Convention Research: Are You Still There?

While watching this short film, I noticed that the production was very simple. Usually in dramas, there would be features like non-natural lighting added or at least two different settings within the time span of the 15 minutes the short film took place. There’s also usually a “villain”, someone that plays the antagonist. However, some things seen in typical dramas weren’t included. However, there were still multiple aspects of the film that represented those of a drama.

First of all, there’s the lighting. Like I previously mentioned, there wasn’t really any non-natural lighting (none that are noticeable at least). What I mean by this, is that there didn’t seem to be any lighting used other than the ones that were originally part of the setting. Though it did include low-key lighting, high-key lighting, and three-point lighting, they were all generated by the light sources found and used in the scene. This would mean that in order to capture a specific type of lighting for the scene, it would have to be filmed at the angle that best amplify the lighting.

Two of the angles most used in the short film are the profile angle, and the over the shoulder shot. These two angles are sometimes used one after the other or even together in one shot. For example, when Safa’s mother comes to help her and they are both sitting in their cars, a scene features an over the shoulder shot of her mother looking at her from a profile angle as well. 

The sounds used in the short film also came directly from the objects in the scenes. It begins with a song playing while Safa is driving her car, but rather than the director adding music as a non diegetic sound, it is coming from her car radio. Throughout the film, there hasn’t been any imbedded sounds, even if it was just silent. It is common however, to not add non diegetic sounds in a drama, especially a short film. Maybe in a full length movie, there will be some scenes with only diegetic sounds and some with both diegetic and non diegetic sounds. But it is easier to stick to one type in a short film

The CLAMPS displayed definitely reflected the genre. Dramas usually take place in every day settings. They aren’t extreme to the extent that a specific form of costuming is required to get the point across. The characters are wearing normal clothes. As for props, like the car or the phone, they are required to portray the director’s image through the film. 

One part of this short film that was really appealing was the anecdote given by Safa’s mother. After she told her story, she tells Safa to start the car and it finally works. It was really interesting because it seemed like the hope of the story is what got the car working. Another part that was interesting was when the woman who owned the store finally realized the situation Safa was in and gave a little bit of comfort. However, one part of the film that seemed a little tiring was how some of the scenes were just of Safa sitting in her car. It didn’t really give any feeling of anticipation, they just felt like fill in scenes.