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Film Analysis

Crafting a Winning Thesis Statement in Film Analysis: A Step-by-Step Guide

Dec 6, 2023

Avinash Prabhakaran

Film analysis is a captivating and insightful way to explore the world of cinema. Whether you're a film student, a cinephile, or just someone who enjoys dissecting movies, you'll find that forming a solid thesis statement is the cornerstone of a successful film analysis. 

A thesis statement serves as the roadmap for your analysis, guiding your reader through your interpretation of the film's elements and themes. 

In this blog post, we'll outline the steps to help you craft an effective thesis statement for your film analysis.

Understand the Film's Context

Before diving into your analysis, it's crucial to understand the film's context. This includes the director's background, the film's era, its genre, and any cultural or historical factors that may have influenced its production. Gathering this context will help you form a more informed thesis statement.

Watch the Film Multiple Times

You must thoroughly watch the film multiple times to craft a thoughtful thesis statement. Each viewing will reveal new details and nuances that you may have missed initially. Take notes during your viewings to record your observations and ideas.

Identify Key Themes and Elements

During your viewings, pay close attention to the film's themes, characters, plot, cinematography, sound, and other elements. Think about what the director is trying to convey and how they use these elements. Make a list of the most prominent themes and elements you observe.

Formulate a Research Question

Based on your observations and analysis, formulate a research question you want to answer in your essay. This question should be open-ended and should invite critical thinking. For example, "How does the use of color symbolism in 'The Shawshank Redemption' reflect the theme of hope?

Brainstorm and Organize Ideas

Now, brainstorm your ideas related to the research question. Think about the evidence you've gathered and how it supports your interpretation of the film. Organize these ideas into a logical structure that will guide your analysis.

Craft a Thesis Statement

A thesis statement should be concise, clear, and arguable. It should encapsulate the main argument of your analysis and give the reader a clear sense of what to expect in your essay. Here are some tips for crafting a solid thesis statement:

Make it specific:  Avoid vague or overly broad statements. Be precise in what you're arguing.

Make it debatable:  Your thesis should invite discussion and disagreement. Avoid stating the obvious.

Make it relevant:  Ensure that your thesis directly addresses the research question and the film's themes or elements.

Example Thesis Statement:

"In Christopher Nolan's 'Inception,' the use of dreams as a narrative device serves to blur the line between reality and perception, challenging conventional notions of truth and subjectivity."

Examples to Support the Thesis:

Dreams as a Narrative Device

Throughout 'Inception,' the characters enter various dream levels, each with its own set of rules and physics. Nolan uses this complex narrative structure to keep the audience engaged and constantly questioning what is real.

The manipulation of time within dreams adds another layer of complexity to the narrative. Time moves differently at each dream level, leading to intricate storytelling that challenges traditional linear storytelling.

Blurring Reality and Perception

The film consistently blurs the boundaries between dreams and reality, making it difficult for the characters and the audience to distinguish between them. This intentional ambiguity creates a sense of unease and intrigue.

The use of the spinning top as a totem to determine reality in the film's closing scene encapsulates the theme of perception versus reality. The spinning top symbolizes the characters' struggle to discern the truth.

Challenging Conventional Notions of Truth and Subjectivity

'Inception' invites viewers to question their understanding of reality and truth. The film challenges the idea of an objective reality by presenting multiple layers of dreams and subjective experiences.

The film's enigmatic ending, which leaves the spinning top's fate unresolved, forces viewers to confront their subjectivity and interpretation of the story's conclusion.

By examining these specific examples, it becomes evident how using dreams as a narrative device in 'Inception' blurs the line between reality and perception, ultimately challenging conventional notions of truth and subjectivity as proposed in the thesis statement. 

This exemplifies the importance of using concrete evidence from the film to validate your interpretation as outlined in your thesis statement.

Forming a thesis statement in film analysis is vital in creating a compelling and well-structured essay. 

By understanding the film's context, closely examining its elements, and crafting a clear and arguable thesis statement, you'll be well on your way to conducting a thorough and insightful analysis that will engage your readers and deepen your understanding of cinema. Happy analyzing!

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7 Painful Lessons Learned While Making My Thesis Film

There's no better classroom than being on set..

It was my last semester in film school but our professors had been preparing us for almost a year for the biggest project we had to make so far. I had written the script for my thesis film almost a year and a half before that time. It was stored away in the depths of my desktop for a while and I pulled it out for our thesis screenwriting class. The 13-minute movie  The Funniest Person Ever  is about a struggling stand up comedian who makes a wish to be...you guessed it...the funniest person ever. Her wish is granted but she soon finds out it's not all its cracked up to be.

The thought “Damn, this is going to be hard but exciting to make“ came about in that same screenwriting class. So that’s where my first piece of advice comes in. I hope you can learn from my lessons below to make your thesis film dreams come true.

 Hearing your own script read aloud by others will shatter the tunnel vision.

1. Don't be afraid of rewrites

All screenwriters know about rewrites. Doing it is dreadful but it helped me weed out the flaws in my script. At a certain point, I was actually excited to do another rewrite in the hopes of making my script better. I never rewrote the entire script from scratch. I just pulled out scenes and replaced them with more empathetic ones. Then, one of my professors brought up table reads. The first round was with my fellow filmmakers. I received great feedback, and did yet another rewrite. Next up was another table read but with actual actors. So I brought in my comedy friends and I was in awe of how well it sounded with a few flaws here and there in the screenplay. Hearing your own script read aloud by others will shatter the tunnel vision, and open your eyes and mind to new possible directions for your script.

2. Record your table reads

My professor introduced the great idea of recording our table reads to me. The table read can come home with you for further analysis if you record it using video or a voice note feature on your smartphone. I only did this once but it did help for another round of rewriting.

3. Reverse the roles

One of my early struggles in the pre-production of my thesis film was casting. My lead role was a male comedian. My lead actor was lacking interest in the project so I reached out to another person I was acquainted with, a young and hilarious lady known on Instagram as Dee Nasty . I was able to get her phone number from my previous lead actor, so I pitched her the idea and she agreed to play the lead role. The male lead was now a female. Best decision I made simply because her skills as a comedienne and actress are amazing and, quite frankly, she made my film funnier. Little did I know that my new lead would bring me issues later in production. (Dramatic music plays)

4. How to get extras and clone them

I needed about 30 extras for my film. The comedy club scenes were going to be the hardest scenes to film. I had to make one location look like four, with a large number of actors in the room. I figured the best way to get more people was to ask people who were already interested in me or my project. I asked the extras to bring friends interested in acting. I asked friends who like acting to come be an extra themselves. I also posted an ad on casting websites. Despite all my outreach, only about 10 extras showed up, which was 20 less than my desired goal. Problematic. I resolved this by making the same person look like multiple people.  I asked my actors to bring an extra piece of clothing, hat, hoodie or jacket and I had them wear the hat or hoodie and grabbed shots from behind. They looked like a whole new group of people.

5. Adapt to the situation

The greatest tool I learned as a filmmaker is to adapt, quickly. Luckily the program director of my film school at City College had invited a filmmaker a few days before shooting who brought up that exact same piece of advice. A man who has made more than five feature films, well-funded, huge cast, big names; he told us “when you're on set and a few pieces of your puzzle are missing, you make it work no matter what, adapt.”

I had a small group of extras, I had one comedy club, and the support of my cousin and friends. I adapted and made it happen. I had promised lunch to all the actors during the comedy club scenes, but I was running out of time. So we pushed through and I gave everyone a $10 stipend. At that point, I was glad 30 people didn't show up.

 I was forced to shoot scenes weeks apart.

6. Use pictures to maintain continuity

My lead actress's career was taking off. I was forced to shoot scenes weeks apart. At one point, there was a month of inactivity during my production phase. I was running out of time and I had to make this film to graduate. I made it, but where I slacked off was on continuity. This is not recommended. Don’t laugh when I say this, but it was the hair. Dee’s hair was always straight in the movie which made it easier, but the differences were the placing of the bun and ponytail, a few strands of hair, and some jewelry. In one shot, her ponytail is higher up with no necklace; in the next it's lower and she’s wearing a necklace. Small details count. Take pictures and write down key aspects of the wardrobe and hair.

7. Use your crew

I love the process and I love the challenge of filmmaking, but I learned the hard way not to be a one-person army. I felt like the weight of world was on my shoulders. I needed an assistant director, a production assistant, and a script supervisor. My friend John and my cousin Erick took on some of these roles on set when they were available. But I learned that I needed more people on the crew side. My instinct was that, the less crew you have, the easier it is to have a grasp of everything. Erick made me aware that I can’t wear all those hats. I don’t even like hats, but you know what I mean. Build a tribe, so that you can film the movie.

What was the best lesson you learned making your thesis film? Let us know in the comments.

Follow Romel Rodriguez on  instagram   @Romelcreates

Buckle Up For the Future of The No Film School Podcast

We're coming at you with new and improved updates for your filmmaking ears to hear and love..

Howdy, fellow No Film School Podcast fans.

We interrupt your regularly scheduled web surfing for a quick little update on what's in store for the future of the pod. Check out the video explainer below where our beloved host GG Hawkins breaks down what is in store, and stay tuned for our next episode featuring the screenwriter of Challengers Justin Kritzkes.

Eu phoria season three news? Beats me, but he probably met Zendaya at least once proabably.

No Film School Podcast Update 

What are the best fantasy movies of all time, what are the best adventure movies of all time, get your horror feature funded with unknown nightmare, what is a the thematic echo in screenwriting, blackmagic camera app set to finally come to android, missing curb read this unreleased 'seinfeld' script, here’s everything you may have missed at nab 2024, do you know all these film and tv lighting terms, what are logical fallacies, packaging and the death of naked specs.

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How to Make a Short Film — 12 Steps from Idea to Finished Film

• How to Make a Short Film
• How to Write a Short Without Dialogue
• Short Film Schedule Tips
• Write a Short That Gets Noticed
• Making a Short Film
• How to Storyboard a Short Film
• Phases of Short Film Pre-Production
• Ari Aster Short Films
• How Whiplash Went From a Short to a Feature
• Best Short Films of All Time
• Best Short Film Ideas
• Brainstorm Short Film Ideas
• Social Media for Short Films
• Crowdfunding Movies
• Fiscal Responsibility on a Short
• The Ultimate Film Grants List
• Top Film Festivals

M aking a short film can seem like an indomitable task. Most writers and directors struggle to get their productions off the ground, often because they lack the resources to get started. No need to worry though, we’re going to show you step-by-step how to make a short film with video guides and all the software you’ll need. Make sure to reference this guide as you’re going through your production to check off all of the steps.

How to Make a Short Film Guide

1. start with a question.

Ask yourself, what kind of film do I want to make? You can choose from one of the dozens of movie genres , or filmmaking styles such as Film Noir , Cinéma Vérité , or Dogme 95 . Whichever direction you decide to go, just remember to make sure you can actually do it. It's nice to dream of a big-budget sci-fi epic but few of us would be able to realize that dream.

Making a short film begins with organization and preparation. The bigger the scale of your production, the more obstacles you're likely to run into. Make sure to plan for road-bumps accordingly.

Your short film doesn’t have to be a big production. If this is your first time making a short, then you’re going to want to keep things as simple as possible. Just keep in mind that our rules for how to make a short film apply to productions of all sizes.

How to Write a Script for a Short Film

2. develop a concept.

Every story starts with a concept. Don’t limit yourself at this stage of production — dream up the story you want to make. Brainstorm short film ideas , watch some of the best short films for inspiration, and see what sticks.

Filmmaking is an art-form of endless possibilities, so you don’t want to start the process by telling yourself that what you want to make is impossible. 

It may end up being impossible, but the most important thing at this step is to try your best to conceptualize what you want to see. Also, you’re going to want to set up a production calendar so that you can stick to a timeline.

How to Make a Short Film Script Cont.

3. write a script.

There’s a wide variety of ways to tackle your script. Here are some additional tips on writing a short film . First, start by downloading StudioBinder’s screenwriting software . If you’re not familiar with the industry formatting guidelines , check out the video below.

How to Make a Short Film Script  •   Subscribe on YouTube

The process of learning how to properly format a screenplay can be a nightmare. One engaging way to learn the formatting guidelines is to read professional screenplays. We have dozens of script teardowns with screenplay PDFs for you to choose from. You may also want to consider picking up a copy of The Screenwriter’s Bible and the Save the Cat beat sheet .

Your short script should be between 5-50 pages. Remember, each page of your script roughly equates to one minute of screen-time. Once you finish writing your first draft, spend some time away from it if possible (1-2 weeks) then go back and do an edit.

When it seems like it’s in good shape, you might want to share a few copies with friends/colleagues and request that they give you some notes. Don’t be discouraged if you receive tough feedback, that will only help you get better!

How to Make a Short Film Script Breakdown

4. make a script breakdown.

Once you’re satisfied with your script, you’re going to want to do a script breakdown . This will help organize the story of your film into a practical production. If you’ve never done a script breakdown before, don’t worry, this video will explain what you need to know to get started:

How to Make a Short Film Script Breakdown  •   Subscribe on YouTube

The difference between a script and a script breakdown can be night and day. Oftentimes, the script is nothing more than the story itself. The script breakdown is where that story becomes the blueprint for a production.

How to Make a Short Film Storyboard

5. draw storyboards.

Now it’s time to visualize your film. Download StudioBinder’s storyboard creator software to get started. If you’re not a good artist, don’t worry, neither am I. The video below will show you everything you need to know to get the vision out of your brain and onto the page.

Ultimate Guide to Camera Framing  •   Subscribe on YouTube

No matter how good you are at drawing, storyboards help to bring a film’s vision to life.

Related Posts

• Best Short Films of All Time →
• Brainstorming Short Film Ideas →
• How to Write a Short Film That Will Get Noticed →

Tips for Shooting a Short Film

6. finalize your scope.

This is the stage in which you will have to start considering the realistic scope of your production. Don’t be afraid though, it’s just a matter of finding the best option. A lot depends on your budget, but there are five essential things you’re going to need regardless:

• Choosing a Camera
• Renting equipment like lighting kits and DSLR Mics
• Casting Your Talent
• Hiring a Crew
• Securing Set(s) and/or Locations

Let’s say you’re trying to make your movie for as cheap as possible. Your smartphone can be your camera . Don’t believe me? Just listen to award winning director Sean Baker explain how he made his 2015 film Tangerine entirely on iPhones:

Sean Baker Tips for Shooting a Short Film  •  iPhone Filmmaking Advice

Looking for cast and crew? Perhaps your friends are interested in helping out. When you use only what’s at your disposal to make a movie, that’s called zero budget filmmaking . And if you want to stand out with your zero budget filmmaking, consider reading up on Dogme 95 and adhering to the filmmaking “vows of chastity” as popularized by Danish directors Thomas Vinterberg and Lars von Trier .

For something more elaborate, you may want to look at hiring cast and crew. Check out our guide to casting websites to see where you should be looking for talent. If you do choose to hire actors, then you’re going to need to read up on actor release forms . 

As for equipment, you’re going to want to look at mics and cameras. If you don’t want to shoot on a smartphone, then you should consider buying a DSLR camera . For anything more expensive, renting is your best bet. For guidance, look at how we recreated the iconic “What’s in the box?” scene from Se7en for just $400 dollars.

How to Direct a Short Movie  •  Recreating Se7en’s Climax  •   Subscribe on YouTube

If you’re hiring a cinematographer , make sure you’re on the same page as them in regards to equipment before the shoot.

No matter what strategy you end up choosing, you’re still going to need a mic and a place to shoot. I cannot stress it enough: audio quality can make or break your short. Get a mic, and read our guide on sound recording . Once you have that, then you need to find a place to shoot.

Ideally, you’d have a sound-stage where you could build a set. If not, then you’re just going to have to get creative. Just remember to review permitting guidelines for shooting in public places.

How Can I Make a Short Film?

7. show up to set prepared.

Once you’ve gotten your cast and crew together, you’re going to want to make sure you have a clear line of communication. Try using our film crew management software or setting up a work group chat. You'll want to create call sheets to keep everyone organized.

After you get that set up, there are just two more things you need to do: lay out your filming schedule and finalize your shot list . Check out the video below to see how to make a shot list for a modern production.

How Can I Make a Short Film?  •   Subscribe on YouTube

The more organized you are before shooting the better. A shot list will make your job as director infinitely easier on set. 

How to Make a Short Film Story Work

8. always have your shot list.

You’re finally here, the first day of shooting. Countless weeks of preparation have led to this moment. The most important thing to do is… enjoy yourself!

Remember, we make films because we love cinema. Take your job as director seriously, but don’t get too stressed out. Some things will be out of your control, i.e, weather, sick cast and crew, etc.

But that’s okay, nothing great comes easy.

Make sure to check out our guide to directing actors to see how you should handle your talent. Our series “The Shot List” will show you everything you need to know about shot size , camera framing , camera movement , and more.

How to Direct a Short Film  •   Subscribe on YouTube

Get creative in your role as director but also keep in mind that the things that work, work for a reason. It’s never a bad idea to hone your craft by taking inspiration from established filmmakers. Consider reviewing our series on the directing styles of famous filmmakers like David Fincher , Paul Thomas Anderson , and Stanley Kubrick .

Short Film Making Tips

9. review footage and audio.

Throughout your shoot, make sure to check off your shot list. You’ll be thanking yourself in post for doing your due diligence on set. This often includes reviewing dailies as the production progresses.

Also, review your shots, and make sure your audio is clear. It may be necessary to record ADR and/or Foley sound , or turn to the free sound effects online to really polish the audio.

How to Produce a Short Film

10. reorganize everything.

You’ve gotten all your footage and now you’re ready to start editing. Import all the video and audio into your editing software and get started.

If you’re not experienced in editing, read up on the post production process and Final Cut Pro vs. Adobe Premiere Pro . If you’ve got the money to hire a professional editor, you can always do that as well.

There are dozens of videos on StudioBinder’s YouTube channel that will help you learn how to edit. This next video shows you how to get creative with match cuts and other editing transitions .

How to Produce a Short Film With Editing  •  Creative Match Cut Examples  •   Subscribe on YouTube

If you’re using Premiere Pro or Final Cut, there’s no shortage of tutorials that will answer your most specific questions. Thinking about adding some VFX to your short? It’s never been easier to do. Just check out how we recreated a VFX-heavy scene from Inception for just $350 dollars:

How to Direct a Short Movie Clip  •   Subscribe on YouTube

Don’t be afraid to test out After Effects if you have an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription. It may seem intimidating, but after a few hours of practice, you’ll know the basics of the program. 

From Writing a Short Film to a Finished Product

11. last-minute check and formatting.

After your short has gone through a bunch of edits and you think it’s ready for an export, remember to check for these four things:

• Make sure the picture is bright enough 
• Make sure the audio has been cleaned up
• Look for frame inserts 
• Don’t forget credits

If everything looks good, export in the format of your choice.

How Do You Make a Short Film?

12. celebrate your work.

You did it! You completed a short film. Get your cast and crew together, call some friends over, and watch that movie!

It may not seem like a huge accomplishment, but just think about how much work you put in. Through the process, you’ve become a better filmmaker.

If you think your short is competition worthy, consider submitting to a film festival . You don’t need to take your short film to Sundance or Cannes either, there are thousands of smaller festivals for up-and-coming filmmakers.

“Making It” Season One

If you’re looking for more information on how to make a short film, then you have to watch our series “Making It.” Over six episodes, we show you the pre-production process of how to make a short film. Everything we talked about in this article is delved into in further detail in the series.

Up Next: StudioBinder’s ‘Making It’ →

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Film Analysis

What this handout is about.

This handout introduces film analysis and and offers strategies and resources for approaching film analysis assignments.

Writing the film analysis essay

Writing a film analysis requires you to consider the composition of the film—the individual parts and choices made that come together to create the finished piece. Film analysis goes beyond the analysis of the film as literature to include camera angles, lighting, set design, sound elements, costume choices, editing, etc. in making an argument. The first step to analyzing the film is to watch it with a plan.

Watching the film

First it’s important to watch the film carefully with a critical eye. Consider why you’ve been assigned to watch a film and write an analysis. How does this activity fit into the course? Why have you been assigned this particular film? What are you looking for in connection to the course content? Let’s practice with this clip from Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo (1958). Here are some tips on how to watch the clip critically, just as you would an entire film:

• Give the clip your undivided attention at least once. Pay close attention to details and make observations that might start leading to bigger questions.
• Watch the clip a second time. For this viewing, you will want to focus specifically on those elements of film analysis that your class has focused on, so review your course notes. For example, from whose perspective is this clip shot? What choices help convey that perspective? What is the overall tone, theme, or effect of this clip?
• Take notes while you watch for the second time. Notes will help you keep track of what you noticed and when, if you include timestamps in your notes. Timestamps are vital for citing scenes from a film!

For more information on watching a film, check out the Learning Center’s handout on watching film analytically . For more resources on researching film, including glossaries of film terms, see UNC Library’s research guide on film & cinema .

Brainstorming ideas

Once you’ve watched the film twice, it’s time to brainstorm some ideas based on your notes. Brainstorming is a major step that helps develop and explore ideas. As you brainstorm, you may want to cluster your ideas around central topics or themes that emerge as you review your notes. Did you ask several questions about color? Were you curious about repeated images? Perhaps these are directions you can pursue.

If you’re writing an argumentative essay, you can use the connections that you develop while brainstorming to draft a thesis statement . Consider the assignment and prompt when formulating a thesis, as well as what kind of evidence you will present to support your claims. Your evidence could be dialogue, sound edits, cinematography decisions, etc. Much of how you make these decisions will depend on the type of film analysis you are conducting, an important decision covered in the next section.

After brainstorming, you can draft an outline of your film analysis using the same strategies that you would for other writing assignments. Here are a few more tips to keep in mind as you prepare for this stage of the assignment:

• Make sure you understand the prompt and what you are being asked to do. Remember that this is ultimately an assignment, so your thesis should answer what the prompt asks. Check with your professor if you are unsure.
• In most cases, the director’s name is used to talk about the film as a whole, for instance, “Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo .” However, some writers may want to include the names of other persons who helped to create the film, including the actors, the cinematographer, and the sound editor, among others.
• When describing a sequence in a film, use the literary present. An example could be, “In Vertigo , Hitchcock employs techniques of observation to dramatize the act of detection.”
• Finding a screenplay/script of the movie may be helpful and save you time when compiling citations. But keep in mind that there may be differences between the screenplay and the actual product (and these differences might be a topic of discussion!).
• Go beyond describing basic film elements by articulating the significance of these elements in support of your particular position. For example, you may have an interpretation of the striking color green in Vertigo , but you would only mention this if it was relevant to your argument. For more help on using evidence effectively, see the section on “using evidence” in our evidence handout .

Also be sure to avoid confusing the terms shot, scene, and sequence. Remember, a shot ends every time the camera cuts; a scene can be composed of several related shots; and a sequence is a set of related scenes.

Different types of film analysis

As you consider your notes, outline, and general thesis about a film, the majority of your assignment will depend on what type of film analysis you are conducting. This section explores some of the different types of film analyses you may have been assigned to write.

Semiotic analysis

Semiotic analysis is the interpretation of signs and symbols, typically involving metaphors and analogies to both inanimate objects and characters within a film. Because symbols have several meanings, writers often need to determine what a particular symbol means in the film and in a broader cultural or historical context.

For instance, a writer could explore the symbolism of the flowers in Vertigo by connecting the images of them falling apart to the vulnerability of the heroine.

Here are a few other questions to consider for this type of analysis:

• What objects or images are repeated throughout the film?
• How does the director associate a character with small signs, such as certain colors, clothing, food, or language use?
• How does a symbol or object relate to other symbols and objects, that is, what is the relationship between the film’s signs?

Many films are rich with symbolism, and it can be easy to get lost in the details. Remember to bring a semiotic analysis back around to answering the question “So what?” in your thesis.

Narrative analysis

Narrative analysis is an examination of the story elements, including narrative structure, character, and plot. This type of analysis considers the entirety of the film and the story it seeks to tell.

For example, you could take the same object from the previous example—the flowers—which meant one thing in a semiotic analysis, and ask instead about their narrative role. That is, you might analyze how Hitchcock introduces the flowers at the beginning of the film in order to return to them later to draw out the completion of the heroine’s character arc.

To create this type of analysis, you could consider questions like:

• How does the film correspond to the Three-Act Structure: Act One: Setup; Act Two: Confrontation; and Act Three: Resolution?
• What is the plot of the film? How does this plot differ from the narrative, that is, how the story is told? For example, are events presented out of order and to what effect?
• Does the plot revolve around one character? Does the plot revolve around multiple characters? How do these characters develop across the film?

When writing a narrative analysis, take care not to spend too time on summarizing at the expense of your argument. See our handout on summarizing for more tips on making summary serve analysis.

Cultural/historical analysis

One of the most common types of analysis is the examination of a film’s relationship to its broader cultural, historical, or theoretical contexts. Whether films intentionally comment on their context or not, they are always a product of the culture or period in which they were created. By placing the film in a particular context, this type of analysis asks how the film models, challenges, or subverts different types of relations, whether historical, social, or even theoretical.

For example, the clip from Vertigo depicts a man observing a woman without her knowing it. You could examine how this aspect of the film addresses a midcentury social concern about observation, such as the sexual policing of women, or a political one, such as Cold War-era McCarthyism.

A few of the many questions you could ask in this vein include:

• How does the film comment on, reinforce, or even critique social and political issues at the time it was released, including questions of race, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality?
• How might a biographical understanding of the film’s creators and their historical moment affect the way you view the film?
• How might a specific film theory, such as Queer Theory, Structuralist Theory, or Marxist Film Theory, provide a language or set of terms for articulating the attributes of the film?

Take advantage of class resources to explore possible approaches to cultural/historical film analyses, and find out whether you will be expected to do additional research into the film’s context.

Mise-en-scène analysis

A mise-en-scène analysis attends to how the filmmakers have arranged compositional elements in a film and specifically within a scene or even a single shot. This type of analysis organizes the individual elements of a scene to explore how they come together to produce meaning. You may focus on anything that adds meaning to the formal effect produced by a given scene, including: blocking, lighting, design, color, costume, as well as how these attributes work in conjunction with decisions related to sound, cinematography, and editing. For example, in the clip from Vertigo , a mise-en-scène analysis might ask how numerous elements, from lighting to camera angles, work together to present the viewer with the perspective of Jimmy Stewart’s character.

To conduct this type of analysis, you could ask:

• What effects are created in a scene, and what is their purpose?
• How does this scene represent the theme of the movie?
• How does a scene work to express a broader point to the film’s plot?

This detailed approach to analyzing the formal elements of film can help you come up with concrete evidence for more general film analysis assignments.

Reviewing your draft

Once you have a draft, it’s helpful to get feedback on what you’ve written to see if your analysis holds together and you’ve conveyed your point. You may not necessarily need to find someone who has seen the film! Ask a writing coach, roommate, or family member to read over your draft and share key takeaways from what you have written so far.

Works consulted

We consulted these works while writing this handout. This is not a comprehensive list of resources on the handout’s topic, and we encourage you to do your own research to find additional publications. Please do not use this list as a model for the format of your own reference list, as it may not match the citation style you are using. For guidance on formatting citations, please see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial . We revise these tips periodically and welcome feedback.

Aumont, Jacques, and Michel Marie. 1988. L’analyse Des Films . Paris: Nathan.

Media & Design Center. n.d. “Film and Cinema Research.” UNC University Libraries. Last updated February 10, 2021. https://guides.lib.unc.edu/filmresearch .

Oxford Royale Academy. n.d. “7 Ways to Watch Film.” Oxford Royale Academy. Accessed April 2021. https://www.oxford-royale.com/articles/7-ways-watch-films-critically/ .

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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Writing a Short Film

The key to writing a short film is to keep it simple. It’s just not possible to squeeze a feature film idea or a particularly complex idea into a short format and do it justice. It’s a bit like trying to squeeze a novel into a short story – they’re different animals.

• Focus on One Core Idea

Multi-layered stories aren’t going to work and neither are stories, which rely heavily on the main character’s back-story. You simply will not have time to explore back-story. It’s also best to avoid subplots, numerous characters, multi-protagonists, expensive set pieces, and stories set in two or more different time periods.

• Scope Your Story

Once you have a basic story idea, there are some questions to be asked and a number of decisions to be made:

• What is the core idea? What is my story about? (Premise)
• Who is it about? (Protagonist)
• What is the genre and style of my screenplay?
• Who or what is giving the Protagonist grief? (Antagonist)
• What is the question of my story?
• Whose POV is the story told from?
• What happens in my story? (Plot)
• How does it happen? (Structure)
• What is my screenplay about thematically?
• How can I convey my plot, action and theme in images?

Try to write your story idea down in a single sentence as in: This story is about a ________ who ________ and ________ but then ________ . #icon-1.g1-icon { color: #55acee; }

Know Your Protagonist

• Know Your Antagonist

An antagonist can take many forms, anything from another character or monster to a force of nature or a council with a new bylaw. It or they is whatever is making the Protagonist’s life difficult.

• Define Your Genre

Ask yourself – what type of film will this be made into? And what will the audience expect from a film in this genre? This is not about crushing experimentation or creativity but more as a reminder to self as you proceed, that your original goal was to write a short screenplay that scared / moved / amused / shocked the audience. When you get stuck, you can go back to this intention to remind yourself of your original goal.

• Define the Tone and Style

You may also like to clarify for yourself what tone and style you have in mind, as this will influence the way you write your action and your dialogue. In the end the tone will be dictated by the director and the performances he/she elicits from actors, but the screenplay still establishes the foundations of the film’s ultimate tone by choices made by the writer in their characters, plot, direction (or big print), symbolism and dialogue.

• Decide on the Point of View

Whose Point Of View (POV) are we seeing this story through? Is it the protagonist or is someone else narrating the story? There are numerous examples of this type of narration – two that spring to mind are “Ray” (d. & w. Tony Mahony) and “Zinky Boys Go Underground” (d.Paul Tickell, w.Adsid Tantimedh).

• Focus on the Central Question

For a great example of a simple, universal story with a simple question, watch the Oscar nominated Two Cars, One Night (Taika Waititi).

• Weaving the Plot

Brainstorm for possible events in the story without censoring yourself. Ask – what could possibly happen to my character given his/her situation? What could he/she possibly do? And then – what might happen as a result of his/her actions? Many elements will influence what happens in your story, including genre, pace and what you’re hoping to elicit from your audience. If you’re writing a comedy and you want the audience to laugh, then some funny stuff should be happening in your plot.

• Reconstructing the Plot

When you’re re-drafting, you may realize that certain plot points or actions just don’t work in the genre you’ve chosen or they don’t illustrate the theme well or distract from the story you want to tell. At this point, you’ll change the plot points to find a more satisfying series of events and actions – and hopefully a more satisfying story.

• Identifying the Theme

In an idea about the man trying to keep his dog – the theme might be loneliness or the desire to be loved. It could even be about the ridiculous nature of bureaucracy. And once you have identified what your story is about on a deeper level it can help you to improve the piece and give it unity by asking – do my images, symbols, music, motifs, scenarios and locations reflect my theme?

Re-writing a Short Film

• Find More Efficient Ways to Convey Information

• Images/Symbolism
• Sound/Music
• Recurring Motif
• Choice of Location
• Effective / Visual Characterization
• Make Every Word of Dialogue Count

Ask yourself – how can I convey this same meaning in fewer words? When you are editing consider the following:

• Is the same thing being said twice?
• Can lines be replaced with an action that conveys the same meaning?
• Is the dialogue telling us something we can see?
• Is verbal conflict moving the story forward or revealing information about the character? If not – why is it there?
• Is the exposition natural or clumsy?
• Is the dialogue true to this type of character?

If your character’s dialogue isn’t moving the story forward, revealing information about them or someone else then it probably needs editing or re-writing.

Tip: Read your dialogue out loud. You’ll very rapidly discover what sounds clunky and long-winded. #icon-2.g1-icon { color: #55acee; }

Take a Break – Then Re-evaluate Your First Draft

• What is the core idea of this script?
• What genre am I in?
• What emotions do I want to create in the audience?

Examine the main character, main and plot points – do they contribute to the core idea of your script? Is there too much back-story? Is all the interesting stuff happening in the past? If so, re-think your core story. What is the story or story element that excites you?

Examine Each Scene

Ask yourself:

• What is the purpose of this scene?*
• Does this scene contribute to the core idea?
• Does this scene end on a question that will lead the reader/viewer into the rest of the story?
• If a scene isn’t working – can I brainstorm another idea for the scene?
• Have I given too much screen time to unimportant or minor characters?
• What is the question posed by the beginning of your story? Does my script answer it? (If your script revolves around a bank robbery, your climax can’t be about the robber’s marriage break up.

*If you can’t answer the question that’s a good indicator that the scene might be redundant.

© Kathryn Burnett 2015

Shortfilm Writing Checklist:

• Who is the Protagonist?

Re-writing a Short Film:

• Take a Break – Then Re-evaluate Your First Draft

Screenplay Checklist

There are 8 common mistakes that can send a script on the reject pile – even if the idea is good. Give your screenplay a fighting chance with this checklist. Read the article or sign up free to download the checklist (and heaps of other free resources) from Filmsourcing members area.

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Step By Step Guide to Writing an Essay on Film

By Film Threat Staff | December 29, 2021

Writing an essay about a film sounds like a fun assignment to do. As part of the assignment, you get to watch the movie and write an analytical essay about your impressions. However, you will soon find that you’re staring at an empty sheet of paper or computer screen with no idea what to write, how to start writing your essay, or the essential points that need to be covered and analyzed. As an  essay writing service proves, watching the movie countless times isn’t all there is to write a film analysis essay. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you with an essay service :

1. Watch the Movie

This is the obvious starting point, but surprisingly many students skip this step. It doesn’t matter if you’ve watched the movie twice before. If you’re asked to write an essay about it, you need to watch it again. Watching the film again allows you to pay more attention to specific elements to help you write an in-depth analysis about it.  

Watching the movie is crucial because it helps you not specific parts of the movie that can be used as illustrations and examples in your essay. You’re also going to explore and analyze the movie theme within your structured plan. Some of the critical elements that you have to look out for while watching the movie that may be crucial for your essay are:

• Key plot moments
• Editing style
• Stylistic elements
• Scenario execution
• Musical elements

2. Introduction

Your introduction will contain essential information about the film, such as the title, release date, director’s name, etc. This familiarizes the reader with the movie’s primary background information. In addition, researching the filmmaker may be crucial for your essay because it may help you discover valuable insights for your film analysis.

The introduction should also mention the movie’s central theme and explain why you think it was made that way.

Do not forget to include your thesis statement, which explains your focus on the movie.

3. Write a Summary

According to an  essay writing service  providing students   help with essays , a movie summary comes after the introduction. It includes the film’s basic premise, but it doesn’t have to reveal too many details about the film. It’s a summary, after all. Write the summary like your readers have not heard about the movie before, so you can mention the most basic plots but assume you have minimal time so you won’t be going into great details.

4. Write Your Analysis

This is the central part of the essay in which you analyze the movie critically and state your impressions about the film. Ensure to support your claims with relevant materials from the movie.

There are also several creative elements in a movie that are connected to make the film a whole. You must pay attention to these elements while watching the movie and analyze them in this part of the essay.

In this, you are looking out for the dialogs, character development, completion of scenes, and logical event sequences in the film to analyze.

Ensure you try to understand the logic behind events in the film and the actor’s motives to explain the scenario better.

The responsibility of different parts of the movie, such as plan selection and scenario execution, falls on the director. So, your analysis here focuses on how the director realized the script compared to his other movies. Understanding the director’s style of directing may be crucial to coming up with a conclusion relevant to your analysis and thesis.

The casting of a film is a significant element to consider in your essay. Without a great actor, the scriptwriter and director can’t bring their ideas to life. So, watch the actor’s acting and determine if they portrayed the character effectively and if their acting aligns with the film’s main idea.

• Musical element

A movie’s musical element enhances some of the sceneries or actions in the film and sets the mood. It has a massive impact on the movie, so it’s an essential element to analyze in your essay.

• Visual elements

This includes special effects, make-up, costumes, etc., which significantly impact the film. These elements must reflect the film’s atmosphere. It is even more crucial for historical movies since it has to be specific about an era.

Ensure to analyze elements relevant to your thesis statement, so you don’t drift from your main point.

5. Conclusion

In concluding your essay, you have to summarize the primary concepts more convincingly to support your analysis. Finally, you may include a CTA for readers to watch or avoid the movie.

These are the crucial steps to take when writing an essay about a film . Knowing this beforehand prevents you from struggling to start writing after watching the movie.

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It’s really amazing instructions! I have got the great knowledge.

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I can’t list the number of essays that don’t follow this format in the least. But then I find most reviews of movies terrible and most people who purport themselves to be writers as people who need to spend more time drafting and editing before publishing.

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How to Write a Film Analysis Essay: Examples, Outline, & Tips

A film analysis essay might be the most exciting assignment you have ever had! After all, who doesn’t love watching movies? You have your favorite movies, maybe something you watched years ago, perhaps a classic, or a documentary. Or your professor might assign a film for you to make a critical review. Regardless, you are totally up for watching a movie for a film analysis essay.

Our specialists will write a custom essay specially for you!

However, once you have watched the movie, facing the act of writing might knock the wind out of your sails because you might be wondering how to write a film analysis essay. In summary, writing movie analysis is not as difficult as it might seem, and Custom-writing.org experts will prove this. This guide will help you choose a topic for your movie analysis, make an outline, and write the text.️ Film analysis examples are added as a bonus! Just keep reading our advice on how to get started.

❓ What Is a Film Analysis Essay?

• 🚦 Film Analysis Types

📽️ Movie Analysis Format

✍️ how to write a film analysis, 🎦 film analysis template, 🎬 film analysis essay topics.

• 📄 Essay Examples

🔗 References

To put it simply, film analysis implies watching a movie and then considering its characteristics : genre, structure, contextual context, etc. Film analysis is usually considered to be a form of rhetorical analysis . The key to success here is to formulate a clear and logical argument, supporting it with examples.

🚦 Film Analysis Essay Types

Since a film analysis essay resembles literature analysis, it makes sense that there are several ways to do it. Its types are not limited to the ones described here. Moreover, you are free to combine the approaches in your essay as well. Since your writing reflects your own opinion, there is no universal way to do it.

• Semiotic analysis . If you’re using this approach, you are expected to interpret the film’s symbolism. You should look for any signs that may have a hidden meaning. Often, they reveal some character’s features. To make the task more manageable, you can try to find the objects or concepts that appear on the screen multiple times. What is the context they appear in? It might lead you to the hidden meaning of the symbols.
• Narrative structure analysis . This type is quite similar to a typical literature guide. It includes looking into the film’s themes, plot, and motives. The analysis aims to identify three main elements: setup, confrontation, and resolution. You should find out whether the film follows this structure and what effect it creates. It will make the narrative structure analysis essay if you write about the theme and characters’ motivations as well.
• Contextual analysis . Here, you would need to expand your perspective. Instead of focusing on inner elements, the contextual analysis looks at the time and place of the film’s creation. Therefore, you should work on studying the cultural context a lot. It can also be a good idea to mention the main socio-political issues of the time. You can even relate the film’s success to the director or producer and their career.
• Mise-en-scene analysis . This type of analysis works with the most distinctive feature of the movies, audiovisual elements. However, don’t forget that your task is not only to identify them but also to explain their importance. There are so many interconnected pieces of this puzzle: the light to create the mood, the props to show off characters’ personalities, messages hidden in the song lyrics.

To write an effective film analysis essay, it is important to follow specific format requirements that include the following:

• Standard essay structure. Just as with any essay, your analysis should consist of an introduction with a strong thesis statement, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The main body usually includes a summary and an analysis of the movie’s elements.
• Present tense for events in the film. Use the present tense when describing everything that happens in the movie. This way, you can make smooth transitions between describing action and dialogue. It will also improve the overall narrative flow.
• Proper formatting of the film’s title. Don’t enclose the movie’s title in quotation marks; instead, italicize it. In addition, use the title case : that is, capitalize all major words.
• Proper use of the characters’ names. When you mention a film character for the first time, name the actor portraying them. After that, it is enough to write only the character’s name.
• In-text citations. Use in-text citations when describing certain scenes or shots from the movie. Format them according to your chosen citation style. If you use direct quotes, include the time-stamp range instead of page numbers. Here’s how it looks in the MLA format: (Smith 0:11:24–0:12:35).

Even though film analysis is similar to the literary one, you might still feel confused with where to begin. No need to worry; there are only a few additional steps you need to consider during the writing process.

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Need more information? It can be found in the video below.

Starting Your Film Analysis Essay

There are several things you need to do before you start writing your film analysis paper. First and foremost, you have to watch the movie. Even if you have seen it a hundred times, you need to watch it again to make a good film analysis essay.

Note that you might be given an essay topic or have to think of it by yourself. If you are free to choose a topic for your film analysis essay, reading some critical reviews before you watch the film might be a good idea. By doing this in advance, you will already know what to look for when watching the movie.

In the process of watching, keep the following tips in mind:

• Consider your impression of the movie
• Enumerate memorable details
• Try to interpret the movie message in your way
• Search for the proof of your ideas (quotes from the film)
• Make comments on the plot, settings, and characters
• Draw parallels between the movie you are reviewing and some other movies

Making a Film Analysis Essay Outline

Once you have watched and possibly re-watched your assigned or chosen movie from an analytical point of view, you will need to create a movie analysis essay outline . The task is pretty straightforward: the outline can look just as if you were working on a literary analysis or an article analysis.

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• Introduction : This includes the basics of the movie, including the title, director, and the date of release. You should also present the central theme or ideas in the movie and your thesis statement .
• Summary : This is where you take the time to present an overview of the primary concepts in the movie, including the five Ws (who, what, when, where, and why)—don’t forget how!—as well as anything you wish to discuss that relates to the point of view, style, and structure.
• Analysis : This is the body of the essay and includes your critical analysis of the movie, why you did or did not like it, and any supporting material from the film to support your views. It would help if you also discussed whether the director and writer of the movie achieved the goal they set out to achieve.
• Conclusion: This is where you can state your thesis again and provide a summary of the primary concepts in a new and more convincing manner, making a case for your analysis. You can also include a call-to-action that will invite the reader to watch the movie or avoid it entirely.

You can find a great critical analysis template at Thompson Rivers University website. In case you need more guidance on how to write an analytical paper, check out our article .

Writing & Editing Your Film Analysis Essay

We have already mentioned that there are differences between literary analysis and film analysis. They become especially important when one starts writing their film analysis essay.

First of all, the evidence you include to support the arguments is not the same. Instead of quoting the text, you might need to describe the audiovisual elements.

However, the practice of describing the events is similar in both types. You should always introduce a particular sequence in the present tense. If you want to use a piece of a dialogue between more than two film characters, you can use block quotes. However, since there are different ways to do it, confirm with your supervisor.

For your convenience, you might as well use the format of the script, for which you don’t have to use quotation marks:

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ELSA: But she won’t remember I have powers?

KING: It’s for the best.

Finally, to show off your proficiency in the subject, look at the big picture. Instead of just presenting the main elements in your analysis, point out their significance. Describe the effect they make on the overall impression form the film. Moreover, you can dig deeper and suggest the reasons why such elements were used in a particular scene to show your expertise.

Stuck writing a film analysis essay? Worry not! Use our template to structure your movie analysis properly.

Introduction

• The title of the film is… [title]
• The director is… [director’s name] He/she is known for… [movies, style, etc.]
• The movie was released on… [release date]
• The themes of the movie are… [state the film’s central ideas]
• The film was made because… [state the reasons]
• The movie is… because… [your thesis statement].
• The main characters are… [characters’ names]
• The events take place in… [location]
• The movie is set in… [time period]
• The movie is about… [state what happens in the film and why]
• The movie left a… [bad, unforgettable, lasting, etc.] impression in me.
• The script has… [a logical sequence of events, interesting scenes, strong dialogues, character development, etc.]
• The actors portray their characters… [convincingly, with intensity, with varying degree of success, in a manner that feels unnatural, etc.]
• The soundtrack is [distracting, fitting, memorable, etc.]
• Visual elements such as… [costumes, special effects, etc.] make the film [impressive, more authentic, atmospheric, etc.]
• The film succeeds/doesn’t succeed in engaging the target audience because it… [tells a compelling story, features strong performances, is relevant, lacks focus, is unauthentic, etc.]
• Cultural and societal aspects make the film… [thought-provoking, relevant, insightful, problematic, polarizing, etc.]
• The director and writer achieved their goal because… [state the reasons]
• Overall, the film is… [state your opinion]
• I would/wouldn’t recommend watching the movie because… [state the reasons]
• Analysis of the film Inception by Christopher Nolan .
• Examine the rhetoric in the film The Red Balloon .
• Analyze the visual effects of Zhang Yimou’s movie Hero .
• Basic concepts of the film Interstellar by Christopher Nolan.
• The characteristic features of Federico Fellini’s movies.
• Analysis of the movie The Joker .
• The depiction of ethical issues in Damaged Care .
• Analyze the plot of the film Moneyball .
• Explore the persuasive techniques used in Henry V .
• Analyze the movie Killing Kennedy .
• Discuss the themes of the film Secret Window .
• Describe the role of audio and video effects in conveying the message of the documentary Life in Renaissance .
• Compare and analyze the films Midnight Cowboy and McCabe and Mrs. Miller .
• Analysis of the movie Rear Window .
• The message behind the film Split .
• Analyze the techniques used by Tim Burton in his movie Sleepy Hollow .
• The topic of children’s abuse and importance of trust in Joseph Sargent’s Sybil .
• Examine the themes and motives of the film Return to Paradise by Joseph Ruben .
• The issues of gender and traditions in the drama The Whale Rider.
• Analysis of the film Not Easily Broken by Duke Bill.
• The symbolism in R. Scott’s movie Thelma and Louise .
• The meaning of audiovisual effects in Citizen Kane .
• Analyze the main characters of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo .
• Discuss the historical accuracy of the documentary The Civil War .
• Analysis of the movie Through a Glass Darkly .
• Explore the core idea of the comedy Get Out .
• The problem of artificial intelligence and human nature in Ex Machina .
• Three principles of suspense used in the drama The Fugitive .
• Examine the ideas Michael Bay promotes in Armageddon .
• Analyze the visual techniques used in Tenet by Christopher Nolan.
• Analysis of the movie The Green Mile .
• Discrimination and exclusion in the film The Higher Learning .
• The hidden meaning of the scenes in Blade Runner .
• Compare the social messages of the films West Side Story and Romeo + Juliet .
• Highlighting the problem of children’s mental health in the documentary Kids in Crisis .
• Discuss the ways Paul Haggis establishes the issue of racial biases in his movie Crash .
• Analyze the problem of moral choice in the film Gone Baby Gone .
• Analysis of the historical film Hacksaw Ridge .
• Explore the main themes of the film Mean Girls by Mark Walters .
• The importance of communication in the movie Juno .
• Describe the techniques the authors use to highlight the problems of society in Queen and Slim .
• Examine the significance of visual scenes in My Family/ Mi Familia .
• Analysis of the thriller Salt by Phillip Noyce.
• Analyze the message of Greg Berlanti’s film Love, Simon .
• Interpret the symbols of the film The Wizard of Oz (1939).
• Discuss the modern issues depicted in the film The Corporation .
• Moral lessons of Edward Zwick’s Blood Diamond .
• Analysis of the documentary Solitary Nation .
• Describe the audiovisual elements of the film Pride and Prejudice (2005) .
• The problem of toxic relationships in Malcolm and Marie .

📄 Film Analysis Examples

Below you’ll find two film analysis essay examples. Note that the full versions are downloadable for free!

Film Analysis Example #1: The Intouchables

Raising acute social problems in modern cinema is a common approach to draw the public’s attention to the specific issues and challenges of people facing crucial obstacles. As a film for review, The Intouchables by Oliver Nakache and Éric Toledano will be analyzed, and one of the themes raised in this movie is the daily struggle of the person with severe disabilities. This movie is a biographical drama with comedy elements. The Intouchables describes the routine life of a French millionaire who is confined to a wheelchair and forced to receive help from his servants. The acquaintance of the disabled person with a young and daring man from Parisian slums changes the lives of both radically. The film shows that for a person with disabilities, recognition as a full member of society is more important than sympathy and compassion, and this message expressed comically raises an essential problem of human loneliness.

Movie Analysis Example #2: Parasite

Parasite is a 2019 South Korean black comedy thriller movie directed by Bong Joon-ho and is the first film with a non-English script to win Best Picture at the Oscars in 2020. With its overwhelming plot and acting, this motion picture retains a long-lasting effect and some kind of shock. The class serves as a backbone and a primary objective of social commentary within the South Korean comedy/thriller (Kench, 2020). Every single element and detail in the movie, including the student’s stone, the contrasting architecture, family names, and characters’ behavior, contribute to the central topic of the universal problem of classism and wealth disparity. The 2020 Oscar-winning movie Parasite (2019) is a phenomenal cinematic portrayal and a critical message to modern society regarding the severe outcomes of the long-established inequalities within capitalism.

Want more examples? Check out this bonus list of 10 film analysis samples. They will help you gain even more inspiration.

• “Miss Representation” Documentary Film Analysis
• “The Patriot”: Historical Film Analysis
• “The Morning Guy” Film Analysis
• 2012′ by Roland Emmerich Film Analysis
• “The Crucible” (1996) Film Analysis
• The Aviator’ by Martin Scorsese Film Analysis
• The “Lions for Lambs” Film Analysis
• Bill Monroe – Father of Bluegrass Music Film Analysis
• Lord of the Rings’ and ‘Harry Potter’ Film Analysis
• Red Tails by George Lucas Film Analysis

Film Analysis Essay FAQ

• Watch the movie or read a detailed plot summary.
• Read others’ film reviews paying attention to details like key characters, movie scenes, background facts.
• Compose a list of ideas about what you’ve learned.
• Organize the selected ideas to create a body of the essay.
• Write an appropriate introduction and conclusion.

The benefits of analyzing a movie are numerous . You get a deeper understanding of the plot and its subtle aspects. You can also get emotional and aesthetic satisfaction. Film analysis enables one to feel like a movie connoisseur.

Here is a possible step by step scenario:

• Think about the general idea that the author probably wanted to convey.
• Consider how the idea was put across: what characters, movie scenes, and details helped in it.
• Study the broader context: the author’s other works, genre essentials, etc.

The definition might be: the process of interpreting a movie’s aspects. The movie is reviewed in terms of details creating the artistic value. A film analysis essay is a paper presenting such a review in a logically structured way.

• Film Analysis – UNC Writing Center
• Film Writing: Sample Analysis // Purdue Writing Lab
• Yale Film Analysis – Yale University
• Film Terms And Topics For Film Analysis And Writing
• Questions for Film Analysis (Washington University)
• Resources on Film Analysis – Cinema Studies (University of Toronto)
• Does Film Analysis Take the Magic out of Movies?
• Film Analysis Research Papers – Academia.edu
• What’s In a Film Analysis Essay? Medium
• Analysis of Film – SAGE Research Methods
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What is a Short Film? The Complete Guide to Understanding Short Movies

In only a few minutes, a talented filmmaker can tap into your wildest hopes, darkest fears, or deepest belly laughs. Short films captivate with fully realized stories told at a breakneck pace.

Like a perfect appetizer before an extraordinary main course, they transport you to new worlds and stay with you long after the credits roll.

So what exactly makes these miniature movies such an indispensable art form? What hidden talents do short films reveal in emerging directors? And how might your next binge-watching session benefit from a round of shorts?

This deep dive explores everything you need to know about the highly concentrated craft of short filmmaking. From sparking emotions in mere minutes to launching Oscar-winning careers, discover the unsung power of stories told in miniature. Because sometimes, the shortest films make the longest-lasting impressions.

Table of Contents

Introduction

A short film tells a complete story with a beginning , middle , and end in a condensed runtime typically under 40 minutes.

While less complex than a feature, short films require all the same creative filmmaking elements – writing , directing , cinematography , editing , and more.

They come in all genres from drama to comedy to documentary and beyond. Festivals like Sundance have special short film categories. Aspiring filmmakers often start with shorts as a resume builder before tackling features.

Whether you want to make one or just study the craft, shorts provide focused lessons in visual storytelling . This guide will explore exactly what defines these petite powerhouses of cinema.

What is a Short Film?

A short film is a motion picture that tells a complete story in a more condensed format than a feature film . Short films are typically under 30 minutes long, with many even shorter than 10 minutes.

They can cover any genre – comedy , drama , horror , documentary , animation , and more. While short in length, short films require just as much creativity, planning, and effort as a full-length production.

Understanding what defines these petite powerhouses of cinema can help you better appreciate the craft. If you aspire to make one yourself, this comprehensive guide breaks down exactly – what is a short film , how they differ from other mediums , and how to develop your own winning short .

What is the Standard Length of a Short Film?

While a short film is defined broadly as any film shorter than 40 minutes, there are more specific guidelines defining the ideal standard length for short films intended for viewing in film festivals, on television, or online:

• 1-10 minutes – These ultra-short films get straight to the point. They develop a simple concept, often with few characters and locations. These restrictions require the filmmaker to be incredibly concise in their storytelling. These shorts may feel closer to a single scene than a complete narrative.
• 10-20 minutes  – In this midrange, the story can be more complex. There is time to develop characters, establish multiple locations, and include subplots. But the story still moves briskly. There may just be one clear narrative arc.
• 20-30 minutes  – On the longer end of short films, these start to feel closer to a feature but still employ tight, streamlined storytelling. There are likely distinct acts to the narrative and more time to explore atmosphere or character depth.
• Over 30 minutes – Once you move past 30 minutes, you are entering the domain of medium-length films. At this point, additional acts and subplots can be added to create a sprawling story, even if not feature-length.

So while under 40 minutes qualifies as a short film broadly, you’ll want to tailor the scope of your story to match the target length. A 5-minute experimental short will likely take a wildly different approach than a 30-minute narrative.

How is a Short Film Different from a Full-Length Feature Film?

While short films share many common elements with features, the abbreviated length requires a very different overall approach:

• Shorter, simpler storylines
• Often just one plotline or narrative arc
• May focus on just a single conflict or event
• Less time for extensive character development
• The setting is typically limited to just a few key locations
• Extremely fast pacing with no slow points
• Scenes and sequences distilled down to their essence
• Every line or shot must efficiently advance the story
• Less room for embellishments or atmosphere
• Scripts range from 2-30 pages
• Visuals and performances take priority over dialogue
• Speeches or monologues are used sparingly
• More show-don’t-tell, less room for subtlety
• Can be made with very small crews, even solo
• Shorter shooting schedules ranging from a day to a few weeks
• Requires fewer resources – locations, props, wardrobe, extras
• Tight budgets, often self-funded or crowdfunded

By embracing the constraints of a short runtime, filmmakers must master the art of concise visual storytelling. This provides a great training ground to then expand into features or television.

What are the Different Genres and Types of Short Films?

Just like features, short films can fit any genre. They also include experimental formats that would be hard to sustain for 90+ minutes. Here are some common categories:

• Comedy  – Funny concepts or absurd situations. May involve exaggerated characters.
• Drama  – Serious narratives exploring emotional topics and relationships.
• Horror  – Frightening, suspenseful tales aimed to scare the audience.
• Romance – Stories revolving around love, relationships, and attraction.
• Sci-fi  – Futuristic stories incorporating technology and imaginative science.
• Animation  – Anything from hand-drawn shorts to CGI animation.
• Documentary  – Factual films examining real-world subjects and true stories.
• Interview  – Question and answer sit-downs with interesting personalities.
• Educational  – Informational films explaining concepts, processes or ideas.
• Experimental  – Avant-garde shorts with creative cinematography and editing.
• Travelogue  – Short highlights of interesting locations around the world.
• Music Video  – Elevates a song visually with original narrative material.
• Adverts  – Used for commercial advertising or social issues.
• Trailer  – Promotes an upcoming feature film or series.
• Recap  – Summarizes a longer work of fiction or nonfiction.
• Behind the Scenes – Goes behind the production of another film or show.

There are endless possibilities. Use the short format as a creative sandbox for unique stories and styles.

How are Short Films Different than Sketches, Scenes, or Webisodes?

Short films are often confused with other brief formats like sketches, webisodes, and standalone scenes. Here are some key differences:

• Typically comedy focused
• No formal narrative structure
• Series of disjointed comedic bits
• The primary goal is laughs
• One self-contained scene from a larger story
• No proper beginning, middle end
• May lack context without a larger story
• Meant to showcase acting or writing
• Designed as one part of an ongoing web series
• Episodic storytelling with cliffhangers
• Assumed audience familiarity with characters
• Often lower budget
• Tells a complete narrative within the runtime
• Has defined three-act structure
• Stands alone as a single, self-contained story
• Generally higher production values

So while a short film may contain humor or connect to a larger project, it is designed to function as one unified story with proper cinematic storytelling.

What Makes a Strong Short Film?

Though condensed, short films thrive on the same universal ingredients that make any great film:

Engaging Story

• Has a clear narrative arc and structure despite limited time
• An intriguing concept that hooks viewers immediately
• This may pose an interesting “what if?” scenario
• Strikes emotional chords through characters and events

Memorable Characters

• Even if minimal screen time, characters have distinct personalities and goals
• Strong characterizations and performances
• Flawed, complex characters that experience an arc
• Make every moment on screen count

Immersive World

• Fully realized settings that transport viewers elsewhere
• The atmosphere and tone match the story, even if limited locations
• Cinematic camera work and visual style
• Carefully selected, impactful props and costumes

Cohesive Editing

• No wasted frames, every shot progresses the narrative
• Steady, deliberate pacing to manage runtime
• Smooth transitions and motivated cuts
• Matches visuals to suitable audio and music

Overall Impact

• Leaves a lasting impression on the audience
• Provides catharsis, changes perspective, elicits emotion
• Executes its core concept skillfully
• Feel like you experienced a complete, satisfying story

By maximizing these qualities even with constraints, shorts can resonate as powerfully as features.

How Are Short Films Used Professionally?

Beyond being an art form in their own right, short films also serve many practical purposes:

• As a calling card for aspiring directors and producers
• To secure financing for feature film projects
• To showcase new technologies like CGI or 3D
• As a testing ground for experimental techniques
• For television pilots hoping to get “picked up”
• As viral marketing for brands or larger productions
• As music videos for various musical artists
• Television commercials for products and services
• To convey public service announcements

The contained scope of shorts makes them an ideal medium for honing skills, testing concepts, promoting projects, and conveying focused messages to audiences.

While some achieve notoriety in festivals, most shorts serve as a step in a filmmaker’s career path or marketing campaign rather than the final product. Their role as a training tool for bigger projects earned shorts the apt nickname of “calling card films.”

What are the Key Festivals for Short Films?

For shorts aimed at the festival circuit rather than commercial release, there are a few key events that can launch careers:

• Sundance Film Festival (USA)
• Tribeca Film Festival (USA)
• South by Southwest (USA)
• Clermont-Ferrand (France)
• Cannes Film Festival (France)
• Toronto International Film Festival (Canada)
• Berlin International Film Festival (Germany)
• Venice Film Festival (Italy)
• SXSW Film Festival (USA)
• Aspen Shortsfest (USA)
• London Short Film Festival (UK)
• Short of the Week (Online curation)

Exposure at the major festivals can provide invaluable prestige and opportunities for filmmakers to get noticed by Hollywood executives, producers, and investors. But there are also countless smaller local festivals to consider. Look for festivals that align with your short’s genre or region.

How Can I Make My Own Great Short Film?

If you’re inspired to craft your own cinematic short film , here are some top tips:

Brainstorm Engaging Concepts

• Look for simple “what if” scenarios that spark curiosity
• Find emotional storylines that you connect with personally
• Start with your primary themes or messages
• Identify any interesting visual hooks

Write a Tight Script

• Outline the full narrative before writing dialogue
• Limit characters and locations for production ease
• Include major story beats but cut any fat
• Know your target runtime and pace each scene accordingly

Create a Shooting Schedule

• Plan which scenes will be shot each day
• Factor in location, talent, and equipment needs per scene
• Build in contingencies for delays or complications
• Be realistic about how much can be achieved per day

Hone Your Directing Skills

• Storyboard and shot list key sequences in advance
• Focus your vision on the core emotional impact needed
• Guide performances to be nuanced yet concise
• Know when “good enough” to avoid unnecessary takes

Master Visual Storytelling

• Use camera movement, angles, and lenses to convey the story
• Motivate cuts with matches on action or emotions
• Transition between scenes smoothly
• Use vivid colors, composition, and lighting expressively

Edit Ruthlessly

• Be prepared to kill your darlings for pace and clarity
• Don’t cling to fluff just because you shot it already
• Watch your rough cut with fresh eyes before locking
• Evaluate if each scene progresses the story

With the right concept, an efficient production, and a compelling edit, you can craft an outstanding short film at any budget. Just maintain a razor-sharp focus on visual storytelling.

Short films provide filmmakers with a versatile creative medium unbound by the expectations of commercial features. At their best, shorts can be just as sharply written, emotionally resonant, and visually impactful as a full-length work.

By mastering concise cinematic storytelling, shorts distill the essence of cinema down to its core. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, the satisfaction of completing a well-crafted short film makes the demanding process worthwhile.

Just be sure to abide by standardized lengths, leverage the medium’s constraints to your advantage, and above all, tell your story as visually as possible. The most memorable shorts create immersive new worlds and leave lasting impacts, all within a brilliantly condensed package.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the standard length of a short film.

While under 40 minutes qualifies broadly, shorts tend to be 1-30 minutes. 1-10 minutes is considered an ultra-short. 10-20 minutes allows for more complex storytelling. 20-30 minutes gets closer to a feature in structure.

How do you structure a short film narratively?

Shorts require simpler storylines, fewer characters, limited locations, and a fast pace. There is only time to focus on one clear narrative arc rather than subplots. Every line and scene must efficiently advance the story.

Can a short film be its own stand-alone piece?

Yes, shorts are designed as fully self-contained stories, unlike a sketch or scene extract. Shorts have definable three-act structures despite the limited runtime.

What film festivals focus on short films?

Leading festivals like Sundance, SXSW, Cannes, and Toronto all have dedicated short film programs. There are also niche short film festivals like Aspen Shortsfest.

How are short films useful for aspiring filmmakers?

Shorts provide a training ground to develop directing skills on a small scale. Producing a high-quality short as a resume builder can help launch a career in features.

What are the main tips for writing a short film script?

Outline extensively. Limit characters, locations, and dialogue. Focus only on scenes that progress the story. Know your target runtime and pace each scene accordingly.

How can I make my short film stand out?

A great short has an original concept, memorable characters, an immersive world, tight editing, and overall emotional impact despite the constraints of length.

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What is a Short Film? [Complete Guide]

If you’re an aspiring filmmaker looking to make your mark by writing a short film , or just a movie buff curious to learn more about the industry, chances are you’ve heard the phrase “short film” thrown around before. But what exactly is a short film and why would anyone want or need to make one?

Definition of a Short Film

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences , the professional organization responsible for protecting and perpetuating the art of motion pictures, defines any film as “short” if its runtime is less than 40 minutes , including credits. In every other way creatively and professionally, a short film is indistinguishable from its longer-running “feature film” counterpart.

Aesthetically there are no technical differences between a short film and a feature film, meaning they’ll use the exact same processes for casting, production design, lighting, photography, and so forth. The run time is simply shorter!

There’s a variety of reasons filmmakers opt to make short films rather than feature films, but it nearly always boils down to budgetary constraints. The old adage “time is money” is more relevant in filmmaking than just about anywhere; after all, each page of your script constitutes roughly one minute of screen time, and each minute of screen time necessitates longer casting contracts, longer crew hires, longer equipment rentals, and so forth.

Short films, however, play an incredibly vital role in Hollywood beyond simply cost-savings — they also help identify rising or undiscovered filmmaking talents and taking a good short film to great, is where all the magic lies. That’s why you’ll often see film festivals dedicated to short films ( sometimes even short film ads ), or dedicated short film competitions within larger festivals: for up-and-comers on a budget, it’s the best way to increase your visibility and provide Hollywood suits with a sample of your filmmaking prowess.

Tell your story with Celtx’s multi-format script editors and easy-to-use script writing tools.

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Purpose of a Short Film

Whether a short film is funded by a government grant, out-of-pocket by an aspiring filmmaker, or by a network or studio themselves, the overarching goal is the same — to create a concentrated piece of storytelling at a significantly lower cost than a full-length feature film.

Another term regularly tossed around in the moviemaking world is “proof of concept” or a “proof of concept short film,” which is largely synonymous with a short film but has a specific intention or use-case. A “proof of concept” short film is often used by executives or established filmmakers as a way of testing various technologies or styles.

They can also be used, however, as “samples” for what a filmmaker’s vision of a feature film may be. Think of them as extended trailers or prologues, or very high-quality teasers. Amateur or yet-to-be-discovered filmmakers use them in the same way to showcase their talent, eye, and interpretation of a concept or story.

For up-and-comers, short films are also an efficient way to build a bigger portfolio of past works much faster. At the end of the day, the purpose of any short film is simple: to showcase your talent and make the case that you should be entrusted with a larger production that carries a larger budget.

Types of Short Films

Like its feature-length motion picture counterpart, short films come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, meaning they’re just as versatile and accessible as the medium itself. From drama to comedy, animated to live action, short films contain as much wide-ranging potential for style and genre fluidity as the larger medium.

Short films can also range dramatically in their runtimes, just as feature films do. To be considered “short” they have to be less than 40 minutes long (including credits), but otherwise they can be as short as 2 minutes, as long as 40 minutes, or anywhere in between. Whatever best suits your story and/or goal!

Similarly, short films typically fall into three major categories, just as feature films do:

1. Narrative Short Film

This, like any traditional plot-based piece of storytelling, is often fictional and scripted to present a dramatized version of a story. In other words, it is a “normal” movie with a shorter runtime. The best examples of these would be the live action and animated short film categories at the Oscars each year.

2. Documentary Short Film

A nonfiction and subject-focused film that presents an authentic exploration of a topic, person, place, or theme, just as feature documentaries do. Great examples of these are also featured as part of the annual Oscars nominations.

3. Avant-Garde Short Film

This is a very “film school” way of describing a more experimental, stylistic, or abstract motion picture that’s less focused on story or themes and more focused on mood, tone, and aesthetics. Although “avant-garde” is a largely subjective term, this type of short film is typically reserved for teasers, sizzle reels, proofs of concept, and other needs within the industry.

These are simply labels, however, and like everything in the arts, they’re best thought of as general definitions rather than hard and fast rules. There’s ultimately no “wrong” version of a short film, so long as it helps you accomplish your filmmaking goals and stays under a 40-minute runtime. The rest is up to you!

A short film is defined first and foremost by its brevity. Although they come in many sizes, use cases, and genres, their goals are almost always the same: spend less than on a feature film,  gain professional visibility, and practice telling smaller, more concentrated stories before graduating into feature films.

Looking for tools to plan a short film? With tools for narrative ideation such as a script editor and storyboards, sign up for Celtx and get all studio tools free for your first 7 days.

Whether you’re a seasoned professional looking to present a unique vision or win over a competitive project, or you’ve just gotten your first camera and are looking for a way to hone your skills and get noticed, short films are an essential part of the filmmaking lifeblood no matter your age, credentials, or experience.

Andrew Stamm is based in London with his wife and dog. He spends his working time as Partner and Creative Director at Estes Media, a budding digital marketing agency, and performs freelance scriptwriting services on the side. Off the clock he loves to bake, hike, and watch as many niche films as possible.

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Oscar-Contending ‘Umbrella’ Is A Short Film With A Hopeful Message For Our Times

By Cartoon Brew Connect | 01/26/2021 2:32 pm | Be the First to Comment!

It’s only eight minutes long and not a single word is spoken. Yet Umbrella has moved audiences around the world, earning acclaim on the festival circuit. Having qualified for the Oscars, the Brazilian animated short is now bringing its hopeful story, which was inspired by true events, to Academy members.

Umbrella is first film from directing duo Helena Hilario and Mario Pece. The short tells the story of Joseph, a boy who lives in an orphanage and dreams of owning a yellow umbrella — until he meets a little girl who awakens his memories of the past.

“The film makes us reflect on the importance of observing, listening, and understanding that we cannot judge people without knowing what is behind their experience,” says Hilario. “Everyone goes through situations that we can’t even imagine, so we must be kind to each other. That’s why we thought focusing this narrative around empathy and hope, which we need more and more. We always wanted to make a film without dialogue and use animation, music, and the narrative itself to evoke deep emotions and reflections.”

The widely acclaimed short has had a successful festival run. It has made history in Brazil by participating in 19 Oscar-qualifying film festivals, including the prestigious Tribeca Film Festival. Umbrella is the only Brazilian animated short that qualified for the Oscars this year . If nominated, it would be the first Brazilian animated short ever to get that far in the category. “In these times when we can’t give and receive hugs,” says Hilario, “ Umbrella was embraced by the Brazilian media and public.”

It all started when Hilario got a call from her sister in 2011. The sister said she had visited an orphanage in Palmas (in the Brazilian state of Paraná) to deliver Christmas gifts to the children. There was one boy who didn’t want any of the toys. When asked what he wanted, he said he would love an umbrella. The reason was that the last time he remembered seeing his father was on a rainy day; in his head, he needed an umbrella to reunite the family.

As Hilario explains, “In making this short, our dream and goal were to translate a painful memory into art to spread a beautiful message of empathy and hope. A sad event inspired us to create a beautiful and delicate story. We couldn’t stop thinking about how precious our memories are, and we must put ourselves in the other’s shoes before jumping to conclusions.”

It took about ten years for Hilario and Pece to realize their dream. When they wrote the script, the couple had no experience of working in animation. “We didn’t rush, we took our time, we knew in our hearts that one day we would bring this story to life,” says Hilario. “It took years to gain experience with animation and post-production before we opened our studio Stratostorm in 2014.”

While working on advertising and entertainment projects at the studio, Hilario and Pece prepared financially to set up Umbrella as an independent in-house production, and put together the right team of talented artists to bring the project to life. They spent a few months per year on the project. In total, the production took up 20 months over the years, including 13 months of full-time production with a small team of artists.

The couple worked with three talented full-time cg artists (Alan Prado, Dhiego Guimarães, and Felipe Pardini). At the peak of production, nine cg artists were working on the project at the same time, alongside five animators led by animation supervisor Hannry Pschera. Talented artist Victor Hugo designed the characters, and composer Gabriel Dib wrote the emotional score.

“Our small but mighty team created a true piece of art,” says Hilario. “ Umbrella is a work of love, discipline, and resilience. It’s proof that when we find unique stories within our own experiences and we believe in our dreams with all our hearts, one day they will come true. Sometimes a filmmaker’s journey is lonely and requires patience, because you may be the only one who truly believes in your story. But we can’t give up, and we must work hard to keep telling stories that will inspire and move people.”

The couple also created their own strategy for distributing Umbrella to film festivals. Their first time on the film festival circuit left a deep impression. “We are thankful for every festival that has given us the opportunity to genuinely present our short film to wider audiences,” says Hilario. “It was a wonderful experience to see their commitment to keeping the events going during this difficult and strange year. They honored all the filmmakers they selected for their line-up.”

During these difficult times, Umbrella will resonate deeply with viewers young and old. Its sensitive story, which warms the heart while making us reflect on the real meaning of empathy, is more relevant than ever.

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The short and the short of it: The yellow dream of one young hopeful orphan in Umbrella

SNAPSHOT Inspired by true events and filled with messages of empathy and hope, Umbrella follows Joseph’s story, a boy who lives in an orphanage and dreams of having a yellow Umbrella. 2021 Oscar® Qualified Animated Short Film – Created and Produced in Brazil. (synopsis courtesy YouTube)

Umbrella , written by Helen Hilario and Mario Pece is one of those exquisitely well-made animated short films that rips your heart out and puts it back in again (in the best possible way).

In just seven or so minutes, the film tells the story of one little orphan’s desperate need to have a yellow umbrella, a need so impelling it leads him to steal one when it’s placed in the rack by a mother and daughter visiting the children’s home where he lives to delivery toys.

Why he would go to such lengths is explained in a profoundly moving story that goes to the heart of why a yellow umbrella matters to him, and what gaining it adds to his life which becomes immeasurably richer in the aftermath.

There is a richly affecting beauty to this perfectly-judged short film that uses no dialogue but still conveys a whole world of emotion, impacting you in such a way that you don’t soon forget this gem of the Oscar-nominated Brazilian short film.

It’s a film that also comes with a timely message for a world very much in need of human kindness and empathy.

“The film makes us reflect on the importance of observing, listening, and understanding that we cannot judge people without knowing what is behind their experience,” says Hilario. “Everyone goes through situations that we can’t even imagine, so we must be kind to each other. That’s why we thought focusing this narrative around empathy and hope, which we need more and more. We always wanted to make a film without dialogue and use animation, music, and the narrative itself to evoke deep emotions and reflections.” ( Cartoon Brew )

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Breakdowns and the timeline for the animated short film”Umbrella”

1.Basic story arcs

• Exposition : introduction of setting, characters, problems.
• Rising action : characters struggling with problem.
• Climax : tense moment of crisis.
• Falling action : movement toward an ending.
• Resolution : returning the story to stability by showing the final results of the climax.

8 stages of story arcs

2. Types of characters

• Protagonist ： The main character of the story. Antagonist : Standing against the protagonist.
• Dynamic : Experiencing inner changes through learning something. Static : The character makes no changes of their ways.
• Round : Well-developed, with realistic emotions, conflicting feelings and multi- layered. Flat : One-dimensional, lacks emotional depth.

3. The example of a timeline for the character

4. Breakdowns and the timeline for the animated short film””

• Story arcs: (simplify it to 4 stages)

– Exposition : A woman brings her daughter and a box containing some toys to the charity taking in the orphans. a boy from the charity gets excited through the window when he sees the yellow umbrellas carried by that woman.

– Rising action : Children are having fun with the toys the woman bring, at the same time, her little daughter notice that the yellow umbrella they brought is lost, however, she finds out something weird and follows through the drops to the upstairs.

– Climax : The girl sees that boy is hiding something in the locker, she feels it must be him stealing their yellow umbrella before getting angry and having conflict with the boy. Accidently, the things contained in the locker all fall down and appeal to the adults coming through after which the girl takes back the umbrella angrily, leading to the sobbing boy who starts to reveal his story by his falling tears.

– Falling action : After knowing his past story about his absent loving father and the meaning of the umbrella to him, they realise that they got a boy wrong and get pity for him before giving that yellow umbrella to him.

– Resolution : The truth is that the boy misses his father who carries that yellow umbrella all the time, therefore, he has been looking and searching for his father by recognising the umbrella, and the reason why he hides it is that that yellow one means a lot to him also he wants to keep those memories. In the end, he relieves the sadness for his beloved father, which carries him long, by getting warm love from his lovely partner.

(what is more, his partner seems like that girl who got him wrong when they are little 🙂 what a sad and beautiful short animated film!)

• The archetypes of the characters:

As we can see, the protagonist is the boy who wears the yellow scarf and the antagonist is the girl with a pink hat, who stands against the boy at the beginning. In addition, they both are dynamic and round characters.

The boy experiences the inner changes, from a person who always misses his beloved father and feels sorrowful with that yellow umbrella to a person who can open his heart to other people and relieve himself of his past. Besides, we can tell his realistic emotions and feelings such as Blue, excited, sad, and pleased

The shift towards the attitudes shows the girl in this film is a well-developed and multi-layered character. For starters, all of her movements and facial expression can obviously illustrate that she is such an indifferent and remorseless girl, however, she becomes a caring and warm person who salvage the protagonist to some point in the end.

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“Hair Love” is a powerful short film about family and illness

Sony Pictures Animation | YouTube | Fair Use

A haircut is never “just” a haircut.

Women know this very well: we change our hair color to feel more “ourselves,” to shout to the world something we have inside—to sometimes delude ourselves that by lightening our hair color we can wash away other things. We get a haircut or new style to turn the page, as if everything we want to forget, together with our precious hair, would stay on the hairdresser’s floor.

Because yes, hair is sacred, and we only change it when we need to recognize ourselves again when we look in the mirror. Thinking about losing our hair—something so frivolous and yet so decisive for our identity—disconcerts us. It’s something that even men hate—and they fight with baldness problems much more than we women!

When it’s an illness that takes away your sense of dignity, your identity, and makes you start all over again, it’s even more painful: at least, if we still had our hair, we could think of styling it, coloring it, cutting it, and trying to rediscover ourselves in that mirror where, instead, we can’t recognize ourselves anymore.

Thinking about our hair in such a difficult moment is something so trivial and silly, the last on the list of “real” problems. Yet, an animated short, which has also become a book because of its success, reminds us that even something apparently frivolous, like taking care of our hair, can be a gesture of love.

“Hair love” (which received the Oscar last night in the Best Animated Short Film category) reminds us how trivial things are not so irrelevant, and that behind what seems to be only the aesthetic whim of a little girl with seemingly untameable hair, there is much more. It tells us that when we are suffering—the one thing that knocks everyone down, the one thing that takes away our desire to do even the everyday activities that are hardly even meaningful for us when we’re healthy—it’s precisely in those little things that we can start again.

The short made me think that often, for those who are ill, it’s pleasing to see that we, their family and friends, are well, that we aren’t neglecting those simple details such as styling our hair. It helps the sick people stop feeling guilty and worrying about us and the pain and inconvenience their condition might be causing us. We owe it to them, then.

Taking care of ourselves is a simple tangible sign behind those words, “everything’s fine,” “we’re managing, don’t worry,” which often don’t sound at all convincing if we don’t show it in our actions.

Family and illness are delicate issues, especially when they involve a mother, but this colorful video made by Matthew A. Cherry and co-produced with Karen Rupert Toliver with a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter has hit the nail on the head: we can’t help anyone feel better if we neglect ourselves.

A hair tutorial, a little hairspray, and some hairpins seem like nothing, but often they are enough to remind us that, even if you can no longer recognize yourself when you look in the mirror, even if you are ashamed of that hairless head, even if you can’t understand why and accept it, I still see you. No, it’s not just hair: it’s life waiting for you out there, made of simple everyday things, those that now seem far away and lost, those you strive to return to without giving up. We’re waiting for you, and in the meantime, we love you, and we still see you for the beauty that you are.

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Shirley Jackson’s The Lottery Short Story vs. Film Essay

The Lottery was written by Shirley Jackson and was first published as an issue in the New York Times in 1948 (Sari & Tur, 2019). The story has been adapted in several ways, including the radio version, graphic novel, and the 1969 film (Sari & Tur, 2019).). The text and film versions present the same characters, plot, themes, and styles. However, they contain distinct similarities and differences, as discussed in the following sections.

Firstly, the text and the film versions have a similar plot and theme, presenting contemporary life in a small American town where the residents practice the “lottery ritual”. The precedence of preparation events before the ritual is the same in the film and the text. While the ritual is meant to prepare the villagers for bulk harvest, the idea of “scapegoat” is followed blindly in both text and film. The text embraces suspense, which drastically unfolds in the film, with people quarreling uncontrollably. The horrifying scenes created in the text unfold visually in the film, heightening the levels of suspense among the audience.

The major difference between the text version and the adapted film is the nature of the presented. The film is in audiovisual format and its length is assessed in “duration”. The text, on the other hand, can be measured in “pages”. The contract between the two formats extends to the adoption of styles and characters. Readers are expected to create a mental picture of the disagreement and rebellion that arises on the northern side of the village. In the film, the chaos arising is directly presented to the viewers, aiding them in grasping the provided content. The textual format allows the readers to make divergent conclusions on the themes while the film presents all that the target audience needs to know.

Sari, F. A., & Tur, A. P. A. (2019). Reshaping the Society Face through The Culture of Horror Told in Shirley Jackson’s The Lottery . NOTION: Journal of Linguistics, Literature, and Culture , 1 (1), 1-7. Web.

• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2023, December 10). Shirley Jackson's The Lottery Short Story vs. Film. https://ivypanda.com/essays/shirley-jacksons-the-lottery-short-story-vs-film/

"Shirley Jackson's The Lottery Short Story vs. Film." IvyPanda , 10 Dec. 2023, ivypanda.com/essays/shirley-jacksons-the-lottery-short-story-vs-film/.

IvyPanda . (2023) 'Shirley Jackson's The Lottery Short Story vs. Film'. 10 December.

IvyPanda . 2023. "Shirley Jackson's The Lottery Short Story vs. Film." December 10, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/shirley-jacksons-the-lottery-short-story-vs-film/.

1. IvyPanda . "Shirley Jackson's The Lottery Short Story vs. Film." December 10, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/shirley-jacksons-the-lottery-short-story-vs-film/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Shirley Jackson's The Lottery Short Story vs. Film." December 10, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/shirley-jacksons-the-lottery-short-story-vs-film/.

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