The document discusses different genres of short films and their conventions. It describes that the group researched horror, comedy, romantic and action genres. For horror, it notes their dark settings, use of gory scenes, close-ups and fast cuts. Comedy uses different types of humor, long shots, and upbeat soundtracks. Romantic films have a climax and resolution narrative, shot reverse shots for conversations, and are set in workplaces and restaurants. Action uses believable characters, humorous dialogue, exotic locations, and various camera techniques like close-ups and tracking shots.

1. REFLECTIVE VIDEO
By Noor, Mariam, Joao and Rihab

2. Questions
 What did you learn about short films?
 What genre did you research in detail as part
of your group?
 What codes and conventions does it have?
 What camera techniques do they use?
 What editing techniques do they use?
 What mise-en-scene is used in this genre?
 Finale – in the end? (Mariam)

3. Horror
 Short films are not like feature films as they can only be under 40
minutes including all credits. They usually are used to portray a
serious message to the target audience.
 I researched horror shorts
 They usually are dark, somber. They have erring settings and they
grab the audience by using gory scenes.
 Camera techniques used are close ups to represent the characters
emotions and panic.
 Editing uses fast cuts and the frequency of these are quick. Non-diegetic
sounds are used to create suspense and keep the
audience on the edge of their seats.
 The Mise-en-scene is usually in the big haunted house, because its
sets an eerie setting that creates tension. The characters consist of
a big family or big group of friends to make it easy for the target
audience to relate to it.

4. Comedy
 Short films usually consist of two to three main characters, where
there is a main protagonist who’s perspective the audience usually
follow.
 Comedy
 They use different types of humor to attract different target
audiences. For example – for children comedies they tend to use
slapstick humor like tom and jerry.
 Long shots are used so that you can see 2 characters in one shot
and to introduce the audience to the characters body language.
 Unlike horror jump cuts are not as common, if they are used the
frequency of shots is not as fast. The soundtrack used is more
upbeat and cheerful.
 Comedy shorts can be set in homes, workplace. The lighting used
is brighter than horror shorts they make you feel welcome and
comfortable.

5. Romantic
 Short films use a low budget, as they are usually independent and
only have a limited amount of sufficient funding. This affects the
editing because it cannot be complex.
 Romance
 Romantic shorts have the narrative of a climax (problem) resolution
and a moral – this is where the audience are taught something
valuable.
 Shot reverse shots are used a lot as romantic shorts have a lot of
conversations between the main two characters – shot reverse
shots represent equality.
 Non diegetic sound is used a lot, because you can have sad or
lovey dovey soundtracks to fit with the scene.
 The mise-en-scene from the romantic films I have researched were
in a workplace and restaurant. The restaurant seems a suitable
setting for romantic shorts as all couples are around.

6. Action
 - I learnt that you can manipulate the narrative to be unique in a way that feature length films cannot
as they usually have the traditional beginning, middle and end. Most short films tend to take a much
simpler narrative as they do not have as much time as feature length film which allows the audience to
be left with an understanding.
 The genre I researched as part of my group was action. This is because I am particurlarly drawn to
action movies.
•The codes and conventions of an action film consist of believable characters despite the film being
unrealistic itself.
•Humorous dialogue is used to diffuse situations
•Exotic locations and hair rising adventures that keep the audience on their seats
•The hero is always helped by an innocent group of people that get caught up in the action
 Many camera techiniques are implemented in action shorts such as
 Close ups
 Long shots
 Establishing shot
 Tracking shots
 Fast cuts and jump cuts
 A lot of propps are used depednigng on te storyline
 Lighting is used to convey characters moods.