The Elevator
- The character in the blue shirt that we are first introduced to is clearly the protagonist as based on his lone entrance and the fact that the camera is focused on him throughout the majority of the short film. As the number of persons on the elevator increases, the protagonist has an increasing amount of anxiety towards the weight and then health of the other occupants. As his anxiety increases, he becomes further trapped until changing his situation by leaving the elevator. This decision leads him to a worse situation than before.
- Lighting is very even throughout. One area of particular note would be the difference in lighting between the elevators. The first elevator had darker lighting whereas upon the arrival of the second elevator, we see it better lit and appears brighter. THis shift is meant to align the viewer with the protagonist in seeing the elevator has a better and safer place. However, this is ultimately not the case.
- For the most part, the camera is mostly a wide medium shot when in the elevator. During moments of extreme anxiety, the camera comes in for a close-up shot of protagonist or the action that is making the protagonist visibly cringe. Furthermore, in spite of the fact that the protagonist is obscured by many people in front of him, his movements and facial expressions make him noticeable in the frame. The camera also goes in for extreme close-up shots to portray what the narrator is focusing on.
- The near-static and ubiquitous environment of The Elevator helps to define the anxiety and terror of modern life that the short film is successfully attempting to portray. With a static environment, the viewer will be able to pay more attention to subtle movements of the protagonist. The camera itself seems to be positioned on a tripod throughout the majority of the short film with only minor moments of handheld footage. Alternatively, a handheld camera with a 50mm lens positioned at eye level from the point of view of the protagonist would achieve a similar effect with a very different visual style. Overlayed with audio of the protagonists internal thoughts would go further in depicting his anxiety, albeit it would be a bit cliche.
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