Task 2 - Short Film Analysis - 'This is the Life' By Craig Devine

Craig Devine: "This is the Life"

The mise en scene refers so location, setting, costume and props within a film. The initial setting is a working class household where Dean - the main character asks his mom and sister for his tie to be done up for him, this implies a lack of father figure who would have stereotypically shown him how to do it.
Incidental music fades in which provokes a sense of emotion from the audience as it is slow, acoustic and melancholy.
The scene cuts to Dean waiting outside his school for his siter to pick him up. His uniform looks particularly scruffy which makes him look unkempt. He is also wearing trainers which implies a rebelious aspect to his personality, which could also be a result of not having a father figure to 'keep him in line'.
We may have assumed that his sister would be picking him up in a car, however, she appears with a shopping trolley, which furthers our preconcieved ideas of this being a working class family and environment. The same music which was used previously becomes aparrent again, as they are shown to be having fun as they run around town with a shopping trolley. However, this fun comes to an abrupt end as the 'father' makes an appearance.
The sister seems happy to see him, whereas Dean in somewhat reserved in his emotions. Perhaps he resents his dad for some reason? That reason is unrevealed at the present, but due to the aspects of the storyline, one can make educated assumptions. As the father hugs Dean, a close up is used which focuses only on the father's face, through this, the audience is able to see and almost feel the emotion of him without being distracted by the environment behind him.
The camera work is handheld which gives a sense of verisimilitude making the film seem as real as possible, almost documentary-like. The film is to some extent, autobiographical of the writer which makes it feel as if you are literally looking through the eyes of the writer.
The houses in the surrounding location appear to be former council houses, and the 'TV dinner' which the family have is a typical aspect of a working class family. There appears to be some tension between the father and Dean this is shown through their body language and the exchange of stares here and there.
http://vimeo.com/11686493