Short Film Analysis - This is the Life by Craig Devine (2010)

This is the Life
Craig Devine (2010)


From watching this short film we can see the genre is based around social realism and that he gets inspiration from director Shane Meadows in the way he frames his shots.

It opens straight away with the title which is very conventional of a short film, its very simple and classic with the white font on the black background as in not to direct any attention from the main piece.

It then opens with a LS allowing us to see the setting of the first scene, the camera is cleverly angled to give a "fly on the wall" illusion to feel like you are actually in the kitchen with the characters, the camera appears hand held and adds to the realism of the shot. The setting used is of a typical British family, and the mise en scene with the costumes e.g. school uniform, dressing gown allows us to assume its breakfast time.

The CU of the mother when the son asks for help with his tie, shows us the stress in her face the high angle of the shot suggests she is under pressure and when she asks her daughter to do it for her. The fact she hasn't got her self dressed and is busy getting the children ready gives emphasis that she is falling behind, we sense anxiety and for a first time viewer we would wonder why? The non diagetic sound begins to play the melancholy of the piece is very emotive. It then cuts to an ELS the piece of music then acts as a sound bridge to the end of the day when she comes to collect Dean from school, the shot is framed to mimic that of an independent film, the following cuts are of their journey home, he uses various shots of them in different places this makes us feel as though they are on a journey, the idea that she as brought a trolley for them to play with conveys the idea that she looks out for her brother and is a playful sister. She may has to take care of him and help her mom out because of the lack of a father figure.  The ELS here allows us to see the setting of the area of where they live, the music continues to play and creates a happy atmosphere with the characters. As we return to the family's home the reunion with the father shows that the family is working class, it looks as though they live on a council estate. We assume this because of the framing of the LS lets us see the rubbish outside the house, it conveys abandonment which could mimic the feelings of the mother when her husband wasn't there, the amount rubbish shows she doesn't care and that she has far more important things to do.  As he walks over to Dean who at this point is still on the other side of the street, we can sense

tension, the CU of the shot and the way in which it's framed makes the audience feel as though we are in the embrace, the closeness allows the audience to feel the love from the the father to the son but we sense resentment as the son doesn't react, this is then confirmed when Dean just walks away.

The TV dinner reinforces the class of the family and that the family couldn't be bothered to sit round the table for dinner. The scene looks like the "Royal Family" setting and the in and out of focus highlights the tension between the father and son, we are on the boys level the frequent looking back and forth from the two shows the mistrust the boys as. The mise en scene gives the scene a typical British family look. The

middle shows the relationship between the father and son unravel after him in prison. The father forgets to pick Dean up maybe showing his lack of commitment and that he forgets the important things. The silence from the son conveys resentment again as the father begs for forgiveness.  

 The following shot reverse shots are a CU has the father continues to beg; this shows us his facial expressions. The shots of the father are shown behind the railings this communicates a barrier between the two emotionally and physically, the bars connote the feeling of prison and being behind bars. When he finally persuades Dean to get in the

car, we then see Dean is left on his own again waiting for his Dad this shows the father has a lack of responsibility, the CU of the roll up cigarettes and matches give the image of man who as just come out of prison, as he returns the tension between the two is unavoidable and as he offers Dean a treat, the happy non diegetic sound begins to play, we notice that the music begins to play when happy moments occur.

Dean's treat is to steer the car, the positioning of the camera makes us feel as part of the scene and that we are in the car with them, the CU shots shows the happy smiles and has he turns the car it gives connotations of the turning of events in their life, and that things are going to turn around and get better. However, this contrasts with the argument the parents have.

 It cuts to the family's day out bowling; showing them with happy smiley faces, having a good time, laughng and that they are all together - this shows the parents do care and want their family to work.  






This contrast again with the next shot of the Dean and his mother looking fed up, as the father enters we can see him walk past at the top of the frame with this the mothers eyes roll highlighting tension within the household again.  

The camera then shoots from the side as the two talk the camera goes in and out of focus in particular of Dean this could highlight his fading belief in his father. The CU of the shot allows us to see the emotion expressed from the characters and feel empathy towards them.

As we come to the end of the short film, we see the Dad at the probation office the low angle of the shot may insinuate the father is over coming his problems, the extreme foreground is blurred making all the attention on him. The CU lets us see his relief as he expresses the fact he wants to spend time with his family. Throughout the conversation we only see the father, this shows that its all about him and what he needs to do as a father to help his family.

We then are shown a LS of the Father and his two children playing in a made up boxing ring this highlights he has changed and that he is making an effort, the happy faces convey this and the music begins again at a happy moment in the story.

It finishes with conventional credits for a short film.

This is the Life from Craig Dean Devine on Vimeo.