Short Film Research Blog: See Saw

Greetings and salutations!

Welcome to Media TL;DR, the series where I break down my greatest projects so you can easily dive in and understand my original ideas. I'm your host Jaydon Smith! And today's topic is on researching short films made by other creators. And today's title is See Saw! Listed below will be my observations of the comedy genre as a whole! And I will reference how this film used such traits.

Common sound

Mostly natural noises and background noises in this short, like a phone ringing or dinging from messages. As well as TV or just the main guy talking. There’s some upbeat music that fills in the silent moments as the character does stuff.

Common mis-en-scene

The costume is just basic clothing, an at-home outfit, because throughout the movie he was home. However, in other comedies, they may change more often. There’s not a lot of makeup, at least not prominently, in comedy unless you’re trying to dress up as something—maybe a monster or such. The lighting really helps show how the main character feels throughout everything happening in the short film. The only props may be the clock, the phone, and other items around the house, maybe even the car at the end. This would be the same for any comedy—just everyday items around the area would be props. The set was really only the house overall. Sometimes the character is in the bedroom and sometimes he’s in the living room, no real in-between, as the character transitions trying to adjust to what’s happening to him. This would be the same in other comedies, where there may be multiple sets but not always.

Common editing

The editing zooms in on the main character’s face while critical moments happen—sometimes it can make you laugh as you see their expression. Editing will zoom in on things you can’t see so you can better understand the running jokes or what’s happening in a scene. Like in other comedies, the background sounds get quieter when a joke or moment is about to happen as well.

Which elements I enjoy

I like the comedy of everything going on, but there are still the simple moments. Sometimes the person may pop out a joke, and it may not be funny until the meaning hits you later on. Comedy also has those funny moments happening in the background, which can make you enjoy it so much more.

Which elements I dislike

What I dislike about comedy is that some things aren’t funny to joke about. This can make certain people uncomfortable, and that’s a bad thing, especially if it’s labeled under comedy and not a mix like dark comedy. You think you’re going in there for comedic relief and come out disgusted and disappointed.

That’s all!

That’s it for this short film research blog, everyone. This film had such an interesting look at how humor interacts with everyday life. I hope I made at least most of my descriptions and intentions clear. Thank you for reading! And until next time, stay cool and attractive.

Short Film Research Blog: The Garden of Heart

Greetings and salutations!

Welcome to Media TL;DR, the series where I break down my greatest projects so you can easily dive in and understand my original ideas. I'm your host Jaydon Smith! And today's topic is on researching short films made by other creators. And today's title is The Garden of Heart! Listed below are my observations of the comedy genre as a whole! And I will reference how this film used such traits.

Common sound

Upbeat, and usually speech of some form. Sometimes they crack jokes or make conversation. Sometimes it's more of a blurry noise in the background that is peaceful as people enjoy the jokes being spoken or the stories in the moment. The sound is supposed to give a happy feeling without blocking out the funny aspects throughout the movie.

Common mis-en-scene

There aren’t a lot of costumes as this is an animation. There isn’t a lot of makeup or acting either, as it is animated. The lighting showcases the facial movements and expressions of the characters, especially how they’re feeling in each moment, which is important in most movies. There aren’t really props, but for sets, they go scene by scene in a fluid motion, each showcasing something that can be seen as funny and tied perfectly into the storyline.

Common editing

There’s not a lot of editing in this movie since it’s an animation. However, it does cut in and out of the surroundings while also giving some close-ups of the face, moving closer to whoever is making the joke in the moment or speaking. It cuts between each moment of comedy.

Which elements I enjoy

I like the happy feeling of the genre. It makes me laugh, and I enjoy that feeling as new things appear and funny moments happen. I like the musical aspects, and when you understand the jokes, it makes it so much better. However, when people misinterpret the jokes, it makes it hilarious as each scene plays out.

Which elements I dislike

I dislike when the sound disappears—it leaves a need for the quietness to be filled. Luckily, in most of this film, the man is talking in the background, except in necessary areas where the film fills the feeling of what is going on in the moment. The film did make me feel sad in a way, and I disliked that, as I thought it would make me laugh more.

That’s all!

That’s it for this short film research blog, everyone. This film had such an amazing lighthearted tone, and I loved its comedic elements. I hope I made at least most of my descriptions and intentions clear. Thank you for reading! And until next time, stay cool and attractive.

Short Film Research Blog: Dotty

Greetings and Salutations!

Welcome to Media TL;DR the series where I break down my greatest projects so you can easily dive in and understand my original ideas. I'm your host Jaydon Smith! And Today's topic is on researching short films made by other creators. And today's Title is Pennies From Heaven! Listed below will be my observations of the comedy genre as a whole! And will reference how this film used such a trait.

Common Sound

• When the film isn't focused on the characters, the film uses music which is a cutaway from the silent moment of the characters. Which when paired with another recurring scene, creates comedy.
• Hearing a strange sound randomly creates a sense of unexpected comedy.

Common Mis-En-Scene

• The actors really fit their roles. In this film, you can genuinely believe that the old lady does not know how to use her phone, which makes it all the funnier (although a bit sad.)
• The acting is realistic, which immerses the viewer deeper. Great immersion can make films funnier

Common Editing

• A close-up to a character's surprised face is common and funny.
• Cutaways were used to distract the viewer, allowing them to process what happened

Which Elements I Enjoy

• I enjoy that inherently funny comedy can be paired with darker themes to pull your heart in both directions.
• I enjoyed the funny reactions of a character, especially when the situation was so simple.

Which Elements I Dislike

• I don't like that there is an absence of music, which may make the film a little boring. Though I do understand that quietness is necessary for some comedic effect.
• I disliked how this film almost made me cry at the end. Comedies should make me laugh.

That's All!

That's it for this Short Film Research Blog everyone. This film had an amazing plot twist which I desperately wish to out-do. I hope I made at least most of my descriptions and intentions clear. Thank you for reading! And until next time, stay cool and attractive.

Short Film Research Blog: Pennies From Heaven

    

Greetings and Salutations!

Welcome to Media TL;DR the series where I break down my greatest projects so you can easily dive in and understand my original ideas. I'm your host Jaydon Smith! And Today's topic is on researching short films made by other creators. And today's Title is Pennies From Heaven! Listed below will be my observations of the comedy genre as a whole! And will reference how this filmed used such a trait.

Common Sound

• Non-diegetic sound in the form of music is used very frequently to express a mood.
• Diegetic sound effects to show something happened.

Common Mis-En-Scene

• They pay great attention to text anywhere, whether it is on a shirt or on a menu for comedic punch.
• Outfits fit the environment, and a change of outfit can comedically show when an environment is different.

Common Editing

• There are subtitles for a language barrier joke.
• Many reverse shots to show the reactions of the sisters.
• Extreme close up used to emphasize pennies which is used for comedy.

Which Elements I Enjoy

• I love how the first character interaction we see is a joke, a bid crude, but the unexpectedness made me laugh.
• I like the small jokes, that shows a lot of effort went into making it.

Which Elements I Dislike

• Naturally the problem with comedy is that it's objective, so of course I may dislike some jokes.
• I personally don't like how sometimes jokes play out too long. For instance, one line may be a joke and there doesn't need to be someone to explain it

That's All!

That's it for this Short Film Research Blog everyone. I actually found this short film hilarious and I wish to implement some elements into our own film! I hope I made at least most of my descriptions and intentions clear. Thank you for reading! And until next time, stay cool and attractive.

Short Film Research Blog: Sites

    

Greetings and Salutations!

Welcome to Media TL;DR the series where I break down my greatest projects so you can easily dive in and understand my original ideas. I'm your host Jaydon Smith! And Today's topic is researching short films made by other creators. Specifically, my references.

Where are the references found?

My goal for this task was simple: Find a website with a collection of short films. Just like for my title research blog last year. I was sure someone had to make something like what I'm looking for, and I was once again very right! This time I found two websites, called "Short of the Week" and "Film Short.com," found at 'https://www.shortoftheweek.com' and 'https://www.filmsshort.com/' respectively, and they were colossal emporiums of various short films, which proved very useful! I just hope that like last year, this website has not just professional companies but also student-made short films. I like to look at the student-made ones because they have limited production accessibility, such as my group and I, so the expectations are more realistic.

    

What am I doing with this research?

I'm viewing these example films, so what? What can I do with this? Well by seeing the efforts of others, I can implement the techniques of said others, additionally, it would help me understand what I exactly need to do. There's a quote from a card game that I like called Magic the Gathering, and it says: "Learning to imitate a master is the first step in becoming one." So I will put in effort to understand and then construct our own short film.

That's All!

That's it for this Short Film Research Blog everyone. I hope I made at least most of my descriptions and intentions clear. Thank you for reading! And until next time, stay cool and attractive.

Short Film Research Blog: Le Jetee(the short) vs. 12 Monkeys (the full-length movie)

Greetings and salutations!

Welcome to my Short Film Research Blog, the series where I break down my greatest projects and cinematic deep dives so you can easily follow along and enjoy the ride. I'm your host Jaydon Smith! And today’s topic is comparing 12 Monkeys (the full-length film) and La Jetée (the short film).

First Impressions

My takeaway from the fact that 12 Monkeys is a recreation of La Jetée is how still pictures can be a foundation for creating a full-fledged film. In a way, La Jetée serves as the storyboard for 12 Monkeys, with each frame acting as a snapshot of the scene. The short film relies entirely on still photography and narration to tell its story, creating a minimalist yet impactful narrative experience.

On the other hand, 12 Monkeys expands on this minimalist style by incorporating dynamic cinematography, dialogue, and a larger narrative scope. Terry Gilliam, the director, used wide-angle shots to showcase his "skewed vision of humanity," which added to the film’s surreal and unsettling tone. These choices not only shaped the film but also served as an inspiration for our group. Observing how 12 Monkeys evolved from La Jetée motivates us to think more thoughtfully about how we will express our ideas in our storyboard and film scenes.

Key Themes and Comparisons

Comparing the themes of 12 Monkeys and La Jetée, it’s fascinating to see how both films tell different stories while sharing the same base. La Jetée focuses on the bleak message that there is no escape from the present, as people can lose themselves by clinging to the past. Meanwhile, 12 Monkeys takes a more forward-looking approach, emphasizing how the past can teach us lessons about the future and warning against dwelling too much on what has already happened.

In essence, La Jetée delivers a more nihilistic and pessimistic tone, while 12 Monkeys offers a slightly more hopeful—though still critical—message about humanity. This contrast highlights the versatility of storytelling and helps our group think critically about the message or theme we want to convey to our audience. What do we want them to take away, and how will we execute it effectively?

That’s all!

That’s it for this Short Film Research Blog! I hope I made at least most of my descriptions and intentions clear. Thank you for reading! And until next time, stay cool and attractive.

Short Film Research Blog: 9 (The Short) vs. 9 (The full-Length Movie)

Greetings and salutations!

Welcome to my Short Film Research Blog, the series where I break down my greatest projects and cinematic deep dives so you can easily follow along and enjoy the ride. I'm your host Jaydon Smith! And today’s topic is comparing 9 (the short film) and 9 (the full-length movie).

First Impressions

My initial thoughts on the short film were that it felt dark and clanky—both in sound and atmosphere. It delivered a sense of mystery, as none of the characters spoke, leaving the world unexplained and slightly confusing. Despite this, the story was straightforward: our main character, 9, tries to avoid a mechanical monster that seems to be hunting and killing members of his “family” (or other creations like himself). We also meet 5, another creation, who we see live briefly before being killed. Throughout the short film, 9 evolves from a coward frozen in fear to a clever hero who outsmarts and defeats the creature. The short seemed to fit into the thriller or horror genre, set in a gloomy, post-apocalyptic 1930s world. It followed typical genre conventions: dark and moody visuals, a reliance on atmosphere over dialogue, and special effects driven by 3D animation. Key storytelling techniques included a flashback for backstory and the visual motif of the pulsing green disk.

A Larger Canvas

My first impression of the full-length film was that it felt darker, punkier, and more mechanical. With a wider cast and voice acting, the world was more fleshed out, and the audience could connect with it better. 9 acted as the viewer’s lens into the gritty, retro-futuristic, ruined world. While still PG-13, the movie wasn’t afraid to get a little graphic, featuring moments like a severed human hand and the deaths of some characters. The monster roster expanded beyond the original “beast,” and the film continued to follow thriller conventions in its camera work, story beats, and tone.

The directorial style changed slightly with the addition of Tim Burton as a producer, adding quirky elements while retaining a serious tone. Character development was much deeper this time, with the extended runtime allowing more exploration of characters like 1 and 7. The creations, called “stitchpunks,” looked like ragdolls but gained more personality and complexity through dialogue and action.

Major Differences

While the short and full-length films share a serious tone, the latter leaned more into Tim Burton’s quirky-yet-dark style. The full movie had voice acting, a cohesive storyline, and an origin story for the characters and the world. While both plots involved mystical “soul-stealing” elements, the longer version added a rescue subplot. The improved animation budget made movements smoother and more polished.

The full-length film also leaned more into mystery than pure thriller, focusing on uncovering what happened to the world, who 9 and the stitchpunks are, and who created them. I personally preferred the full-length film for its immersive storytelling and broader world-building, though I appreciate the short for its unique atmosphere and compact story.

That’s all!

That’s it for this Short Film Research Blog! Both versions of 9 were fantastic in their own ways, but the full-length film stands out for me as the more enjoyable and complete experience. I hope I made at least most of my descriptions and intentions clear. Thank you for reading! And until next time, stay cool and attractive.

Planning Blog: How To Make A Short Film

Greetings and salutations!

Welcome to Media TL;DR, the series where I break down my greatest projects so you can easily dive in and understand my original ideas. I'm your host Jaydon Smith! And today's topic is my research into how to make a great short film.

Plan Practicality

The most solid piece of advice I came across during my research was to avoid writing or planning for what you don’t have. For example, if you don’t have the resources for professional-quality audio, aim for limited or even no audio. Similarly, if your budget is tight, make sure your project reflects that limitation. The key is to stay practical and grounded in what’s realistically achievable.

Team Triumphs

Another important point is to work with your crew in a way that highlights their strengths. While this may seem obvious, it’s more about understanding the unique skills of your team members—whether it’s your actors, your director, or even your filmer—and tailoring the project to fit those strengths. Building a positive and respectful relationship with your crew is also crucial, especially since they might not be getting paid. Kindness and accommodation on set go a long way in creating a smooth working environment.

Issue Identification

Ensuring there are no major issues before filming begins is another vital step. Preparation is everything. When problems arise, having a team that can work together to troubleshoot and adapt makes all the difference. Proper planning and communication can prevent a lot of headaches down the line.

Impactful Integration

All this research has influenced how we’re writing, planning, and collaborating within our group to create the best short film possible. By working through these strategies, we aim to ensure our final product is both practical and polished.

That’s all!

That’s it for this research blog, everyone! These tips have been invaluable as we tackle our short film project, and I hope you found them as helpful as I did. Thank you for reading! And until next time, stay cool and attractive.