
TASK 10 //
ANALYSIS OF WHOLE SHORT FILMS
As my analysis of whole short films, I have decided to pick out frames from two coming of age short films (Sahar and Even Cowboys Get to Cry) and I have used a graphics pad to write a brief analysis of the shot and the plot within the film as a whole, while a voiceover explains a more in-depth analysis. Within the analysis, I discuss the camerawork, editing, mise-en-scene and sound within the clips, as well as relate to the conventions within the genre.
From analysing two whole short films, I have been able to get a grasp on the feel of a short film and the journey it takes throughout the duration. I have been able to analyse when a problem is introduced into the film and conventional things used within a production, such as low key lighting and themes of drugs and alcohol. Furthermore, I was able to look into the character types within the films and apply Vladimir Propp's character theory. The typical character types within a short film are 'the hero' and 'the villain'. The relationship between a majority of the characters is also a teenage character with their parents within the production. In particular, 'Sahar' has the teenage daughter playing the role of the victim, while her father is portraying the character type of the villain. Mise-en-scene is also a big part of the films, as the lighting can set the tone of the scene instantly. In 'Even Cowboys Get to Cry', a red filter is added on top of a shot, connoting danger and aggression which takes place in the film. I was also able to look at Lovefield, which took an unusual approach to revealing the narrative. It allowed me to understand other ways in which a story can be told through, which I found very interesting. The use of enigma codes allowed me to think as an audience member of what is happening and what will happen next. I also understood how, in Bombshell, a handheld camera is used within almost the entirety of the film, until the narrative comes to a close and as the equilibrium is built. This can represent a steady lifestyle. From this task, I will be able to take away that I will need to think about which character types will be implemented into my production, as well as what locations will be used within. Moreover, I was able to get an outlook on when title screens are used in the entire film and when credits have been shown at the end of the film, which will allow me to create a similar styled film with timings which follow ones of the genre, such as these two examples of coming of age short films.
As an opportunity to extend my knowledge in the genre and of short films, I decided to analyse two more films - Lovefield and Bombshell. This is displayed above on my Weebly page, which shows various shots which I have analysed. Although Lovefield is not in the coming of age genre, I felt it was necessary to expand from the genre and find any conventions and particular ways in which shorts in other genres are made, as it would allow me to have a wider range of the current real media texts. Bombshell stood out to me, as it allowed me to understand what it takes to create a successful coming of age short film which focuses on the problem of self-identity.