself was created using CGI (computer generated imagery) this basically created all the special effects and visual parts of the film, they created the rat and the vegetation using CGI, civilisations decent as nature took over was all created using CGI.
Characterisation - There wasn't really any strong characters in terms of actual visual characters because the narrative was showing natures slow decent at taking over the world; but nature can be seen as a character because it had strong characteristics such as peacefulness and beauty, which then transitioned into anger and violence. The rat can also be seen as a central character because it was the only visual character, and even though it wasn't present in between it actually caused the outbreak and therefore the narrative revolves around the rat.
- #3 Grandma's Hero - Adventure, Ben Ozeri and Corentin Monnier, 7 Minutes
"When Lulu graduates from Hero Academy he sets off on an epic journey to slay a legendary dragon, but to his great dispar, his sweet and over-caring grandma decides to join him."
Camera Work - In terms of shot types, a lot of different ones were used to connote and show the audience different things. An establishing shot was used frequently throughout the film to set the diegesis and show the new landscape in which the hero has travelled. A crowd shot was used towards the beginning to show who the protagonist was, and also to show how others interact with him. In a specific shot in a crowd of people, his grandma can be seen being over-caring which makes the other people in the crowd laugh at their relationship, this connotes embarrassment. There are many close ups of the protagonists face throughout the film to show his facial expressions and connote his feelings and emotions. An over the shoulder shot is presented followed by two close ups of the two protagonists transitioning between each other, this clearly shows the relationship between the two characters and connotes their bond and friendship.
Narrative - A man can be seen graduating a Hero Academy, which then he is sent off to slay a mythical monster; his grandma is there embarrassing him and showing her affection. It is decided that he will slay a legendary dragon, so he sets off on his adventure but his grandma joins him. Along the way he runs into monsters which he decides to fight, but his grandma shows him there are other non-violent ways such as feeding them to make them happy. He eventually arrives at the dragons layer and attempts to kill the dragon until he see's the baby dragon in its nest, he then remembers what his grandma had taught him and feeds the dragon to keep it happy.
Editing - There was lots of editing throughout the film; music was added throughout to add to the different emotions conveyed and the different events taking place. Also the whole film was made up of CGI (computer generated imagery) - the characters, the environment, the setting. Also any transitions although are CGI related can also be classed as editing.
Characterisation - There were two many characters in this short film; being the protagonist / hero and his grandmother. Throughout the film we get to see their relationship and how they interact with each other and also we get to see how their relationship develops and how the protagonist learns to appreciate his grandma. The protagonist wants to be seen as powerful, intimidating and independent, as well as a hero; where as the grandmother wants him to be valiant and a hero, but not use violence. The grandma can be seen as a his conscience telling him to do the right thing. The grandma is a sweet little old lady who only wants best for her grandson and can be seen as a very positive and loving person connoted by her devoting acts throughout the film.
- #4 Player Two - Drama, Zachary Antell, 4 Minutes
"A short animation that explores the relationship that develops between two brothers of differing age growing up, and how video games foster that bond.
Camera Work - There are various shot types present in this film; towards the beginning it consists of two shot, capturing the two brothers together playing the video games together, connoting how close they are and how videogames have built up their relationship and connected one another. Another shot type used frequently is a medium close up, this is used to connote the emotions and feelings of the characters because of the facial expressions denoted. Some establishing shots are used to set the diegesis and to show a different setting, if the place has transitioned to another. Then some wide shots are used when the protagonist is alone, this connotes loneliness and that the stage of his life where he played videogames with his brother has ended and he has now only got the memories to relive.
Narrative - The narrative explores a relationship between two brothers of differing age growing up and how videogames have enhanced their bond. The videogames throughout the film can be seen making them closer and giving them a common interest. As the older brother leaves for later life the younger brother can be seen on his own with only the video games as memories for their relationship. Towards the end of the film, the two can be seen as playing video games by themselves and remembering their sibling.
Editing - There was quite a lot of editing throughout the video, including the music added and the voice over added which added to the feelings and emotions connoted as well as setting the diegesis. The whole film itself was made using CGI (computer generated imagery) which made up the characters, the setting and all the props included.
Characterisation - There are two main characters in the film, one being the protagonist / younger brother and the other being the older brother. The younger brother is seen as looking up to his older brother and wanting to enhance the bond they share through video games, as well as his older brother wanting to do the same thing.
- #5 Hello? - Drama, Blu Fox Films, 12 Minutes
" A girl dies tragically alone but her spirit is brought back on her funeral day. How will she use this precious chance given to her?"
Camera Work - There are many shot types included in the film; towards the beginning there are many two shots of the protagonist and her boyfriend, they are denoted as cuddling and smiling together connoting their close connection and that they are in a relationship.
Narrative - A girl dies a tragic death alone when she walks home and gets stabbed, she then comes back on her funeral day and given a chance to say a final goodbye. We get to see how her death has affected those around her and how she herself continues to deal with the events taken place.
Editing - The main editing in this short film is the music added at certain points to add to the mood, emphasising the emotions connoted by the film. The other editing techniques used in the film were the transitions between the different scenes and perspective changes. Another editing technique used in the film is when they make the text appear above the phone when a character receives the message; this would of been simply adding text to the video.
Characterisation - There are 3 central characters in the short film; the protagonist being the one that dies and comes back on her funeral date. The other main characters are the boyfriend and the best friend of the deceased. The boyfriend can be seen as fragile and in denial due to the death of his girlfriend, the best friend can be seen as stronger and more emotionally intact.
