http://www.shortoftheweek.com/2012/09/15/the-butterfly-effect/
The reason this works as a short film is through it's emphasis on action and pace, rather than focus on characters or plot. The directors behind the clip have used it to demonstrate their abilities rendering and animating 3D models and movements. The only element of characterisation is present at the beginning of the clip where it focuses on the alarm clock and shows the main character getting out of bed. This shows the audience that he is an early bird and most likely a person who commutes to work everyday (further shown by the white shirt and tie). As the main emphasis is on short bursts of action there are lots of explosions and crashes with things being constantly smashed and destroyed. The fact that it is a short film purely composed of action helps the audience to digest it easier compared to if it featured in a feature length film where the lack of other important elements like plot would weaken the effectiveness of the film.
The short film is about a chain of unfortunate events that happens to a man based on the "butterfly effect" which suggests that the smallest change can result in larger and larger consequences. The protagonist wakes very early in a groggy mood to disvoer there is no milk left. He then goes to the local shop to buy milk where a butterfly flaps its wings to cause a skateboard to fall over. The protagonist then steps on this to then roll down the hill and lead to bigger and bigger consequences, ending with him arriving where the story began - in his bed.
It fits relatively well into various theories including: Barthes,Prop and Tolarov.
Barthes
As it is a short film with a focus on action lots of enigma codes are asked, but are however not answered by the end of the film. The various enigma codes include: where is he?,who is he? why is his alarm set so early? These however are not answered and make the clip more effective as hey do not impair on the focus of the action.
Propp
The Hero: Unnamed main character
The Villain: The butterfly
The Donor: The shop clerk
The Dispatcher: Unnamed main character
The Helper: Various drivers of cars/bikes
The Princess: Carton of Milk
Todorov
Equilibrium -----> Disequilibrium------> Resolution
Waking up------>Chain of folly ------->Back into bed
