Evaluation - Codes and conventions

Codes & Conventions : 

- there are usually only a few characters 

- the plot tends to be based around one main character

- there is usually always a twist / unexpected happening 

- short films are usually based around a true to life story

- a huge variation of interesting angles and shot types 

- voice overs are a popular method of sounds in short films

- there doesn't tend to be much dialogue in short films

- short films usually last between 1- 10 minutes

- short films don't tend to use titles, and if they do, they're usually very simple

- short films tend to have a very low budget

How have we followed the codes and conventions? 

We have created a short film that lasts about 5minutes, which is within the typical time. The plot is based round one main character, and the whole film only includes a few characters, Carly, her mum & some extras (teacher & girls ). 

We decided against using powerful music, and went a long with the popular choice of using voice overs. We definitely feel like this was much more effective, and it was a great way to help the audience understand the short film a lot easier. 

From the beginning of the film, the audience know that Carly is a troubled teenager, who is finding life difficult, the twist that short films usually have is the fact that Carly is a drug user, this should have come as a shock to the audience, and hopefully kept them interested. This is done with the use of a voice over, clearly an argument between Carly and her mother. 

We planned our story boards extremely well, it took us a long time to get it to where they were, and even then whilst we were filming we changed, and developed the shots and angles to make them even more interesting. And therefore we have definitely kept to the conventions of using a variation of shots & angles.
Examples :

Our editing developed, followed and challenged the codes and conventions of a short film. Typically short films will use quick cuts or fades to black, keeping the transitions of clips very simple, but effective, we copied this idea, as it helped to keep up the pace, or slow it down a little bit at other times. However in terms of the other aesthetics we definitely developed the conventions, making sure that our editing
completely matched the atmosphere, and mood of the scene.

Notice in this scene, how there is very little colour, keeping the scene looking dull, and miserable, thus matching Carlys mood. 

And here, in the last scene, this shot is the most desaturated of them all, it shows how it has all come to and end. Carly is looking down upon herself, and therefore the lack of colour connotes sadness, and the feeling of emptiness. All of our editing has been extremely well thought out, and therefore is very effective. 

In terms of a stereotypical short film, I think we did really well. Short films usually tackle difficult subjects, such as drug and alcohol abuse, just as we did. Although it was an extremely difficult challenge, I think that we  took control, and everything came out well.