Nayani Vijayaratnam

Short Film Analysis

This establishing shot is used to set the scene and allow the audience to identify the
two protagonists within this short film. Mise-en-scene is used to allow the audience
to further recognize the characters within the film. The mother is shown to have her
hair up and is wearing a blazer which represents her as sophisticated; this is
contrasted by the printed leggings and jumper which the teenage daughter is
wearing which portrays her youth. This is a stereotypical representation as these
are the types of clothes which the audience would expect to see, which links to
Tessa Perkins theory that stereotypes allow the audience to understand the
characters. Symmetry is a key element in this shot which may symbolize the
daughters attempt to talk to her mother as an equal.

This wide shot is used to show the mother perspective as she reads the letter, which
is significant as a handwritten letter is stereotypical, considered to be an object
which is personal and intimate so signifies the importance that this letter has for the
daughter. A tilt is used to show to the audience the letter and then the daughter as
the camera uses focus pulls to the daughters nervous body language as the is
fiddling with her fingers and her worried facial expressions which further highlights
her nervousness.

Nayani Vijayaratnam

The scene fades into this medium close up of the daughter talking to the camera,
which becomes a voice over as flashbacks are used to show the audience visually
the things she is talking about in her letter. The low-key lighting used creates a
more serious atmosphere, which reflects the situation she is talking about. This
intimate setting created highlights the depth and significance of what she is talking
about and allows the audience to connect with her more. The non-diegetic sound of
low toned pianos could be a motif, which reflects the negativity in her life, which
she is addressing in the voiceover.

After a cutaway this over the shoulder shot is used to show the mothers body
language and facial expressions. Her lack of eye contact presents to the audience

Nayani Vijayaratnam
that she is uninterested in what her daughter has to say and presents
her as ignorant. This is further highlighted by her body language as
her arms are crossed which shows that she disagrees with what is being said. The
non-diegetic soundtrack of the low toned piano aids this as it reflects her
unenthusiastic attitude towards her daughter.

After another medium close up the daughter, it cuts back to this over the shoulder
shot of the mother, who now has a mover humble expression and body language
which suggests that she is finally listening to what her daughter is saying and is
trying to understand. She is shown to be looking down which suggests that she is
apologetic for her actions. During this scene the tempo of the non-diegetic
soundtrack increases which may symbolize the change in their relationship, as the
mother is able to understand everything clearer.
This is followed cuts to the mother yet with every cut to the camera zooms into the
mothers face which highlights the mother understanding the daughter as what she
is saying is finally getting into her head as we see her reflective on her daughters
words.

Nayani Vijayaratnam