2. ‘ALONE’ - CAMERA
The camera in ‘Alone’ is used in such a way to
engage the viewer with the protagonist so we can
feel his emotions and mental state of mind. Close-up
pans are used to elegantly present the protagonists
actions. For example, one shot shows us a close-up
shot of a computer mouse whilst swiftly panning to
the right, revealing a keyboard. Just from this shot
the audience can gather an immediate impression of
his character and his profession. Most directors will
tell you, ‘show don’t tell’, which essentially means
that if you want to portray a certain character trait for
your protagonist, such as a terminal illness, instead of
having the character use direct speech to inform the
audience, perhaps show him at a doctor’s office
surrounded by posters on the wall related to terminal
illness. ‘Alone’ embodies this ideology perfectly as
not one aspect of the story is spoon fed to the
audience.
3. ‘ALONE’ – CINEMATOGRAPHY
Cinematography is used to portray the
dystopian setting. Long shots of
surroundings with a deep focus lens helps
capture the mood and atmosphere of the
post-apocalyptic world in which the short
is set. One particular scene of our
protagonist dreaming of a time before the
world ended uses beautiful shots of
everyday activities which helps highlight
the characters longing for the time before.
4. ‘ALONE’ - EDITING
Editing techniques are used effectively
in ‘Alone’. Techniques such as fast cuts
and jump cuts are used to show the
sombre and depressing atmosphere as
the plot revolves around the last man
on Earth. One example of a good
editing technique is a jump cut from a
mid-shot of our protagonist brushing
his teeth, highlighting his loneliness
and separation, to a close up of the
same shot, further empathising his
solitude. Most short films tend to
embody the fast cut montage in
certain shots as time is limited. ‘Alone’
also uses this technique to advance the
story without wasting time and boring
the viewer.
5. ‘ALONE’ – MISE-EN-SCENE
Mise-en-scene also plays a big role in
capitulating the dystopian setting. For
example, the costumes and lighting
shown in the opening dream
sequence perfectly embodies reality
as we know it today, however when
contrasted with the tatty costumes
and dark lighting of the world after
the apocalypse it is easy to determine
that the world he lives in now is one
of loneliness, depression, killing and
wilderness.
6. ‘SIX SHOOTER’ - CAMERA
Six Shooter uses camera techniques to
highlight our protagonist’s pain and suffering
following his wife’s untimely death. Shots are
held for extended periods of time, one
example of this is the close up our
protagonist immediately after being told of
his wife’s passing, the shot is held for
approximately 18 seconds where the
audience can see and feel the emotions
running through his body through his facial
expressions. Close up shots are predominant
in short films due to restricted time length,
therefore directors who feel the need to show
a characters emotions, either happy or sad,
should consider using a close up instead of
lengthy monologues where two characters
discuss their feelings.
7. ‘SIX SHOOTER’ - EDITING
Editing is used effectively in Six Shooter
to add dark humour. One particular scene
involves a young man telling our main
protagonist a story about a cow with
trapped wind. Dissolves and fades are
used to transition between shots in order
to reinforce the fact that it is a
recollection of events and isn’t happening
in continuity with the films events. One of
the most common editing techniques
used in short films is jump cuts. Once
again, because of time restrictions it is
simpler for a director to use jump cuts to
speed up certain scenes that otherwise
would last too long. Furthermore, jump
cuts are also more stylistic and add
diversity to a bland short film.
8. ‘SIX SHOOTER’ – MISE-EN-SCENE
Mise-en-scene is an integral part of Six Shooter’s
style and hard-hitting story. Our second
protagonist, a young Irish man, is seen wearing
stereotypical poor man clothes. Through mise-
en-scene the director can portray a characters
ethnic, religious and family background all
without wasting precious time explaining a
characters back story. Our main protagonist, a
middle-aged widower, can be seen throughout
wearing a smart suit. From this the audience can
gather that this man is perhaps middle-classed
family man. Stereotyping people into category’s
makes portraying a characters personality much
easier for a film maker.
