Research 9, the short

 At the start of the short film, the director implements a flashback by zooming into the character’s eye when he finds an object that brings back a memory. This introduces a stylistic aspect and also forms symbolism. The lighting seems dark and very dull. Also, the colors used are warm and seem to have muted tones. The sound effects are very minimalistic as well with no actual talking. The character is shown with a “9” on his back which, when observing the title, allows the audience to assume he is the main character. After the flashback, the audience can tell that the object found reminds 9 of a time his friend was killed. During the flashback, the setting seems very dull and run-down, almost like a factory or junkyard of sorts. After the flashback, the setting now shows the same place, just seemingly barren and abandoned. The green light given off by the object is a neon green, which contrasts the rest of the muted color scheme. The character is then seen running off as the same monster returns who killed his friend in the flashback. The monster is seen with many numbers etched on his back, suggesting they are the numbers of his past victims. His eye is the same neon green of the object the character found. These characteristics introduce another example of symbolism. The character then finds a puppet, which he uses to distract the monster as he jumps on the monster’s back. There are several growling sound effects to show how the monster is supposed to be feared. As these growling effects weave in and out, this shows the audience when the monster is present versus when the character has escaped. At the end of the film, the monster is shown to have been killed and the character is sitting by a small fire. The objects glow neon green, and when the character attaches them together, several light figures emerge. These figures seem rather ghostly, and each has a number on their backs. The audience may assume this represents the monster's victims finally being freed. The character is then seen standing in front of a beautiful pink and orange sunset, creating a happy tone in comparison with the sullen colors throughout the rest of the film. Overall, the director makes good use of minimal sound effects and dull colors to portray the film’s setting and does a good job of showing symbolism through the bright neon green light. It is interesting to witness how a storyline can be created so thoroughly without any words.