Codes and Conventions

I have looked at many short films and have seen many codes and conventions that are the same. Most of them include 1 or 2 characters and follow them in a part of their life. For example in 'Le Cheval' it follows a male character wanting to be like a horse and be free.

Most of the films have hybrid genres, again in Le Cheval it shows parts of a french, art house theme but has aspects of comedy in it to get across the message that the man wants to be a horse, this gives it a light hearted feeling. The use of hybrid genres make the film more interesting and can appeal to a wider audience.

A short film normally has 1 or 2 characters in it as the time is limited. The mise en scene therefore has to be of high importance as the character has to be introduced very quickly. In the short film Goodbye Mr Snuggles we first see 2 characters in tweed jackets and coming out of a manor house, this shows that they have wealth. Also the non-diegetic music in this film creates suspense when the clown is coming around the corner quickly in his car.

Short films purpose are mostly to put across a message and there is usually irony in them. Like in Goodbye Mr Snuggles the clown tries to kill the old man but ends up being shot himself.