Short Film Research- "Waiting for the end of the World"

"Waiting for the end of the world" 2010 Lee Deanville

Waiting for the End of the World from Lee Deaville on Vimeo.

• Lee Deanville is a  current film maker and "Waiting for the end of the world" was shown at Glastonbury 2010, Encounters Film Festival, Exposures Festival (winner - 'Best Artists Film'), Artsfest 09, Kino 10, A Wall is a Screen, Clermont Ferrand short film marketplace, Souvenirs From Earth. Other works from Deanville can be viewed on this LINK to his website

* WFTEOTW is an observational piece and journal of night shift worker Petr and his diary of deprivation from humanity and anything outside his everyday routine.

* In terms of editing there are nice examples of depth of field (tutorial video in the link) especially in the first shot where Petr wakes up to grab his watch. (Displayed right) It almost mimics the blurriness eyes can have when you just wake up. This could also be supported by the black screen and diegetic sound of the alarm in the background, as if we too are waking up to experience his day alongside him.
Much like special effects, dept of field is something I would like to experiment using when making our film.


* The film uses unrestricted narrative as Petr explains his routine. This use of minimal diegetic sound displays the minimal amount of activity in his routinely life. Other diegetic sound only include the machines that Petr is working in the store to reinforce he is alone in the store. There is no non-diegetic soundtrack as would make the observation of Petr seem less objective.

(LEFT: The only other diegetic sound is the machinery in the store. These machines are often viewed in a close-up meaning the machines are being shot at a level that, if shot on a person, would be very personal, as if Petr is so alone that these machines are personal to him)

* The piece is an example of social realism and the use of not having a non-diegetic soundtrack reinforces the reality of the film.

* The film addresses the themes of loneliness, isolation and maybe even madness. The deprivation of humanity could be seen to effect Petr, our male protagonist, and display him as quite abnormal. His narration is very slow, and very quiet, as if he has never spoken to people before.

* The use of dark and low key lighting also connotes the night time and lonlienss of night time that Petr is experiencing. (Featured Right)

* The idea of deprivation from humanity is interesting and inspiring as when left on their own characters would create their own small world for themselves. A small world we would be able to look through in a short film.

* Mise en scene is also important in understanding Petr's loneliness as the only other props in the film are machines or objects in the store. he lack of other actors or people at all reinforces his isolation.

by George Smale