Short film analysis 'ShadowPlay'

I have analysed a short film that works primarily through shadows and silhouettes, as I found it to be effective and useful due to our new silhouette idea.

'A group of children get more than they bargained for when watching

a peculiar shadow play in a circus tent.'

I thoroughly enjoyed this short film, as I found the use of lighting very effective, its used cleverly to highlight certain aspects of the children, illuminated by the strange shadow show. On first entering the tent the children are illuminated brightly with back lighting as they descend into the dark tent, therefore they appear as silhouettes. This could be foreshadowing latter events, depecting the over whelming power of the show as the children are immediately absorbed by it the minute they enter. This also sets the tone for the rest of the short film and creates an eerie atmosphere, as immediately we feel concerned for the child audience as they appear to be entering the unknown. Key lighting is also used within this sequence, highlighting certain features of the child as they watch, particularly their faces. This works of the idea of personalisation, as the audience will feel a stronger connection to the characters and be reminded of their vulnerabilty through being able to see their faces and expressions and being able to imagine what the characters are thinking and feeling. The illuminations of the childrens faces also allows the audience to see their fixation on the shadow show, as they appear trance like, looking much more vulnerable and helpless. This could represent the tendencies of small children, as they become engrossed and silent when watching something they find unsual or interesting. The smoke and strobe lights used in the very beginning appear very stereotypical theatrical, and suggest vibrance and fun. However this film immediately makes it clear all is not as it seems, as the music has a tinny, echo effect and the strobe lights are flashed against a dense black background, creating a foreboading effect.

Whilst the children are paying to view the show inside the tent, a spotlight effect is cast over them which appears to quickly cut amoungst the children, darting and highlighting quick features of them. The spotlight appears very intense and almost as though the children are being silently scruntisnised and searched on arrival as it illuminates clothing, shoes etc.

I found the silhouettes used very effective, as they appear on what looks like a very old cinema screen, giving a flickering effect. The silhouettes appear very unusual, presented in way that makes the show appear as an old fashioned freak show with echoey paino music. As an audience member this immediately made me feel uncomfortable, as theres a sense of uncertainty and no boundaries that puts the viewers on edge. The silhouette itself is of a hand with numerous fingers, slowly rising upward. It very much mirrors the motion of a flower blooming, which could represent the story unfolding. The fact that a human hand is used for the silhouette personifys it, as we see no person connected to the hand but instead watch it 'bloom'. Using a hand for the silhouette could arguably make it more or less relatable. More relatable because its a sign of humanity, and although we cannot see the person we know a living being is controlling the hands movement, almost portraying a sense of vulnerabilty as the hand appears frail and uncertain. On the other hand, because the hand is detached it could almost appear as its own being, creating a sense of discomfort as the child audience is watching something we are uncertain about, fear of the unknown. When creating our own silhouette, I want to ensure it shows small details of the character, eyelashes, lips moving etc because I feel this creates a sense of vulnerability and makes the silhouette much more relatable, as we don't have visual appearance or expression to rely on.
Another silhouette within this sequence I found particularly effective is the rabbit, shown frolicking forward. Rabbit shadow puppets are commonly re-created because they are so instantly recognisable, its almost an iconic symbol when projecting your own shadow puppets, so this creates a link to something you might have done in your childhood and allows the audience to connect. The actions of the rabbit could be foreshadowing latter events, it unknownly and almost innocently bounds forward, unaware of the danger awaiting it in the form of the crocodile. This could link to the children, unknowingly and innocently going to watch a shadow show being unaware of the danger awaiting them.