Short film takeaways

 

This still image from the short film "Echo" is something I would like to incorporate into my short film coursework.in terms of cinematography, the shot of the protagonist from the outside of the café looking through the window sets up a slightly melancholic and pensive tone, which in turn matches the overall aesthetic of the scene. This shot, as a close up also, allows the spectator to be up close with the protagonist, but with the barrier of the window serving as an indication that she may be hiding something or is withdrawing from some sort of truth. this inspires me to add something similar in my own short film depending on the type of narrative I will eventually decide on creating visually.

The concept of a non chronological narrative is an idea that I would be interested in exploring after watching "Over". The enigma codes that are established as the story works backwards as the spectator is also made to uncover the mystery of the unnerving incident that occurred on the road that day. This is particularly striking to me as a spectator, as even up to the final 20 seconds of the film, we are still unaware of how the body that was found ended up there on the road. this feeling of the unknown is something that would be intriguing to incorporate within my own short film, and finding different ways to highlight it

The sound design behind "The Fly" adds a tasteful layer of comic relief to the narrative, aiding in establishing the reason why the protagonist is so easily annoyed by the incessant buzzing of the fly. over the course of the film, us as spectators are also subjected to the annoying sound of a fly buzzing around your ears aimlessly. this attention to detail in terms of sound design (both diegetic and non diegetic) is something I aim to include in my short film, as it is evidenced here that sound allows us a spectators to gain an insight into what feeling is generated by that particular sound (such as a large explosion creating shock or fear) and effectively accentuates the aesthetic behind a scene by making it either believable or entirely surreal, depending on the style.

Both short films "The Ellington Kid" and "The Arrival" include effective voiceovers that aid in generating differing effects for their spectators. Voiceover in these short films enhance the storytelling by providing insights into characters' thoughts (like in The Arrival) and adding depth to the plot (like in The Ellington Kid).If I were to add something similar In my own short film, I would want to use voiceover to convey internal monologues and background information that can't be highlighted visually. This overall will help to create a richer, more immersive experience for the spectator, however the voiceover is used, ensuring that they fully understand the characters' motivations and motivations within the narrative.

One thing I particularly enjoyed about the "Tight Jeans" short, is how the minimal editing style reflects the simplicity of friendship, despite it outwardly appearing chaotic and random, which is shown through dialogue and performance of certain characters. The editing to me was virtually unnoticeable, and the editor does a great job of maintaining continuity in order to create seamless and natural dialogue, overall communicating a sense of verisimilitude to the spectator, whether or not they take the preferred, negotiated, or oppositional reading. This would inspire me to be more careful and mindful of continuity when editing a short film and apply it to my coursework, not exclusively for minimal editing like the kinds that is seen here, but also for moments where the editing may be faster to reflect a tense atmosphere. 

This shot from "Slap" is definitely something I have taken inspiration from, and wish to add in some way shape or form to my fil coursework. the low angle here positions the protagonist, Colin, in a place of power or imposition, overall making his character seem more intimidating and domineering. the mise en scene of the boxing gym actively sets the competitive -  and in this moment incredibly violent - tone. however this is done in a way where the spectator is aware of the events that happened before he lost his cool and lost control of himself in what was supposed to be a friendly sparring match. the low angle also connotes loss of control. and if this was a theme I could possibly explore in my short film. 

"Operator" to me, is proof that an effective story can be told by shooting in just one location. By shooting "Operator" in one location, it reflects how a single location allows for greater focus on character development and substance of plot, reducing any unnecessary complications, as well as production costs. It encourages me to take more into consideration creative storytelling, and to utilise the space well. This setting can build a strong, immersive atmosphere, because "Operator" is shot on one location, the story and performances take centre stage, fostering a deeper connection with the audience. This streamlined approach ensures a cohesive and engaging film.

Pre production research

 What is short film? 

In terms of running time and length, short films are significantly shorter in overall running time in comparison to feature-length films, which would typically be between 90 and 100 minutes in total, with most short films ranging from 2-5 minutes and 5-30 minutes, sometimes even more. this means that when looking at a short story narrative, the storytelling and events that unfold need to be concise, clear, and well-structured in order to be effective. Due to the majority of many feature length films being produced and distributed by major studios, the budgets are often high. Many short films are created by either independent filmmakers or less prominent production companies, meaning the budget is often lower With feature-length films, professionals make up the majority of the team, such as actors, writers, directors, and technicians. These roles are still used in short films, however they are more often than not done by amateur filmmakers. A more formulaic approach is taken with feature length films, due to the major production studios often having power over producers and directors in terms of what is and isn’t okay to include. Short films can be seen as more experimental due to their status as an independent with more creative freedom and less censorship from higher-ups. Across the two short films watched: "Get Off My Land" and "Last Man on Earth", we can identify the characteristics and features that define a typical short film. In “Get off My Land”, the narrative focuses on one concept or idea. In this case, the argument between a landowner and a hiker is the main idea that is the only point of the story. this simplicity allows for impactful storytelling Short films maintain fast pacing with no slow points. Scenes and sequences are distilled down to their essence, ensuring every moment counts. In “Get off my land” the escalation happens very quickly as tensions begin to rise. this removes the need for slowly burning sub plots and lengthy character arcs, encapsulating the entire narrative within a specific dilemma or occurs.

Reflecting on work

 Over the course of the year, we have taken part in various forms of practical work that draws inspiration from the films we have watched as part of the a level film studies specification (Do the right thing, Double indemnity and The Gold Rush. In this reflection I acknowledge the fact that I need to improve on the research that goes before the practical task instead of going into it blind. however the things that went well with it are down to the fact that the clear direction given to videographers and actors helped to finish the task at a good quality in a timely manner. The groups I worked with collaborated to come up with creative and unique ideas in both production and post production. The ideas put forward actively aided in shaping a short narrative that was either funny, interesting or tense to watch, we explored a range of filming styles, such as the still shots and exclusively mid/ wide shots of The gold rush, to the dark and moody tension of double indemnity, as well as the crowded frames and dynamic cinematography of Do the right thing. Overall I learnt that in order to produce a piece of visual media that is both captivating and intriguing to watch there must be intention behind all decisions the group makes, in terms of how a scene is shot, where the characters in the frame are and how the narrative will be laid out during the editing stage, including the diegetic and non diegetic sound that is incorporated into the piece throughout