Short films in general have the luxury of being anything from 3 minutes to 30 and still considered a short film. This wide time scope means that directors can be as blunt or sensitive with a piece as possible. For example, Late Bloomer slowly builds to a climax and we realise the storyline slowly whereas UNWIND is far more immediate, we know from the outset what is going on, where they are and what's going to happen; not to say that the effect of the film isn't still powerful. Both methods have equal pros and cons.
Late Bloomer - Directed by Craig MacNeil
Late Bloomer is a 13 minute short that was selected to be shown at the Sundance Film Festival and is critically acclaimed. The simple storyline and lay out I think is dragged out slightly, it goes on a little too long, I don't think the scene in the principals office is needed but it does add to the overall effect. This dark comedy genre is a common hit with short films because there is little storyline to tell therefore the time constraint isn't a problem. The camerawork is very hollywood and glossy, lots of panning shots and use of the camera to show the characters emotion, for example, the scene in the principals office (9:32); the camera zooms in on the boy to show his desperation.
The actors in it play little part in the actual storytelling, it's the voiceover and music that carry the piece. This short is very theatre based, its performed as if on a stage with lots of over exaggeration and physical theatre ideas like girls twitching on the floor and being backlit to heighten the dramatic effect (8:20).
The actors in it play little part in the actual storytelling, it's the voiceover and music that carry the piece. This short is very theatre based, its performed as if on a stage with lots of over exaggeration and physical theatre ideas like girls twitching on the floor and being backlit to heighten the dramatic effect (8:20).
UNWIND Based on the novel by Neal Shusterman.
This short is one of my favourites because of how simple it is, it uses only two camera angles, all on an eye-line match which makes the viewer very much in the position of the protagonist. The colour scheme is also very cold and adds to the almost physically painful effect that the film has on the viewer. Video effects have been added during the edit to enhance specific moments such as the doctors operation on her arm which has been slightly sped up. A constant beep effect has been added also to intensify the claustrophobic hospital feeling the film provides. The initial information text given accompanied with the close up hospital aesthetics makes the film feel like a re-enactment rather than fictional, adding to the horror of the idea.
Unfortunately because the film lacks variety of camera-work and much of a story line the effect is lost a little, leaving the viewer a little bored at points. However I still credit the simplicity as it is generally very effective, especially as the visual is extinguished and we are left listening to the haunting sounds of breathing and a heart monitor.
Unfortunately because the film lacks variety of camera-work and much of a story line the effect is lost a little, leaving the viewer a little bored at points. However I still credit the simplicity as it is generally very effective, especially as the visual is extinguished and we are left listening to the haunting sounds of breathing and a heart monitor.
MILO example A2 Media Short Film
Although this short is clearly student produced and filmed on very bad quality cameras it is a social realism piece similar to the kind of genre I'm looking to do, it has a simple subject matter and focuses on one issue. It has a clear problem and answer which is both satisfying and moving for the audience.
The accompanying soundtrack & camerawork that switches between everyday shots of a young boy making breakfast and then cuts to shots of bottles. The audio edit is well synced with the camerawork, as the front door is burst open the sound of the clinking bottle is amplified and the soundtrack is abruptly cut. The shot at 1:44 is well-lit with the young boy in a clear white light representing innocence and the background parents in a dingier, yellow light, showing a clear contrast between the characters. Subtleties like this are what make the film noticeably better than other Student short films, its the close attention to detail.
The accompanying soundtrack & camerawork that switches between everyday shots of a young boy making breakfast and then cuts to shots of bottles. The audio edit is well synced with the camerawork, as the front door is burst open the sound of the clinking bottle is amplified and the soundtrack is abruptly cut. The shot at 1:44 is well-lit with the young boy in a clear white light representing innocence and the background parents in a dingier, yellow light, showing a clear contrast between the characters. Subtleties like this are what make the film noticeably better than other Student short films, its the close attention to detail.
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