What is a short film? A short film is any film not long enough to be considered a feature film. No consensus exists as to where that boundary is drawn: the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences defines a short film as “an original motion picture that has a running time of 40 minutes or less, including all credits”. The Ellington Kid ![]() Identify the different structural stages of the film: +Starts off straight away this is used to grip the audiences attention straight away so they're prepared for the story ahead. + The sharpening of the knife foreshadows what is to come next. this is used to build tension as the sharpening of the knife defines the danger and pain it causes. How effective is the cinematography (angles, shot types, movements, lighting etc)? +Close up this is used to show the clear emotions on the faces of the actors. +Two shot shows the relationship between the two guys showing they’re friends. +Mid shot at end suggests he might have fed him human meat. +Pan Shot What are the effects of the editing choices ? +Most of the shots are short this is because it is trying to establish what is going on from the friends perspective and the kebab shop owner. this also creates tension +Shot reverse shot is used to create tension also as we are getting different perspectives from each participant. +Flashbacks is used to create suspense as we do not know if what happened in the past may repeat itself. How has mise-en-scene been used to create meaning/ effects? + Two shot shows two men in basic clothing at your local chippie suggesting they’re either working class or lower class. How has the use of sound created effects (diegetic and non-diegetic, voice over, score/soundtrack, dialogue, ambient, asynchronous)? Sound of knife is diegetic & non – diegetic. This is because at some point it is exaggerated. The music cut makes it funny as it reminds the audience that it was a joke. When there was an illusion soundtrack when the boy fell onto the floor bleeding created a slow mo type of effect so the audience can see in full detail where the bleeding is coming from and the pain he is going through as it it taking over his body shown through the soundtrack. ![]() How has the use of sound created effects (diegetic and non-diegetic, voice over, score/soundtrack, dialogue, ambient, asynchronous)? Sound of knife is diegetic & non – diegetic. This is because at some point it is exaggerated. The music cut makes it funny as it reminds the audience that it was a joke. When there was an illusion soundtrack when the boy fell onto the floor bleeding created a slow mo type of effect so the audience can see in full detail where the bleeding is coming from and the pain he is going through as it it taking over his body shown through the soundtrack. ![]() +Close up shot of one of the actors. +This close up of the actor adhere's to the stereotypical kebab shop owners being middle eastern/arabs (shown through his features). ![]() +This two shot clearly displays the relationship between the friends as they're casually having a conversation. + You can also see that they're in basic clothing which may suggest their class (lower class). ![]() +Mid shot used to create many intentions from the audiences perspective on the purpose of the knives. Target Audience? ![]() I believe the target audience for The Ellington Kid is within the age bracket of under 25. this is because the actors firstly mainly spoke informally which is what you would stereotypical expect teenagers to do. this automatically creates reaction to a younger audience as they can relate more. in comparison to older audience members such as 25+ may think the entire short film is just typical and immature and not get it. This is similar to the films like Kidulthood as the cast were young and adhered to stereotypes of being informal and involved in gangs so they drew in a huge amount of younger audience members proven on Imdb.com This does indicate that age can have a huge impact on the type of age group audience targeted. The Operator ![]() Identify the different structural stages of the film: + Resolution at the end when Jemma and her son were safe. +The structure is in chronological order which allows us to follow through what is going on via one person. This creates tension as it builds up throughout. How effective is the cinematography (angles, shot types, movements, lighting etc)? +Long Shot so the audience get a clear understanding of what is going on and the full expressions of the character in the shot. +Pan shot in the beginning to establish the settings and the purpose of the setting. + The back and forth head movements of the operator creates a sense of reassurance that everything for Jemma will be fine. What are the effects of the editing choices + The title sequence going up the screen suggests their jobs puzzling things together. How has mise-en-scene been used to create meaning/ effects ? +The women is dressed in fire service uniform which automatically suggests the importance of them. +In terms of positioning and movements of actors you can see how focused the women is when talking to Jemma symbolising the importance of Laura’s role. How has the use of sound created effects +You can hear the boys voice through the phone creating the sense of realism. +When the music builds during the ‘hello, are you there?’ it quickens the pace and creates tension and suspense for the audience. ![]() +This close up shot is used to convey the clear emotion on the face of the operator as you can see that her aim is to make sure the victims are rescued and safe. +This pan shot establishes the setting of the short film showing that it is a working environment straight away. ![]() +Same thing goes for this long shot it conveys the scenery and what is going on in the scenery. Another sound used? Ambient sound is also used during the film, as the women over the phone stops talking and the worker becomes worried, a ringing noise begins at this point and slowly increases in volume as she become more worried. This immediately builds up the suspension, which is then immediately broken when the women comes back onto the phone. To create an overwhelming effect at the end of the clip when it us clear that the women is saved and she ends up hanging up the phone. All sound is completely shut off and the end is filmed in complete silence, this emphasises the seriousness of the situation and is a way of allowing the character and the audience to take in the reality of the situation they were just in. Target Audience? I believe the target audience for this short film would be older audiences members such as 25+. this is because it would generally appeal more to them as it starts of in a business environment a busy one for that matter, this would not interest younger viewers as they may find it boring because it is a serious situation in a serious environment. Where as older audience members may attract it more as they'll be drawn in from the beginning as the cast members are all adults so the relation has already been displayed. They'll also relate more because the victim in the house that is on fire is also an adult herself with a child so the audience members may think 'I would never want to lose my child in this kind of situation'. Lights Out ![]() Identify the different structural stages of the film: + Climax was delayed we are aware of the threat but we don’t know what it is this creates suspense. +Carrying out tasks (daily routine), which adds to the sense of realism. How effective is the cinematography (angles, shot types, movements, lighting etc)? + A lot of changes between bright lighting and dark lighting showing how unpredictable things can be in the dark but how clear things can be in the light. +As ‘Lights out’ is dependent on the element of shock, naturally enigma codes will be raised amongst the audience as they are expecting another shock at some point. Because of this, they will constantly be guessing when something else is going to happen. An example of this is when all the hall light turns back ON, and things go back to ‘normal’. Obviously this isn’t the end of the woman’s experience, however she is oblivious to this. So whilst the audience are left guessing the horror comes back unexpectedly it gives the audience a shock as they become more relaxed whilst thinking. So enigma codes such as that example are important in setting the scene, creating an atmosphere, building tension and adding to the theme of horror in the long run. What are the effects of the editing choices +Continuous shot but it was a short cut in it, which made the audience feel uncomfortable. +Broken up in the use of lighting this is used to maybe represent the different emotions of the women and build tension for the audience. +Short cut on face symbolises the surprise scare. How has mise-en-scene been used to create meaning/ effects ? +Low key lighting was used towards the end to build tension for the audience also to create suspense as we were unaware of what was to happen next. How has the use of sound created effects + The lights switch was exaggerated this was done to maybe establish the difference in the corridor from when the lights are on and off. This creates anxiety for the audience as they do not get a clear view of the thing in the dark. + The sound of footsteps creates tension as the audience may feel as if something is after the women or may even attack her. + The non- diegetic music at the end was used to create a scare amongst the audience. ![]() +Everything in the women’s home had brightness symbolising her not being of low class. Kind of creates a relaxed atmosphere for the audience as they wouldn't expect what is to happen next. ![]() +Low key lighting was used to create suspense for the audience as they do not to know what the women is hiding from under her blanket and what to expect when she removes the blanket. +In addition to this the close up shot was used to reveal the fear in the face of the women so the audience can feel worried for her as they do not yet again know what will happen to her when she removes the blanket. Target Audience ![]() I believe Lights Out would appeal to anyone and everyone.this is because there was no explicit imagery so younger audiences would be able to watch it. Also, a lot of teens like horror so this would automatically attract young adults as the genre for the short film is horror.The lady in this film is dressed for bed like an adult would, her curiosity and thought process is presented more adult like which would attract an older audience. On imdb.com it also shows that the user ratings are high for all age group for Light Outs. This justifies that it appeals to everyone. Arrival ![]() Identify the different structural stages of the film: +This short film had no changes in location however we could hear what she was thinking. her thoughts were muddled up but she was talking quite slowly which creates a sense of happiness as she is expecting a child. + However this contrasted as the scene had full dark lighting which creates a sense of depression. How effective is the cinematography (angles, shot types, movements, lighting etc)? +The women appeared to be still and timid whilst high key lighting was reflecting on her which creates this idea of innocence. What are the effects of the editing choices ? +Long shot is used because the narrator was speaking continuously throughout so it was used possibly to better the understanding for the audience members. +Also because it is set in one scenery so a long medium shot was best suited. This shot also shows that she was in a café. +The title sequence is very formal suggesting that the narrative maybe about something dangerous or in danger. How has mise-en-scene been used to create meaning/ effects ? +Low key lighting around the women in white used to create a sense of closure within emotion. In contrasts to her own clothing and her table is white through majority of the clip which creates a sense of purity however juxtaposed as she expects a new born baby. +Because the low key lighting is used but her face is lit up this may suggest the realism is sinking in on what she needs to do. +The simple use of cinematography keeps the focus on her and because the plot is simple it keeps to the theme and lets the plot be explored in detail and allows for lighting and mise-en-scene to tell the story because of the light lighting on her and the lighting to represent her thoughts. ![]() What is genre? Firstly the definition of a genre is a style or category of art, music, or literature. There are many types of films genre one of them being action films. Why is a film genre important? Genre is very important to both film producers and film audiences because the producers need to engage their target audiences in order to be successful, whilst the film audiences need to be interested and engaged in the genre so that they go and watch the film and get pleasure. https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2011/mar/20/documentaries-brian-cox-nick-fraser What is the genre of my short film? DocuDrama FILMS Docudrama as well as true based story Films strictly speaking, are non-fictional, "slice of life" factual works of art - and sometimes known as cinema verite. For many years, as films became more narrative-based, documentaries branched out and took many forms since their early beginnings - some of which have been termed propagandistic or non-objective. Throughout its long history, drama documentary has been one of film and television's most popular, but also most controversial, forms. Film and programme producers are attracted to its combination of the languages of drama and documentary either to dramatise research, thereby stimulating interest in issues through empathy with characters and narrative, or to apply documentary style to fictional content, thereby enhancing its immediacy. However, critics and theorists continue to debate the extent to which these techniques 'blur the boundaries' of fact and fiction, 'dupe' viewers and sacrifice factual accuracy to dramatic storytelling. I have chosen this genre since I have always been interested in true stories and factual events. Therefore, making a docudrama allows me to use dramatic license and be a bit more creative with my short film's narrative. It would be more accurate to say that documentaries are among the most valuable, neglected cultural forms of our time. They aren't all good, to be sure, but the best are unusual, persuasive, seductive. And their success has something to do with the way they are taken for granted, casually watched. Few old things have flourished in the cultural chaos of this century, but docs have steadily consolidated their hold on a small portion of the contemporary consciousness. Film stars want to make or sponsor them. Sometimes, if you squint hard enough, they really do seem like the new rock' n 'roll. Personally, i believe documentaries are either really interesting or really boring. ![]() Zodiac which is one of the most successful docudrama's is a movie which in the late 1960s/early 1970s, a San Francisco cartoonist becomes an amateur detective obsessed with tracking down the Zodiac Killer, an unidentified individual who terrorizes Northern California with a killing spree. This film was released in 2007 and watch rated 7.7/10 on IMDb and on Rotten Tomatoes 89% . A popular cast member David Shire won an award for best original score from International Film Music Critics Award (IFMCA). Also David Fincher who was the director won an award for Best Director from Dublin Film Critics Circle Awards. This film is a combination of crime, drama and history which makes it a docudrama. This inspired my genre idea as it can be seen as educating based on the idea of Zodiac being a dramatized television film based on real events with a mix of many sub genre themes. ![]() For instance, there has been many successful documentary films one of them being 500 Years Later. 500 Years Later is an independent documentary film directed by Owen 'Alik Shahadah, written by M. K. Asante, Jr. and released in 2005. It has won five international film festival awards in the category of Best Documentary (including) UNESCO "Breaking the Chains Award").Other awards it has won include "Best Documentary at the Pan African (Los Angeles) and Bridgetown (Barbados) Film Festivals; Best Film at the International Black Cinema (Berlin) Film Festival; and Best International Documentary at the Harlem (New York) International Film Festival". 500 Years Later has received praise as well as controversy, both for the genre of the film (creative documentary), and its social-political impact with relation to race study. The film opened on February 28, 2005, at the Pan-African Awards (PAFF) and won Best Documentary at its premiere. It made its American television premiere on August 23, 2008, on TV One (Radio One), and Ethiopian Television premiere on October 27, 2007. It was shown nationally in South Africa on December 14, 2014, on SABC 2.In 2010, the sequel, Motherland, was released. This documentary inspired mine as it is very historically diverse and my short film includes multi nationalities. ![]() One of docudrama's most successful films are Charlie Wilson's War which is a drama based on a Texas congressman Charlie Wilson's covert dealings in Afghanistan, where his efforts to assist rebels in their war with the Soviets have some unforeseen and long-reaching effects. This film is a combination of Biography, drama and comedy which makes it a docudrama. This was rated 7.1 out of 10 on IMDb and on Rotten Tomatoes rated 82%. Actors from the movie have even won awards such as Phillip Seymour Hoffman who won Central Ohio Film Critics Association Award for Actor of the Year. In addition,Aaron Benjamin Sorkin who is an American screenwriter, director, producer and playwright won an award for Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. James Newton Howard also won an award for film composer of the year. Docudrama has clearly made itself known for being a successful yet underrated film genre as it is not as popular as the likes of horror, comedy and action. ![]() Single Mother Only Daughter is a conversation between a daughter and her mother after a near death experience.When it comes to emotional documentary subjects, sometimes the simplest approach is the best. Mother’s Day we are proud to feature this touching short from filmmaker Ellie Wen that explores the relationship between a girl and her single parent. Using the recorded phone conversation between her mother and herself as the driving narrative force behind the film, Wen’s documentary is both personal and intimate, combining photographs and home video clips into something that has a powerful emotional impact. This short film inspired the idea of my short film as I initially plan on recording my parents and my fellow team family members as if it is a continuous point of view shot so it'll appear like an interview. Which of the four quadrant(s) would your film appeal to? The four quadrants are Older males (>25) Older females (>25) Younger males (<25) Younger females (<25). I believe my short film appeals to any and every of the quadrants as immigration effects many people at any age so a lot of people whether young or elder would be able to relate. In addition, my chosen genre which is a true based\docudrama film inspired by documentaries are very easily treated and understood by anybody as it is non fictional so even younger peers could see it as educating. Potentially around <25, in order for me to find this out I had to create a survey monkey chart which this link will take you directly to the results of my survey feedback: https://www.surveymonkey.com/results/SM-9XTJMJYV8/ From this interview I recorded I gathered that a lot of teens would watch documentaries only if they found it 'interesting'. I also noticed most of the teens said they'll watch documentaries based on immigration. These responses helped me realise that having the lead character as a teenage girl rather than a mature women would be more effective, not only will this target my ideal audience of 25 under but will also sympathise with older viewers as they may feel like she is too young to be going through what she is going through in comparison to someone who is older because they may feel as if someone who is older should be mature enough to handle this devastation. Any other audience groups your short film may appeal to? I also think my short film will be appealing to specialised niche audience as immigration is a big issue today however it is still overlooked so not as many people would seek interest in it like how they would seek interest in a mainstream blockbuster movie that includes murder scenes. I believe the audience will be specialised but diverse, by this I mean all audience members will be of different ethnic groups because immigration effects many races and families. For instance, the film 'Whose Streets?'is an unflinching look at how the killing of 18-year-old Mike Brown inspired a community to fight back and sparked a global movement.Takes a close-up look at the civil unrest that erupted after a shocking act of violence in Ferguson, Missouri - and the decades of simmering tension leading up to it. As seen the majority of the audience is Males dominated under the age 18 and as for females majority are 45+. This shows that docudrama's can appeal to anyone from any quadrant as they see interest for it in one way or another. Whether it may be because women 45+ might be mothers who want to educate their kids etc. This documentary was not only a success but was a success because of its dominating appeal to teens Whose Streets? tells the story of its subjects from their perspective, without cowing to white-audience expectations. hence why this may have appealed more to teens as documentaries can be seen as educating. I aspire for my short film to be educating i want the audience to learn something new about immigration and why it is an important factor in some people lives. What different 'tribes' of youth may be especially interested in your film? What narrative theory is your short film most relevant to? Vladimir Propp's Character theory suggested that every narrative has eight different character types, mine however includes four of the eight which are the following: Would your film be limited to a UK audience or might it have a global appeal? I believe my short film will have a global appeal as immigration effects people from many places and many countries, people will be able to connect with the main character emotionally. This will allow my short film to appeal to a wider range of audience. However, some may argue that because my short films regional identity is London this may limit to a UK audience as people in other countries or even areas outside London may see it as an over exaggerated movie and may not be able to relate to certain characters with how they handle situations like how a UK audience would be able to relate. For instance, a British councillor may not handle situations like how an american councillor would. Little things like this cause a huge effect on many audience members restricting them from connecting to characters or remain interested in the short film. Limitations on my production: There are quite a few limitations on my independent UK production. As my partner and I are based in the UK. This may cause limitations as our products may not have a global relation. This traditionally means our products may not appeal to box office views in comparison to well known productions who are 5 star on Box office. These kind of factors are going to make things difficult for my production as it may be harder for me to reach a global audience, however there are solutions and other ways i can reach my audience. In order for me to reach my audience in the budget i have available i can do youtube adverts and also use social media to my advantage. We set up a Instagram page for our short film as this was a cheap way to keep fans updated on whats next for Rising Phoenix Productions and what to watch out for. As well as a twitter page where the audience and fans can be updated on whenever and where ever. If we had a fair large budget we would advertise on tv but unfortunately because we are an independent film production we have to remain in our budget. The easiet way to do this is by having a Youtube channel. Having a youtube channel will not only allow us to generate profit of views and shares but also will increase our profile by youtube users doing reviews on our short films or movie critics doing online film reviews. Hamza Productions is one of the most successful film/series productions in the UK. Hamza Productions has produced many successful short film or series such as diary of a badman which has millions of views. In addition, because we have not got a great budget this would effect how we produce our short films. if we can not afford the right camera with the right quality this will have a huge impact on our short film as it would not be as clear and would make it appear as if it were many years old. We set up an Instagram account so fans and audience members can keep updated on what is to come and also gain awareness within the media amongst a specific audience which is 18-34 as Instagram has been previously named the most popular social media app in 2014 shown below in a chart: This chart illustrates which age group our social Instagram page may appeal to more . This chart shows that both age groups 18-24 and 25 to 34 are equivalent. in order for us to ensure we appeal to this target audience we aim to base the audition process around young females minimum age 16. We believe this will attract an audience more as younger cast members bring diversity and can easily connect to multiple age groups. ![]() Us setting up a YouTube Channel will allow us to gain recognition without effecting our budget negatively. YouTube can be accessed on multiple media platforms such as Instagram and Twitter and digital devices which will allow our audience to access our short films or process videos from any place and anytime. |
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