Short film research: Les chaussures de Louis ( Louis's shoes ) ( Drama/coming of age/family )

The translation is Louis's shoes. It follows an autistic schoolboy named Louis, no older than maybe 12. He describes his experience at school and how he differs from those around him, particularly in his shoes and his routine regarding them. It is animated, unlike the other films I studied, and is the only one that I've seen that could be considered family friendly, it's themes of distress being sympathetic rather than uncomfortable for a young audience. It relies heavily on narration all throughout, because Louis himself doesn't speak at all. Music has notable instruments and is twinkly for lack of better description of it's sound. It is a bit like Lucia, but its used more, sounding more whimsical and almost ethereal. It utilizes the most creative angles and shots I've seen, some following normal conventions in film, like close ups on important things or Louis's face to show emotion, but there are also fantastical elements as visual representations of Louis's mind, which are not only colorful and beautiful to look at, but uses the most full-body shots when they feature Louis himself, for body language purposes. The visuals are colorful, even in distressful moments when its dark, the colors are still contrasting to emphasize things and/or feelings. There is also the visual metaphor of faces. Louis doesn't form relationships with others in the film, so their faces are never shown, but when those in his new school make an effort to welcome him, we see the teacher's face. I want to incorporate the whimsical feeling of this short, but I don't think I have the means to pull of the visual metaphors that this one does. I like the more family friendly tone, but I don't want to rely too much on narration. I do like the idea of flashing back and forth in time or using fantasy sequences, so if I have the means to do a simpler version of that, I'd like to give it a try.




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