Short Film Analysis: Get Out

Get Out
To sum up this short film animation, "Get Out" is much like a metaphor of a scenario in which we have all experienced, yet have no recollection of. This short film makes use of playing on two ideas which come together at the end to reveal a hidden meaning. It was an award winning film of 2009 produced by students from a French animation school (ESMA) in Montpelier. "Get Out" integrates features of horror, comedy and fantasy genre and must be credited greatly for its unexpected twist at the end.

Analysis

This 7 minute long animation follows a number of conventions which are evident in that of short films. To start, there are two main characters, yet one - Gary - is focused more heavily upon as opposed to the psychiatrist and this supports the short film convention where it is normally just one character in which a short film revolves around.

As has already been mentioned, this short animation crosses the boundaries into a number of different genres effectively. For example, the fantasy genre would be when we are drawn into his imagination and can see what it is he is thinking. The horror genre is shown whereby Gary overreacts to the psychiatrist trying to help him with his phobia of doors. And the comedy genre is touched upon throughout but has its strongest impact at the end of the film where the twist is unfolded and the narrative explains itself.

Although not there is not much evidence of music or sound effects, it is used when essential and at a minimal level. Music has been used in this animation to help with the narrative and is most noticeable when Gary is in his own world. Whenever he is daydreaming/ indulged in his own little world, a tranquil, happy and rather dopey music begins to play. However, this music only ever plays when he is like this, otherwise no background music can be heard apart from the dialogue, which indicates that dialogue plays an important role in carrying out the narrative.

Without ruining the plot of the story, characterisation is another factor which helps lead up to the big moment when the twist is revealed. Gary appears to be dressed in a large baby grow and that he is also bald helps with the twist at the end where it is revealed who he actually is.

The theme of this animation is cleverly constructed and has probably undergone a very long thought process as the whole idea of Gary having a phobia of doors is not only an important aspect of the film but it helps link in with the twist at the end where this phobia is justified. This narrative also converges with the audience in a way that all viewers would have experienced the same feelings as Gary and so when the twist is revealed, the comedy aspect is appreciated by all who have spent their time watching it.