Research 1 – Conventions of a Short Film
A short film, as defined by The Academy of Motion Picture Arts, is a film with a runtime of less than 40 minutes. Although, other organisations may have differing definitions. For example, The Sundance Film Festival accept short films less than 50 minutes, while The Canadian Academy of Cinema and Television distinguish between the runtimes of documentaries and scripted narrative films (less than 45 and 59 minutes respectively). In general, short films are under an hour, with the average length being 20 minutes. Another common length is 2-5 minutes, there is no limit to how “short” a short film can be, some even being 15-30 seconds long.
Short films are also known as short subjects. Before the 1910s, all movies were short subjects due to technological limitations, confining them to two reels or less. Movies containing three or four reels were called featurettes, being longer than a short subject and shorter than a feature.
Research 2 – Analysis of “I’m Not a Robot?”
I’m Not a Robot is a 2023 short film written and directed by Victoria Warmerdam. It explores themes of technology and what it means to be human. The personification of robots or AI is prevalent in science-fiction. In the context of the workplace, it evokes the notion of replaceability and obsolescence. The use of soundtrack and setting work effectively to convey meaning. Locations such as the garage and stairwell, emphasise the claustrophobic and introspective tone of the film. The use of Radiohead’s Creep, particularly the choral cover by Scala & Kolacny Brothers, creates an eerie sublime atmosphere punctuated by the thematic significance of the lyrics mirroring the protagonist’s lack of a sense of belonging.
I intend to implement both locations that reflect the emotional tone of the film and narratively applicable score and soundtrack. For example, I plan to set the scene of Jenny’s breakdown in the school bathroom to emphasise rising tensions and feelings of helplessness. On the other hand, I plan to set the waltz scene between Jenny and her coworker on an empty stage, creating a dreamlike atmosphere of surrealism. In addition to the setting of certain scenes, I plan to use Tom Leher’s Masochism Tango for the waltz scene to allude to Jenny’s unrealistic romanticisation of her job, whereas in the opening montage, I plan to use Vivaldi’s Winter to create tension and pace.
Research 3 – Wellington Animated Film Festival
2025 Shorts Collection – Best of NZ and FR Student films
On the 22nd of March I went to the Wellington Animated Film Festival. It was a showcase of 14 student graduate films. I found their stylistic choices compelling and it was useful to see how their narrative structure fit into a relatively short runtime (ranging from 2-10 minutes).
Research 4 – The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar
I decided to revisit The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, a short film directed by Wes Anderson as an adaptation of Roald Dahl’s novel of the same name. It was used as a case study last year in my AS Media Studies class. I was inspired by Anderson’s strong visual style shining through the format of short film. His stunning use of colour and mise en scene emboldened me to further develop my own style and make more experimental choices.
Research 5 – Au Revoir Mon Morde
Au Revoir Mon Morde is a 2023 animated short film. It utilises humour to subvert the bleak circumstances of the protagonist while juxtaposing relatable character motivations with a catastrophic absurdist end-of-world scenario. Its use of certain postmodern conventions balanced with a more traditional arc helped influence the direction of my own film. Additionally, the film’s ability to convey emotion without dialogue also inspired me to include certain sequences/montages that had a larger focus on music and character movement.
Research 6 – Everything Everywhere All At Once
Everything Everywhere All at Once is a 2022 action/sci-fi film. It balances action, drama and comedy to convey emotional sincerity against the backdrop of inter-dimensional travel and absurd parallel universes. Despite the film’s eccentric visuals, it emphasises the importance of kindness in the face of nihilism.
I plan to implement the exploration of multiversal outcomes through dream sequences while developing the protagonist’s inner conflict.
Research 7 – The Amazing World of Gumball
The Amazing World of Gumball is a 2011 animated sitcom. Known for its absurd humour and distinct visual style, as a children’s show it depicts many conventions of postmodernism, including intertextual references and bricolage. It utilises 2d and 3d animation and occasionally puppetry and stop motion to create a world of varied and compelling characters.
I plan to implement a mixed media style The Amazing World of Gumball (2011) and Smiling Friends (2022).
