Survey of Short Films - Research

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White - Short Film

I'm not a huge fan of this short film, I feel its slightly gratuitous and has a poor lead actor however the use of camera and editing is nice and there are some interesting visual ideas used such as the glass panel between the boy and his mother. The starkness of the bathroom matching the aptly named film works well, cleverly the name gives nothing away but is a word that applies to many things, making the film interesting and a statement in some ways.
I think the use of colour in contrast with the white is well done and the slightly grainy tone used in the most of the film, then opposed with the cold tone added to the bathroom scenes works well. I also like the quick cuts between the boys hands and face, the visual concept is clever and effective, we feel uneasy watching him almost clawing at his hands to try and get them clean.
The use of silence works well and leaves us apprehensive however this is slightly ruined by the cheesy Cold Play at the end. The glow effect on the camera also clearly separates the boys mind from reality which I think is slightly unnecessary but gets the message across well.

Eu Não Quero Voltar Sozinho - Short Film

This is a beautiful example of a well made short film, it's triple the time of the film I'm expecting to make, however it still complies to the short film convention of simplicity. The film has a grainy palette to it that makes it feel warm, you can feel the heat of Portugal coming through the screen.
The film is shot in Portuguese and comes with English subtitles which I think adds to the overall effect, the use of foreign language enhances it to an intellectual level  and allows us to understand the film through visuals and sound not dialogue, everything is clear from the screen. The language is also not verbal english but formulated, written English that adds a childish tint to the dialogue. I would describe the overall effect of the film as charming, it initially scares us into thinking its going to be emotional and highlight prejudices to blind people but instead it shows an equality for two minorities, the blind and homosexuals.

In the film there are often two scenes running at a time, and the edit cuts between them to show a daily routine or regularity that occurs, this is a technique that I might find effective in my short film making. The ending also leaves us asking/wanting more, there is no definitive we can merely guess which I feel is a hugely common theme in the short film.

Sight - Short Film

This short film, incredibly cleverly - similarly to UNWIND draws its audience by scaring them with the prospect of human future. It develops a very realistic storyline and uses CGI to enhance it. It complies with postmodern media ideas of hyper-reality and a matrix form - is the what we see real?
In terms of short filmmaking it follows simple conventions, it has one clear event and few locations, one day, a date, set in a living room and a restaurant.
The film also uses a combination of still, closed frame shots to capture dual action but then switches to handheld camera for POV shots, replicating the 'SIGHT' lenses or eye of the human.
The soundtrack in this film is what I think is most impressive, the combination of melodic sound and effects is perfect and each section replicates the dream like game world that can be found in the SFX catalogue of any Apple Game App or Video Game. This direct link to what the film is referencing enhances it greatly and makes it feel more believable and realistic, the more connected an audience can feel with a subject matter, the more they will enjoy the film/it'll affect them.

Address is Approximate - Short Film

This is less of a short film and more of a VERY good idea for a clip. However it complies to the short film simplicity conventions and uses a range of beautiful shots to create its aim. It's filmed half in stop motion and half in standard film and I think the combination of these two makes it very exciting and interesting to watch, ultimately it's charming.
It uses pan shots and slow zooms to set up the characters at the beginning, then develops the story using wide sweeping shots that enhance the epic soundtrack accompanying the piece.

What I find most interesting about this film is its camerawork and combination of filming techniques to create something so visually exciting yet simple, it's produced by Aardman Studios who are renowned for their stop-motion technology, they are the creators of Wallace & Gromit.

Apricot - Short Film

Apricot is another simple short film, it has elements of naturalism and surrealism, where flashbacks occur. The transitions between the naturalistic moments in the restaurant and the flashbacks are all enhanced using pull focus shots, which allow the director to slowly reveal things as the shot develops rather than seeing everything at once.
The simplicity of the story is also key here, we become slightly confused by the constant motion of the camera and uncertainty of location until at the last moment all is made clear in their prolonged stare and kiss.
Unlike Side Effected, the camera frames are composed but free, the camera moves around constantly, often using focus to only display a characters face.

• voted community choice winner for narrative on Vimeo
• excellent use of camerawork and pull focus shots in particular
• composed free frames
• mixture of surrealism and naturalism
• moments where flashbacks and reality intertwine, like when little girl is counting in the restaurant
• the length is effective, keeping it all in real time, there is little use of match on action or time sequences

Future Proof - Short Film

Future Proof is a heavily stylistic short, it reverses time and ends with the creation of man. It's entirely danced without speaking and filmed in complete slow-motion. Some might suggest it's more of a dance or music video than it is a short film, but I believe it's simply at the furthest stylistic end of the spectrum. It's very short, only 3.30 in total but still moving and captivating like other, longer films.
The capability of the dancers and the excellent camerawork allows us to view the film as a spectacle as-well a narrative piece.
There is also heavy use of CGI to ehance and exemplify the movements of the dancers and how they connect to the story. The point of the film is more of a message or question for the audience to ponder on rather than simply a story like Apricot or Side Effected.

• simple and consistent theme
• nominated as a best watch by Vimeo staff
• won a huge number of awards and nomination and was a highlighted short film of 2011
• TAAFI Awards - Stash Magazine Presents: VFX Highlights of 2011-2012
• Pause Fest - Best in Show
• Circuitto OFF 2011
• Prix Ars Electronica 2012
• Pixellerie Fine 2 – Paris, France
• Stash 87
• Screening At London Olympics ICCI 360 Visual Arena – Arts Festival In Dorset
• IDN Feature: Issue 19 Sexual Graphics
• International Melzo File festival 2012
• Liberarti Film Festival
• Inclusion in Nasjonalgalleriet / Norwegian Arts
• unclear storyline leaves audience pondering what they've seen
• complex in its editing and technical ability but very simple in its story
• epic theatre genre comes into mind when watching

Side Effected - Short Film

I really enjoyed this cleverly thought out short film set in a single location. It exemplifies the beauty in simplicity that is so key to short filmmaking. It has a very nicely set up, Hollywood glamour kind of look. It's a clear closed & composed frame using basic industry shots such as over-the-shoulder, point of view and 180 cuts. 

It has a very clear cut narrative that is entirely conversation based - the acting is central to the film, this is a narrative film rather than a more typical style based short like Future Proof. 

The film very cleverly luls us into thinking this is simply a board meeting, right up until the last moments, when we realise the employee has been drugged. 

• clear narrative
• closed frame 
• composed shots 
• two actors
• one location
• narrative based, simple with a twist
• simplicity
• nominated for festivals and awards
• Official Selection: Cannes Short Film Corner 
• Official Selection: Palm Springs International Shortfest & Short Film Market
• has a slight socio-political message, possibly warning of the large american drug corporations and their reliability
• humours the audience whilst giving them a tense environment also
• the quick cuts enhance the conversation, especially when at high speed

EMPIRE Magazine Cover Analysis

Comparison of Some Studied Short Films

Comparison Short Films from Harry Hancock