Research Evaluation - Alone

Short Film - Alone

Research Evaluation

Area 1:


How to make a short film - learning form similar examples - primary research.

Sources used

Alone - Short Film


Description of sources used

Camera

Shot Type and Angle

The majority of handheld shots were from either a high or eye line angle, to create the appearance that the audience is looking from the character's perspective (for example, using a high angle shot to show the survival pack and him checking through it). As a result, most shots were a medium close up, as this was the distance the character was from what he was looking at. If not this, a medium shot was used, to include the character's head and shoulders in the shot to achieve a similar effect.

Movement

There was a very heavy emphasis on contrasting movements in this film - still and handheld movement especially. They were both used in a non-linear montage (travelling and scavenging scenes), switching from one another quickly to emphasise the strange but yet familiar pacing of the character's life - a normal day in a weird world.

Panning and tilting were used a lot in Alone, following the character's movements (walking, picking objects up etc.) to give the impression that the audience is watching him from a distance - emphasising the point that he is alone. Also, tilting was used in the film to establish a location, before revealing where the character was in the location specifically, which effectively showed what the character was doing without making the montage boring and still (which can also be seen as juxtaposing the context of the narrative - a boring and still world).

Editing

The editing for this film is non-linear, showing the audience only the 'highlights' of the protagonist's day after the apocalypse. This is effective in showing that his life is boring and monotonous, as mundane tasks like walking and eating are shown to be large, important parts of his day.

Sound

Narration was used as a main plot device - explaining and expanding on the video over it. The bored, monotone voice of the protagonist adds to the themes of boredom and isolation already instilled in the audience from the premise of the film, making it an effective addition to the film. 

Music, slow with little variation, achieved the same goals as the narration, making the narrative appear slower and more monotonous than the film already appeared.

What I was hoping to get from this.

I was hoping to learn more about how to use narration and camera movements in my short film, especially in a non-linear film, as Alone did these parts very effectively (winning them an award).



Brief summary of what I gained through my research

An appreciation and knowledge of how and when to include handheld and still camera shots in a short film to create a desired effect. For example, contrasting both types to create confusion and the appearance of time passing.



Reliability of the sources used

Very reliable, as the film is from Youtube, a reliable source, and the film has won awards in cinematography and sound, parts I am looking at.