Film Studies: Analysing existing Student made Short Films
For the next part of my Production Portfolio, I plan to continue my analysis of Short Films. However to get a more firm understanding of what makes a good, successful Short Film analysing similar student made productions will allow me to understand what i want to achieve and how best to do so.
For this I have chosen 3 different Student made short films which I'll analyse, evaluate and discuss their Micro and Macro elements and how best this can affect my own production.
Film 1: Smell the Roses
From watching the film its clear as an audience member the message and reading the director wants us to take away from this and learn. As it's clear that he wants us to understand that somebody's worth isn't measured in likes, comments or followers but instead in their ability to love and keep comments to them self.
To create this sensitive, naturalistic and natural tone the use of sound in the form of the song called Tigers Tongue by Mountains of the Moon helps to portray this and translate this message across. With the music suiting the slow pace and rhythm of the scenes throughout. Creating and making the film look and feel awkward, eerie and out of place. Furthermore as the delicate, moving sounds help us start to feel and relate to the character, as gradually come to terms and understand more as the narrative develops and progresses. The Mise-en-scene elements in the form of props further allow us to feel grounded and connected to the story as these are vital in portraying the director's message. For instance the use of the Strawberries and Blueberries helps to create the picture and illusion of him being healthy and pro-active as he posts it on Social Media. Only for him moments later to cook and eat a unhealthy cheeseburger. Which creates the illusion and picture that he's trying to create of him being healthy and proactive to his friends, which we , the audience, just know is lie. This relates back well to message of somebody's worth not being measured through likes, comments or followers, which is something the protagonists hasn't yet learnt or understands. It could also be mentioned the minimal use of other props allows so stay more focused and streamline our thoughts better towards what we are watching.
In relation to Stuart Hall Representation theory, the reflective approach is most appropriate, as it suggest what we see and hear through the media is a reflection of real life. With the representation being created in what exists in reality. In terms of the Film Smell of the Roses we know that this suits and portrays this well, from our understanding of Social Media in the 21st Century and people's resilience and lifes are based around. With thus helping the directors take somethings true meaning and recreate in such a way to remind and educate the audience.
To keep the film more naturalistic, grounded and real the minimal use of costume, makeup and overall facial expressions and movement allows for the story to feel more real, alive and believable without distorting the director's message. With elements such as facial expressions and movement only being used when needing to. To show the characters reaction or feelings e.g. reaching 1000 followers. I've decided to pick this particular moment because the use a close up and change in music allows the tone and pace to change as we understand that the boy doesn't feel happy or that he's accomplished anything by getting 1000 followers. With this instead being a turning point, when he realises what he's done and fell victim to as we see this only through his ashamed facial expression and determined movement as he runs up the stairs.
With this and all the above helping tie the narrative and contemporary genre together as we gain an understanding and knowledge of the message and preferred reading the director is trying to portray.
Film 2 : Okay Google (Horror)
To understand a wider variety of Short Films and how their produced and filmed, analysing different genre's will allow me to do this.
This second Short Film is a Horror Film which was created by Levi Morgan.
To Suit the genre based stereotypes of Horror, the minimal use of lighting and diegetic sound helps to create an eerie, disturbing and mysteries tone throughout. Although nothing truly disturbing happens until 35 seconds, as these features/elements are still apparent and help set the tone and feeling for what the audience can expect to come.
The use of only diegetic really creates an eerie, frightening and tense tone from the start, as were left on the edge of our seats waiting and anticipating for something to happen. This is shown when the first bit a non-diegetic sound can heard as we get a glimpse of an unknown figure. The high pitch tone suits the rhythm and pace of the film as it quickly sharpens and like us, the protagonist feels on edge, nervous and confused. With the final scene, during which the unknown figure approaches the protagonist,being a deep, dark pitched sound which suits the feel and atmosphere of suspense and mystery which is apparent and a common theme of the Horror Genre will being a great example of that. As we eagerly await what will happen next.
Another key and vitally important Micro-element which is used is Props, in particular the Google Assistant itself as we soon come to learn it controls the narrative and what happens as the story develops. With it controlling the lights as we get smaller glimpses of an unknown figure. Whilst also the story progresses to further add to the disturbing and mysterious feel as the Google Assistant starts do things automatically, acting as a slight jump scare for some. With the biggest moment coming right at the end as we start to see the Google assistant starting to ignore the protagonist as we see little of the figure approaching him, only for it to then turn off the Laundry room lights, leaving our character alone and defenceless and us on a huge cliffhanger. As the Protagonist like audience is left in the back as we're left to decide for ourselves what might happen next. With this being a prime example of an effective way to keep the audience engaged and nervous throughout as were always left suspicious of what might happen and what next to come.
To further create the feeling of tension, mystery and suspense the subtle and slow movement of the unknown figure creates that anticipation as were keen and eager to see what will happen next. With the slow paced walking helping to frustrate and frightening the protagonists more during the final scene. This is way less anti climatic and helps heighten the tone and atmosphere along with the sounds and facial expressions of a vulnerable,confused and defenceless teenager.
Like the Short Film above and many other Horror films, Todorov's theory of Equilibrium has been used, allowing the audience to simply follow and engage with the Linear storyline. As were not left confused on what's happening. The result effect of this is that were more focused, involved and immersed in the story as were eager and dying to find out what might happen next. A more confused, Non Linear structure would affect our feelings, emotions and thoughts which isn't something the director didn't want us to feel as he aims and wants us to stay engaged and interested.
Film 3 : Time
For the Final Student made Short Film, the Film Time created by Ben robertson is an excellent example of great editing to help portray a message and story which develops throughout.
The Film Time is based around a boys obsession for the clock to "Tick Faster" which develops into a 2 minute montage as see him grow up throughout his life during his breakups, relationships and becoming a father. To show time and progressing throughout, between each scene quick camera pans and invisible cuts are used. With these cuts suiting the quickened pace song of Run boy Run. As were left little time to see and understand what might be going on, however through costume, props and setting we understand his life what he's learning and experienced. This is particularly effective during the party scene as the fast paced cuts allow us to transport and see through different situations and perspectives of the party.
What I quickly touched upon in the last paragraph was due to the quick scenes and cuts, were left little time to stop and understand what might be actually going on but through Mise-en-Scene elements such as Costume. We can tell when he gets married and becomes a father as a result of a Wedding dress and baby being in shot. Through the use of setting, props and even voice over we understand when he gets his first car or gradates. Otherwise we might as an audience feel tempted to pause and disrupt the rhythm and pace of film as i feel the director has edited this so that we don't have long to think or consider what might be going as he's keen to show the progression of time and how its so precious and can move so quickly.
With this Naturalistic feel coming to a fitting close when an older self relaises and wishes that the clock could "Tick Slower" as were left to see him cherish his memories seen through the slow pan shot of the kitchen and visible photos. With the slow feel and pace of the scene suiting and matching the age of the man as he, like us can understand his life and take a moment to remember and come to terms with what we've just watched, felt and experienced. WIth this slower pace/rhythm being the total opposite to the start. As over the 5 minutes we've seen a young, eager teenager grow up into a experienced, caring and thoughtful man, as we feel almost that we've accompanied him on this journey and been part of it.
Even though this isn't mentioned, I strongly believe that through the use of Micro and Macro Elements and portraying the life of the Protagonist. I believe the director wants us to see and understand how life can be and is so precious even during the boring (Classroom Scene) or the tough parts (Breakup, Mums death) as were left to feel sympathy for the Old man as if we feel we've been on this journey with him throughout his life.
For this film, I feel Blumer and katz theory is most suitable and relatable as many aspects of this audience theory can be easily applied to the Film throughout.
Personal Relationship can be clearly applied to the film as throughout the Film we develop, connect and form a close bond with the character.
Whilst Personal Identification is also relatable as the audience can relate to the character and his situations and experiences throughout his life. This in term allows us not only to connect with the Protagonists but also the story and message the director wants to portray and educate us about. As after 5 minutes were left feeling satisfied, entertained and caring towards the character.
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