"Connected" Camera Focus

The short film that i found is called “Connected”. It takes place in a post-apocalyptic world, where oxygen must be filtered. There is no dialogue in the film; everything must be explained through the camera work. The film starts with close ups of each characters helmets, dragging attention to the two different initial main characters. One character has a triangle on their helmet while the other has a circle, though the camera shake may prevent viewers from fully noticing this. The two characters are established that way through just the use of camera work.

An establishing shot used early on. It effectively lets the viewer know what the situation in the film is, and what the characters are trying to do.

Continuity is a large part of this film, the characters never really stop moving, and the cuts from the camera maintain an interesting film to watch. There are several cuts that are just zoomed in on an axis. At one point, the camera looks towards the sky, and the dark moving clouds, this is used as a transition, to allow a passage of time for the characters to move towards the imminent climax. This same kind of shot is used at the end of the film, to give a peaceful though dark climax to the film. Despite the large scale establishing shots, and the wide open environment the characters are in, the characters are the main focus; as interesting and well done as the environments are. The characters move into a smaller area where they can be captured with more focus on them.

Characters are introduced in a way that makes sense for the setting

 and work well throughout the plot.

 Despite the scene, isn’t totally bright, but is perfectly well lit. At certain more eventful parts, characters are used to block out the sun, to create a more frantic shot. Before the action occurs though, cuts are more fluid, bringing the viewer into the film and letting the passage of time flow smoothly. Point of view shots are also used to establish what is happening.

The first point of view perspective shows the importance of the characters suits and hose like instruments hanging from the helmets. The shot mixed with the sounds of the character breathing make it clear that the characters have a limited supply of oxygen. Towards the end, there is a showdown; the shots establish what the characters are thinking, and what they are trying to do. The over the shoulder perspectives of the different characters establish what each one wants to achieve. Close-ups on the breathing tube gives away the motive, everything else has already been established. Overall the camera work identifies who characters are, what is happening to them, and what their motives are.

The importance here is shown by simply zooming in.

The camera work does a very good job of telling the viewer what the characters are like, and what their motives are. They aren’t given full depth, it wouldn’t help because of the short length of the film, but the characters personalities are well portrayed through their actions. The camera work of this film is very well done, and together with the short but compelling plot make this a very good film.

Here's the film: