This brief essay delves into the significance of short films, with a particular focus on micro short films. Although the essay provides general information on the topic and examines a specific example of the genre, it primarily aims to explore how the brevity of a short film limits a filmmaker’s opportunity to discuss a theme in depth, while still allowing for the broadcast of intense emotions.

Short films are typically defined as films with a runtime of 40 minutes or less. Even though its brevity often requires filmmakers to be more creative and precise in their storytelling, short film is a popular format to tell impactful stories, resulting in powerful and memorable cinematic experiences.

Short films, even those just under two minutes, have proven that they can convey deep and complex themes just as effectively as longer films. However, while refraining from elaborating on their characters’ fates, short films direct more attention to the central message.

"For Milo", created by Matthew D. Gilpin, is an outstanding example of the format with its one-minute runtime. The film was shot in early March 2020 and stars Féadha Ní Chaoimhe and Mitch Corrigan. The script, written in 2019, won the December 2019 Berlin Flash Film Festival award for Best 1 Page Short Script. The film was produced on a small budget and shot in a single location in one day.

Technically, the film was shot on the Black Magic Pocket 4K camera, known for its high-quality video capabilities. The film contains no dialogue, relying instead on visual storytelling and music to convey its message. The cinematography, editing, and grading were all handled by Mitch Corrigan.

The short film tells the story of a woman who wants to gift flowers and a Get-Well card to someone named Milo, who is likely hospitalized. As she prepares the card and places it in an envelope, a man arrives and shakes his head, indicating that Milo has passed away. This moment captures the woman’s emotional reaction to the news, highlighting themes of grief and loss.

Nevertheless, we have no information either on the personal connection between the two on-screen characters and the one off-screen character, or on the reason for Milo being hospitalized. The undisclosed details strengthen the idea that the primary focus of such short films is not on every circumstance related to the characters, but on the core idea around which the story revolves.

Moreover, the topic of this short film catches the interest of a wide range of people because it deals with universal emotions. Grief and loss are experiences that everyone can relate to, making the film’s message resonate with a broad audience. The film’s succinctness and lack of dialogue also make it accessible to viewers of all ages and backgrounds.

Personally, I found the film’s portrayal of grief to be very moving. Watching the woman’s reaction to Milo’s passing reminded me of the time I lost my grandmother. The film’s portrayal of grief felt incredibly authentic and brought back a flood of memories. 

The woman’s reaction to the news of Milo’s passing is a powerful reminder of how small moments can have a big impact on our lives. The film’s simplicity and emotional depth left a lasting impression on me, and I believe it has the potential to do the same for many others.

In a YouTube video, the creator of "For Milo" explains that the original idea for his first-ever competition involved time travel and police breaking into a house. In retrospect, he feels this concept seems "a bit much," as "scaling down" is essential for micro short films. He claims that "For Milo" is a good example of this principle. "Very little happens in that film, but because of the structure, it's really engaging, and it still tells a complete story," he says.

In conclusion, short film is an ideal format for transmitting a meaningful message, focusing on the main idea throughout the artwork instead of each character’s destiny. For instance, “For Milo” is a breathtakingly crafted exemplary piece that uses visual storytelling to explore themes of grief and loss without diving into excessive details.

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