Short Film Textual Analysis: Comparative Essay

Short films have many conventions that occur, and recur, that most filmmakers stick to, such as working class representations, small casts, long shots, themes of entrapment.... A first convention is the limited amount of characters. A short film is not very long, and, therefore, does not have enough time to develop more than 2-3 characters. An example of this is About a Girl which focuses on one female character, although other characters appear, they are used to add to her representation, another example is Love Me or Leave Me Alone, which focuses solely on a teenage relationship, and The Most Beautiful Girl in the World, which strives to represent a young girl. Antonios Breakfast somewhat subverts this convention, as more than one character is being represented. Antonio, nevertheless, is the main representation. Another convention is the short length. Most short films have a running time of between 5 and 10 minutes, however the maximum length is around 35 minutes. Examples of short films which fit in the conventional 5 to 10 minute length are The Most Beautiful Man In The World (running for 5 minutes), and Bus 44 (running for 11 minutes), also Accident by James Leech (running for 10 minutes), Milk by Peter Burns (running for 10 minutes), and School of Life by Jake Polonsky (running for 8 minutes). All short films should have a situation that the audience can instantly recognise and relate to, however the situation should have a twist of some kind creating a problem for the character. As Jake Polonsky says, short films fall into two short film categories: slice of life, or twist in the tail. For example, in Antonios Breakfast the boy has his friends round, and wants to impress the alpha male of the group. He must, however, look after his elderly father, thus creating a problem for his character. Marylin Milgrom advises that an obstacle, or problem, should keep the character from achieving their want, need, or obligation. In Cubs the young boy wants to fit in, however to achieve this he needs to kill a fox, thus creating a moral dilemma, and problem which the boy must overcome. Marylin Milgrom also states that the audience should know what the character stands to lose if they dont overcome their problem, such as the boy in Cubs stands to lose face if he does not kill the fox. Lastly, the character needs to go through a journey. Although often metaphorical, literal journeys work just as well. By the end of the journey their character will have changed, and therefore getting them from an A point to a B point. Social realism films are true to life, usually representing the working class, and the issues and themes that go with it. Social Realism films also follow certain conventions. Firstly, social realism commonly uses location shooting. We see this quite clearly in About a Girl as she walks alongside a canal, but this is also evident in the other films, such as Bus 44 which is set in a dirt track style road. Regional Identities is a strong convention of social realism films, as it helps to represent a variety of people, for example Sweet Sixteen aims to represent a pair of Glasgow teenagers, whereas such films as London to brighton, and Fish Tank, tend to represent the London working class. Once again About a Girl shows this through her manchester accent, whilst Bus 44 is set in China. Therefore, there is a wide cultural difference between both films. Lastly, social issues like poverty, abuse, violence, crime, and isolation are explored within each of the films. Specific themes and issues are evident within all of these short films, ranging from abuse to bad parenting to lack of care within the community. Within these general categories, however, are more specific subcategories explore within the short films. Bus 44, for example, not only looks at abuse, but more specifically violence and rape. Common themes which are raised are nature vs nurture, coming of age, lack of care for and within the communities, ability and disability, appearance vs reality, peer status, and neglect and isolation. Issues, therefore, are raised by the exploration of these themes, such as bad parenting, inexperience, and government neglect of certain people and places. The theme of abuse is clearly shown within all of these short films, with the exception of The Most Beautiful Man In The World. Although, some audience members believe abuse is hinted at. Also, About A Girl is rather ambiguous, therefore abuse could be seen depending on how the viewer views it. Within Antonios Breakfast (directed by Daniel Mulloy) we can see the specific them e of abuse. The micro elements are employed to create the macro representation of the specific group of a young gang. Mise-en-scene, costume-cheap tracksuits all looking the same, alpha male has white trousers showing hierarchy-helps to reinforce the macro representation of a gang. Editing-each getting the same amount of screen time-is also employed to convey this representation. Lastly, camera-in the corner of the frame, the viewer can see feet moving apprehensively, gang looking on whilst the alpha male beats up someone-is used to show the macro representation of a key theme-abuse. This gang representation can be viewed as stereotypical, however, specifically we see that they share a casual view towards violence. The technical composition also hid the action behind a grey wall, showing the anonymity of violence. Bus 44 (written and directed by Dayyan Eng) shows many specific occasions of abuse. Like Antonios Breakfast this abuse is seen in the form of violence. The micro elements are here employed to convey the macro representation of a robbery, more specifically a violent bus robbery. Editing-quick pace, adding tension-, camerahandheld giving a fly on the wall effect, close-ups on criminals face-conveying key character codes- high angles on the criminals showing hierarchy-, and sound-sharp, loud diegetic shouting-combine to increase the macro representation of abuse as the first rebelling passenger is quieted by violence. These micro elements also combine to convey a feeling of menace. The micro element mise-en-scene soon take precedence in creating this representation as the short film comes to its first climax. Mise -en-scene, properties-criminal holds a weapon, a knife-, camera-high angle showing they still hold the power, main criminal stand over the female driver and attacks her-again show the theme of abuse. This abuse, however, grows ever bigger as the alpha criminal takes the woman to the background of the frame, and begins to rape her. The micro element of sound-screaming and

crying accompanying pleas of mercy-, camera-handheld tracking as the man runs towards the second criminal and fights him- work together to convey the chaos of the situation. There is a symmetry between the attackers and victims in the foreground and background of the frame. Once the attack is over the viewer can see the severity of it through the micro element mise-en-scene, hair and make-up-bloody face and dirty hair-, as well as the emotional effect through camera-close-up as she looks at the passengers, range of emotions from sorrow to anger, long take as she starts to cry. The issue of moral abuse arises in this situation, as the passengers just stood up watching. Later in the short film we see the issue of psychological trauma arise as the micro elements sound-first non-diegetic music, synthesised, piano, police radio-, mise-en-scene, set design-crime scene, smoke coming from ditch- increase the tension, until the viewer finally hears that the bus has crashed and all is dead. Thus, the short film ends with a close-up of the mans face smiling with realisation that she had saved him, whilst punishing the rest of the passengers, as he was the only person who did uphold his moral duty. Cubs (written and directed by Tom Harper) shows a different kind of abuse to the other short films, however it is show through the same form of abuse-violence. Instead of violence to humans, this short films tackles the controversial issues of animal abuse, namely fox hunting. Tom Harper employs micro technical elements to create the specific macro representation of a specific group, a gang, taking part in a specific event, fox hunting. Tension is built through the micro element sound-high pitch drone-making the viewer wary of what is to come. Two vicious dogs then appear, of the stereotypical breed of staffier terriers, being held by the alpha male. Showing, therefore, his power and his social standing within the large group. The micro elements editing-fast editing-, and sound-sharp, dogs barking, shouting-creates the feeling of adrenaline as the group fills the tunnel. The alpha male shoots his gun-a prop. which shows hes dangerous-and the group begin running. This is clearly similar to a race. Again sound-synethsised music as they run through the woods-, and editing-fast paced-ups the tension, until they see the fox, then it calms down for a second before starting up again as they begin to chase it. The micro element sound is a vital part of this short film as it helps conveys a lot of emotions, and issues. For example, the non-diegetic sound of trumpets and horses is clearly used to show a comparison between this urban fox hunting and the more known form of fox hunting. As well, as signaling the start of the climax through the high pitch squeal of the fox as the dogs begin ravaging it. Hierarchy is again shown when the alpha male is the first to begin attacking it. The micro elements mise-en-scene, properties-alpha males hand the boy the gun-, and sound-quick, loud bang as the boy shoots the fox-combine for the climax of this abuse as the fox is murdered. The abuse does not end there, however, as the alpha male cuts off the foxs tail as a trophy, even though it was the boys kill. The final shot of the fox is accompanied by silence, it is a long take, and the fox is centre frame. The abuse has concluded. Lastly, abuse can be interpreted in About A Girl (written by Julie Rutherford, directed by Brian Percival) due to the shocking ending. The darkness of the canal, and the ominous movement add to the horror overtones as she throws a dead baby into the canal. This shocking ending is extremely ambiguous, however abuse could be interpreted in a few ways-sexual abuse of the girl creating unwanted baby, abuse of life. The audience also sees issues surrounding abuse of parental responsibility, as the mum does not notice her, and the dad negates responsibility. This neglect is acculamalitively deprivental to development. Abuse, and isolation are key themes within all of these short films, primarily, The Most Beautiful Man In The World, Antonios Breakfast, and About A Girl. In The Most Beautiful Man In The World (written and directed by Alicia Duffy), neglect is seen through a bad family environment, and isolation and loneliness is clearly evident before her exploration of the outside world. There is a clear negation of parental responsibility, which has an acculamalitively deprivental effect on the development of this young person. The micro elements are employed to convey the representation of a metaphorically trapped young girl. mise-en-scene, costume-earring, dressed older than she is-, make-up-sweaty, and the inappropriate use of camera-slow pan and tilt up along a diagonal showing her belly button-combine to create the macro representation of a young girl within a bad nurturing environment, as she is being shown inappropriately through sexualised imagery. We see the girl biting her nails, reinforcing the view that she is bored, or neglected. The micro element sound-weakest voice is the parents-, however, serves as an explanation for the neglect, as it creates the representation of someone with depression. Mise-en-scene, set design-untidy, mixed with dark colours-represents a negativity, as well as showing that there is only one seat in the room, so the girl is having to lie on the floor. This adds to the theme of neglect. The girls isolation and loneliness can be seen when she is outside going in circles, therefore making her seem like a zoo animal. This links to the issue of a lack of opportunity to be creative, this is an issues as humans are creative, but brought down to zoo animals, as they have less chance to explore their nature, usually due to exclusion from life experience. Isolation is also seen through the bareness of the background. Similar to The Most Beautiful Man In The World, isolation and loneliness are seen due to the environment, however there are clearly more situational factors at play also, within Antonios Breakfast. The micro element care used to portray a adolescent overwhelmed with responsibility. amera-extreme close-up on fish in the corner of the tank-is clearly symbolic, as it represents the boy as trapped. Linking to The Most Beautiful Girl in the World, as it also conveys the lack of experience due to entrapment. The audience sees that the boy is a young carer, as he is undressing the man, and helping him with everyday acts. Issue of responsibility at a young age therefore arise. Later on in the short film the viewer sees that there is a shared awareness of the boys imprisonment between the gang, however they want to challenge it. The boy, however, must look after the man so there is no immediate triumph over his isolation. The micro elements camera-composition of the shot showing the boy is boxed in, downwards tilt shows the depression of the situation, and the close-up-, mise-en-scene, set design-not first time hes picked at the wall-combine to represent the boys loneliness, as well as emphasising the

duration of his imprisonment. Lastly, the viewer sees that his isolation will always be there, even when he has left the flat. The micro elements camera-whip pan shows panic-, and editing-ellipsis speeds up time, showing urgency-are employed to convey that he is prone to worry, his current situation has made him completely selfreliant. It could be argue then, therefore, that his isolation is not only due to his situation as a young carer, but due to his mindset as well, a mindset that has been caused by his situation. About A Girl is also similar to The Most Beautiful Man In The World, as her isolation seemingly comes from her parents neglect. The first thing to note is that this short film is similar to a dramatic monologue, in that she is talking to the audience. This could be interpreted as her having no one else to talk to, so she talks to us. Near the start of the short film there is a shot of her next to bars, this can be seen as showing her imprisonment. The micro elements are employed to show an ignored young girl. Camera-slight pan, slow track back-, and editing-long take-are combined to represent her loneliness, and neglect. Thus tapping into the issues of bad parenting. Micro element mise-en-scene, colour scheme-lights inside the backdrop of a pub, un-vibrant colours of pub-, as well as the juxtaposition of her singing and the inside chanting clearly show that she is excluded. Again she is seen next to bars, emphasising her incarceration. Lastly, the micro element mise-en-scene-rotting litter in canal-works with the micro element camera-wide shot-to emphasise her loneliness. Unlike the other short films, the theme of health and disability appears most strongly within Antonios breakfast, primarily in the contrast between the boy and the man. The micro element are used to convey a physically disabled father. Mise-en-scene, properties-skeleton-is used symbolically for health and disability, whilst also foreshadowing danger. Right at the start there is an obvious contrast between the boy and the invalided man, as the boy is lying down relaxed. His ability to draw also contrasts the ill mans disability. The micro element s soundhigh pitch-, mise-en-scene-unsettling breathing apparatus, monstrous-, and camera-handheld-are employed to achieve tension, and show that there are high stakes-as the man could easily die if not taken care of-, as well as the macro representation of a young carer. The micro element camera-extreme close-ups of razor, lips, and cream-is used again, as the camera focus is representative of the mans mental state, as his mind is unable to focus. A third character is introduced near the end, an Eastern European woman. The micro element mise-enscene, make-up-pasty, dark eyes-is used to convey her tiredness, thus making the audience question her ability to look after the ill man. The micro element camera is employed to create a symmetry to the start of the short film, as there is specific focus on the ill mans head, and machinery. This builds up the tension, which is subsequently echoed by visual imagery. The view of the woman is again thrown into question as she is oblivious to the situation, creating a social critique of care related problems within our society. Within Cubs, however, coming of age is a key theme that is seen arguably less in the other short films. The fox hunting, and subsequent killing, can be interpreted as an initiation test for entry into the group. The micro element is used to portray a young boy attempting to intergrate within a gang. Camera-two in frame-is employed to show that there is some sort of relationship between the boy and girl. This is accompanied by the boy making a kind gesture by handing her his gloves to reinforce that view, as well as hinting that he is different to the others. Soon, however, he becomes angry when the alpha male does not pick him, thus showing his lack of emotional control, and therefore representing him as still a kid. The micro technical elements editing-quick editorial pace-, and camera-close-ups, handheld-are employed to represent the boy as slightly in over his head, as member of the group are doing drugs. The micro element sound-high pitch drone-is used to build tension, making the viewer wary. Again the micro elements editing-quick pace-, sound-sharp, barking, shouting-are used as they fill the tunnel to create the macro representation of adrenaline fueled gang. Emphasising the lack of emotional control within the whole group. Later on in the short film the boy has his chance to enter to group, by catching the fox, however he misses it. This could, therefore, be telling us he is not ready to be part of such a group. A second chance is given, however, and the boy faces a moral dilemma (probably his first taste of a mature decision)-kill the fox and be accepted by gang, or dont kill the fox and risk not being accepted by gang. He chooses to be accepted. We still see a hint of kindness in him, when they push past a woman in the alley, and he is the only one who apologises. The micro element mise-en-scene, properties-alpha male hands boy the gun-is used to show the passing of power, as if the alpha male is giving the boy an option of initiation. The micro element camera-close-up as boy looks at girl-, however, contradicts this, as it can be interpreted that he is still looking for guidance, also it emphasises his inexperience. Next, the micro element mise-en-scene, make-up-blood wiped on boys face-is employed to represent his transformation into a gang, as if hes a savage. Similar to Antonios Breakfast there is a symmetry between the beginning and the end when the girl hands the gloves back. Thus showing that he has gained acceptance by the gang, but lost it from her. Lastly, the micro element camera-closeup, boy looks into camera at audience-is used as if he is asking the audience what they would have done in the situation. Thus making the viewer question their own morals. In conclusion, each short film looks at similar themes and issues, however often through different social representations. Abuse is a common theme within all of the short films, whilst Bus 44 looks at it more specifically through rape and trauma, Antonios Breakfast looks at it through brief stereotypical gang violence, and Cubs explored abuse differently by looking at the controversial issue of animal abuse. Neglect and isolation is another common theme, leading to issues of bad parenting and responsibility. Antonios Breakfast lo oks at this through the representation of a young carer, whilst The Most Beautiful Man In The World, and About A Girl both explore parental neglect, through the mother in The Most Beautiful Man in the World, and the Eastern European carer in Antonios Breakfast, as they are both weak characters, as shown through their voices, and make-up, but are also

victims of a lack of support themselves, thus showing a complexity of characters. and the subsequent consequences. Differences clearly arise between each short film in terms of representation, and narrative, however each short film also looks at themes specific to them. For example, Antonios Breakfast explores the theme of health and disability as it is vital to the narrative, and Cubs looks at coming of age, as it is key to the protagonists character development. Therefore, common themes and issues are shared by all, whilst differences are also evident.