Short Films

Sudden Death

How is it structured?

The main protagonist is the first character seen on screen but then as the story continues we see other less known characters before the other lead roles for example, the people on the news station. We then see characters outside in the streets who are being affected by this disease as well as the main protagonist and his feelings towards the situation. Just over two minutes into the film one of the other lead characters in shown reacting to the news. We begin to see even more smaller characters as the film goes on. It is over four minutes into the film before the title appears. After the title fades, we are introduced to another lead character. Throughout the film more and more characters, mostly consisting of people out of the streets being infected but also including characters with quite a bit of dialogue, appear to add depth to the story.

Are there any rules to follow?
This film goes against the rules of more conventional films. An example of this is how it is only under 20 minutes long and we don't see the title until past four minutes. It does however, follow the rules of many musicals, for example, filming the characters in the street from above dancing and singing which is a common shot that tends to be used in musicals.

Attitudes towards characters/setting/theme?

The characters are all very comedic. each character appears quirky and different. The main protagonist opens by explaining to the audience what has happened. The shot types help the audience to se him and therefore they develop a relationship with him straight away. It helps that the audience can relate to a character as they will then have a better understanding of what is happening throughout the rest of the film.

There are numerous themes throughout the film such as illness, death, music and comedy. These themes do not seem as if they would fit together however the short film makes it work.

The setting fits the story as it shows how normal life has been affected by the illness. Many scenes are also shot in a lab which is effective as it shows the people of the area coming together to help find a cure for the illness.

How does it differ from conventional films?

It has many themes that would not normally go together. It is also extremely comedic and the comedy occurs numerous times in every scene. The comedy is a different style than the comedy in most conventional comedy films. The acting is quite over-the-top and shot types pot ray the characters as extremely outgoing and confident. Mise-en-scene helps to add to the upbeat theme e.g. characters are all wearing bright colours in the streets making the film for theatrical. It has more in common with a staged musical than it does with a conventional film.

The Going Away Party

How is it structured?
We see the title of the film as if the main protagonist is typing it onto a screen. We realise later that he is organising the "party" on Facebook. This way of showing the title helps to foreshadow this incident later in the film. We then see a range of long shots and close-ups of the main protagonist and what appears to be his morning routine. Then, are seconds later, a wide shot of him lying in the bath drinking helps to give the audience a sense of what is going on and appears to be a sign of his struggle and depression. This way, the audience are not left shocked when Connor's therapist tells him that he is depressed. A pan sit followed by a variation of mid-shots and wide shots show him at a funeral home foreshadowing his death. We begin to see other characters as he use public transport. During the party scene it is clear to the audience while he is in a room with other people that he does not fit in. We are also introduced to his friend who becomes another important character. The scene between Connor and his grandmother is filmed mostly using shot reverse shot which helps show the emotion. A close-up is used to show her putting her hand on his showing that unlike the other characters, she is very considerate. Halfway through, we see many shots of him preparing his funeral which helps to create emotion and makes the audience realise how extreme his negative feelings are and helps them to predict his fate. The shots of him sitting alone after no one turns up to his apartment emphasise his loneliness. A close-up shot of Connor preparing the substance with which he will kill himself is alarming and helps to show how much danger he is in. A long shot shows him spraying the gas and a mid-shot shows him fall down, signalling that is dead.
Are there any rules to follow?
The storyline of this short film is typical of the indie style of many different short films. The tone throughout is very calm which is ironic due to how emotional the story is. It goes against the rules of most conventional films due to the layout in terms of shot types and dialogue in different scenes. It does however, follow the rules of short films based on its length.

Attitudes towards characters/setting/theme?

The main protagonist, Connor, is the only character we really get to know and even at that we still do not really know that much about him. It is not very clear what has caused this man to become suicidal or why he is so determined to take his own life.

There is a theme of mental health problems and death but the comedy makes the story seem less negative and in a way covers up the struggles of the main protagonist and the horrific end his life comes to.

The main protagonist's grandmother is portrayed as weak and ill which is the typical portrayal of a woman of her age and does not seem far-fetched and she in a way becomes the most relatable character in the film and she appears very ordinary.

The main protagonist's friend, however, seems unnatural. She meets him and speaks with him about his plan to commit suicide but she does not seem remotely concerned and her attitude towards his plan seems almost comedic, however, given the circumstances, this would very much be dark humour as it is concerning that she is so calm and does not try to stop him.

How does it differ from conventional films?

Story is quite straightforward. The story passes at a fast pace. Dark comedy and in parts almost looks as if you are watching a documentary. The main protagonist is the only character whose story is told. We also do not find out what happens after the young man dies as the film ends when he commits suicide so it is unclear how the other characters feel about his death and the circumstances in which it has occurs although we do know that he was very open about his decision and that no one seemed to really take it seriously or care much for him or his life which is not a common storyline in conventional films in which people tend to try and help the victim.

Dotty

How is it structured?

There are a total of three characters in the film. The first character to be seen is the protagonist which helps to set the story. We then see the nurse coming into the elderly woman's room to check on her.  The titles are seen at the beginning which causes the film to flow more smoothly as there are no interruptions. The entire film is shot in the one location. It switches between the two main characters inside and another elderly man outside walking slowly around the garden. Most times that he appears the other two characters are still visible and he is never shown in a close-up, showing his inferiority.

Are there any rules to follow?

It follow the rules of most short films in terms of its lengths. The simple storyline and the fact that it is one whole scene with dialogue breaks in the way of outside shots is very untypical of most conventional films. The plot twist at the end is typical of sort films but not just as common a method used in conventional films

Attitudes towards characters/setting/theme?

Characters act in a way that is typical of their age group. For example, the old man outside walking is very slow on his feet. The old woman is having difficulty using technology and the younger woman is showing her what to do and taking care of her.

There is a theme of age in the film as it shows the difference in age between the nurse and the elderly people. 

The setting is a care home for elderly people and we see the outside of the building, just outside of one room and the main room in which most of the interaction occurs.

How does it differ from conventional films?

All of the dialogue takes place in the one room and it all occurs in the one location. The elderly man outside is shown numerous times throughout the film in a way to break up the dialogue between the nurse and patient inside as well as to add a comedic effect. The comedy within the dialogue is very simple and does not fit the typical comedy of a conventional film. It also ends with a plot twist that appears quite emotional as the nurse's phone goes off and the audience realises that she is the old woman's daughter.