For the practical part of our master’s project, we set out to understand what makes a short film emotionally engaging and thought provoking. To do this, we watched several short films that are recognized for their strong emotional impact. At first, we watched them without analyzing anything. We wanted to experience them naturally, just as any viewer would. Some films touched us immediately; others did not leave a deep impression. These first reactions helped us understand which elements work intuitively.
In the next step, we examined why certain films moved us more than others. One of the clearest observations was that stories focusing on a single person are more effective in short films. With limited time, viewers connect more easily with one individual. The emotional access becomes stronger, and the message becomes clearer. Films with many characters often lose intensity because attention is divided.
Authentic dialogue also proved to be essential. The films that impressed us the most sounded natural. The conversations felt real and unpolished. They contained pauses, interruptions and spontaneous reactions that made us feel as if we were witnessing real situations. This authenticity creates emotional closeness. When dialogue feels too scripted, emotional distance grows.
Music played an important role as well. Although we expected this, studying other films made its influence more visible. Music guides the viewer’s emotional direction. It shapes atmosphere, highlights key moments and increases intensity. Many impactful short films use music only at specific points rather than constantly. This selective use strengthens emotional peaks and avoids overwhelming the audience.
Something that surprised us with its power was the unexpected twist at the end. Many short films stay memorable because they challenge the viewer’s assumptions in the final moments. A twist creates a moment of shock or rethinking, which keeps the story alive in the viewer’s mind. This effect suits our project especially well.
Our film focuses on racism. To create impact, we want to deliberately play with stereotypes. The goal is to guide viewers toward a familiar assumption. By doing so, they become part of the problem for a moment because they follow the same unconscious ideas that exist in real life. The twist at the end will break this stereotype and reveal a different truth. This moment encourages self reflection and raises the question of why one believed the stereotype in the first place.
From our analysis, we decided to concentrate on a single main character, natural dialogue, selective music and a twist that challenges perception. These insights form the foundation of our short film and help us shape a project that aims to move viewers emotionally and make them think.
Literature we can already use for out theoretical part:
Bordwell, D., & Thompson, K. (2020). Film art: An introduction (12th ed.). McGraw Hill.
Cowgill, L. A. (2005). Writing short films: Structure and content for screenwriters (2nd ed.). Watson-Guptill.
Hall, S. (1997). Representation: Cultural representations and signifying practices. SAGE.
hooks, b. (1992). Black looks: Race and representation. South End Press.
McKee, R. (1997). Story: Substance, structure, style, and the principles of screenwriting. ReganBooks.
Plantinga, C. (2009). Moving viewers: American film and the spectator’s experience. University of California Press.
Seger, L. (1990). Creating unforgettable characters. Holt Paperbacks.
