Short Film Research

In order to get a better understanding of the conventions used in producing a short film, I have looked at previous students' work and identified what a I think are the its strengths and weaknesses.

The first short film I watched is called 'Smith and Ted' by Robert Stevenson.



What I like most about the short film is the narrative idea which is a simple concept but original and entertaining. It has elements of comedy but what stands out most is it's humorous characters. The film is composed quite smoothly and it makes the most of the setting it is filmed in. The sound effects and music add to the narrative which helps the audience to make sense of the story, as well as an appropriate amount of mise-en-scene e.g. the toy gun. The acting isn't stiff like some other student films too. The only thing I thing I think could have been changed was the positioning of the music, as it stopped quite abruptly when the scene changed. Instead using the music as a sound bridge could have completed the continuity.

The second short film I watched is called 'The Passage' by Christian Darby.




The narrative of the missing people and introduction of death appeals to the conventions of the Horror/Thriller genre. Again the acting was fluent and appropriate mise-en-scene was used. What was particularly good about the short was that they have captured the setting well. First the newsroom with the news reel and presenter as well as the street and alleyway. The alleyway was most effective for the genre as it was dark except for the areas lit up, drawing attention to the important factors of the narrative but also creating suspense. I liked the choice of sound effects but I feel that the music could have been built upon, building up the suspense instead of playing the same piece of music again.

From looking at these to shorts, I have gained abetter insight into what makes a successful short film and how I can take advantage of the strengths of these films and develop upon the weaknesses.