1. CHARACTERS
There is always a small number of characters involved within the plot of
a short film. The purpose of the film is to convey a moral message or
toy with emotions within a short space of time therefore the
background and amount of characters within is usually kept limited to
around 2 or 3.
Moreover, only contained 2 or 3 characters allows the viewer to
connect with them quicker as all focus is on the two.
The characters however must be interesting and dynamic and their
dialogue is crucial. There is no time to be wasted on unnecessary
speech and their background is quickly revealed through the mise-enscene, sound and lighting

2. LOCATION
The filming of a short film is usually in a location that
is relatable to everyday life such as a park, a street, a
home or a town. Fantasy places such as space or
magical castles are not used as this wouldn’t allow
the viewer to relate to the setting.

3. CONFLICT
A short film usually follows a basic everyday situation for the
narrative but with a clever twist introduced by directors. They
tend to revolve around self discovery of adolescents, divorces,
suicide.
The resolution is of the conflict is the key aspect as it is what
conveys the moral message of the film.
For example ‘Finite’ is a short film that looks at the concepts of
morality. After the viewer is quickly made aware of the
protagonists loss through the camera angles and music the
resolution begins and the audience learn they should appreciate
what they have before its too late through the emotion portrayed
by the leading character.

4. MISE-EN-SCENE
The mise-en-scene within a short film usually portrays
many relatable aspects for the audience. The location
will be one that is common to everyday life for the
viewer and the costumes will be used to portray the
class and status of the character in a fast and direct
way. The key prop may be one that is out of the
ordinary for most viewer such as a gun or a knife if the
film is a crime one but will also involve objects typical
to daily life such as mobile phones, cars etc.