Analysing Storytelling Techniques in Short Films

Analysing Storytelling Techniques in Short Films

After researching my audience, I wanted to explore how short films actually tell stories in such a limited time. Unlike feature-length films, animated shorts often have just a few minutes to make an impact, so I needed to study the techniques that make them effective.

I started by rewatching some of the shorts from my inspiration playlist, but this time I focused only on how the story was communicated. Many films didn’t use much dialogue at all. Instead, they relied on visual storytelling—facial expressions, body language, colour changes, and sound effects.

I also noticed that good shorts often used a simple but powerful narrative structure. Most followed a very clear beginning, middle, and end, but in a compressed way. For example, some introduced a character’s problem within the first 20 seconds, showed their struggle, and ended with a twist or resolution.

Another technique I studied was symbolism. Some films used objects, colours, or repeated actions to represent emotions or ideas. This was a clever way to add depth without needing extra time or dialogue.

I realised that pacing was just as important as the plot. Shorts that lingered too long on one scene felt slow, but films that rushed through moments lost their emotional impact. The best ones had a rhythm that matched the tone of the story.

From this research, I learned that my film should:

  • Focus on a clear, simple story arc.

  • Use visuals instead of dialogue to save time.

  • Include strong expressions, colours, and sound to communicate emotions quickly.

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