Analysis of short film

1. MY MOTHER’S MOTORCYLE
DIRECTED BY DOUGLAS GAUTRAUD
HTTPS://WWW.SHORTOFTHEWEEK.COM/2014/11/27/MY-MOMS-MOTORCYCLE/

2. PLOT SUMMARY
My Mom’s Motorcycle embodies a delightful and personal storytelling at the
highest level. Made for the “My Rode Reel” competition, the filmmaker and
narrator Douglas Gautraud relates the story of how his mum came to own the
titular motorcycle, and along the way he honors the remarkable legacies of his
two grandfathers, his own growth as a man, and even throws a little social
theorising in about why we all like, facial hair, workwear and craft beer.
The short film won a fairly high profile online competition a couple months ago.
My Mom’s Motorcycle is a quirky, with editing that is as sharp as the wittiness in
the dialogue.

3. MISE-EN-SCENE:
SETTING/LOCATION
The way My Mother’s Motorcycle is filmed is almost like a visual presentation, it is
similar to a montage because there is a series of short clips that relate to the
narrative. Each clip are motivated cuts and remain parallel with the words being
spoke.
Therefore, there is a variety of different locations and settings used; although
presumably it is set somewhere in the United States, such as, Washington
because of all the authentic and patriotic locations that are featured.
The most featured and prolonged location would probably be when the narrator is
energetically riding his motorcycle through a long and smooth road in his denim
jacket with a pair of aviators on, whilst the wind is blowing through his hair.

4. MISE-EN-SCENE:
ICONOGRAPHY & PROPS
The main prop that defines the movie is the motorcycle; the motorcycle is there as
almost an excuse to make a movie because most of the short film is filled with
motivational dialogue and praise which discussing the the past outstanding
legacies of the narrators two grandfathers as well as his growth as a man.
The props are what make the short film what it is, they play a substantial role for
when the narrator is explaining the past lives of his grandfathers. We initially see
photographs, pinballs, bowling balls and patents; this is to show us the faces of
the men he is telling us about and what they have achieved.
Furthermore, one of his grandfathers had a hobby in sailing and we are shown
what he takes on his journeys: there are binoculars, pocket knife, bible, notebook,
hand drawn illustrations and graphs. Then we get an glimpse into what they held
within their garage; a garage in considered a man’s second home and is where
they keep all their toys and we see: nuts, bolts, strews, drill bits, thread, old watch
parts, tools, pencils, razor blades and bullets.

5. MISE-EN-SCENE:
COLOUR & LIGHTING
The lighting and colour isn’t a huge
factor in My Mother’s Motorcycle.
Although, they do use spotlight whilst
filming the montage in order to focus
more on the specific objects hidden
quality and detail.
There’s a nice authentic and natural glow
within the filming, especially when
filming the motorcycle scene when he is
riding on his bike. Before this, there is a
stunning shot of sun’s horizon that gives
a slight lens flare.

6. MISE-EN-SCENE:
MAKEUP & COSTUME
Similar to colour & lighting, the makeup &
costume part of the short film again isn’t a
huge factor and doesn’t make a difference to
it. We briefly see sailor and army outfits in
the photographs of the grandparents when
they were in their younger years.
Once the narrator is eventually introduced
into the short film, we is dressed ordinarily,
being represented in a red and black
checkered shirt with curly, black hair. Later,
when he is riding the motorbike, he is
wearing the same outfit along with a denim
jacket, chinos, a pair of boots and aviators.
The sunglasses is more of a tradition and
mainstream item to wear when driving a
motorbike.

7. EDITING:
SOUND & VISION
The sound and visual aspect of My Mother’s Motorcycle is extremely valuable and
effective, it is what makes the short film what it is. The sound is a prolonged narration
from the male protagonist telling us a non-fictional story about his heritage and
experience of growing up and maturing. Each sentence is often supported with a
visual representation of what the narrator is describing or telling us.
The narrator speaks with a thick American accent that is more nasal than the
traditional British accent we are use to, it is light and more fluent and spoken with
real composure and delegacy. Whereas, visually he is represented as your
stereotypical American young-adult; he is presented smartly but there is no edginess
or independence within in look, it is considered a mainstream attire.

8. CINEMATOGRAPHY
The way the My Mother’s Motorcycle is filmed is an efficient and effective way of
emphasising the official plot of the movie; it is all very motivated and the imagery
is influenced by what is being spoken by the narrator.
There are no extraordinary shots, it is short, sweet and simple, at the beginning it
is almost like a visual slideshow. Included are a handful of panoramic and
tracking shots for when the camera scans across some of the grandfathers notes
and when following the protagonist on his motorbike along the smooth road.
Furthermore, there is also a couple of motivated cuts and extreme close-ups for
when showing of more detail within the framed shot and following the dialogue.