Research into Short Films

Short film- Frank

The Plot

This short film is about a lodger named Frank who shares a home with Pete and Laura. Pete and Laura are constantly irritated and hassled by loud music next door, although they complain it never stops. While relaxing in one night together, one of the flat mates leaves to go to the shops. Later, he comes home in the early hours of the morning looking shaken up, disorientated and covered in red stains. The other house mates wondered what has happened as they are ignored when they ask. The next day read in the paper the neighbour next door has died due to a speaker falling on his head. The next day, Frank has brought Laura a mascara which is then revealed on TV/radio that a young woman has been murdered with a mascara brush. due to the TV/radio is not shown in this long shot the sound is categorised as non diegetic as its off stage. At this point is where the pieces of the puzzle begins to fit together, especially when he is found again covered in red stains. Frank then approaches Pete and Laura to explain his motives.

Mise en scene/Camera shots and angles/Edits/Sound

The location of the filming is set inside a nicely decorated 'cosy' home. The characters are wearing casual clothing for every day wear. The audience are able to recognise the time of day through low and high key lighting as well as the type of clothing the characters wear for example wearing pajamas shows the early morning. Within the house is 3 people, two of the three have a close relationship and get along very well while the other has hardly any interaction portraying to the audience he is strange and different to the others as he is the mysterious character in the film. Throughout the film the lighting is either naturalistic (day light) or low key lighting through use of TV or lamps etc.

At the start of the film Laura has authority as she complains to the neighbours and has a strong, forceful attitude (swearing) within the household. However when it is revealed what Frank has done the position of authority switches to Frank and the couple now become inferior towards him due to his violent acts. he orders them to "sit down!" within a moment they do. To show his authority the camera angle is taken at a worms eye view.

when Frank has committed his first crime which the audience knows of, the camera is held in first person by using a point of view shot staring down the stairs (worms eye view) to see who is at the doors this signifies his feeling of fear that it may be the police.

The establishing shot is of the couple Pete and Laura sitting comfortably in the kitchen. This is shown by a medium shot of Pete drinking what looks to be a hot beverage while Laura rests her feet on him while reading the paper. this signifies a stereotypical couple in an average sized house portraying how and what  mid 20s to mid 30's couple would be doing while corresponding with one another.
There are constant fast cuts/edits during the opening scene as the characters talk to wanna another this is produced to convey the idea of when a character is speaking the close up shot of the camera switches to that particular person.

Halfway through the film is a long shot of the couple eating dinner in the lounge with high key lighting, an edit is then used; it fades to the couple now sitting relaxed in front of the T.V with low key lighting (only the television) this portrays the idea that time has passed and it has grew further into the night.

Before

After

during the credits at the end are images of the 'weapons' used within the film, as well as the actors, editor, writer, producer, sound specialist, cinematographer and director. To show the images of the weapons and the individuals involved the edit used is of medium speed and its as if someone is taking a picture due to the use of non diegetic sound and white flash shown to continue onto next screen shot. this effect of camera flashes and sounds is used to portray the idea of a forensic investigation of a crime committed. resulting in the genre it is trying to pursue; thriller/crime.

Our Questionnaire

Questionnaire for my Film Trailer

(Circle which applys to you)

How old are you?

Under 12            12-14             15-17          18-24       25-29     30+

Are you male or female?

Female                Male 

What is your favourite film genre?

Comedy        Romance        Drama       Adventure          Fantasy        Action          Sci-fi            Thriller              Horror

At the beginning of the trailer you are shown a clip of a Mother and Father arguing about their son. Later that day the mother and her son go out for the day to the dark; but the unexpected happens…

 Can you guess the ending???

a. The Father joins them and they enjoy their day in the park [   ]

b. The family are kidnapped [   ]

c. The child is taken [   ]

d. They are attacked by dogs in the park [   ]

e. The Mother's car breaks down so they cannot get home [   ]

What is your least favourite film genre?

Comedy        Romance        Drama       Adventure          Fantasy        Action          Sci-fi            Thriller              Horror

Can you think of any inspirational ideas to include in our trailer?

Completed Questionnaire

Our initial Ideas

My Story Board

Synopsis

·  Mother and Father have just split up and are arguing about which of them will look after their son.

· The mother takes the child to the park, the child is holding a balloon.

· The child goes on a round-a-bout ride, the camera shows the father looking at his son in the background.

· The mother goes to buy a drink leaving her son alone playing on the ride.

· The camera zooms in and out on the father highlighting his existence.

· The mother comes back, the ride is still moving, the balloon has drifted up into the air. The child is no where to be seen.

·  Black Out

· Mother standing, screams his name. This is followed by a shot of the mothers feet running through the park.

· Shot of the father and son running fast through the woods.

· The child falls and the Father picks him up aggressively.

· Shot of the mother at the police station and the Police Officer replies, 'well if hes with his Father, hes okay'

· Father pushes son into the car and shouts, 'keep ya head down!'

· Shot of the mother in her sons room, shaking back and forth with a photo of her son and crying.

Different types of genres

 Within the filming industry there are a variety of different genres to target a range of audiences.

Thriller: psychological thrillers evoke fright they cause the audience to feel emotions of guilt and fear due to the emotional instability it creates tension with what is about to pop up on screen next enabling the audience to feel part of the film. This is achieved by the way in which it is produced. For example thrillers include suspense which builds up the narrative usually done by the use of eerie music, loud bangs/noises which are usually diegetic to suggest it has been caused by someone near by, this is then followed by fast scenes of action however not all important aspects of the film is shown this is known as ambignity which then allows the audience to discover and work out the plot or characters involved causing them to be an active audience rather than passive.

Horror: in most horror films the focus is on the graphic images rather than the narrative, whereas in a thriller the narrative is much more important in order to create the fearful sense of enigma. a horror is designed to evoke suspense with more blood and gore as it targets to startle the view by playing on the audiences' fears. due to the vivid and graphic images it creates less excitement because the audience are constantly shown violence therefore will gradually become desensitised towards it.

Drama: this genre concentrates of the emotional relationships between characters dealing with day to day issues in society to signify elements of realism. Each different characters have completely different characteristic's and personalities to express their specific role in regard to the storyline. most drama strive to be emotionally moving to make a connection with their target audience.Within a drama the storyline is often about some kind of conflict between groups of people that has not be resolved this then allows for climax to occur to still attach the audience to the plot. At the end of most genres a resolution has been found creating a happy or pleasant ending.

Romance: this genre focuses on the relationships between two characters in regard to love. However is isn't always based on the theme of love at first sight it includes many different themes of love such as forbidden love for example Romeo and Juliet, relationships of hate that develop into true love for example 10 things I hate about you, love at first sight for example P.S I love you, an affair for example it's complicated and many other different aspects of it. Regardless of whether the ending is cheerful or catastrophic the aim of a romantic genre is to create the audience to display strong emotions towards it.

Fantasy: this particular genre integrates themes of magic, fictional characters/places and imaginative storyline. these films are usually targeted at young children however some films are targeted a large scale of audiences for example the movie Avatar. the inspiration for these films often comes from mythology or desires which are then created into reality in films. The illustrations are heavily relied upon in this genre because audiences are likely to watch something that is presented with fantastic images and storyline rather than just the storyline itself, because through advancements in technology there is is a lot of competition so the more vivid and imaginative that are the more publicity.

Me and Nicola have decided on the genre drama because it can easily establish a narrative especially when we have decided to produce a trailer, the narrative needs to be quickly understood so audience are well aware of what has happened and want to find out the ending result. it also is a genre that it very heartfelt which can connect with audiences, it can also easily be a hybrid so we have decided to use it alongside thriller as being a trailer will create suspense and explain the narrative making it equally as important. 

Short films and Trailers

Within a short film the narrative should have a beginning, middle and end this is a main convention of a short film to show the development of the storyline. Short films are often produced in chronological order so it is an understandable and clear storyline for audiences to follow, in my opinion sometimes short films can be predictable when it comes to the ending result as certain factors can influence giveaways; for example a mysterious character is revealed or the idea that most films tend not to end on a bad note therefore can predict it will be a happy ending. This is why me and Nicola have decided to produce a trailer. Editing the scenes so that they are in different orders is much easier, as the narrative doesn't have to be told and the audience can be active is deciding on what is happening and what is going to happening therefore will develop their own ideas. Trailers are often not predictable as they are usually left on a cliffhanger so people will go and watch the film in cinemas to find out the true underlying plot. Within trailers it is unusual for audiences to become bored of  them because of how short they are and that they don't drag on about the narrative, this is done by only allowing the best parts of a film to be used within a trailer such as the comical jokes or the build up of tension, this is shown through only showing short clips of the film. 

Creating a trailer will be challenging however will be enjoyable once scenes are recorded and all is left is to edit them to create an emotional response we hope to see off target audiences.

Narrative Theories

Narrative is the organisation given to a series of facts. The human mind needs narrative to make sense of different everything in life in order to understand it. We connect events and make interpretations based on those connections. There is always a beginning middle and end in every part of life it just depends on how we approach events for them to result in the outcome we desire. 

Narrative Conventions:

• Genre
• Character
• Form 
• Time 

Roland Barthes

He was a French semiologist who suggested that narrativeworks with five different codes that activate the reader to make sense of it.

The Five Codes

1. Action- a narrative device by which a resolution is produced through action for example a shoot out.

2. Enigma- a narrative device that teases the audience by presenting a puzzle or riddle to be solved, it works to delay the ending result of the narrative.

3. Symbolic- a narrative device that connotates what a storyline could portray, an individuals interpretation.

4. Semic- a narrative device that denotates the true meaning of a storyline, no need for predictions.

5. Cultural- a narrative device where the audience can recognise as being part of a culture this is due to relating to certain aspects of a film.

Claude Levi-Strauss

He was a French social anthropologist who studied myths of tribal cultures. His research has been adapted by media theorists to reveal underlying themes and symbolic oppositions in media texts. He examined how stories unconsciously reflect the values, beliefs and myths of a culture, these are usually expressed in the form of binary oppositions. Binary oppositions is the conflict between two terms/qualities, for example in 1970's western films everything was categorised:

Todorov

He believed there were three main parts to a narrative:

1. The text begins with a state of equilibrium where everything appears to be regular or calm.

2. There is some kind of disruption or disequilibrium - this is often a threat to the normal situation or it could be just a setback.

3. A new equilibrium is produced to end the narrative. in the best narratives there is some kind of change for the better perhaps in the main characters' behaviour or outlook on life. The narrative is recognised/seen as circular. 

The woman in black- Trailer

The focus within this trailer is the representation of horror, and how the creators have produced a tense and thrilling trailer to express the kind of film it is, this has been created by using camera shot/angles, sound, edits and mise en scene.

At the beginning of the trailer the studio ident is shown of Hammer films, showing who the film was produced by, this specific company are known to produce famous horror movies giving the audience an insight to the quality of the film from knowledge of past narratives. The font colour is red signifying blood and danger it is situated on a black background which resembles emptiness and can be seen as very powerful.

The establishing/interior shot is a long shot of a young child's bedroom, the lighting is low key which enhances its darkness and shows dark shadows leering in the background. The bedroom is empty and gives a feeling that it has been untouched due to the empty rocking chair and the iconic childrens' toys, this creates an idea of a monstrous horrific feeling which is recognised by all the childlike toys spread around the room, but with no child in sight.

An eerie sound of howling wind expresses emptiness, this is recognised to be non diegetic sound which relates to the set/environment of fog and mist usually identified as creepy and desolate. There is a fast cut to a close up of an old fashioned china doll's face which no longer appears to be in mint condition as it is cracked and dirty which suggests it has been left for a long time and considering it is a child's bedroom it is extremely odd. 

After the establishing shot there is a series of cuts of toys shown in the bedroom, highlighting the fact the film is to do with children. However the toys are more dark natured as they appear more horrific than sweet in this trailer, because they begin to move independently creating the idea that something is making them do this. While moving the toys begin creating old fashioned nursery rhymes (diegetic) again outlining the narrative involves young children.

As the music continues there is a fast cut to an exteria shot of a marsh in black and white colouring, which represents an old fashioned era or sadness of the past. The large cross suggests a death has occured and should be treated with respect this is a low angle shot to emphasise the height of the cross showing its significance. However as the dolls appear frightening rather than adored suggests the cross isn't just where a person died but the reason why bad things occur. There are fast cuts glancing at important images and scenes of the film; the audience are shown a long shot of an old, overgrown, traditional mansion with broken gates, this is very stereotypical because these types of houses are used in 'scary' children's books. This image suggests that thats where the horse an cart on the marsh were headed to as they past the cross in the fog an bewildered surroundings. 

Fast cuts of dolls and toys are constantly being shown bringing the audience back to the beginning of the trailer of the creepy children's toys. whilst fast cuts are being shown the gentle but eerie music speeds up in contrast with the fast change of scene, which suggests a more terrifying and intense feeling towards the audience. While using both nursery rhymes and dark phenomenon in sync it continually outlines the idea of unearthly things occurring especially to young children. As the music builds up, a long shot of a dark victorian corridor is shown, the camera then starts moving by itselfs panning forward making the audiene feel enclosed and trapped with no escape.

Half way through the trailer a voiceover of a little girl is heard in a sweet, innocent voice explaining the fear people in the village have in a rhyming poem. It grasps the audiences attention in the first sentence; "theres a shift in the air" which suggests the idea of change in this case is a disturbing and unwanting due to the type of film it is and the fact the child first said "during afternoon tea" usually seen as enjoyable suggests that because of a shift in the air it seems very strange and usual things are about to take place. "A bone trembling chill that tells us she's there" implys that people are afraid of this woman, during the poem this sentence relates to the trailer as we see a faint image of this mysterious woman at that very moment.

An aerial shot of the whole town and long shots of young girls behind glass windows signifies the "whole town is cursed" and people are hidding the children away from someone or something.

The music speeds up and has a loud ticking expressing the idea of fear that something frightening is about to happen, warning the audience. However it suddenly slows down to create a eerie feeling of enigma suggesting a more tense explosion within the trailer, towards the end. At the same time is contrasting with fast cuts of blackouts to thrilling scenes of the actor running and rushing away from the danger about to occur making it seem very dramatic.

In addition, the horror genre is continued by the famous actors' name been written on a foggy window, which relates to the setting of the film still keeping it very mysterious. Lastly, there is a point of view shot of the marsh/island showing isolation as the tide gradually comes in. This entices the audience as it adds more suspense knowing he is trapped there, emphasising his vunerability. Soon after is a fast cut back to the actor peering out of the window when something is stood right behind him which relates to the well known pharase "it's behind you", known as a classic scene to use in horror films.

'Paper Hearts' BBC Short Film Research

Narrative

The narrative of this short film is about a young boy who loses his bag and as a result his dad offers to buy him a new bag however finds out his father is living on the street after he catches him scrounging for money in coat pockets.

The relationship between the father and son is very distant, throughout the film there is limited communication between them suggesting they rarely see one another making  them appear like strangers towards each other. this can also be shown through their body language which is very shifty as they don't know how to react around one another. during the opening scene it shows a clip that something has happened between the father and son as the son is running towards the camera away from the father and then there is a struggle between them once stopped running, therefore, the technique used is a flash forward where a film shows the end of the film first and then introduces the title enabling the audience to be active and want to watch the film as they wonder why the child has reacted to his father so abruptly.

Camera shots/angles

This is the first clip shown to the audience after the title 'Paper Hearts' this shows a two shot of the characters which can be considered to be the main characters as they were seen in the previous clip before the title.

There is then a close up of the boy showing a facial expression of anger and resentment towards his father, due to his sad eyes that are staring into the distance not making any eye contact.

Later on once the issue is resolved between the father and son there is a medium close up of the father which shows anticipation and worry whilst looking at something or someone, this is then revealed as a close up shot of a unshaven man sitting down and wrapped up warm is shown. However, due the camera angle changing to a long shot of the unshaven man it becomes very apparent to the audience he is homeless and the father knows of this man  due to making eye contact with him however, his look of fear suggests he hopes he doesn't approach him whilst with his son.

(The audience at this point are told the son has lost his bag and the two of them are searching to find it in various locations). A theme of determination is portrayed as the audience are shown a long shot of the father and son entering a shopping centre however, the father is way ahead of the son signifying how important it is as otherwise he may have to buy him a new bag. The use of a fast cut from an exterior shot (high street)  to and interior shot of the shopping centre also portrays elements of determinations to find the bag. The camera is then shown out of focus outlining only the son expressing he is very bored and lacks motivation due to his body language of walking very slowly (not in a straight line). This shows elements of Claude Levi-strauss' binary opposition as the father shows determination whereas the son lacks motivation. This can also be illustrated through the close up of the coke bottle the son is kicking around.

Due to the sons mood and boredom, the father clips him over the head with his hand implying to get a move on, the son lashes out at his father, once resolved the father makes a joke to lighten the atmosphere this is shown by a medium shot of the two the father peers over to see the reaction of the child, this is done by his facial expression changing. His eyes move to the right to glance over at him.

(At this point the father has asked the son to wait in the shop centre while he goes and gets money for his new bag). There is a medium long shot of the father looking over his right shoulder to see if his has been followed, suggesting he is hiding something.

The father looks up past the camera (medium close up shot) once found some money to see a long shot/point of view shot of his son standing watching him whilst he looks through plastic bags in an alley.

Sound

The diegetic dialogue "sorry I shouted at you earlier" establishes the first scene as to why the son is so distant and reserved towards his father, signifying the relationship between the two is very untruthful and uncomfortable.

when approaching the unshaven man the footsteps are very loud, this illustrates the idea of being in shelter referring to a dry place to stay, linking with why the homeless man may be there.

"Why cant you be like everyone else's dad?!" is the diegetic dialogue heard by the son after he shows his true colours towards his dad about how he feels, the sound of his voice is heard over the environmental noises of people talking and other noises within the shopping centre, this creates an atmosphere that others around them can hear and see them argue. Background music is played once the father exits the shopping centre to create a sense of mystery to where he is going.

Once again footsteps are heard suggesting he is in the same area as he was earlier which is where the homeless man was, signifying he may be quite similar to the homeless man than the audience may have thought.

Gentle music is played once walking away from where the son and father were sitting after discussing his situation, signifying regardless of the materialistic things in life the son still loves and accepts his father for who he is as he is his father and thats all that matters. This links to the clip shown before the title was introduced where the boy states " he's my dad" conveying their relationship is still strong.

Mise en scene

During the opening scenes the location is based in a busy town with shops on either side of the road, it is obvious to the audience that the season is winter due to the snow on the ground, this is also recognisable because of the clothing both characters are wearing- large, warm coats and sturdy footwear. Once the father speaks it is easy to identify the location of the setting due to his accent which accentuates a Liverpool accent. In the scenes when the shots are interior the location is a shopping centre and whenever outside/exterior are the high street or alleyways/quite areas. However, there is one scene where the interior shot of a pharmacy is used, this is recognisable due to the props within the scene such as medicines displayed on a cabinet and shelves. When the father approaches the alley way towards the end of the short film he kneels down towards cardboard boxes, plastic bags and a rucsack with his belongings in, it is obvious that they are his as he rummages through them this gives insight to his type of lifestyle that he has kept hidden from his son.

Bait - Tom Shankland

Narrative

This is a short film called bait it is based upon how the pressure of poverty effects human relationships. within this film the father leaves his son in a nearby cafe whilst he goes to an interview. the young boy experiences many different characters in society; tramp, builders, waitresses and other people from the general public.

Camera angles and shots

There are many shots and angles within the short film, during the beginning there is a low angle shot of the boy looking up at his father suggesting a the roles of the characters; the father is the dominent and incontrol character while the son obeys and looks up to his father.