Jordon Clifton

Short film analysis: Maybe, 2011

Black background to direct the audience to the font on screen. White font dominant’s the shot, showing the audience who produced the film for the first credits and the title in the second. Both the credits fade in and out shown by the editing techniques used. No sound for the first credit, however background music of the coffee shop and moved cups and saucers are heard. This music is heard when the title ‘Maybe’ fades in. Which then leads to another fade out and in, to the setting and start of the film.

Ambient background sound is heard in this panning shot of the coffee shop. We then see the man through the glass counter after a few seconds of panning. This shot presents the setting and location of the beginning of the film. Establishing the genre and the characters of the film from the start. When the man is first seen the upbeat music is faded in, creating a sense of light hearted anticipation and also hinting towards the start of the story. High key lighting is used to reflect the mood and create an image of what the storyline and film will be like. Props of cookies, glass counter and tables showing it’s a café/coffee shop.

Medium close up of man reading a book showing the top half of him and what he is doing. This shot also allows the audience to see the woman walking up on his left, and his reaction to seeing her. Man is wearing casual clothes while the woman is walking with a bike. Showing her form of transport, and wearing smart bright clothes indicating the season in the film. A louder diegetic sound of the woman resting her bike against the window is emphasized. Over the top of the same background music that’s now slightly faster in beat. A long cut is used to show the man.

Lots of straight cuts and shot reverse shots are used, alternating between the man and woman. This highlights them looking at each other and potentially liking each other. Mid shots are used of both the man and woman, illustrating what the woman looks like and how she reacts to the man looking at her. As well as how the man reacts to the woman knowing she’s looking at him. Mise-en-scene shows the back of the counter conveying that the woman works in the shop, as well as the costume of the apron she is putting on. Diegetic sound of woman’s footsteps over the background music, showing she maybe didn’t notice the man.

Close up shot of the man writing on the napkin helping the audience to see what he’s writing, so they can read it allowing them to understand the narrative. As well as from his point of view as it can be seen as an almost over the shoulder shot. Diegetic sound of man taking out a napkin from the holder, clicking the pen and writing on it connoting realism. As real life sounds are heard even over the background music. Prop of the napkin showing the start of the conversation between the two characters, and the beginning of the storyline.

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Jordon Clifton

A long shot is used to show the rest of the coffee shop, finally not focusing as dominantly on the man and woman. This shot does however show the two main characters well, and them looking at each other highlighting how they like each other. Mise-en-scene of tables and chairs and coffee cups illustrates where the film is set. This shot is previously followed by mid-shots and close ups being combined by straight cut editing. This also effectively creates continuity editing and an easy flow to the narrative and two characters.

Close up shot is used of the woman showing her appearance, and representing her desirability to the male character. It conveys the reaction she has to the man’s note on the napkin, allowing the audience to see whether she likes him back. The same music is played until we completely see the napkin. This creates the effect that the audience are seeing the message at the same time as the woman, and are feeling what she is. The slowed down and quieter music could demonstrate the romance behind the message.

An over the shoulder shot of the woman reading the first clue is used. The same slowed down music is heard, and the words ‘Maybe…’ are clearly shown in this shot. The camera shot and low angle allows the viewers to read the clue, and understand where she has to go next or do. The repetition in the music pattern represents that when the woman finds a clue, she is then getting closer to meeting the man again. Mise-en-scene of woman’s bike showing how she gets around, and hinting towards her character or the country they are in.

A low angled close up is then shown which pans up the woman’s body and up to her face. Therefore highlighting how the woman is riding her bike to the clue the man gave her. While the audience can see the location and her reaction to the clues. Diegetic sound of the bike travelling on the concrete, and the synchronous sound of a dog barking. Portraying that the woman’s riding through a neighborhood or a small town.

Selected shot of the woman walking into the bookshop, and then looking at the man. This shows her shift in focus and what she is now looking at. The mise-en-scene of shelves and books emphasizes that she has been sent to a bookshop. Synchronous and diegetic sound of the bell ringing when she opens the shop door, and zips open her purse with the clue. Editing is used as straight cuts are used between the woman and the shop with the man. The position of the man on one side of the desk and the woman on the other. Connotes how they have different levels of authority in the shop.

A close up shot of the man giving the woman the prop of the book portrays what the clue has led to, and what her next clue will be. Diegetic sound of the paper packaging crinkling, as the characters handle and exchange it is heard over the same background music. This shot is then cut to a medium close up of the woman smiling, demonstrating her happy expression at finding the clue.

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Jordon Clifton Diegetic sound of woman opening the paper bag and putting a chocolate coin in the hat. Then another diegetic sound of her tipping the whole bag in, over the top of the growing upbeat background music. This creates anticipation for the audience as to whether what’s she’s done is right, while picking up the mood of the film again. The close up allows us to see what is in the hat and what the other clue was as we couldn’t see it before. The props of money emphasizes how the mime is busking, and the clue of the chocolate coins now make sense to the viewer’s. Straight cuts are used between the mid shots of the woman and mime and the hat.

The mise-en-scene of the trees and the outdoors highlights how she is riding through a neighborhood, and is riding back the way she came. In the previous shot we briefly see the clue but it’s only shown once she gets to her location. Illustrating its significance as it’s the last clue, meaning the audience doesn’t see it yet. Creating anticipation and intriguing the audience to keep watching to see the end. The happy music is dominantly used throughout mirroring her mood, and maybe hinting towards the end of story. The camera moves backwards following the woman riding her bike.

There is a straight cut from the previous shot to this postcard, which is then moved downwards to a mid-shot of the same shop. This effectively conveys how the place on the postcard is in front of the woman, showing she has got to her location. The prop of the postcard shows how it was a clue, and the bright pink colouring makes the shop look welcoming. Although the colour pink could connote romance and love linking with the genre. This long cut demonstrates how the clue has led her to the same coffee shop from the beginning. Shown by the mise-en-scene of the postcard and the building. Showing its key part in the film, and the dominant setting for the film. The same upbeat music is heard in the background however is louder. Leading to a crescendo or final part of the film. Also by showing the same coffee shop as she was in in the beginning, portrays that this is her last clue and the end of the film is near.

Long over the shoulder shot showing the man in the coffee shop and is waiting for her. Although with this shot we can see the woman enter the shop and her reaction as well. The props of the coffee cups and the position of the man, shows how we has sat in the same place as before and is waiting to have coffee with her. The same music is played throughout.

A mid-shot is used showing the two characters finally back together, and them both smiling showing they are happy to be together. The proximity of the characters shows their interest in each other. The camera shot also shows the man’s shyness towards the woman, and the woman’s happy expression as she looks at the man. Diegetic sound of bell ringing when she enters the shop, which is repetition from before. The upbeat music builds up and then suddenly stops while the shot fades into darkness.

The genre of this short film is comedy as the music is upbeat and happy, while the scenes and clues can be seen as humorous as they are creative. As well as romance as the two characters like each other, and the narrative is the man

is trying to win over the woman. This short film therefore features two different genres as there are conventions of the romance and comedy genre. The similarities across the short films are that women are attractive in their

appearance and are desirable to the men. They also have to be won over by the man as they are seen to be hard to impress. The similarities across the short films for men are they are attracted to the pretty and feminine women.

They therefore feel they have to win them over, and need to have a girlfriend in their lives. They also fall for the main woman in the film, showing that they may fall in love easily. The genre of ‘Maybe’ is aimed at adults as they would understand the narrative and the comedy of it. They could also appreciate how the story is put together and the

clever clues that are shown. Also as the characters are represented as adults they could relate to the situation or the characters. Adults would also find it more interesting as they may enjoy or watch films similar to this short film.

The narrative of the order of the short film components is that the man likes the woman who works in the shop. And he tries to ask her out for coffee, but she says to be more creative. So he then leaves clues for her that lead her back to the coffee shop to him. This clearly shows the logic of the narrative as the film has a beginning, middle and end to

the storyline. Meaning there is an order in terms of the storyline and the growing relationship between the characters. Specific narrative techniques have been used as there is a linear narrative that’s been established. This

theory put forward by Todorov demonstrates that the film doesn’t stop until the problem is solved. Which is emphasized in this short film as the storyline continues throughout until there is a definite end. Although the

characters aren’t particularly used to establish heroes and villains although the man or woman could be seen as the hero. As the man has set out to complete his quest to win the girl over, or alternatively the woman to finish the quest

What is being represented in the short film is the man being in love with the stereotypically attractive woman. The man is shown to be quite shy but likes the girl, so decides to ask her to go to coffee with him. This is shown through

the actions of the man in the camera shots used, and the mise-en-scene of napkin and the clues. The woman is represented as the stereotypically attractive and feminine female, who is desired by the man throughout. This is

shown through the use of close ups and mid shots of the man looking at her desirably. However she is represented as being slightly quirky and different due to her bike that she is shown with throughout the film. As well as her appearance as she wears bright and summery clothes, that is very stereotypically girly. The purpose of these

representations are to set up the narrative and create the stereotypical idea of romance of the man chasing after the woman. Although this representation is illustrated in this film, the man leaves clues for the woman to find. Which

means the woman has to do all the work of solving the clues and getting back to the man. Therefore breaking away from the dominant ideology of the man going after the woman. This is represented by the characters and the actors in the film, as they portray what the two characters are meant to do. As well as the producers as they have come up with the narrative and the characters. Meaning they choose this carefully to create a particular meaning and idea for

the audience to establish while they watch the short film. It therefore allows viewers to see the stereotypes and

The messages being perpetuated about the genre is that the man is trying to get the woman throughout the film through the use of clues. He then as it is stereotypically shown gets the girl through his creative thinking and clues.

The messages being shown through the genre is that you could potentially win over an attractive girl that you like. If you are creative and different in the way you try to win her over. Therefore the girl would then automatically be

interested in you and you would get to go out with her. The dominant ideology is that the woman will be won over if

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