Short Films

By Harriet Hearn and Hannah Baker

Lovefield

Mise en scene (including location)• Where is it set? The film is set in a cornfield throughout. • What impact does the location have on the film?/How does the location create atmosphere? Although some thoughts of a cornfield may be very romantic – running in the cornfields and very ‘notebook’ associated the cornfield also has a very

isolated, eerie feel. The corn is so high that you cannot be seen in it – which creates the feel that you cannot be found or seen if in danger. There is no light at the end of the tunnel – and no way out.

• Consider how props, costume, make-up, hair, colour have been used to create meaning. Props have been used simply (not many), but with very good effect. There is a phone beeping on the floor, which creates a very sinister, eerie feel as

though someone has just been killed and left their phone there. A handbag with money spilling out is then shown, with further bits of clothes on the floor which once again creates a sinister, threatening element. The man holds a knife, which is very brutal and vicious - it looks as though he has just murdered the women lying on the floor. He is dressed in dungarees, has long, raggy hair and has tattoos all over his arm – once being a skull and cross bones, which creates a fierce image. He is very ‘farmer’ looking and ‘stereotypically’ the evil man in the woods in horror films. He has a grubby face, which looks as though he has been murdering the girl in the woods, and when he goes to his car he takes out a black bin liner which we are led to believe he is going to wrap the body up in. However, this is not the case. Take Van Dyke's famous line from "Cabin Essence": "Over and over the crow cries uncover the cornfield." The crow crying also has a huge impact as it is very eerie as though the crow is ‘watching him’

• Consider lighting in detail. What impact does the lighting have? What atmosphere is intended? Right at the beginning in the establishing shot the lighting appears dull and gloomy due to the overshadowing sky. The cornfields are a drab, unlit

yellow to give the film an eerie, sinister effect. Right through the film the sky is grey and the corn looks dreary and dull giving the film a sinister feel. It becomes light at the end shining on the corn when the baby is born, to highlight new life, warmth, kindness and happiness.

Diegetic/non-diegetic/intra-diegetic? There is lots of extremely effective diegetic sound throughout this short film. The sound of the creaking ‘Hedren Hill County’ board creates a chilling edge to the film at the beginning. The squawk of the crow is very creepy as it is as though something is about to happen and the crying of the baby at the end are all diegetic sound. The high-pitched, creepy music at the beginning is non-diegetic sound.

Use of voiceover/narrator? – what is the purpose? How will this effect the audienceNo, there is no voiceover or narrator. This would have a huge impact to the film, as I think that it would make the whole film have a lot less dramatic tension and be less real life like. I think it would also make it less emotional. It is meant to be a horror/drama film, so I think by adding a narrator we are taking away some of the drama and stress, as it makes it more storylike. Use of music? How does this create meaning? There is very high pitched, slow, eerie music at the beginning, which portrays the idea that something bad has happened or about to happen. It created a very strange, ghostlike feeling to the film, producing a lot of dramatic tension. Dialogue?The only dialogue throughout the film is right at the end when the man states with a smile creeping all over his face “It’s a boy!” to which the women whispers “Thank you”. I think this has a huge impact on the film as I think the lack of dialogue throughout the film – to this point really emphasises the creepy, alarming mood and really stresses on the dramatic tension. Consider the use of silence? How will the audience respond to silence?The use of silence from the man highlights and makes the crow’s squawk more significant – intensifying the danger dramatically. This adds dramatic tension and strengthens the audience’s nerves as they do not know what is about to happen at any point.

• How is the script used to develop the narrative?/How important is the dialogue? The only dialogue throughout the film is at the end when the man reveals “It’s a boy!” and the women whispers “Thank you”. I think this is

extremely important in the development of the narrative as the lack of dialogue creates all the dramatic tension, as we are led to believe the women has been murdered and is dead. These phrases at the end, completely turn around our whole perception of the man, as he says “It’s a boy!” whilst laughing, making him appear kind, helpful and gentle.

• If there isn’t a script for character dialogue why do you think they have chosen not to? How would dialogue impact on the film? I think by having any other dialogue other than the two ending lines it would take away from the dramatic tension of the film, as the

silence of the characters amongst the squawking of the crow in the background makes the whole film as we are led to believe the women is dead after her screaming, and it intensifies the other noise – the crow and squeaking of the town board which makes the film more sinister and eerie.

• What shot types are used? What meaning is created?/How are camera angles used to suggest character representations? The film starts with an establishing shot of the corn field with a mountain in the background and very gloomy skies. This creates an eerie,

creepy mood as we do not know what to expect from the rest of the film. Throughout the film there are a lot of extreme close up shots – of the man’s knife plunging into something, the mans face so we can identify him and take him as the main character, the womens legs lying on the floor covered in blood and more extreme close ups the crow. All these amplify the dramatic tension as we get to see facial expressions as well as bits the director wants us to identify (the bloody legs) to play with our imaginations. There is also a lot of medium close up two shots – of the man and the crow looking at each other to create a peculiar feeling as though the crow is watching the man, and once again at the end when the women is thanking the man for delivering her baby.

• Has the rule of thirds been followed/challenged? Points of thirds have been stuck to which act as guides for framing the image – which highlights the main character and draws our

attention to certain points in the setting – for example the women's leg is highlighted by the sections so that we are drawn to look at it, as is the mans expression when there is a close up of his face, and his tattoos.

• Who are the target audience? I think the target audience are teenagers and adults above 15 who enjoy a good thriller, drama and horror. They also don’t mind scenes

with blood!

• How do you know?/How is the film constructed to appeal to them (character representations/themes/script)? The film is constructed as a thriller/horror/drama through the use of props, makeup, clothing and narrative. The man is represented as a

murderer in the beginning – the use of props (knife covered in blood), clothing (raggy, messy clothing) and dirty mud smudged over his face make him appear brutal and tough. This may not be suitable for younger children as the graphic scenes of blood and the use of knives may scare them.

• How are the audience going to respond to the film? The audience will respond with excitement due to the twist at the ending, and feel happy because the man perceived to

be an evil murderer turns out to be a caring, gentle man.

• Who are the audience being asked to identify with? Through the use of dramatic tension – the music, props, makeup and location the audience are asked to identify with

the women lying on the floor as we automatically feel afraid of the man we believe has murdered her, and hope that she is ok and still alive.

• What are the themes of the short film? Death, birth, evil, kindness, fear, excitement (binary oppositions)

• Is it commenting on society? To a certain extent, I think that it is commenting on society as in a way it is telling us to not judge a book by its cover –

we all believed that the man was a brutal murderer – yet in actual fact he was helping the lady deliver her baby.

• What is the intended meaning/implied meaning? You shouldn’t judge people by your immediate observation of them, as they may turn out very differently to perceived!

‘10 Minutes’

‘10 MINUTES’

• Where is the camera positioned within the scene? Why do you think it has been positioned there?• At the beginning of the film the camera is positioned above the city looking down at the beautiful, elegant, classical looking buildings below. However, throughout the rest of the film

the camera is positioned very centrally, focussing on a lot of mid shots of the characters, as well as capturing the setting of each place. The movement of the camera is slow and methodical throughout to add a sense of atmosphere. It switches quickly off at the end to highlight the horror and add to the shock element.

• What shot types are used? What meaning is created?/How are camera angles used to suggest character representations?• The film opens with an establishing ariel shot of the city of Rome, to signify the wealth and glamour and beauty of the city. Throughout the whole short film a lot of mid shots are used

– only focusing on people from the waist up. This is to identify the expressions on their faces and showing some part of the person in more detail while still giving an impression of the whole environment around them

• Consider camera movement? How does this create meaning?• Right at the beginning of the film the camera pans in an establishing ariel shot. This to direct the attention from one place to another and to follow the movement – basically so we

can get a sense of the ‘chic’, ‘elegant’ Roman buildings that the tourist is surrounded in. This use of camera movement is to highlight the complete contrast between Rome and Bosnia. • What is the depth of field and how does this impact on the meaning?• The .depth of field has a big impact of meaning throughout this short film. Throughout the film there is a large depth of field, identifying the surrounding areas to create the impact of

a glamorous, elegant, wealthy area, contrasted with the poverty and terror during the war in Bosnia.

• How have characters/locations been framed? What meaning is given through this choice of framing?• The location has been framed in Rome at the beginning, with all the famous monuments and classical buildings being shown within the shot – this identifies just how beautiful and

elegant Rome actually is. In the Bosnia sequence the location is framed perfectly, to identify their extreme poverty and emphasise the emotion, for example, in the shot where the Bosnian family are in the kitchen the frame is small and aimed at the little table with the sink and fridge behind it. This highlights how small and poverty stricken their home is, in comparison to the glamorous Rome.

• Has the rule of thirds been followed/ challenged?• The rule of thirds has been followed. Points of interest have been placed in the intersections or along the lines. For example, in the first shot, when the Japanese tourist is standing

looking at the buildings, with his guide book the building behind him is placed along the first line, and he is cut with his guide book down the second line – both being points of interest that we are supposed to focus on. By using the rule of thirds it is thought that your shot becomes more balanced and will enable a viewer of the image to interact more easily.

• Where is it set? The first part of the film is set on the streets of Rome – identified by the camera panning around and showing the elegant, Roman buildings e.g.

Pantheon. Highlights how beautiful they are, how peaceful and tranquil. The second part of the film is set in Bosnia during war time

• What impact does the location have on the film?/How does the location create atmosphere? The location has a severe impact on this film. At the beginning when the camera pans around the buildings in Rome, it identifies how tranquil, calm

and peaceful the city is. Everything is very slow-paced and elegant as people sit out on the street drinking wine in a very chilled, ‘laissez faire’ environment, creating a chilled atmosphere. However, when the film turns to Bosnia, the atmosphere completely changed due to the location. It starts off in a house – with crumbling, dirty walls and a gloomy, dark atmosphere. As the young boy then walked down many stairs, we can see the crumbling, mucky walls even more. He then walks outside and we are faced with war stricken, terrified Bosnia. Broken, smashed in cars on the streets, crumbling buildings with no windows, graffiti and paintings by children on all the walls, and hardly anyone around. This dramatically changes the atmosphere from the up-beat, buzzy atmosphere of the streets in Rome, to the terrifying heat-breaking atmosphere of Bosnia.

• Consider how props, costume, make-up, hair, colour have been used to create meaning. Props, costume, makeup, hair and colour have all been used extremely well to create different meanings. In the first part of the short film – In Rome,

all the props are very quaint, and elegant. A little, cute 3 wheeler car is parked on the road creating a chilled, relaxed pace of living, in contrast to the cars in Bosnia are all smashed up and broken in the middle of the road. The Japanese tourist is carrying a guidebook to Rome– which the highlights the fact that it is somewhere people would like to visit, once again in contrast to war time Bosnia. The Japanese man is dressed in typical “tourist” clothing – trousers and a gilet with a camera around his neck – this symbolising wealth and education. Everyone else around him is dressed in shirts, suits, or nice jeans and coats – also symbolising wealth. Also, when he walks past the cafe people are dressed in bright colours, sat on very ‘’Italian’ tables on the street and drinking wine wearing makeup and looking glamorous – symbolising a very relaxed, glamorous environment. The use of a cigarette that he pulls out his pocked and smokes identifies the slow-paced, chilled environment. However, when we see Bosnia the props and costumes etc create a very, very different meaning. The broken, smashed in cars in the road create a brutal atmosphere. The very plain cutlery and bland furniture in the kitchen produce the sense of a poor environment. This is also captured through their lack of props, for example, no curtains anywhere in the house. The milk carton that the boy is carrying is a very important prop. This signifies the fact that he has to go out to get the water, or whatever it is they need to fill up – they cannot just get it out of their taps or from a shop. This also creates a very emotional meaning. When the boy is running around and sees the soldiers sat on the hay they are both holding guns – which creates a very brutal meaning. The costumes are very bland, dull colours in comparison to those in Rome, once again suggesting poverty. The lighting also creates a lot of meaning throughout the short film. At the very beginning of the film when the camera pans around Rome everything is in black and white, which produces a 60’s, classical, glamorous feel. However, after the black and white credits, everything turns to colour, producing a buzzier, sunny, fun feel to the city – also through the colourful clothes. However, when the film turns to Bosnia the black and white does not create the same ‘chic’ feeling that it did at the begging of Rome, however, a gloomy, dark and depressive feel – signifying a hard, dark life. As the boy goes down the stairs the only bit of colour we see is the sunlight as he passes the window – freedom far away. Everything goes back into black and white when the young boy re-enters the house – the only bi of colour being the blood covering his mother. This highlights how horrific and tragic the scene is, being extremely emotional. When the young boy then gets outside everything turns to colour, but dark gloomy colours – unlike the bright orange terracotta in Rome. Throughout the sequence of Rome there is also a lot of green and red used (lots of green plants and red doorways etc) which are very ‘Italian’ colours, being the colour of their flag. The clock is the only similarity between the two places, that is zoomed in on to highlight the importance of time throughout.

• Consider lighting in detail. What impact does the lighting have? What atmosphere is intended? The lighting has a huge impact to the indented atmosphere of the film. At the begging of Paris the black and

white gives a very elegant, 60’s edge to the film. However, the lighting soon changes to colour, highlighting the beaming sun outside, creating a fun, exciting feel to Rome. The lighting is very different when the film turns to Bosnia. Everything is dark and gloomy – the only bit of light we see is when the young boy walks past the window and the light is beaming in from outside –almost looking like freedom, and a life without this pain is out there somewhere, far away.

• Diegetic/non-diegetic/intra-diegetic? During the scene of Rome, there is natural diegetic sound of people busy, laughing, the camera clicking as it

takes pictures and people generally chatting about. The Non-diegetic sound within the Rome scene is the music that starts at the beginning and carries on throughout. The music is very naive, passionate, romantic and Italian sounding. During the scene of Bosnia there are also both, diegetic and non-diegetic sounds. The diegetic sounds are the noise of the bombs going off, the baby crying loudly at the beginning, people screaming, as well as the general chatting of people. The non-diegetic sound is the low-pitched, slow moving emotional music playing in the background. There is also a gentle, loving piece of music (non-diegetic sound) when the father comes home to see the boy and family – emotive music to show feelings of relationship.

• Use of voiceover/narrator? – what is the purpose? How will this effect the audience No, there is no voiceover or narrator. This would have a huge impact to the film, as I think that it would make the whole film a lot less real life like and I think it would also make it less

emotional. It is a very realistic film which doesn’t have any false pathos, so it is best not to have a narrator as it would spoil this. • Use of music? How does this create meaning? The music throughout the bit of Rome is very high pitched, naive, passionate, romantic, Italian music conveying innocence. The music within the Bosnian sequence is very different. The

music is very emotive and sad. It is stereotypically low pitched, slow paced music creating a lot of dramatic, uneasy, heartbreaking tension. They are complete opposites – one conveying romance and glamour and pleasure and the other portraying sadness, emotions and finally horror.

• Dialogue? “ohh bonjourno, bonjourno!”... “Good afternoon, do you speak English”... “oohhh si un petit”... “I was passing by and I saw that you can deliver photographs in ten minutes”.... “Oh si, ten

minutes!:... “are you sure ten minutes will be a world record”.....“yes ten minutes, trust me!”... “ok” This the only bit of dialogue that we actually get the hear in the Rome scene. As we can see it is just conversation, light hearted chatter – with a huge emphasis on the phrase ‘ten

minutes’. This emphasises just how much can really happen in the span of just ten minutes. The fact that that phrase “ten minutes” keeps coming up in conversation shows how important this ten minutes is in the life of the Bosnian family. The Japanese tourist stands outside

waiting for ten minutes whilst the whole boys life changes dramatically forever in a mere ten minutes.

• Consider the use of silence? How will the audience respond to silence? The use of silence is used very well throughout the short film. At the end of the film especially, when the young boy runs into his house to find his mother and father dead, covered in

blood, everything is silent. This adds to the shock element and really adds emotion, as we can identify how devastated and hurt the boy really is through his lack of speech. When the young boy is walking around Bosnia, past all the smashed up cars it is silent, in contrast to the upbeat music as the tourist walks through Rome. Once again this is extremely effective, as it adds an eeriness and sense of terror to the streets of Bosnia, as we have no idea what is about to happen. The use of silence is extremely effective and in fact helps the noise to become more effective too, for example, the gunshots and explosions appear more brutal and extreme due to the contrast. The Japanese tourist stands in silence waiting for his photos whilst the carnage starts in Bosnia.

• How is the script used to develop the narrative?/How important is the dialogue? This is very important – the chat between the Italian man and the Japanese tourist is relaxed and easy going. The fact that the Bosnian words are shown up on the screen so that we

understand them also identifies the diversity between cultures. As the Italian and Japanese tourist cannot speak the same language they keep repeating the words ‘ten minutes’ to check that they have understood properly. This is very effective as it highlights just how short ten minutes is in everyday life.

• How does regional dialogue impact on the way in which the script is interpreted? (reference to characters nationality etc) The Italian man and Japanese tourist are trying to understand each other and be friendly, easy going and relaxed. The Italian man is trying to speak in English which highlights the good

relations with each other even though they are across the globe from each other. This is in contrast with the Serbs and Bosnians fighting with each other and not trying to understand each other, even though they are part of the same country.

• If there isn’t a script for character dialogue why do you think they have chosen not to? How would dialogue impact on the film? There is character dialogue throughout the film; however, there is very little of it. Little dialogue adds to the realism of the film. It is more about watching what is happening and your

senses – watching the scene and drama unravelling rather than talking.

• What is the font type and how does this reflect the film?• The font type is very straight edged and plain. It is very thin and bland so a lot of words are all crammed in to a small space – just like the events that happen within

a ten minute spaces in two very different places. It is almost very simple, matter of fact writing, which reflects the film in a way as though they are showing just what exactly did happen in that very short period of time. It is a military style of writing, which fits in with the Bosnian war.

• Position on screen and purpose of this decision?• The writing is exactly in the middle of the screen, making the whole thing appear less fussy, very bleak and bland. It almost makes the writing more eerie and

poignant. • What colours are used and why?• The white writing is set on a black background, which are binary oppositions for each other. White being an angelic, peaceful, tranquil place (Rome) and the black

background signifying a brutal, depressing, horrific tragedy (Bosnia). The black is also the background, which reflects the fact that the evil has completely outweighed any good in the film.

• What reference is there to the film institution? What meaning is created through this relationship?• There is a reference to ‘refresh productions’ which is a Bosnian private production company engaged in film, television, video production and distribution. This

highlights that it is a very personal, deeper film, which will show some real sense of what is going on in Bosnia. Of course there could be an argument made that it would be a propaganda film as it is made by a Bosnian film company and could be slightly biased.

• How long do the titles stay on the screen for?• The titles stay on screen for about 4 seconds. • Are they meant to be obvious/ conspicuous? Why? • The titles are meant to be obvious. There is one title saying ‘TEN MINUTA’, which is obviously wanting to highlighted as, once again, it is highlighting just how short

ten minutes is in everyday life. All the titles are very bold and central highlighting that they are supposed to be obvious.

• Are audience expectations of this genre satisfied/challenged? • Satisfied through the use of dramatic tension and diversity of the two places.

• How is the narrative being told? From whose perspective are the audience viewing the film? (Consider characters, first/third person)• The narrative is told through both the main characters – in their viewpoint.

• How is the concept of time represented? • Through the clock – in both Bosnia and Italy. Through the slow pace of the camera, when the Japanese tourist is smoking and waiting for a photograph time is represented as

never ending and very ‘laissez faire’. When the young boy in Bosnia is walking down the stairs, taking his time. The use of meeting people along the way, for example the dog walker creates a sense of time.

• What part do the characters play in moving the narrative along?• A great deal. They set the scene as we follow them and get to see ten minutes in their life.

• What is the narrative structure?• Non Linear – the camera focuses on Bosnia, then Rome, then Bosnia etc. It does not just flow in a straight line to the end. • How will the audience understand the narrative?• By being put into a characters perspective.

• Context? • The present – the use of the look reflects the fact that it is time at the moment. This makes it more emotional and touching for the audience, as they realise just how diverse

the world they live in is. • Following/challenging stereotypes?• In this short film, stereotypes are followed. The Japanese tourist is dressed as a ‘stereotypical tourist’ in his gilet and camera attached around his neck. He has his guide book in

his hand, and keeps stopping to take pictures of famous monuments, which is extremely stereotypical for a tourist. The man in the camera shop is very enthusiastic and friendly, which is a stereotype for many Italians. In the Bosnia scene, the mother is shown as a housewife looking after the children, and the father comes in from work, which once again is a general, well known stereotype. The mother is also perceived as very stressed and grouchy, which once again, is a stereotype for most women, rather than men.

• Can you apply Todorov’s character theory?• Todorov suggested that stories begin with an equilibrium or balance, where any potentially opposite forces are in balance. This is disrupted by some event and problems

caused are solved so that order can be restored to the world of the fiction. No, the film can’t really follow Todorovs’ theory as the story most definitely no equilibrium or balance at the beginning of the film, Bosnia is definitely identified as a poverty stricken country, in comparision with Rome.

• Representation(s)• Social class is represented very differently. The ‘more wealthy’ people in Rome are appeared to be more chilled, ‘laissez faire’ way of life, dressed in more elegant wear, sipping

wine and smoking cigarettes, than the people in Bosnia looking after screaming babies and soldiers at war. The people sat in the Roman cafes are perceived to have a higher status than that in poverty in Bosnia. The young boy in Bosnia is represented to be very mature – helping out the mother. The mother in Bosnia is represented as a stereotypical ‘housewife’ looking after the crying baby while the father comes in from work, or wherever he has been. There is a strong stereotypical bond represented between the son and his father when his father comes in, and the women is identified as stressed and grouchy, which is far more stereotypical for women rather than men!

• How are the audience being asked to identify with the characters? (How are they made to understand the characters?)• In Bosnia we identify with the characters through the use of emotion. Whereas, in Rome we identify with the character through his use of props – the guide book, the

camera around his neck and location (Rome) that he is touring (famous monuments) helps us to be put into the position of a tourist, so we can identify with him.

• Audience• Who are the target audience?• The target audience are both men and women above the age of 16 as there are very upsetting/disturbing scenes in the short film that could disturb younger children. • How do you know? /How is the film constructed to appeal to them (character representations/themes/script)? • The film has a lot of adult themes – death, trauma and war, which would appeal to an adult audience interested in the diversity of societies, rather than a child audience. • How are the audience going to respond to the film?• By ending in such a horrific manner, the audience are going to respond in shock and dismay. It is a very, very shocking film as we realise just how different and diverse just

ten minutes to two people can be. The use of music and settings really makes the film very emotional, so the audience will respond in a very emotional, horrified way.• Who are the audience being asked to identify with?• In the Rome sequence, we are being asked to identify with the tourist. By showing us all the famous monuments as well as highlighting his guide book in his hand we are

being asked to identify the place of a tourist touring around the city, as well as just enjoying mooching about with his camera. In the Bosnia part, we are being asked to identify with the young boy. The camera follows him around, just ten minutes in his everyday life; so therefore, we are drawn into identifying what he does. The use of emotive music and touching setting also makes it easier for us to identify with him.

• Themes/Messages• What are the themes of the short film?• Tragedy, death, travelling, war • What is it trying to say? / What is it trying to teach us? Is it making a point/argument• How diverse different places in the world are and how much can happen in such a short space of time. Not everyone is as privileged as us to live in such a nice place –

where we may just be having coffee for ten minutes, some person in a war zone could lose their family in that time. It is highlighting that while the short span of just ten minutes in someone's life can be so deadly for someone, it may mean nothing to someone else.

• Is it commenting on society?• Yes, I think the film is highlighting just how diverse different countries are. How horrific it is that someone can lose everything while someone else can be having

photographs developed. • What is the intended meaning/implied meaning?• Be grateful to live in a country that isn’t severely in poverty and being bombed.

The Plan

The Plan....Editing and Special effects • The film is shot in black and white which sets the tone of the film and perhaps is there to suggest ‘not everything is black and white’ because as the film unfolds Mitch realises that taking chances doesn't always work in your favour • The editing and sound work together to add to the atmosphere, the use of a voiceover really makes the film feel personal to the audience because you feel more connected to the character, as he is talking to the audience directly . •The film uses music and diegetic sound at the same time, which should make the film sound quiet busy, however it creates a peaceful atmosphere.

Sound• The film uses a voice over from the protagonist to really connect him with the audience, this encourages the audience to see things from Mitch’s perspective. The voiceover also gives the audience a lot of insight into the characters personality • The soft music created a peaceful tone to the film, and when it plays over diegetic sound and the voiceover it softens the negative points of events. • Although there aren't many, the use of silences in the film are very powerful in creating a tense atmosphere and leaves more to the audiences imagination.

Camera• the short film consist of a variation of mostly close – ups and medium/long shots. The shots are positioned at eye level to create a closeness with the character Mitch, also a few high – angled shots are used to create a better view on what Mitch is doing showing the impulsiveness of his actions. •In the opening of the film the establishing shot is of the road that Mitch is travelling down, this represents freedom through the open road, implying the plot and location as a big part of American culture, is the idea of freedom.

UNNOTICISED LOVE

• What is the narrative?• A pretty, young girl is sitting in a cafe when an attractive man walks in and sits down at the table next to her. She flicks her hair and throws her spoon on the

floor in order to capture his attention. However, she fails to realise that she has captured the waiters attention instead.

• What does the text look like?• The film institution ‘Trick ‘o’ Treat film productions’ is written in red on a black background. The red font highlights the theme of love and passion within the

film and stands out well amongst the black background. Red is also a colour that connotes longing, which highlights the longing for the person they are admiring to have their attention, in both, the young girl and the waiters case. The title ‘ Unnocicised love’ is written in gold. Gold is often a colour that represents high status. This is significant as it emphasises the fact that the young man sat at the table has not noticed the pretty girl, and the pretty girl has not noticed the waiter, as though they are too high status for them.

• Discuss the Mis-en-scene• In the first bit of the film the young girl has her hair tied up and is wearing glasses, making her appear business like, smart and boring. Her head is down

making her appear shy and lonely. However, this all changes when the young man walks in. She pulls her hair down and stares at him in a flirtatious manner, by playing with her hair and posing. Her red lipstick signifies passion and romance, and emphasises this key theme within the film. When the man walks into the restaurant, we immediately are shown his shoes. This highlights that he is a main, key character within the film as we have to wait to see his face. The shoes are bright in comparison to his dark, business like suit, suggesting there is more to him than meets the eye.

• Dialogue?• Throughout the short film there is no dialogue. The film relies on non-diegetic sound (music) as well as diegetic sounds (background noise) to move the story

along. I think this is effective as the music and body language help us to identify the narrative.

• What types of shots are there within the film?• The film opens with an establishing shot of the girl sat at the table looking lonely and upset. This sets the scene

and highlights the setting of the film. The rest of the film uses mainly mid shots so that we are able to identify what all of the three characters are doing at the same time, to emphasise the storyline. However, close ups of each of the characters are also used, so that the audience are able to engage and identify with each of the characters, to make the narrative clearer through their close up expressions and emotions.

• What is the lighting like in the film?• In the first shot of the girl sat at the table the light is not directly on her, highlighting that she is not the only

protagonist within the film. However, when the man walks in the door the light is shining behind him, making him look angelic as though he is a positive influence and special. At the end when the girl returns and there is a rose left on her table the lighting within the shot gets brighter. This identifies her happy, excited mood.

• What is the framing like within the film? At the beginning of Frendo the main character (the young boy) is always placed centrally within the frame emphasising his importance and significance

within the short film. He is captured talking to people sitting behind his desk right in the middle of the screen. However, this changed after his deformity occurs. The background behind him differs from being in a house, to being at a travel agents or out on the town. The camera pretty much always follows him though as the story is about him.

• What type of editing and special effects are used?• A lot of transitions are used throughout the film to try and show the progression of time passing by. This emphasises his boredom and the dullness of his

workplace. In the city centre he sits down on a bench and all the people around him walk past at a much faster pace, once again emphasising his bored, slow lifestyle, in contrast to everyone else's exciting, thrilling lifestyle. We do not hear the people in the background walking past, highlighting that he is in a world of his own.

• What is the mis-en-scene and location like?• The film is located in the boys home, work and city where he lives so that we are familiar with all these aspects of his life. In his work, there are holiday

posters placed all over the walls so that we know exactly what he works as – a travel agent. The mis-en-scene within his house highlights typical household goods, emphasising the fact that this is just a normal day in the life of this boy. However, it is quite unrealistic how such a young couple live in such a large house.

• Is there any sound in this film?• There is a lot of both, diegetic and non diegetic sound within this film. The music in the background the film (with the exception of when the main

character is clubbing) is a sad slow piece of music. It has no particular climaxes to it at any point, it just makes us feel as though everything is going much slower than it should be and reflects his dull, unexciting lifestyle. We also hear him talking to his characters (diegetic sound), and throwing up after his night out. The diegetic sounds that we can hear range from conversations, to partying to throwing up.

• Who is the target audience for this film?I think that teenagers are the target audience for this film as the main character is a

teenager and the film focuses on teenage issues and emotional problems, so they are able to empathise and relate to them. However, the two teenagers live in a very large house, which is very unrealistic for two young people. The boy also has a job as a travel agent, rather than being at school or college so they are almost acting out an adults lifestyle.

• What type of camera shots are used? At the beginning of the film many wide shots are used to captivate the scene and

highlight the main characters (the young boys) place of work, where he lives etc. However, after his deformity close up shots are mainly used to highlight his smile and the

fact that his deformity is now stuck with him.

OFFSIDE

Background information

Offside is the second short film in the trilogy by Erez Tadmor & Guy Nattiv regarding the Middle East conflict. This short is a fallow-up to their last short film Strangers, Offside was shot in Israel, during September 2005, at the security zone that separates between Israel and the Palestine Authority.

Camera angles/positioning/movement

•ECU – used to show emotion and help the audience empathise with the characters•Mid shot – is used to see body and facial expressions – top photo could suggest intimidation •Long shot – shows surroundings •Shot reverse shot – to show there immediate reactions to the radio and to make the film seem more up-paced and create tension

•Panning – used to develop an initial feeling towards the location •Zoom in – to focus in on a subject which has importance or to show facial expressions •Tracking – to feel more involved with the character and see the film from there perspective

Mis en-scence

We can identify the genre of this short film by the mis-en-scene – • Costumes – Army clothing•Guns –violence•Radio – communication •Soldiers - war/conflict•Fences - separation •Location - devolving country

Sound

• Throughout the short film the diegetic sound of the radio is the main focus. When the radio breaks up we can hear crackling this causes frustration and panic amongst the characters

• No conversion between the characters • Only dialogue heard is the radio world cup commentary • Silences are used to create suspense and tension • The end shot uses juxtaposition and causes irony as the image shows

death yet the noise heard is cheering• Double meaning – “first team to shoot”

Editing• The editing of this film consists of many fast and effective transitions, these include

very quick jump cuts to create panic and to make the film up-paced and effective• The sound of gun shots have also been emphasised to shock the audience and

create tension

Lighting• The lighting in this picture focus’s on the two men to the right hand side, where the lighting appears brighter. • The left hand side of the fence seems dark and eerie. With the trees in a silhouette• The lighting also creates shadows to make the atmosphere feel creepier

Meaning

This image portrays the difference between cultures and religion. The fence between the men could connate a divide, or a difference in opinion. It could also connate the importance of football amongst their society and show the more extreme stereotypical football fan as being violent.

AudienceThe audience to this film is vast however it would mainly include football fans, the audience would have to be fairly educated and know about what's going on in the world, and the differences between cultures to fully understand the meaning behind this product.

Strangers Mis en scene and representation• The film strangers is set on a train this could represent the moving of time

throughout the years from the stereotypical Jew and Arab not getting along together. To when they becoming accepting of there cultures and this could be when they work together to get themselves out of trouble. This could be a direct reference to society in the way that in time, the world will become, and is becoming a more accepting place to live in.

• We can immediately see that the film will be about conflict as we can see the

Sound•The sounds used throughout the film seem very natural there is no music or dialogue used and is just the sound of the train moving and footsteps – this creates atmosphere and tension.• The lack of dialogue makes their facial expressions more poignant, and more significant to the narrative and the audience• Music is used when the two characters start running away from the ‘gang’. This is to make the audience panic as the music is upbeat and fast paced.

man wearing the star of David and the other man reading a Arabic newspaper – which will automatically make the audience assume the film is based around a disagreement.The way the two characters our separated by the train track at the end of the film could

Camera shots• A variety of shots are used to create variety and different feelings towards both the characters and setting • ECU are used a lot – so the audience are aware of the characters facial expressions and can therefore empathies with them . •Long shots are also used so we are aware of their surroundings and feel more involved within their setting.

Camera angles/movement•High angle shots are also used to show status within the clan of people on the train, the audience then feel like the subject is derogatory and smaller than the camera which gives the effect of less importance. •Eye level shots are also used – so the audience feel they can relate to the character. And eye level shots are also used to create the feeling of normality •The camera appears to be wobbly at most times – which may suggestthe camera was hand held. This could have been done to represent the unstableness of the situation the two main characters have got themselves in.•Tracking shots have also been used when they are filming the chase – this creates panic.

Lighting• The lighting used within the first few shots of the short film are dark with just the train lights on – this shows the significance of the train. • the lighting is extremely artificial which could show the rarity of the situation.

Morals and Values • Within the film there is a moral. This is the community coming together regardless of how different you are to someone else. It also shows the importance of putting your differences behind you, as if these characters hadn’t done this, there would be a very different outcome to this film. This film focus’s on the diversity of religion and the conflict that there is in today's society. This film is very current to today’s affairs.

Snap Sound • The film starts with relaxing music, which sounds like it comes from a different culture.

This suggests that the film may be about the diversity, or holiday makers. • The music is calm throughout however when the film starts to up pace - the music turns

upbeat which reflects on the film .• The music could be tribal as the chase begins• There is also dietetic sound of the buzzing and talking of other characters within the film. • There is a number of dialogue however its in a different language and sub titles are

shown. Camera Angles• the film includes a variety of different shots, e.g. Long shots to make the audience feel involved within the characters surroundings •ECU – to show expressions and make the audience empathise with the characters • MS – to show the audience the body language of the character

Representation • the main character changes costumes several times showing the change in time. This could be used for humour• the other man represents a typical family man who is a tourist, with the camera, bags and his wife and kids – he also shows he is masculine by his costume and the fact he tries and shows off in front of his wife and kids•The waiter is in a typical waiters uniform, with the black tie and white shirt – showing a formal yet contemporary look.

•High angle to show the status of the customer compared with the waiter•ELS – to show the surroundings and effects it has upon other characters – especially used during the chase •The camera also is wobbly which reflects the panic and tension when the men are chasing each other.

TeethSounds • There is music throughout the entire short film, the music seems mysterious and

matches the fairy tail like location. • The only dialogue used is the man laughing this gives a fun light hearted effect to the

film

Mis en scene

Editing• the whole film is in black and white this creates a sense of generation difference and also a calming affect •The transitions are smooth which relates to the location of the film – being idyllic, calm and peaceful.

Camera angles/shots/movement• there are a variety of camera angles used, long shots are used to make the audience feel involved in the characters surroundings, ECU – to create expression and make the audience empathise with the characters, MS to show the body language. •The camera is always still which is unusual. However this creates an effect of the film being calming and light hearted•There are a variety of different camera angles, high and low angle to show status and eye level to represent normality – and help the audience interact with the characters

• the mis en scene is very important within this film, the water represents calmness which really portrays the tone off the short film •The open mountains could represent freedom and age •The little boat could represent safety, and the fish could represent lively hood.