Analysing a Short Film- Craig Dean Devine's 'This is Life'

Upon looking at the preferences of particular short films we set our sights upon analysing the   work of Cinematographer Craig Dean Devine. The piece which we concentrated  on was that of 'This Is Life' an almost biographical piece by Devine himself. The story itself is based within a lower class area and focuses on the world of a dysfunctional family who are trying to mend their past, living the 'idyllic' lifestyle. As well as this much of the biopic concentrates on the story's young male protagonist Dean, who finds it tough to bond with his reforming criminal father.

Mise En Scene

During the opening scene of the short film we are introduced inside the central family home along with the young male school boy, his sister and their mother. From the way in which each character is dressed in morning attire such as dressing gowns we know instantly that it is early morning, almost as if it were a new beginning for the family as their 'Dad's coming home'. Later on as the protagonist's elder sister picks him up from school we may see their open body language and closeness to each other. As they travel the streets inside of a shopping trolley we can also denote that the storyline is set within a lower class area, for instance their front garden has a pile of rubbish upon it. 
When first introduced to the protagonist's father he is dressed in dark colours and can be seen smoking a cigarette, as if he were a character coming from curious circumstances. Despite the father being openly affectionate towards his son there could be said to be tension on the young boy's behalf, seeming reluctant to speak to or embrace him. During the next scene the family sit together in front of a television eating their dinner, another stereotypical lower class thing to do.

Furthermore, the next scene we may see the divide between father and son through the barrier in between the characters, hinting towards the father character's criminal background. As well as this the only way in which they bond is through illegally driving the car together, the characters body language being much more open and positive. Due to the family atmosphere being noted beforehand, the adult parental characters later argue during the night, something which audience members may empathise with as this is a typical family occurance for most. 
As the father character wears mostly darker clothing throughout the production much could be said for its connotations, our suspicions are later confirmed as the figure talks to a worker about his criminal past and quest for forgiveness

Camera Angles:

There are a variety of camera angles used throughout Craig Dean Devine's 'This Is Life' which helps the audience recognise general quirks and parts of the storyline. The opening scene is introduced with the use of an establishing shot, in the typically middle class kitchen, indicating all of the key characters, general family background and the time of day. Most of the production is filmed using the hand held camera option, creating a similar feel to that of a fly off the wall documentary, like the drama is unfolding in front of your eyes. 

Later there are also ranges of pans along with long shots denoting the close relationship between the young boy character and his elder sister (the two having fun pushing one another in a shopping trolley). Simply through the introduction of the young protagonist's father we may notice their non existent relationship. An over the shoulder shot from the father's point of view also adds a hint of mystery towards his identity. Their relationship is also more evident as they embrace and we may see the father's distraught face in a close up. 
Later on a low angle shot of the father figure being interrogated is used, giving the audience a chance to focus on him and his previously hidden background. A low angle shot is also used later on when the character's bond and hold each other in a loving embrace.

Sound:
Music is regularly played in the whole of the sequence, the most frequent being that of non diegetic incidental music of a acoustic guitar and violin; these are often used in scenes of action, for example, Dean and his sister running with the trolley and Dean and his father's boxing match. The young protagonist Dean has little dialogue within despite being the most prominent character, the larger amounts being given to his father as we need to learn more about his past.

Editing:

Devine uses a few editing techniques in this piece the first most obvious being the match on action between the Mother character and the kitchen, denoting the family routine. Another editing method are the many shot-reverse-shots used especially between Dean and his father, as we slowly watch their relationship grow. Jump cuts are used, in particular the moment in which we are transported from the family kitchen to Dean waiting outside the school gates, showing  passage of time. Slow motion is also used in the boxing sequence as helps us recognise the happiness between the characters and the happy upcoming ending.