Short film Analysis

Name: Alone

Genre: Drama

This short film implements various codes and conventions of the drama genre, in
order to exemplify a tense atmosphere, thus immersing the audience into the
experience. The films evident theme is the death of a loved one, which is
denoted through the 4 technical aspects incorporated within the plot.
Throughout the narrative, a man is exemplified to be reminiscing on the time he
spent with his son, however there is an enigma thread, because it is not apparent
how his son passed. This exemplifies Barthes enigma code, and leaves the
audience questioning how the son died, therefore evoking an ambiguity o the
plot. The poignant motifs of death and depression create a bleak natured
environment, thus allowing the audience to realise the overall mood of the scene.
[1] The short film, Alone, epitomizes the main protagonist to be in a state of
isolation and sadness, depicting him as lonely, therefore allowing him to be a
character that the audience can relate to. The protagonist losing his son is a
convention of a drama, because it distinguishes a clear journey the character has
gone through; this shapes his current persona.

The short film begins with a shot of two hands gripping onto an umbrella. The
umbrella connotes bad weather, which further symbolises a negative
atmosphere due to rain being associated with sadness. This exemplifies to the
audience that the protagonist is going through depressive emotions and isnt in
the best circumstances. The two hands are seen to be tightly gripping to the
umbrella denoting desperation and exemplifying to the audience that the
character is in a state of unease. The camera then shifts upwards so we can see
the back of an individuals had. This further aids Barthes enigma code, because
we are unaware as to who this man is and what his intentions are. At the start of
the film, the lighting epitomizes a white form of lighting which is mildly high key.
The white colouring produces connotations of purity, symbolising the innocence
of the child that has passed. The term, white light, also refers to the concept of
death, demonstrating the son being in a better place. Non-diegetic music can be
heard of a soft piano instrumental which is synchronous to the scene. The music
creates a depressive and melancholy atmosphere, emphasising the fact that the
protagonist isnt expressing any form of happiness. The protagonist is also
wearing a black suit which is attire for a funeral, demonstrating to the audience
what is going on within the scene. The man is then shot at the side of the frame,
with grave stones taking up the main area of the shot, symbolising his
unimportance and the idea that he is surrounded by death.

The depth of field shot is used frequently within the piece to reiterate the
reoccurring motif of loss and faded memories. The camera isnt in focus to
connote the shifts between the protagonists past and his isolated present.
Throughout the films progression, the camera is constantly moving, rather than
exemplifying stationary shots. This could connote the fathers restlessness when
thing about his son and how his agitation internally is affecting him externally.
As well as this, when the man enters his house, there are no cuts in the action,
symbolising he idea that this means pain is forever lasting. Throughout the film,
flashbacks occur and high key lighting is distinguished, juxtaposed to the
present-day shots. This high key lighting produces connotations of happiness,
exemplifying to the audience a tone when the protagonist was most happy (with
his son) vs his darkest times without his son. Within the flashbacks, the mise en
scene is used depicting the protagonist and his son to be wearing bright colours,
for example oranges and reds, therefore connoting contentment. This parallel
reinstates the journey the protagonist has gone through from having everything
he ever wanted to nothing. Throughout the flashbacks, the camera keeps
transitioning from out of focus to in focus. This could symbolise the father trying
to forget about his son, in order to move on but his memory being too strong. A
prime convention of a drama is for the audience to go on an emotional journey
with the protagonist, therefore the audience will be able to empathise with the
protagonist due to the death of his son taking an immense toll on his physically
and emotionally. On top of this when one of the flashback ends, the non-diegetic
sound of the football becomes diegetic exemplifying the father to be in a
hallucinating state. He his scene in a long shot reacting to the diegetic sound,
exemplifying his sons death causing him to hallucinate. After he hears this sound
he runs downstairs and picks up the ball we see in the flashbacks. A low angle
shot is presented, connoting the protagonists dominace. This puts the audience
in a position as if they are looking up at the father from the childs point of view,
further epitomizing the idea that the presence of the child will always be with
the father.

The final scene demonstrates the father walking away from the graveyard. He is
at the centre of the frame, which is followed by a loose frame being presented to
connote his isolation, and the fact that he is alone without is son. Throughout the
film, there is an enigma thread as to who the man is grieving over, because
although we assume it is his child due to the flashbacks, it is not confirmed. At
the end of the film, the shot pans to a picture of his son with a flower next to it
confirming he is the one who the man is grieving over.

[1]https://www.slideshare.net/coopermatt62/codes-and-conventions-of-drama