'Soar' Short Film Analysis

Adhering/ Subverting Conventions

Mostly, 'Soar' adheres the conventions of a short film. The dialogue is kept to a minimum, in this case, there is no dialogue, only diegetic sounds and a soundtrack. The visuals were propelling the narrative instead of speech. Also, there were only two characters seen throughout the film, and remained in only one location (excluding the sky). The only aspect that may subvert the norms of a short film is the fact it is an animation, thus making the budget much more costly, whereas most short films are live action and have a lower budget.

Mise-en-Scene

'Soar' has a limited range of props, including what people would consider 'boring' essentials. For example, the girl is sat at a bench with a pencil, however the pencil is used as a vital part in the film- using it to build a ship. This is an example of a short film convention; making the ordinary into something extraordinary. The film also uses other 'ordinary' objects, such as pieces of paper to propel the narrative forward.

Also, 'Soar' keeps to one location: a field. This keeps the plot simplistic and easy to follow, another convention of short films.

Sound

There is no dialogue in 'Soar', the only sounds we here are ambient and the soundtrack. In the beginning, we hear a slow, yet high-pitched piano soundtrack, reflecting the everyday life and struggles for the girl. However, more percussion instruments are heard as it progresses, and introduce a lower-pitch sound, representing a mystery about to be unfurled.

The music stops, then suddenly a very high pitch drone is heard. As the small girl appears out of her crashed aircraft high-pitched piano and percussion sounds are heard to prove she is no threat. These sound techniques are continued throughout the short film, quickening and slowing in speed depending on the excitement of the scene.

The diegetic sounds are also very important to the film, as there is no speaking. The sound of the crashes, movements and opening of bags show importance as the crisp sounds draw attention to the action.

Editing

The editing in 'Soar' is kept relatively simple, using only cuts. However, the timings of the clips are timed with accuracy, ensuring no scenes are so long that they bore you, nor too short that they miss out vital details and the audience cannot keep up.

'SOAR' Short Film Analysis

Camera

Sarah Rigby

'Soar' uses several camera techniques to portray meaning and evoke emotion, despite it being animated. In particular, several close-up shots are used, intensifying the emotions thus grasping the attention of the audience.

Many shots in 'Soar' are aesthetically pleasing, having the establishing shot that of the sky, also connoting the idea of flight, explored in the film. The ending shot is a graphic match to this, giving the film closure.