Short films research; Aditi

http://www.bbc.co.uk/filmnetwork/films/p00ktwvp

Colourbleed.

Genre.

·         The genre of this short film is Drama with some suspence.

·         This is because the film showcases “reality” with real life situations.

·         However on the other hand the film also shows “supernatural effect” with the clouour bleeding from nails, paint dripping from the walls and occasional earthquakes, but all this happens to real people in real locations.

Camerawork.

·         There are some common camera movements that are made interesting, specially the tracking shots that are used throughout the film.

·         The “reality” effect is created with the help of hand-held camera work in some scenes and the panning and tracking shots are used in a certain way that create suspense and set the set the mood.

·         The panning shot that stands outs is :00:40-00:50

·         And the tracking shot that stands out is:

·         There are various camera angles and shots from close ups to extreme long shots. The close ups are used to show the audience expressions and extreme long shots are used for establishing shots and location.

Mise en scene

·         Mise en scene is one of the main focus of the film alongside with the narrative.

·         The overall picture (presentation of colour and lighting) is very dull and dark. This is done on purpose to keeps the continuity of the mood and story.

·         Because the film shows reality; the costumes, hair and makeup are according to the character’s need.

·         Every costume and makeup is reflects something, for example the old lady’s gloves catch our attention and the tee shirt worn by the protagonist (says “fuck”), her tattoo (love), spray painting (bird) and piercings help build the character. All these things are significant.

Unique use of genre/style conventions

·         The film shows the harsh reality of our modern day society in drama’s genre and you are judged by your looks and stereotyped.

·         The narrative of this film is very interesting and how it’s told in a simple but effective chronological order, also in the end the painting on the wall links to the tattoo on the girl’s neck we were shown during the beginning.

Sound.

• They have used non-diagetic sound also sound bridges.
• The specific music is used to create the suspense, and build anticipation in the viewer’s mind. Also it’s parallel to what’s happening.
• With the sound bridge and music, we also hear the dialogues.

Themes and issues and representation

The main actor (girl) is shown as a rebel, outcast. She wears ripped shorts and top, piercing, shaved hair, punk style of fashion, she does graffiti on walls. This shows her attitude towards life; this is a very stereotypical representation of her. Also she’s misunderstood and judged by the old woman.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6Pc6cBP-8U

Two cars One night.

 Genre.

The genre of this film is Drama mixed with realism and also romance.

There is a clear issue of discrimination and power, this shows both realism and the way its shows is very dramatic.

Also the location, actors and situation is realistic.

Moreover there is a slight romance in the film between the boy and the girl, which is shown very innocently.

• There are various kinds of camera shots and angles used such as:

Establishing shot, MCU, close up, extreme long shot, point of view shots, two shot, shallow depth of field. They’ve used close ups so that the audience can relate to the characters and when needed empathise. Shallow depth of field is used show the shift in focus from one thing to another.

Mise en scene.

• The setting and location is very innovative and realistic (motel, car park) and the audience can figure out that the location is New Zealand because of the actor’s accent.
• You can’t tell if the film was shot in black and white or was edited later, also if it was shot during the day or night – if it was edited later.
• There is a significant prop that is used “the ring” – which is a stepping stone for the narrative and also the book his brother in the car reads.

Unique use of genre/style conventions

• Using the short film format is good for the audience because they can relate with the characters especially in genres like social realism, romance. And because it’s short, the audience doesn’t get distracted or bored during the film.
• The narrative is very different and innovative- two kids meet up in the opposite cars while waiting, the girl and boy insult and bully each other then have a conversation which eventually leads in them becoming friends.
• This is told in a chronological order.

Themes and issues and representation.

• The main theme is power and how it shifts throughout the whole film between the girl and the boy.
• Representation of both male and female gender is very interesting and also his brother’s – being gay.
• There are two main issues of gender representation and sexuality in the film.

BARRY.

• The genre of Barry is drama, although it’s not very extreme but it seems a bit dark.
• The sound used is non- diagetic which is significant to this film. Another significant feature along side with the sound track is the girl’s voice over that narrates the story to the audience. The song is carefully selected as the lyrics show us the relationship between Ella and Barry also her father and mother. The music is used as a sound bridge with the narration throughout the film.

• The way Ella “pushes Barry around the buggy” perhaps, ironically reflects her father’s relationship with her mother- which we find out towards the end that she’s disabled. The film shows how she manages to escape the frustration or ignore it with Barry being around her, which keeps her mind diverted from the tension in the house. Although she’s young but understands the problems in the house, she also says “daddy doesn’t have a best friend like Barry”. This shows that he’s alone, and seems like a one sided relationship.

• The shots that are used are mainly long and extreme long shots, to establish the location and set the scene, and for audience awareness. However they do use a few close ups with shallow depth of field to show the focus being shift from one thing to another. In terms of editing, this film shows some elements of “colour bleed” (another short film). The idea of real life being collaborated with fantasy world or “dream” (like Ella says) is very interesting. The use back and white while introducing the pair of friends- shows it’s part of her imagination, colourful cartoon background and lots of rabbits- shows that’s a part of her dream.

• The mise en scene plays an important role because while she’s explaining her life and dreams with Barry, everything is very vibrant and colourful, shows her imagination, as the audience we get a happy vibe. However, when we’re taken inside her house, the camera acts almost like a CCTV which shows just a long shot and records their family conversation. The colours scheme suddenly changed to more dull and gloomy, this shows the atmosphere of the house and the tension that’s built. Also while her father tries to build a conversation, she, at first doesn’t reply but eventually does, although shows lack of interest in both her mother and father maybe because she’s built a world of her own with Barry- this is shown when she says “daddy doesn’t have a best friend like Barry”, here she completely ignores her mother as if she’s nonexistent and seems careless about her mother when she walks into the house. This may reflect on the relationship they have.