Short Film Analysis - Feast | a2mediastudiestjl

Short Film Analysis - Disney's Feast

Disney’s Feast

Genre - Computer animated romantic comedy short film. Although a rom-com, it does not focus as much on the couple as the protagonist of the story is the dog Winston. The events that unfold within the story revolve around Winston as he manages to even reunite the couple after they break up and is even the ring bearer at the wedding.
Challenges typical conventions of a short film as they usually span within a short period of time whereas Feast covers a larger timespan as the couple manage to marry and have a child within the 6 minute run time. This is accomplished by having the same shot but altering the dogs shape and size and background change to clearly demonstrate that time has passed.
Typical genre convention for a rom-com, romance blossoms but halfway there is a rift in the relationship causing a dilemma; however by the climax the couple are reunited and have a much stronger relationship with one another as they marry and have a child together.
Typical genre convention present as the cast is small, includes Winston the Boston terrier, James his owner and Kirby the waitress and love interest to James.

Institution - Directed by Patrick Osborne and produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios.

Audience - Target audience is families, they can relate to the story as although the protagonist is a dog, events that unfold around him are every day. Characters included are of a typical family, father, mother child and a large amount of families have a pet dog. Engages with the audience as the protagonist is likeable, families like dogs, appearance is of a cute nature and its character arc is clear which demonstrates its development as the dog becomes more selfless than selfish.

Distributed - Shown before Big Hero 6 in theatres, allows a wide audience to see it, mostly families and young children.

Narrative – A stray Boston terrier puppy is given a home by a man. James names the puppy Winston and begins to feed the puppy portions of his own junk food in which Winston enjoys and becomes accustomed to. His owner soon begins dating a waitress, Kirby, who alters the owners diet which results in them both eating healthier food, Winston begins to dislike this and prefers the junk food. The couple break up resulting in James adopting his old habits of eating junk food in which Winston is welcome to. However, Winston witnesses James’ sadness and decides to run to the restaurant in the effort of reuniting James and Kirby. The attempt is successful and the couple marry, move in together and eventually have a child who develops a strong relationship with Winston.

Theme - An element of sacrifice is present in the story as the man changes his eating diet whilst dating his girlfriend much to Winston’s dismay. Winston’s character progresses as he goes from being ‘selfish’ (being smitten with the junk food he is granted) to eventually sacrificing the food for his owners relationship with the woman. This is evident at the end as he watches them leave the house and happily delves into his regular dog food.

Title (Feast) – Appears when a French fry is dropped onto the screen. Food related word as the short film heavily focuses on a variety of foods that Winston eats. Shallow focus helps the title stand out in the background, appears clear and large for the audience to see. Short Films often allow the title to appear in background instead of in a separate shot.

Camera Angles and Shots – Shallow focus is heavily used to highlight the importance in the shot, this is used regularly when Winston is eating, the background is out of focus whereas Winston and the food bowl is the main focus of the shot. It is again later used when James holds the parsley, the shot switches from focus of the parsley onto James expression of sadness, highlighting Winston’s realisation of what has happened.

Low angle shots are used when Winston is eating on the floor, human characters lower legs or hands are sometimes present in the background, and this allows the audience to be on the same level as the protagonist.

Low angle shot of Winston and the bowl is never shifted so the focus remains on him and not what is happening around him, only small changes such as the shifting of the bowl is present, this also reveals the protagonists name in a realistic way instead of a way which may distract from the overall story. The events such as when James and Kirby meet are still out of focus but still are clear to the viewer. The romance element of the short film is one of the main focuses but this revolves around Winston as focus remains on him. Human characters are often not seen facial wise; this is only altered when we see James’ sad expression which triggers Winston to have a moment of realisation. This has been used in older animations for example in Tom and Jerry (1940) where the house keeper’s face is never revealed and is always cut out of the shot.

Tom and Jerry (1940) -

The Hanna-Barbera cartoon featured low angle shots which often left the head out of shot, this was most typically used on the house keeper.

Disney's Feast (2014) -

A similar technique is used in this short as the human characters faces are often not focussed on or are cut off as the camera focusses on Winston.

Panning is used to show Winston is a variety of environments from his home to the restaurant, shows the progression of time. This is used at the end of the short film when Winston runs to the next shot.

Editing – New scene is established through Winston dropping on the ground or running out of shot onto the next one, makes it a smooth transition and does not distract from the story. Slow motion is used when the food travels from upwards down into Winston’s mouth; it then changes to the next scene. The progression of time is emphasised through the transformation of Winston and the change of background although the low angled shot remains still. Fast paced shots of Winston running to the restaurant.

Sound – Diegetic- Winston’s yelp and bark acts as a voice although the audience cannot understand; this is instead expressed through his movements. Dialogue between James and Kirby is occurring in the background but is loud enough to be heard slightly. Natural sounds such as the food rattling in the bowl and plates being scraped are present, as well as the footsteps and consuming of food.

Non-diegetic- Light-hearted peaceful music plays throughout the film to help show that the film is of a sweet nature, the music begins to increases in volume when Winston races through the restaurant increasing in pace which then comes to a sudden halt emphasising the end of the journey.

Mise-en-scene – Lighting – Light colours throughout the short film, establishes it as a joyful tale, however when James becomes depressed the lighting turns dark to emphasise his depression, after it returns to the colourful setting. This is typical of any type of film genre as dark colours represent sadness and depression whilst lighter colours represent happiness and normality.
A variety of junk foods are present, they are colourful to perhaps represent the temptation Winston has of the food and to make the audience sympathise with him as the food does look tempting.