I will be analysing conventions of short films to understand and identify the different conventions I can use in my short film. The main conventions of short films include a small number of characters, a twist in the narrative, minimum dialogue, a small budget and a duration of between 5 and 30 minutes.
1. INSide (https://vimeo.com/27387850)
One short film convention used in the film is the characters. For example, at 3:00 several different characters are denoted on screen. Many types of characters are used to connote that the main character (the man sitting down), is suffering from a split personality disorder and all of these characters are inside his head. Therefore, this convention is used effectively as it helps the audience to identify why the young man is in a mental institution.
Another convention of a short film that is seen in this film is a twist in the narrative. This is denoted at the end of the film at 4:40 to shock the audience. Throughout the film, the audience was convinced that the lady questioning him was a doctor. However, at the end of the film, the real doctor enters the room and the audience now realise that the lady questioning him before was just another person inside his head.
Lighting is another convention that is used in this short film. Low key lighting is denoted throughout the film. The use of shadows and lack of light helps to create a suspenseful and tense atmosphere. This will make the audience feel on edge as they will not expect characters to emerge out of the shadows (0:48).
The setting is also a convention of short films as there are only a couple of different locations that are in the film. The setting is established at the beginning of the film at 0:25. The main character is in a locked room and is then taken by guards to see the doctor. This connotes that the film is set in a mental institution. Therefore, this will help the audience to understand the narrative and where the main character is.
One of the most important conventions of a short film is the duration. Short films usually last 5-10 minutes. This film lasts for 5 minutes. The duration of the film allows the audience to identify whether it is a short film or a long film. Therefore, the audience will be able to engage in the film constantly without any distractions.
2. Money Box (https://vimeo.com/103315539)
One convention of a short film is Sound. There is often minimum dialogue, if any. In this short film, Money Box, there is no dialogue and only a minimum amount of sound. This will help the audience to focus on the visuals of the short film and allows them to interpret the narrative of the film.
Characters are also a convention used in short films. In 'Money Box' there is only one character in the film, a young man, who is the main focus of the film. This allows the audience to engage with him and understand his thoughts and emotions throughout the events of the film.
A convention of short films include the genre. The genre of 'Money Box' is drama. This is connoted in the film as the drama genre is usually based on real life situations with realistic characters, storylines and settings. It also involves a rise in tension as the short film develops. This can be seen throughout this film as it slowly builds up to the climax where the power in the town goes out for a second, and when the power turns back on, the man realises that all his money has gone.
The Budget is another short film convention. The budget is usually a very small amount in short films. In this film, there is a prop, the “money box”, which is the main focus of the film. This prop would be the main cost for the film, as the area around him is public, and the other props are most likely already owned by the creators of the film (e.g. the mans jacket).
3. Mobius (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rO9n4aOQi00)
One convention of a short film that is used in 'Mobius' is a twist. In the film, there is an unexpected turn in events as the journalist who witnesses two men shooting another man, ends up being the innocent man being shot. The film connotes that this loop will continue until it is broken. This will shock the audience as they did not expect the journalist to be killed.
Four characters appear in this short film. Short films use a very small number of characters compared to long films. This allows the audience to focus more on these characters and identify their personalities and actions more closely. There is also a main character in this film, as he appears on screen for the whole five minutes. This allows the audience to understand who he is and what he is doing.
The genre is also a convention of short films. The genres of 'Mobius' includes western and action. This can be connoted by the use of guns, car chases, the setting of a desert and the characters who are dressed as cowboys. This allows the audience to identify the genre's of the film and helps them to understand the film better.
