Short Film Research: (Whittling Away/Mystery)

    Hey everyone! The next step in our researching process is researching actual short films. Specifically, we are looking at short films in the genre we chose mystery.The first film I decided to look at was Whittling Away by True Intent. In this film, there is an interesting use of camera angles and movements, as well as Mis-En-Scene. The first thing that really stood out to me was the use of sound. The film starts out with calming ambient noise of a forest. This added a very calming and relaxing atmosphere to the film. Some lighthearted relaxing lo-fi music teens begins to play, which furthers that tranquility in the film. Then, as the young girl reveals she’s holding a knife, the noise abruptly stops. The abruptness is shocking and reveals the the viewer that this scene may not be as peaceful as it seems. This is a common trope in mystery films to trick the viewer into believing everything is normal. 

    Transitioning to the next scene, the setting switches from forest to a seemingly normal house. With this change in setting also comes a dramatic change in lighting, going from the cool tones of the forest to the bright and warm lighting of the house. While the darker lighting of the forest is a common convention in mystery films, the brightness and warmth isn’t as common, but provides a nice contrast. Once again, there is no music in this scene, which adds back that sense of normalcy. The father, sitting in what seems to be an office, is wearing bright clothing. This matches the atmosphere and creates what is suppose to be a happy household. As the camera follows the father with an over the shoulder tracking shot, it builds some suspense by leaving the viewer wondering what he is going to find and whether it explains why the young girl is in the forest. When the father finds the note from this daughter about walking the dog, the insert shot to the dog leash inside the house combined with the sudden addition of eerie music adds back that suspense that is common place in mysteries . 

    In the scenes where the father seems to be on the phone with the girl’s grandmother, the contrast in angles and lighting further intensifies the film. The use of only a close up to keep the majority of her face, and possibly her intentions, hidden is common in mystery films. The dark lighting to portray a character as mysterious or suspicious is also a common convention.

    Towards the end, the use of a wide shot reveals that all the suspense turns out to be unwarranted. The young girl is simply carving a turtle out of wood. Like most mystery films, the “mystery” was solved at the end. The ending greatly contrast with most mystery films, like for example saltburn, that tend to end in a sinister or sad way. 

    I enjoyed the use of lighting very much in film. The use of contrast in lighting between two characters creates an impactful way to deliver suspense. I also enjoyed the use of close-ups to hide details from the viewer, furthering the suspense in the film. However, an aspect I didn’t quite enjoy is the unaddressed scene of the blood falling in the late. Many mysteries films leave small details unanswered at the end, which I don’t really like. It leaves an unsatisfying ending and the lack of answers create this never ending curiosity. Nonetheless, I enjoyed taking a look at this film and can’t wait to watch some more examples of mystery films.