Luke Snellin is an 'up and coming' director who should definitely be one to watch.
Being a graduate from Bournemouth University Luke has been featured in many magazines including 'Shots' and 'The Reel' being named as a director to watch. At a young age of 23 he is quite inspirational winning awards for his work. His talent has been spotted by many big companies including Sony, Samsung and Malteser's giving Luke a chance to produce test commercials. Luke started off in the industry as an assistant editor for the television series 'Hustle', he then ventured into film working on 'Asylum Seekers'.
Luke started directing himself, starting off with self funded short films and documentaries, he then went on to commercial productions. You can watch his Malteser's test commercial with the following link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akEYubgBpkc
In 2008 he wrote and directed the short film 'Patrick', a film about a little boy who learns to fly. Luti Media are the production company Luke works for signing him on as one of their innovative directors, their permission was needed for Luke to produce this film and the response couldn't have been better. Money was found from funding bodies 'Chambers Film Finance' and 'Silver Birch Investments'.
Chambers Film Finance have helped Luke to finance both his shorts; 'Mixtape' and 'Patrick'. They invest in the completion and delivery of independent films, their website is http://www.chambersfilmfinance.com/
Other companies that helped Luke through this production were Panavision and Lighting media for loaning the equipment he needed in order to shoot it the way he wanted.
This all gives me an insight into how much loaning is needed in order to produce a short within the industry.
Friday 29 January 2010
Patrick by Luke Snellin and Funding - Alex Lloyd
More Fact Ideas for Credits - Caroline Robertson
1 in 4 women will be a victim of domestic violence in their lifetime – many of these on a number of occasions.
On average, 2 women a week are killed by a current or former male partner.
-womensaid.org.uk
I like both of these as they will leave the audience with a shock factor and shows them that the issue shown in our film is real. I also think that it is important that our statistic is related to Britain as we are studying British Films.
Further Planning, what we are doing now. - Caroline Robertson
Our next step is to upload our storyboard as an animatic with the monologue so we have a good idea of how long each scene or clip will be. We have timed the monologue as going along to ensure we know approximate timing for each paragraph.
We will need to take location shots and find out what time we are all available to begin to film and edit, including actors and location owners.
Funding for WASP - Jack Storer, Caroline Robertson
Project name
‘Wasp’
Who is the applicant?
Cowboy Films
What is the project?
A 23 minute short film. Zoe a single mother is in search of an evening escape with an old flame but her romantic aspirations are hampered by her four small children waiting outside in the pub car park.
Who gave the money?
UK Film Council’s New Cinema Fund
What was the grant programme?
The ‘Cinema Extreme’ short film scheme co-financed by the UK Film Council’s New Cinema Fund and Film Four. The scheme was created in 2002 to encourage and develop directors with a distinctive directorial voice and cinematic flair.
How much was given?
The project received a total production budget of £53,250, fifty per cent of this amount was awarded by the New Cinema Fund and the remainder by FilmFour. Additional funds were made available by the UK Film Council to clear music rights and promote the film at international festivals.
Where is the project located?
The film was shot in and around Dartford, Kent. The ‘Cinema Extreme’ scheme is open to filmmakers and production companies based in the UK.
Why was the project so good?
The completed film has enjoyed enormous critical success and won 36 awards at international film festivals, including the 2005 Oscar® for Best Live Action Short Film.
It has firmly established director Andrea Arnold as one of the most interesting up-and-coming directing talents from the UK. At its premiere at the Edinburgh Film Festival the film attracted the interest of Denmark’s Zentropa and Scotland’s Sigma Films who subsequently commissioned Andrea to work on her debut feature ‘Advance Party’.
‘Wasp’ also helped to launch the career of Nathalie Press who stars in the film as Zoe. Nathalie has since drawn huge acclaim for her role in ‘My Summer of Love’, stars in Martha Fiennes’ ‘Chromophobia’ and is appearing in the BBC’s ‘Bleak House’.
this was all found on the national lottery funding page in discussion with WASP by Andrea Arnold.
This is a short clip from the film Wasp, as you can see they have used a short depth of film as we are planning to, this is one of our inspirations for the final piece.
Thursday 28 January 2010
End Sequence - Jack Storer
we have decided that we will use a quote or a fact at the end of the film to draw in the reality of the issue that is child neglect and/or Domestic violence. here are a few I have found to give an example of what we want....
An estimated 3,154,000 children were reported to child protective service agencies as alleged victims of child abuse or neglect in 2008,
Approximately three children died each day in the United States from abuse or neglect in 2007.
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, in 2001, over 1,300 murders were committed by a spouse or intimate partners. These numbers equate to nearly four murders a day
Over 25% of women have been victims of violence perpetrated by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
websites.
www.childabuse.com
www.safeatworkcoalition.org/dv/factsandstats.htm
Monologue part 2 - Alex Lloyd, Jack Storer, Caroline Robertson and Abi Black
They just sit their drinking smoking playing cards and drinking more.
I hate the sound of them laughing… I think mum does too… me and mum sit on her bed but she doesn’t say much we just sit there, I like being close to her when dads not around, I think she knows how I feel. Hiding…that’s what we do when Dad has his friends around, we hide…. He doesn’t like us to be seen…. I have to do a lot of hiding, sometimes its fun. I have a tree, I climb all the way to the top and watch the sun go down, I have to race against it getting home before its dark. The tree is just one of my hiding places I’ve found, I go out finding a lot.
Sam say’s he wants to be just like his Dad when he’s older…I don’t want to be like my Dad.
Initial research Jack Storer Abi Black and Alex Lloyd
socialist realism -
a style of writing, painting, Filmography, etc. established in the Soviet Union in the 1930s, typically depicting laborers and other members of a communist society in a heroic or idealized fashion.
social realism in films is what Britain is known for world wide. these films are usually low budget gritty drama's based in working class societies.
We have chosen to make a Social Realist film as we agree that our very limited budget and our idea's we have discussed will work best in this genre.
Inspiration - Jack Storer and Abi Black
Wednesday 27 January 2010
Tuesday 26 January 2010
Sound - Alex Lloyd
When researching and analysing short films such as Lou-Lou lives here, Eight and Joy Ride. I found many smiliarities in the way they used sound, with most of them being social realism I hope to take up on these conventions and use the same techniques for our short film.
Diegetic and non diegetic sound will both be used.
Diegetic
- We will have a lot of shouting and use many foleys and SFX such as glass smashing to connote our parents having a rough argument.
- Other foleys such as doors banging will make it clear to the audience that there is some violence and anger with the parents. It should also create tension and shock.
- Ambient sounds such as wind will be kept within the scenes of our character strolling around in the woods, this will create realism.
- Dialogue will be used, but not a lot. Most of the diegetic sound coming from someones mouth will be the arguing and shouting of our parents.
- Shouting and arguing will be both off-screen and on-screen sound, most of our shots will be focusing on our main character Milo, with the shouting still being heard off-screen, we can sympathise for our character knowing that it never stops.
Non Diegetic Sound
- We will have a voice over throughout the whole film. This will tell the audience a lot about Milo hearing his thoughts and feelings towards the situation he is in, sympathy and empathy will be caused.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4P2Y8qx-bk = The short film 'Eight' is a good example of how we hope to use our voice over.
- We will have music in our short film also, a soundtrack using a dominant instrument.
- It will be an orchestral instrument, either from the strings family or the piano.
The advantages of using those instruments is that they can be very powerful in a minor key. A good example of the type of minor sound we may want to achieve if we were to have a Piano as our dominant instrument is the Piano being played within the song, 'Videotape' by Radiohead.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0MI3gtaqfY
Bearing in mind our music will be quite quiet with our main source of sound coming from the voice over, it would purely be background music to add sympathetic effect when seeing Milo on screen. The piano chords within this song are very minor scale making it seem quite upsetting but yet powerful.
Another soundtrack I have found that could also be quite effective with our short film is the song 'Power to Believe' by The Dream Academy. The instrumental version uses many wind instruments to produce a powerful piece that slowly becomes more up beat towards the end. The scene including Milo running to the woods will need a more up beat sound to it fitting in with his rush to get to his 'hiding place'.
The link to 'Power to Believe' is www.youtube.com/watch?v=zk70z-fNcAA
If we could produce a soundtrack similar to these songs with a dominant instrument heard throughout, I feel it could be very effective and parallel with what is seen on screen matching with Milo's feelings and emotions perfectly.
Mise En Scene Ideas - Caroline Robertson
1.Colour - desaturated
2.Lighting - as much natural lighting as possible
3.Setting- isolated house, away from other people. We have gotten permission to use a friends house, in Rowfant.
This is a picture from satellite on google maps of the house we will be using to film at. The isolation of it will make the long shots ideal.
4.Props - A Lot of alcohol Bottles. Torch, trampoline, table tennis table, plates,
5.Facial expression- Very solemn and blank, smiling on occasion such as when on the trampoline
6.body language
7.costume- average, every day boys outfit, normal tee shirts, jeans, nothing extravagant
8.make up- Perhaps bags under the eyes, Water for tears
9.hair- scruffy
10.composition- Milo always in the foreground in focus, any other character always behind blurred.
11. decour
Monday 25 January 2010
Synopsis for 'Milo' - Alex Lloyd
'MILO'
Milo is a 10 year old boy who has to come to terms with the fact that his parents are falling apart. He grew up believing that all the arguing and fighting was socially acceptable, that it was something all parents do on a day to day basis. One day he experiences something completely new, he had never visited someone else's house before. Doing so he realises his friend's parents are the type of parents he never had, friendly and loving. His Father is portrayed as the antagonist throughout the film, he is the core of all the arguments being an alcoholic and beating his wife. One evening he hosts his weekly poker night including a group of his mates drinking and smoking. Milo finds himself confronting one of his Dad's mates. As the drunken male talks to him, Milo finds himself becoming angry tensing his fist in the process, he decides to stop and let it pass. In this film we use a fade transition to jump from Milo being a 10 year old boy to a 17 year old adolescent, changes have occurred but are they good or bad? This short film follows Milo showing how tough life is without your parents.
Monologue Draft 1 Caroline Robertson, Abi Black, Jack Storer
Monologue first minute -
"I’ve asked mum why they argue, but she just gets upset.
It starts off as pointless little arguments and just builds up… builds up until one of them snaps, dad. I’ve seen him hit her before. He hits her nearly everyday.
I went to play at Sams house the other day, I’d never been to someone elses house before. There was no shouting there, it was Weird. Sams mum must be well behaved. ……It didn’t feel like my home. It wasn’t dirty. We had to take our shoes off at the door. Sam is my only friend, I have to play on my own most of the time, mum doesn’t like people coming over because Dad’s friends are always round."
Friday 22 January 2010
Lessons learnt from foundation portfolio - Abi Black
Looking back at the foundation portfolio I think that I learnt a lot throughout. One thing which I found had great importance was the use of continuity editing, and when doing our social realism piece it will be important to keep this at the front of our minds so the film maintains the usual conventions of social realism.
I also think that we experimented a lot with our setting and mise en scene, painting a wall for one scene of the film. I think that doing all these small things is important as it made the film look more intense. When creating the social realism piece I think this is a key point to focus on, as although it is an "everyday" scene we will have to think carefully about what is included in the shot and what's not.
Another element which I think worked well with the foundation portfolio was that we paid particular attention to the lighting which helped to give the film a dark and sincere atmosphere. We will continue to focus on this for our next production.
Problems that occurred during the foundation portfolio were mainly organisational, as getting a group of people all together at once proved to be quite difficult, and so that is something to improve on this time round.
Scenes order list Caroline Robertson
I am going to take the ideas of scenes posted previously on the blog and put them into an order so that it is easier to create into a storyboard. I will consult with the group to make sure we all agree on the order and to get any more scene ideas.
KEY - Normal font - general scene ideas. Bold Italic Font - Monologue Ideas.
1. Fade in from Black, soundtrack starts. extreme close up of mantle piece, very slow tracking movement. Mise En Scene such as family photographs and alcohol bottles should be apparent. This shot should end up on a close up of his face, and the title "Milo" fades in and out in black and white. Music stops and Foly of door slamming. Can see the parents in the background out of focus arguing. Monologue begins.
Talk about how they argue a lot.
2. Cut to Trampolining scene, Still camera, can see his head appearing into the shot every few seconds. Foleys of Trampolining squeaking.
Talk about how he plays on his own, make lack of friends apparent.
3. Close up/Medium shot of him playing ping pong. Very slow zooming out to a long shot and we can see he is playing alone against a wall.
4. Cut to tracking shot of him running through field. Clip from 400 Blows as inspiration, found by Jack Storer
Talking about his "favourite place"/ sanctuary. No arguing there.
5. Extreme close ups and more panning of lots of broken bottles. zoom out to a close up and can see his feet stepping carefully over the bottles.
Starts to talk about how his father has friends to have parties with. He wishes he had people to play with.
6. Poker night scene. Can see Milo in the hallway, dark lighting. Foleys of lots of men laughing and bantering in the background. Possible use of smoke machine. Long shot of him alone in the hallway, cut to a medium close up of his expression, which is very void.
"But I don't like my dads friends."
6. Medium close up, can hear a mans voice saying something and see a hand pat his head/ruffle his hair. Expression gets angry. Cuts to extreme close up of his fist, which clenches. Cuts again to long shot of him walking away.
7. Eyeline match shot, close up of his face looking up at the alcohol, and then cuts to slow tracking of alcohol. Cut back to another close up of his face, looking upset. Foleys of fighting in the background, maybe arguing about drink and we can hear a slap.
8. Bedroom scene. Can still hear arguing in the background. Camera is under the duvet with him and he is holding a torch crying. Medium close up. Still camera.
9. Extreme close up of his face, nothing around the frame. very slow zoom out and he is sitting on a sofa. zooms to a long shot.
Talks about how everythings better, just him and his mother now.
10. Slowly merges into him older, in the exact same position as the previous scene. As he changes so does the voice in the monologue.
Talks about how everythings better, just him and his mother now.
11. Pans away slowly from older Milo, and soundtrack starts.
12. Ends on an extreme long shot of the house to show the isolation.
To do List Caroline Robertson
To do before Wednesday 27th January
1. Storyboard, draw out & create animatic to upload to blog
2. Make a Youtube account
3. Monologue script
4. Location research - survey & setting photos
Lessons Learnt From Foundation Portfolio Caroline Robertson
The final product showed that we had problems with the editing and lighting aspects, although our music worked quite well I would focus more on the lighting definitely. Our Foley needed to be timed a lot better, particularly in the ringing phone scene. I think our shot reverse shots worked quite well, but more movements maybe would improve the pieces general look. Our groups timekeeping and ability to meet up was lack as we lived far away from each other.
In conclusion I hope to use a lot more techniques and effects to help to make the final piece more effective and pleasurable for the audience.
Thursday 21 January 2010
Roles
We have assigned roles for each of our group members which compliments each of our personal skills in order to make sure we are each putting in the same amount of effort and work.
Abi Black - Storyboarding, Mise en Scene/settings, Photoshop
Alex Lloyd - Camera work, Editing, Soundtrack
Jack Storer- Editing, Camerawork, location surveys
Caroline Robertson - Photoshop, Soundtrack, editing.
With combined effort for every part of the project and particular focus on our roles we should be able to work well and effectively.
Camera Choice - Jack Storer
As a group we have decided that this film would work best in wide-screen format, we are aware that this is stepping away from the normal conventions of Social Realism but have agreed that this format would work best to emphasise the emotion of our storyline and shots.
from all the videos we have researched we noticed the importance of the short depth of field. as demonstrated in the picture below. due to this style of shot appearing in a lot if not all of the short films we have studied we have decided we need to use high definition camera so have opted for the Sony HDV which is show at the top of this post.
Rough Ideas Caroline Robertson, Abi black
Our group has collectively come up with various scene ideas to fit with our general storyline plot.
Story Line Rough Idea:
The basic storyline idea at this point is one of a family household affected by domestic violence, told through the eyes of a young boy witnessing and growing up around it. We are basing it around a monologue narrative so that the audience can really sympathise and experience the moments in the way that the child sees them.
The film is going to play with themes of alcoholism and end with a "happy ending" where the mother has brought up the courage to leave.
Scene Ideas:
1. Long shot of isolated house. Possibly involving crane movement?
2. Ping Pong scene of boy, starting with a Medium shot slowly zooming out into a long / extreme long shot to show the boy is playing alone.
3. Crying under duvet scene. Claustrophobic framing.
4. Trampoline scene, still camera.
5. Fathers friend patting on head, extreme close up on fist. No face shown for adult.
6. Poker night scene, lots of foleys and shot of boy in the hallway. Dark Lighting, possibly smoke machines.
7. Walking over broken bottles scene, close ups on feet and glass, tracking.
8. Final Fading shot, voice overs merging, still camera movement.
9. Tracking shot of boy running to his sanctuary ( maybe a tree or forest)
10. Point of view shots looking at house from sanctuary.
11. Looking at alcohol, shot reverse shot, extreme close ups/ close ups.
Now that we have main scene ideas we will go on to form a storyboard and script.
Tuesday 19 January 2010
Monday 18 January 2010
"Highrise" Caroline Robertson
http://www.bbc.co.uk/filmnetwork/films/p004rry1
Link to film above.
This is another film of the social realism genre, again with a deep and stark meaning behind it. The film opens up with a shot of the setting, which is Yorkshire. It pans around and ends up zooming in on a council estate block of flats, and as it brings us inside one of them and we see the messy surroundings it is clear this is portraying a working class family.
We are introduced to the mother, who appears to be single. Her expression is shown to us via a close up shot and she appears bored, not only of the tv but also of her life in general and perhaps the routine of it all. She appears to be jobless just staying at home with her daughter watching daytime tv, wishing for more. This helps the audience feel some sympathy for her and her situation.
The film is set in dull cold colours which help to represent the meaning behind the film, which itself is very cold and dark. I really liked the "cool" colouring and blues used in this film as I feel it really set the mood and atmosphere, and if appropriate I would probably try to incorporate this into a final piece at some point. The lighting is also dull, and there is no background music, only the continuous sound of the television presenter in the background, which becomes slightly irritating and emphasises the boredom and pathless life she appears to be leading at the moment.
As she see's her daughter crawl towards the window, she falls in slow motion, to illustrate her thoughts and reactions slowing down. She contemplates her actions and what she is about to do, as she watches the bottle 
drip milk in slow motion.
The audience is left horrified as she locks herself in a dark room allowing fate to take a hand and decide what will come next. Although this is clearly negligence and the audience feel sorry for the child, and afraid for her as well, the mother puts her hands together as though praying. She is clearly suffering from some form of deep depression.
As soon as she thinks she hears a cry, she runs out immediately, and realises her love is unconditional and no matter how much she may regret having her daughter, she would not have wanted her to have fallen from the window. This film underlines many issues such as single parenting and depression, which is why I think the women to play the mother is very young. It is depicting the story that many people may be able to relate to, or know someone else who can relate to it. Young single mothers, abandoned by the father of their child left to fend for themselves with no qualifications, unsure of where they are going in life. But at the end of the day, they always need and want family, shown by her sudden outburst in an attempt to quickly save her daughter, as though she can't believe herself for walking out of the room in the first place.
"Butterface" Caroline Robertson
The film Buttercace is another one of Virgin Media's short films.
It is set out as a social realism overall, but the dialogue gives it some comedic values. The scene is set with a point of view shot looking out of a train, which immediately sets the genre as a social realism because of the gum and scratches made prominant for the audience to see on the windows. The director was obviously not trying to make the train look spotless, but wanted it to look how we would see a train in every day life, making the grimey reality of public transport clear.
The film doesn't use any soundtrack, just a foly running through the whole piece of a train which makes it more realistic for people watching. It also uses no dialogue, but has a narrative of the main characters thoughts, which helps the audience to relate with him and sympathise as they know all of the things he is thinking as he is on his journey. I like the fact that there is no soundtrack as it really does set the scene for a social realism genre film, and the narration is a nice touch as well. I may look into using one of these in my final piece.
The film depicts the story of a girl , who sits next to a man on a train. The whole middle section of the film is the man trying to summon up the courage to speak to her, and then the end shows her waving at him as she gets off the train before he gets the courage to. It shows a story which is very "every day life" and which most people would be able to relate to. This is probably how the film entices the majority of its audience.
The film uses a point of view shot of the girl looking out of the window as the man next to her is thinking about speaking to her. This shows that she is completely oblivious to his thoughts, and this makes us feel a sympathy for him. The dull and natural colouring, again makes the film overall very realistic which has been doen on purpose I think to appeal to a broader audience, and the comedic values make sure that audiences who start watching keep wanting to watch to the end, to see if he speaks to her.
I think the general issue and idea of the film is that small things can connect people, illustrated by his quote " the only thing we have in common is that we are on the same train at the same time", and that you should go with your instincts and not be afraid or you may regret a missed opportunity. This is illustrated by the end when she waves at him, showing that they would probably have been able to have a good conversation but just because netiher of them started one they missed out on something.
"Slap" Caroline Robertson
Link to Film -http://www.bbc.co.uk/filmnetwork/films/p005b9wn
The film "Slap" I found on the BBC film network website. Can be seen via link above.
The genre is a social realism. This is made clear by the starke and gritty reality of an issue which many people try to avoid thinking about - domestic violence. It put's the audience right in the shoes of a woman suffering under the hands of her husband.
It opens with a close up of her face, showing her fear and hurt after being hit, which we hear a foly of just before we are shown her face. Straight away this makes the audience empathise with her within seconds of the film starting. It goes on to show the audience her flashbacks, and the camera movements are fast, jerky and shaky to show her panic, and this is emphasised by folys of a mans voice yelling and objects smashing. Another flashback used which is a very strong disturbing scene is one where we see her lieing on her bed, shaking and crying and then get flashbacks of what appears to be her husband raping her. It is not clear because of the jerky again fast camera movements, but the folys of a banging and her crying definately insinuate it, together with the fact her trousers have been pulled down as she cries on the bed the audience link the two up to come to the reality she has been raped by her own husband, a concept which is both disgusting and shocking.
By this point in the film we are completely on her side with no sympathy for her husband as he begins to choke, and the fact that it cuts to a point of view shot of her looking out of the window at a train suggests that she has very little sympathy for him either. It is set in London and certain iconographies such as the cigarettes, messy house and bland clothing suggests they are working class. A pint is prominant on the table with his lunch, also suggesting ideas relating to alcoholism.
The natural lighting and dull colouring helps to set out the bleak realism for the audience, and the choking foly played throughout various shots keeps the audience at a tension point. As he reaches out to her for help, she walks away, and the audience is left wondering if she will leave him to die. She looks at their wedding photo, and we suddenly get a view of what her life would be like if he wasn't there.
An upbeat soundtrack kicks in, t
he colours warmen and we see her smiling for the first time, walking free and happy down the roads. It then cuts back to the actual reality of her situation, the dull colouring back, the lack of soundtrack and happiness, and as she looks at her wedding photo she turns back to him. She won't escape, and must to an extent, still love him, or the sentimental factor of the wedding photo would not cause her to turn back to him.
The ironic twist at the end as she slaps him, giving him his life back, wheras he slaps her, taking her life away is clever and inspiring and keeps the audience thinking. The film cuts to credits and we can hear him breathing heavily again, as she carries on her meal and the audience are left with the notion that nothign will change.
This film hits the issue of domestic violence and shows that although you may think your tied down by love, that things won't change unless you actively do something to change them. It is an inspiring film reaching out to women with similar experiences, encouraging them to break free, and that is why I really like this film.
"LouLou Lives Here" Caroline Robertson
This was a particularly interesting film, directed by Hazel Grian, with an intriguing storyline and a nice twist at the end. It keeps the viewers thinking after the film has finished. It shows some very interesting techniques, which makes it very difficult to fit into a certain genre. The closest genre I can fit it to would be a thriller due to the fast pace of the film, the tension building and the soundtrack.
The film is done in black and white, which I think has been done to add to the sinister almost frightening feel of the film, and also to make everything seem more dream like. One of the first shots we see is of a little girl lieing in the foetal position, but the shot is shakey and blurry, and this combined with a dark sinister soundtrack and helicopter folys in the background makes the audience ask questions. Why is she alone? Is she hurt? Is she lost?
The film then cuts to her walking down a path, so we know she is not injured, nor lost. We can hear the sounds of dogs barking in the background, and as the pace of the soundtrack quickens, so does the tension. There are many point of view shots as she looks up and see's birds, but they are quick cut shots, keeping the pace of the film relatively fast. The point of view shot of the scarecrow insinuates that maybe she is afraid, looking for things to scare her. This is again illustrated by the extreme close ups of the van which begins to follow her, and the audience again begin to feel afraid for her.
Is she going to be kidnapped? Various extreme close ups of her eyes depict her feer, and help to put the audience in her shoes as she begins to flee from the van. Heavy Breathing folys are used to again illustrate her fear, and it is reflected by the camera movement which begins to spin and blur, showing her panic as a man starts to grab for her.
Suddenly, the film twists and a dog runs away, and we see a sign saying "Lou Lou Lives Here" with a photo of the dog. With this ending the film, the whole idea behind the film switches, and the audience is left confused and shocked. I think that the director was telling the dogs story, and putting it in a little girls body because it is easier for a person to empathase with a child than with a dogs emotions.
Once you have seen the film, you realise there were many small clues indicating she was not a human throughout the film, such as at the start when she licks her knee, or on the way home when she stops to pick up a dead and bloody rabbit. Neither of these are particularly traits usual of a young girl, but as the film goes on and you watch for the first time you barely pick up on them. There is no narrative or dialogue, other than the man from the van speaking. I think this is to keep the intrigue and enigma of the film, and when the man speaks it is to emphasise how scary he is to her, as his voice has been edited to sound very low and slow.
I really liked all the point of view spinning and blurred shots, and the slowmotion blurred shots of the men and the dog struggling at the end. I think all of this captured the emotions felt by Lou Lou throughout the film and is something I would definately consider using if in my final piece it is appropriate.
I got some of my information from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0476291/, although there was not much information about the film, which i think again keeps the mystery to it alive.
"Bitch" Caroline Robertson
Link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftdD2MoL114
This film was directed by Tom Bridge and was part of the Virgin Media short film contest. I actually really really enjoyed the whole of this film, from start to finish, and the comedic twist at the end was a really nice way to sum up the nature of the storyline.
The film you can tell by the opening soundtrack and dialogue and story plot that it is a comedy, but the lighting, setting and colouring gives it a social realism feel, probably to make it look more realistic so people can relate with his situation and find the twist at the end funnier.
The average supermarket setting makes the film relatable to all people, and there does not appear to have targetted a particular social class or group. The comedic value is enhanced by the close up shots and over the shoulder shots which show the mans reaction to everything the women is saying, he clearly thinks she is as amusing as the audience and this helps to make us sympathise with him and his situation.
At the end during the twist, music dawns on him as he realises he has been tricked, and this again adds comedic value. I think it was an interesting film in that I think that the themes it was playing on was the elderly. Perhaps its playing on the fact that although the saying says "respect your elders," and that we may think they are losing the plot as the women is portrayed to have in the film and the fact that she compares the man to her asian son who looks nothing like him, that they are a lot smarter than most people give them credit for.
I liked the fact that the soundtrack only came in at certain times, to introduce the film and to end it when he works out he has been juped as it makes it more effective when it comes into play, this is something i may take into account when making my final piece.
"Eight" Caroline Robertson
The film Eight (1998) struck me as a social realism/drama hybrid. The storyline and opening/closing soundtrack was that which would match a drama genre film, but the dialogue, lighting, and colouring illustrated the social realism genre.
The storyline was a sad one, about a boy whose father had died and how he goes through life day to day without one. It reflects the struggles of a broken working class family,something which many people could probably relate with, ( a typical icon of social realism.) His dialogue was very common, and with a northern accent. The story is set in Liverpool, and is set up to try to get audience members to both sympathise and relate with at least one character in the film. The film opens with a close up shot of him yelling "I am Jonathon, and I am eight!" and as he yells it the audience are meant to see the pain in his expression. He repeats this several times, drilling it into the viewers that he is eight. I think this is because it makes them sympathise with his situation more, knowing that he is only very young and still naive, again emphasising that the story is based around him, and how he both copes with the death of his father, and how he see's life everyday. The story is definately told from his point of view, this is made clear by the narration.
His naivety is reflected through the way he puts his father on a pedastel, as he say's all the things he imagined his father had done, for example being an astranought. This appeals to the audience as sad and sentimental at the same time, making them empathise with the character. A scene which depicts this is the one in which he is eating his lunch blissfully ignorant and naration is speaking about how he knows all these things about his father, while in the background you can see the figure of his mother. Though blurred so you cannot see her expression, Her body language and movements as she shakes her head and crosses her arms depict a sadness or depression, whilst in the forground Jonathon seems so content.
The whole film uses dull colouring, and dark lighting, which reflects the darker nature of the underlining themes of the film. It has mentionings of domestic violence, as he says how another boys father hits him when angry. This could also maybe link in with alcoholic parents, but the general underlining issues are broken families, and how it has an affect on children. The extreme long shot where he is playing at the beach with his friend has been done to make them seem so small in comparision to the world about them, possibly to exaggerate their vulnerability and innocence.
There is no backing music or soundtrack other than his narration throughout the whole film, and this combined with the colouring and lighting gives it a very social realism feel, but the opening musics use of strings and a slow pace sets it up as a drama based storyline, the audience will not be expecting a comedy film with the music they are introduced to first thing. I think the most interesting factor of the film is that although they could have just used normal dialogue, they also use non diagetic narration over clips of Jonathon playing or eating. I think that this is done as if he is speaking to you personally so that the audience feels more of a connection with him and his story.
I think it definately gives a sympathetic view of working class, as you can see the daily struggles they face, especially as it is seen through the eyes of a child. If the story was told through the eyes of an adult I dont think it would have been as effective or upsetting as they would not have the innocence of the main character.
"Joyride" - Caroline Robertson
This film has iconography such as a weapon, (axe) , blood, and dark lighting. These put together could be taken to be a horror, but the soundtrack to the film has a very fast pace, and this puts the film into the thriller genre as opposed to horror. Another aspect of the film which is typical of thriller genre films are the police characters. There is a clear protagonist in the man who is kidnapped, and you are made aware of this early on by the fact that he gets out of the car to help the man in the road, showing that he is kind and brave ( two typical protagonist traits.) Likewise, the antagonists are made clear by their dialogue and presentation with the axe, emphasised by the fact it is set in a dark and raining atmosphere when they appear.
There is no narration other than dialogue, and the audience is made to see the experience through the protagonists point of view, this is emphasised by the scene where he is trapped in the boot and you can hear the diagetic sound of the women screaming, but you cannot see what is happening to her, you can only see what he can see - the inside of the car. I think that this both builds tension and gets you to empathise with the characters fear more, as you can clearly see his facial expression changing as he listens to her screaming. He gets more afraid, which is what I think the audience is meant to do as well. This has been exaggerated by the close ups of his face, cutting to point of view shots of the car, cutting back to the close up of his face. This gives us a clear indication of his emotions, at the same time keeping the fast pace of the film and keeping the audience on their toes wanting to know whats happening/is going to happen.
The soundtrack sets the scene to the film immediately, with its fast pace and low tone giving the film a dark feel with exciting pace, giving the audience reason to anticipate something. The film plays on the theme of crime and violence, the fact that a man could end up kidnapped when on his way home from work insinuates that there is crime going on every day, to normal people. The film is riddled with enigma as the audience are questioning the characters, who are they? where are they from? What were the kidnappers origional intentions? Again, this keeps the audience wanting to watch more.
The film uses typical short film format, with a clear beggining, middle and end. Although the majority of the film contains so much enigma, the end gives the film some form of closure, knowing that the antagonists are looking at getting their punishment and that the antagonist has died, ironically from what the film began with, ( the electricity post) giving the film a nice twist, leaving the audience shocked and probably dissapointed at how it ends. The whole way the film has been setting up the audience to sympathise and want him to survive through his whole ordeal. The fact that he lives through the ordeal, but died from his own line of work which he had left to fix until morning is frustrating for the audience to watch, as by this point in the film they are probably assuming that he will live and that the film will have a positive ending. I like the twist, as it leaves people thinking about the film after and gives it a whole new twist.
The film represents the working class in its main characters, I think this has probably been done to appeal to a wider audience as people can sympathise and relate to the characters, (especially the electrician) more. The electrician is represented as a hard working, intelligent man, reflected when he is in the boot of the car and manages to turn the break light off and sets the alarm off. It suggests that he may have a family as he is on his way somewhere, this is again something which gives him sympathetic representation.
Desperately seeking dinosaurs - Abi Black
Desperately seeking dinosaurs was written and directed by Dan Knight for the 2009 Virgin Media Shorts. I found this film really easy to place into its particular genre, being a rom/com. It instantly showed conventions of being a romance as in one of the first shots you see a picture of her screen on a dating website. It is then found more humourous as all around her are figures of dinosaurs being showed to use in close up shots with everything else in the background faded out. It is also shown by her exclaiming she wants a "fossil mad friend for adventure" Other elements of the mise en scene also showed this due to her setting not actually being at home but in her work office, where she has completely personalised it with her dinosaur decorations, and her costume has been made to look like the stereotypical "geeks" outfit.
I think this film uses genre conventions uniquely firstly because this is a very different idea to a usual rom com and also because it is a short film it is over so quickly. You instantly get the impression that she is this desperate spinster, a stereotypical character in many romantic comedies, however I think this is purely down to the fact that she is a bit of an odd character. I also like the sequence of having the piece of paper which she drops with the accidental number for the launderette on it, linked into how her washing gets mixed up with her perfect match, "Brontosaurus Bill" which I think works out well as you fin yourself wishing for her to meet him.
I think this film does use the typical short film format of the beginning, middle and a slight comedic twist at the end. This I think worked well as combined with the soft soundtrack running almost the whole way through to link the shots together from when you watch her drop the leaflet it created a sense of continuity. I also think the music chosen worked particularly well with what was happening connoting a romantic atmosphere throughout.
The themes and issues represented here were love, and finding your "perfect" partner, no matter what your interests are. I think the film had a feel good vibe overall and at the end you weren't left asking any questions about what had just happened or was going to happen.
How to cope with rejection - Abi Black
How to cope with rejection is a short film set in Scotland written and directed by Chris Waitt. The film immediately fulfills all conventions of a comedy just from the dialogue used in the phonecall at the beginning, the characterisation of Adam playing the guy who has just been dumped is very comical and I think the sound used of the slow almost boring sounding music helps to convey his mood.
I think this film uses genre uniquely as although the idea of hiring a ninja seems very extreme, in some ways it seems very realistic due to his setting and the way his character and his ex girlfriends character is being represented. I think that the idea behind it is genius, because everyone at some point will go through a phase of wanting to get back at an ex in some way and this just happens to be a very comical one. I think that the use of the camera works very well in the shots where we see him staring blankly at the television screen, shot from just above it.
The film uses the short film format by having a problem at the beginning and then the problem seems to be solved in the middle only to then have a comical twist at the end. Even though the twist at the end was predictable it was still very funny.
The sound used throughout I thought was very well done, the non diegetic music came in at the right places and the use of diegetic sounds made the production seem very realistic and it flowed very well. I think the music used also helped to convey Adams emotions at that point in time, however maintaining a certain amount of humour.
I believe that there wasn't really a clear theme in this film, other than that it was meant to be and achieved to be funny. The issue I think it represented is a common one, of a relationship ending and one half not being very happy about it and conducting the "win her/him" back scenario. This I think, helps the audience to connect to the character as we are all familiar with his circumstance and feel quite sympathetic at the same time as it being made quite light hearted. I really enjoyed watching this film as I found myself laughing the majority of the way through and it maintained my interest, one thing I would like to take forward into my own production of watching this was some of the interested shot types used at different angles which I felt worked really well.
Wasp - Abi Black
Wasp was produced in 2003, written and directed by Andrea Arnold. The main theme which comes across throughout this film is social realism, but also a drama as well. This is communicated to us in a number of different ways, such as the focus on the working class, the poverty which we see so often today and the effects of what being a lone parent is. A typical setting is used, set in a council estate with big blocks of flats, instantly connoting to the audience that this is a less wealthy area than most. Both Zoe, the mother, and all her children are dressed how you would expect, in the first scene Zoe steps outside in a nighty. The effect of having the children dressed in such a "grubby" way really helps emphasise their financial situation and we later see in the film that Zoe cannot afford to buy any food, giving the children sugar to share out instead. The sound used are mainly all diegetic, coming from their current surroundings however mainly appearing off screen such as the music played in the pub. Most of the audience instantly recognise these songs which are being played and you often hear this kind of music, which again gives the film a more realistic approach. They have used stereotypes very well throughout this film, dipicting Zoe as your typical single mother who's just about managing to get by. Her dress sense seems very "chavvy" a stereotype which the audience are very familiar with. The children are made to look and act how you would imagine them to, brought up in their situation and I think the use of Kelly stepping in as the mum figure in some places, even though she is so young, also displays how severe their situation is. I think the main issue that is addressed in this short film is the financial struggle which a single mother with several children can have and by the end of it, I felt sympathetic not only towards the children, but also towards Zoe as well.
I think the way this film is conducted in such a realistic way is particularly interesting, considering that it is such a powerful storyline. I really enjoyed watching this film even though the actual ending was heartbreaking, and the use of camerawork helps to show each characters emotions through both p.o.v shots and shot reverse shots in dialogue between both Zoe and the children, and Zoe and Dave. I also think they have managed to capture the "grittyness" of the families life, Zoe trying to maintain a lifestyle she once had before her children, but also being at risk of losing them. I think the film has a strong message in it, which is conveyed throughout. However it does not follow the normal format of having a problem and then it is all dealt with and solved at the end. There isn't really an ending to this film and so leaves the audience on edge as we want to find out what has happened, will this family be ok? Throughout the film we are made to care about the welfare of these children, especially when they are left outside the pub alone at night and so having formed this bond we want to know what eventually happens to them. I think leaving the ending as a bit of a cliff hanger is a good thing as it keeps the audience interested, but also makes it seem more realistic as a financial issue like Zoe has doesn't just get solved instantly.
I found the use of sound very clever, as there is hardly any non diegetic sound. Everything to do with sound is happening on screen, or just off screen but still diegetic. This again is another convention which makes the film seem more realistic. I would like to bring this to the film which we produce, as I would like it to appear as realistic as possible which this film does well. The film I think is meant to be about a single mother struggling through life with 4 children, at risk of having them taken away from her,whilst desperate to get her old life back when she didn't have responsibilities. It also show's the financial struggle which some people are going through and that benefits do not cover everything. I think that this film positions the audience to take a much more sympathetic to single mothers living in that situation as we do usually, as although she seems very strong and fiery, but then throughout the film we empathise with her and see her desperate situation. This is achieved by the main storyline but also the characters portrayal as you do see the love she has for her children at the end. I think stereotypes are used, but as we are seeing it through the eyes of Zoe we are not as judgemental, we understand her situation and end up empathising with her.
Mixtape - Abi Black
Mixtape is a short film produced in 2009 written and directed by Luke Snellin. I found this film really hard to fit into a category as it does not really convey any of the usual genre conventions but I would have to put it down as a hybrid between social realism and a rom/com as it gives off the same "feel good vibe" which a rom com does.
I think this film uses the genre styles uniquely as in social realist films we are so used to being shown the harshness of life, and the "grittyness" of living in poorer estate of a lower class background. This film captures the innocence of what it is like to be young and besotted, having used the stereotypical character of the "girl nextdoor" figure. It is also not set in the usual council estate, however still not a particularly wealthy area either. I like the way that we are seeing through the eyes of a young boy, and you can see that to him this one gesture of making a mixtape probably feels like the most important thing hes ever done. I think what really makes this film unique is that everyone can relate to what this boy is going through, because at some point when you are young you feel madly in love with someone, and this film captures the essence of that brilliantly. Being able to make the audience instantly connect with a character and without feeling sympathetic towards them is something which I find inspiring and would like to show this throughout our own short film.
The film uses the short film format in the usual way, and although we are left with a slight cliff hanger of wandering what is going to happen we also feel incredibly good. The end section is particularly heart warming where we are left with a shot of both the characters sitting against the same wall back to back and evidently happy.
I think that this film is very dependant on the soundtrack as the whole idea is based around the fact that the character has made a mixtape of old 70's music for the "girl of his dreams" The music used is catchy and recognisable which I think helps draw the audience in more as we feel familiar with what is happening. What I also liked about the music used was that it fitted in with what is going on on-screen. At the beginning when he begins walking around to the girls flat he has been put in slow motion to not only fit in with the music, but also see all of the emotions of which he is going through at that point, which is then cleverly stopped and snapped back into reality by the diegetic noise of the buzzer to her flat.
I think that the representation used is that of everyday, and what it is like when you get to that stage of being a child where you start liking members of the opposite sex. It captures the innocence and playfulness of what it is like to be that age and no real stereotypes are used, apart from the fact that the girl is, the girl nextdoor. I found this film a pleasure to watch and I enjoyed it from start to finish.
Eight - Abi Black
The film Eight was produced in 1998 by Stephen Daldry. From watching the film "Eight" I thought it conveyed conventions of both a drama and a social realism piece. The use of the voice over throughout, gave it a sentimental value and the mature storyline was a sad one, of a young boy who goes through life without having a father. The setting of a working class lone parent family, struck me as that of a social realism, as it reflects on what is the reality for many young people. The use of dull colour is a typical convention of the social realism genre and is used throughout this film. The use of the house setting and props, are those which we see in everyday life and so allows us as an audience to connect and relate to this boy. The sound used at the beginning was just a violin, often connoting sadness and a sombre atmosphere. I think the issue that this film approached was one which is not absent today, of growing up without having a parent and the way this affects the children.
I think this film uses the genre of social realism uniquely as we are seeing life through the eyes of an 8 year old boy, whereas usually social realism films are focused on adults. I think the use of the voice over gives us a particular insight into his life and shows us his vulnerability, sympathising with him.
The film uses the the narrative structure of ending where it began, with the boy running around on the beach and doing all the things which we expect an 8 year old to do. However at the end there is a more serious tone, as he is sat alone on the beach and combined with the long shot this makes him look very small which I think makes the audience reflect on what that must be like. The naivety of Jonathon is displayed throughout the film, evidence of this being when he is talking us through what his father was like and which profession he had which I think helps to create a bond between his characters and the audience.
The use of sound in this film is interesting, as it is mainly diegetic apart from the violin at the beginning and the end. At the beginning we see him playing on his own when the violin first comes in and this is similar to the end where he is back where he started, helping to reinforce the lonliness he must be feeling. The sound of a violin is often used to connote sadness and so the audience can respond to it. Without using any other music its helped to keep the film fitting in with the social realist genre, and also helps it seem more serious as it is dealing with such a sinister subject.
Throughout this film there is a strong theme of social class, as we can evidently see that they are struggling as a lone parent working class family. As we are shown all this through the eyes of an 8 year old, we get to see it from a completely different prospective, although there are still obvious signs of it being a struggle to maintain a normal lifestyle.
Lou-Lou lives here - Abi Black
Lou-Lou lives here was written and directed by Hazel Grian and released in 2005. It is a very interesting short film, with a confusing storyline which allows viewers to create their own interpretation of what the film is actually about. I find it very difficult to place this film into one particular genre as it seems to be a hybrid, but on first impression I thought it was a thriller due to the particular conventions it portrays such as lack of colour, the suspense building music and the "handheld" camera work we so often see in thrillers and horrors. The film had a very sinister feel to it, and also when watching this vulnerable girl we begin to wonder about her unusual behaviour, such as her licking her knee when it is bleeding in the first shot.
I think that this film has a really interesting way of captivating the audience, as you are constantly trying to work out what is going on. The twist at the end was particularly unique and I did not expect it to happen at all, as we find out that "Lou-Lou" is in fact not a little girl, but a dog. I found the use of quick cuts really effective as this helped to build tension throughout the film, combined with the black and white "grainy" effect. I think that using the quick cuts enabled the director to disorientate the audience as for the most part of the film, we are left wondering what is actually going on. The first shot we see is of a pylon, which then cuts to a small girl lying on the floor which creates a sinister and reasonably disturbing atmosphere immediately putting the audience on edge. Combined with the tagline "a little girl should never walk home alone" we automatically think the worst. You then see a white van come on screen, which is typical iconography for a thriller as this immediately connotes things into the viewers mind. To manage to capture the audience so quickly I find very inspiring.
I think the advantage of having this film so short is that the whole time we are left wondering what has happened and also asking questions of what's to come. If this film was any longer I don't think it would have that effect, but the length and the use of the quick cuts help to keep the pace up and keep the audience interested. I think the choice of ending is quite genius, as no one is expecting that, however the film does have many other interpretations. The use of having a twist at the end is a common convention of the thriller genre and so instantly recognisable.
The use of sound in Lou-Lou lives here is mainly non diegetic, although you get the odd diegetic sound used such as that of crows and the wind, which helped to create the essence of the thriller genre. Another sound effect used which helps to portray the genre of the film is the use of the voice over whispering "Lou-Lou" which combined with the camera movement brings a disturbing and chilling atmosphere to the film. Other sound used off screen is that of sound effects, only using a violin and piano. However it is not a tune as such, just singular notes. All of these things show just how powerful the sound used in this film is, as without them although it is still disorientating, it doesn't have the same frightening factor.
I think the main thing which makes this film work is that of the enigma, we are never sure what is happening and still at the end we are not entirely sure. At first we are made to feel quite sympathetic towards this little girl, as she seems to be on her own in the middle of no where but then as we see her strange behaviour progress such as going to pick up a dead rabbit we begin to feel more disturbed by her. The thing which I found most interesting about this film is the use of the camera work as every technique used such as the blurred screen and the spinning action all helps to confuse the audience.
Joyride - Abi Black
Joyride immediately came across as a thriller, mainly conveyed throughout the use of sound. The first shot is taken at night, of a man alone having gone out to try and fix a pylon and so automatically a tense atmosphere is set. The main actor has been made to look like an ordinary person, also connoting signs of social realism throughout. When driving home alone the man stops sharply in the middle of the road, and combined with the music this helps to build up suspense and tension at what he has come across. As we then see him get out of the car and walk up to what seems to be in the road a man appears with an axe, typical iconography of a thriller.
I found this film to be unique as it has formed a hybrid of genres, and throughout the film as the viewer we are constantly left on our toes as it is filled with action. I personally found the use of camera work particularly inspiring as we were given many pov shots, which I think gives off a more believable approach and allows us to feel sympathy towards the character, but also scared for him. I also found it unique as it doesn't follow the usual ending as we would expect.
I think the advantages of having this as a short film is that it is a lot of action within that amount of time, and keeping it fast pace like that doesn't allow it to become boring but also doesn't allow much time for the audience to question what is happening, and whether they feel that this could be believable or not. I think that the structuring follows the usual format, up until the ending where we are left with knowing that the character who's story we had just followed died after just escaping, almost conducting a sense of irony. I found this to be inspiring as it did shock me at the end, and it would be interesting to experiment with this in our own work.
I found the use of sound interesting, mainly because it was kept so simple. The use of the non-diegetic sound was mainly made using a piano and otherwise very simple computer generated sound. It was mainly used to build tension throughout the film, and along with the diegetic sound of what was going on on-screen built up a tense atmosphere.
I think the main theme addressed in this film is abuduction and theft as the title suggests. I feel that it does position the viewers to feel sympathy for the main protagonist, which is achieved by him just appearing as this working class man on a call out trying to do his job and ending up being met by antagonists and getting abducted. The antagonists also appear to be working class and I think that typical stereotypes are used, such as them being men but also dressed in dark clothes and having the "skinhead"
BITCH - Jack Storer
a man buys a tin of tuna.
this film is a really effective social realist short about a man who is conned into buying an elderly ladies shopping. from director Dom Bridges i think the reality that this could and probably has happened makes this film so effective.
this is unique as it uses a simple scam that works and is not somthing I have ever seen or heard about before.
i think it works well as a short film due to its simplicity its very short quirky and the main character seems to be a very kind average man. the unique story line really captures the reaction of the character to the event. i find this really inspiring as it the idea of a simple story is somthing that would work well if our group was to choose this simple and quirky style. its not massivly depressing yet has strong moral stand.
the soundtrack to the film is also effective it opens with a happy upbeat tune as the main character is shopping then fades out as the story begins and returns just as the penny drops in the characters mind this almost comic timing of the soundtrack adds a light hearted touch into what could have been a quite dark gritty ending. the choice of opeining and ending is really effective we don't need to know anymore than we see and this leaves us as an audieceon the side of the main character sympathising with him that the seemingly nice elderly lady is indeed a bitch.
the themes and issues that suround this simple idea is the fact that elderly people are somtimes as crooked as young adults. the representation of the characters is really good the lead character is very much a generally nice guy the way he smiles and plays along with the lady we can see in his eyes he thinks shes a little crazy but he doesn't want to offend her so he humours her, and this is somthing that we can all relate too.
Dom Bridges said "won a MOVING PICTURE award at Sundance, got shortlisted for the VIRGIN MEDIA SHORT competition and was shown at various other shorts festivals.
it was shot in an afternoon (including title sequence) using an old Z1 with jonathan Housers prototype guerilla 35 and one 50mm nikon lens.
I used existing light in the supermarket which remained open to keep location costs down, however this proved difficult as customers kept coming to our check out to pay for their shopping.
thanks to all involved the film cost what the guy gets charged at the check out!"
i really admire the upbeat attitude of the director that is clearly reflected in the film.
Mixtape - Jack Storer
an amazing feelgood film, closest fit is probably social realism but is a hundred miles from the gritty drama that seems to get its impact from shocking people with extreme drama and poverty. this film is really fun.
the uniqueness of this film is extreme it shows extreme passion in a tiny gesture, it's so different from anything else i have researched, its such a short simple film and really captures the mood. its also the most inspiring film i have studied.
The short film format works perfectly, its a straight forward start middle and end and creates such a powerfull film.
this entire film is completly dependent on the soundtrack as much as it is on the acting ability. and the music is what brings them together. this musical romance film was so origional and really moving. if i was to take anything from this film it would be that it doesn't need a huge amount of dialougue it just needs to be straight to the point and origional to have impact and to work as a short film.
the films and issues of this is straight forward. a young boy trying to impress a young girl.
the only other thing that made this film is the fact that Bill Milner is possibly the greatest young actor ever.
"Ben spends his time listening to his Dad's old 70's vinyl and making mixtapes on an old double deck tape recorder. He makes a tape to try and woo the girl next door, Lily, the girl of his dreams."
Slap - Jack Storer
Uriel Emil Pollack
a moving social realist piece which focuses on the real life issue of an abused wife. this story is clearly social realist it plays on emotions of realistic stories and the effect it has on characters.
the one thing about this that stands out as unique is the main characters does the opposite of what we as an audience want her to do. we see her imagine how easy it would be to leave her abusing husband as he 's choking on his dinner. this dream sequence is really effective and we feel asi its happening and then suddenly she chooses not to it snaps back into the room and she goes over and helps her choking husband.
the short film format of this is really effective as it lasts the length of her husband choking but we see flash backs of her lying beaten on her bed and the dream sequence of her leaving. these jumps on time and location are edited well. and would be somthing i would like to attempt in my film but is also very risky i think the whole story would fall apart if they where not edited in so effectivly.
the soundtrack is effective as it plays a background role throughout. but i think the visual side of this is what makes it.
the themes and issues are so drastic that we really feel for the lead character.
Cubs - Jack Storer
directed by Tom Harper staring Ashley Walters and Harry Eden
social realism. contains a lot about the the youth violence we see on the news but try and pretend doesn't happen. the shot's on the football court where each of the youngsters queue up and try to look grown up to be picked to join the gang. shows a lot of clothing items we associate with working class, teenagers who live on estates in the city. these stereotypical characters help us get over the need of knowing who people are. and saves time makiung this film work well as a short film.
the fact that this piece is based on something which is so horrific makes it so powerful. we see in the news about teenagers with knives and guns fighting, this film takes it one step further and shows the nightmare which is 'Urban fox hunting' I think this is both a unique story and the shots are really effective such as the chase scenes.
the use of urban music really compliments the faced pace drama we see on screen a great use of combining the non-diegetic soundtrack and the on screen diegetic sound of the kids shouting and dogs barking. I thought this complementary music worked well but part of me thought a really classic slow nice piece of music would contrast creating a stronger emotional impact.
the themes and issues in this film are completely based around the idea of youth culture getting out of control, the idea of gang culture and peer pressure
from this film I want to take the dramatic impact it has and try and create an equally dramatic piece, I don't think you need to be an animal rights protester to be completely disgusted by this film.
"An engaging and difficult short film that is not perfect but is interesting for what it does do" - bob Birmingham
"Tough to watch and a bit unpleasant, but it does pack a pretty potent punch," - Anon Florida
Eight - Jack Storer
I think what makes this film so unique is the accurate reconstruction of the P.O.V of Jonathan the facts he tells us allows us as an audience to use our own knowledge to piece together the story behind the loss of his father.
the set up of this film works really well as a short. we never find out exactly how his father died. but the more clues the naive eight year old boy gives us the more clear it becomes. this naivety is something everyone can relate to and really captures the audience. this is only added to by the great editing and amazing acting.
the soundtrack worked really well the use of violins at the start that I can only describe as eerie. this then fades out leaving us with very little nondiegetic sound. this lack of soundtrack creates a great feeling of being there.
the themes and issues of this film include the naivety of the eight year old boy. and his struggle to understand the links between football and his fathers death. also the struggle of the mother trying to protect her son from what killed his father.
Director:
Stephen Daldry
Writer:
Tim Clague (writer)
Wasp - Jack Storer
SOCIAL REALISM - the gritty reality of the working class is really strong in this piece, the dirty sequence of the poor children taking the spare ribs off the car park floor is really moving.
this entire film is so unique she really pushes this gritty british drama to the next stage with the extremity of all shots. i think aswell as being visually and textually powerful it has a simple and effective storyline.
This simple storline fits the short film format amazingly it allows Andrea Arnold to really experiment with shots and what we see. the storyline doesn't need the kids to swear but when they do it just brings the extreme reality to the audience.
the soundtrack was really effective and used almost completly diegetic sound also having the children sing along to the background music at the bar is a really powerful scene it really pushes the fact that they are just children, and they want to just relax and have fun its not their fault they where born into poverty and they don't get to choose their mother.
the themes and issues of this are really clear its the presure thats put on single young mothers in poor conditions and the choices they have to make to protect their kids but how they still try to juggle a social life. as an audience i think we are really put on the side of the kids as we see the shots from outside the car almost a POV of the children.
Director: Andrea Arnold
Writer: Andrea Arnold
won : oscar - best short film - live action
