Here is the first brainstorm I have done. I have covered topics such as nature, love, loneliness and loss: all themes presented in some of the short films I like. At the moment I definitely want to include nature in my short film and present some emotion along with it. I also want to include my kittens in my short film but not sure how to fit animals into my narrative yet as I haven't thought of a storyline.
I have also questioned what narrative to follow. I want to make my short film confusing yet interesting and to do this I want to play around with narrative. I have considered making a circular narrative, where it begins at the end and goes back in time to the beginning. However, I have also thought of creating a loop, where the narrative continuously plays over and over again.
After completing and analysing my audience research, I feel I must reflect on my performance and be self critical. I feel I produced a good survey that fulfilled my questions into audience and my short film. However, there was one question which I feel was unnecessary. This was the genre question as typical genres such as comedy, romantic and action don't appear in short films. I feel short film is a genre in its own, hence, this is why I feel the question was not needed. Furthermore, I feel I got a small amount of responses back. 21 responses however is a fair amount and being a student it was difficult to attain lots of data as posting it on twitter and facebook meant some people didn't want to fill it out. Nevertheless, this means my audience research is to small to be analytical. However, I feel I produced a good survey which answered most of my questions. I got back positive feedback and I now know areas which I need to focus and improve on for next time.
After looking back at my results I can see that more females answered the survey compared to males. Over half of my responses were completed by females giving me a ratio of 14:7. In particular, most responses came from the age group of 17-25 which is explained by the fact I posted my survey through Facebook and Twitter. However, I have a responses from each age group except 65+ giving me a good range. Even though the survey showed more females responses, male protagonists shows to be the most popular choice when it comes to main characters. This influences me to create a short film where a male character is the protagonist. With the next question, I was really trying to find whether audience's prefer destruction or happy endings. Not surprisingly, most people answered with 'where balance is restored' which can be explained through mainstream feature films compared to short films which challenge and subvert traditional content. However, a 13:8 ratio shows that there is a small gap, meaning others prefer films which are unconventional. With the next question I received a range of responses. "In England, in woods and forests", "In a city with technology", "Somewhere interesting and exotic", "Beautiful countryside" etc. With location however, I will be limited so choosing a suitable area is key in my filming. With my next question, the majority of people that answered with a linear narrative also chose an unclear ending. This was the most popular response. On the other hand, people that prefer circular narratives chose closed endings. Only two people chose a loop. These responses make me want to mess and change around with my narrative. With my last question the most popular genres were comedy, thriller and drama and not to far off was romantic and action. This question reflects typical mainstream films.
We are firstly introduced to this short film through an establishing shot of a field which connotes that this will explore a deep range of emotions. After the titles appear on the screen, the camera pans down towards the field. As the wind blows the crops we feel a sense of comfort as it peacefully sways against the wind. However, the music contrasts this scene as it typically represents a thriller/horror convention: unsettling music. Moreover, when the noise of sign interrupts this, it adds to the tense atmosphere. Additionally, when the crow is introduced on the screen we immediately think that danger is apparent in the film as it typically signifies death.
After this a sound of a phone is introduced as if someone was trying to call someone. The camera pans down, fading into different shots of the crops. We then see the phone, money spread across the floor from a bag and a cloth covered in blood. A sound of a women is then heard as they scream in agony. This unpleasant sound is left over no music, making the viewing even more tense. Furthermore, this adds to the typical thriller/horror convention.
We then see a foot, and see the person struggling under the pain. We assume they have been attacked- their foot is covered a dirt- thus signifying that they have been in a fight. However, as the music crescendos with their pain- they stop still and stay quiet- assuming they have died. Soon after this, a hand is forced down to push a knife in the ground. This sudden jump soon makes the audience realise they have been attacked- and with a knife. The music stops, and it intercuts to the crow- again adding to the suggestion of death. Soon after this however, the character that has committed the crime is slowly revealed when the camera tilts up. His hands are covered in blood and his has a skull tattoo- all adding to our judgement that he has killed this person.
He turns to the crow- blocking our view of his face: all the more adding to his guilty presence. A mid shot is then used to show the man looking around in the field. The long crops suggests that he is hiding, symbolically from the murder he has just committed. He turns around, looking to see if anyone is there. However, he looks back at the ground, looking at his kill, then runs backwards in a hurry. He runs to a black car- (signifying death) and fiddles with the keys to open the boot. We now assume he trying to get rid of the body and is under pressure. He opens the boot and we are introduced to his face, when he then tries to look for something.
When he finally chooses a pink blanket we assume he is trying to cover the body up. With the intercutting of the crow, it symbolically represents his guilty conscience that he has committed murder. However, as he runs over to the person it reveals (after anticipated time) that in fact it was a women giving birth to a baby. The image we had of this man was negative. We thought he was a murderer, but in actual fact he was merely trying to help a women in need. They both laugh, until a pan reveals the scene: he was a farmer when a women stopped because she was giving birth- the car is hers and phone call was to the police.
Music videos are generally produced for promotional purposes as they market the song. However in some cases, music videos combine conventions of a short film to produce narrative. For example, Charlie Fink (Noah and the Whale) produced a 50 minute short film combined with all their music videos. This created a film which was purposely made in a artistic way, instead of a promotional service. The Suburbs by Spike Jonze is also an example of this. In reflection, I like the way the two combine: integrating music with narrative not only tells a story but it expresses the lyrics as well. Arguably, some may say that they are just plainly a music video or short film, in my opinion however, I believe the two are the same. I will investiagte this further into my brief and think about whether I should create something similar.
After looking back at my audience research I feel I have a limited number of responses to compose a valid analysis. Hence, I will be creating a additional survey which doesn't include having to watch 5 minute films as this might have been off putting for people to fill in my questionnaire. Therefore, I will ask different and shorter questions about theme, narrative, character, setting and emotion etc.
The first question I asked was about gender, and the results show that gender was equally distributed throughout the survey. This also means that my questionnaire reflects an even opinions from both genders.
The next question I asked was age. Being a teenager myself, this means that most of the questions were answered by teenagers. Hence, this reflect an uneven age distribution. Nevertheless, two other people completed the survey in different age groups.
After this I looked at short films and the habits people have towards them. More than half answered that they didn't watch short films, whereas only three said they did. Therefore, this means that some of the opinions are from people that don't know what short film is.
Moreover, the answers from the fifth question show that most people prefer happy narratives and storylines. Heartstrings, the most popular choice focused on love in a positive way. However, Lifeline and Benigini focused on love in a negative way. Thus, reflecting that most audience's enjoy happy emotions compared themes such as loneliness and lost love. In some way this is disappointing, as I was thinking of portraying themes such as lost love in a melancholy tone. Looking back at the results however, now I'm thinking whether to focus on a range of emotions. I want to leave a good impression to my audience when they watch my short film but I'm still unsure of how to do this.
2000 Academy Award winner for Animated Short Film, this piece depicts the relationship between father and daughter. The film begins when they are on a bike ride: the father starts at the front, but throughout the ride, the daughter begins to overtake him signifying his old age. Moreover, when they reach the end, the daughter wants to go, but the father has to stop, contrasting her youth towards her father's old age. So when the father leaves on the boat it symbolically represents his death, the metaphor throughout the film. The daughter frantically looks for her father, but as time passes, so does he. She moves on and rides away, this time alone. But she comes back at sunset, hoping to see her father. However, his bike is still there and he is no where to be seen. A fade then indicates the changing of seasons through the landscape but at the same time, representing the change in the girl. She becomes a young woman, tackling all sorts of weather in search for her father. But as she grows, she has a family and in time she becomes old. She still however has a deep longing for her father to return. Particularly at 6:00 we really begin to see her grief throughout her life. ironically as the bike falls down, it represents her old age, instead of the father at the begin. Most importantly, we see the wheel turning, a metaphor for life as a circle, and that birth and death will always occur. The riverbed, now an overgrown wasteland, explains that she has died and is now travelling in the afterlife to see her father. She reaches the empty boat, lies down and waits. As she sees something, she runs, turning back into a girl. She meets her father and they are reunited.
This short film depicts love between two characters and expresses the challenges that a relationship brings. By not revealing what gender they are, it further emphasises that love takes form in any person, whether that be a single sex relationship or a mixed sex relationship. So when we see one of the characters pulling out a string heart for the other character, we are instantly drawn to the short film. As their hearts entwine each other when they kiss, we assume this short film involves only innocent emotions which is reinforced through the music.
A fade is then used to depict a moment in time: their relationship has grown and they are in love. However, as the music fades, and when one of the characters walk away, there is a flat note, indicating a bad point in the relationship. Nevertheless, the music softens out and the other character returns, helping their partner get up. This portrays their strong bond, as they are helping one other to get through their relationship. But they leave again, this time with the other character feeling alone, but then suddenly angry. They violently pull on string, forcing the other character to return on screen. The angry partner demands an explanation, however they soon both begin to anger one another, thus representing relationships as challenging.
As they both take parts of the string, (much like a divorce when couples take different belongings) they force the string to break, signifying a bad patch in the relationship. Furthermore, throughout this disagreement the music crescendos in flat sharp notes, highlighting a break. When this break is shown, the music stops all together, portraying the characters have nothing left in the relationship. However, as the music picks up again, the characters join as one by tying their two strings together in a heart. This immediately pulls them back together. They kiss and hug, signifying that all relationships take work.
After evaluating previous students work, I can now reflect on what I should avoid and what I should focus on. I firstly feel I should avoid bad music choices as this makes the overall piece disjointed. Music and sound is key for fitting into the filming and editing. I have also learnt to make good and exciting storylines. While I only watched students work which can be limiting, after watching dull and boring short films it reflects badly on how you judge the camera work and editing etc. This has inspired me to create a interesting short film which doesn't focus on 'boring' topics. Furthermore, I must pay particular attention to camera work and editing. Last year being in a group was somehow limiting; I couldn't stretch my interests in filming/editing as some group members disagreed. Now, I only have myself and I am free to the amount of choices. This means I must be careful in producing something which is clear and understandable; and not to waffle on about my interests. Hence, attract an audience. In addition to this, I must make sure my short film, poster and my film magazine review have synergy. I saw a couple of student's work where their pieces did not match. This made the whole work seem again disjointed and made an overall bad impression.
Out of all the ancillary tasks, this is my favourite. I really like the use of colours and the position of the text. After watching Daniel's short film, I believe the two texts have synergy. The dark tones of the poster match the dark lighting in the film. I would award this 8/9 out of 10.
Andrew Johnson | Unbalanced
Overall I think the simplicity of the poster is very good, especially the synergy created by the main task and this poster. I would award this 7/8 out of 10. For the film magazine review, I like the layout and use of boarders, however I think it is too simple. The images are too large which gives hardly any space for the actual review, therefore I would award this 6 out of ten. The poster, magazine review and film all match though which creates synergy between the pieces.
Lewis Underwood | Cloudy Skies
I think the balance between images and text is even, and that the layout suits the style of film. The use of format is also good and the style of writing reflects a typical magazine review. However, compared to the film poster and the film, both don't match the magazine review. I would give this 8 out of 10.
Technically producing a silent film would have been very difficult, especially with the music. Overall I thought the piece was okay, but I would change certain areas such as the font choice. I would avoid making a short film not because they style doesn't suit me, but because it seems technically difficult to create. According to the marking criteria I would award this piece Level Two / Level Three band.
Unheard | Laura Budden
Technically I thought this piece looked very difficult to create, especially the editing with the dance scene. In particular, I liked the variation of shots as it highlighted the dance and fitted well with the music. However, I didn't like the beginning as it slowed down the film and I felt it didn't match with the dance scene. I would give this piece Level Three / Level Four band.
Cloudy Skies | Lewis Underwood
Overall I really liked the narrative in this short film, as the narrative depth was only revealed at the end of the piece. The confusion was interesting, however, personally I would have chosen a different piece of music. This has aught me to think carefully about music choice and to make it fit into my short film. I would give this a low Level 4.
Unbalanced | Andrew Johnson
Even though this piece is confusing, I really enjoyed the sound used throughout the short film. The different noises added to the character's identity and narrative to the short film as a whole. I would again award this a Level 4 for the use of editing and sound.
The establishing shot of space opens this short film and gives a sense of scientific discovery. However, as space is unknown, we feel this short film may not reach a satisfying answer. Nevertheless, we are then introduced to the protagonist: a man we believe to be an astronaut. The mid shot reveals him more closely, and as we see behind the shoulder, we are included in his intentions. He seems to be searching for something- but we don't know what yet. Furthermore, the sound gives off a sense of isolation which is reinforced through the emptiness of space.
Moreover, the three shots of the rope pulling him back symbolically signifies that he is unfortunately coming back to reality, whether or not he likes it. His sadness is then portrayed through the long shot, as the mise-en-scene conveys his body language as lifeless. After this, the shot fades to the protagonist sitting alone at a table. This portrays his isolation even further, as he is holding a picture of himself with a woman. We then begin to realize that he is missing this person and that he may be trying to search for her. The fact the camera zooms on the picture further portrays his attachment towards the women, and with the use of sound, it reinforces his lost love. Additionally, the long shot conveys his empty life as the plant pot is shown to be bigger than him by perspective. Thereby, reinforcing his isolation. The mise-en-scene shows this too, as the dark gloomy atmosphere symbolically represents his grief.
A low angle is then used to heighten his importance in the field of science. His work behind calculations has obviously shown to be a life long study to reunite himself with his wife. The significance his her in his life is evidently shown by the locket he carries, symbolically representing his love for her. The use of sound also portrays this, as the lifeline connotes this mission is life or death. Indeed, he travels beyond physics, time and space which highlights the dedication towards finding her. However, we then begin to question whether this is real or not. The protagonist may just be hallucinating over the grief of his dead wife, which was answered by the black car driving towards the women. After this death is evidently shown as he 'swims with the fishes' and swims towards 'the bright light' indicating that death as negative.
Religious aspects are then brought into this short film through the use of music. The choir behind the text reveals that the text may be coming to a close, therefore, he has found his wife. The shock the protagonist reveals when they meet is only evident on him, the wife shows no emotion. This brings up questions to whether this narrative is based on a dream. Nevertheless, they hug assuming they will be together. However, the noise used in the background increases adding a tone of annoyance. The protagonist is stuck and cannot continue to be with his wife. This sense of trying to move but not succeeding all reflects similar aspects of a dream. The strain on his face reveals his is trying everything he can to break the rope, but unfortunately, he dies because he has no oxygen.
This short film expresses a lonely man suffering from isolation and seclusion which is firstly established through the long shot of a building. The use of square windows signifies monotony and repetition which is contrasted through the mise-en-scene, as the wall colour is yellow. Therefore, assuming this short film includes happiness- as it denotes sunshine and connotes joy, but the faded colour portrays dull and unexciting qualities. In addition, the drain pipe on the building also signifies the characters life: the straight line represents his usual day-to-day routine, whereas the diagonal line connotes a twist. However, this typical short film convention is broken by the straight line, indicating that his life continues as usual. Furthermore, the use of sound in this sequence is minimal, portraying his life as quiet and alone. Additionally, the fact this shot lasts for 19 seconds conveys a slow and monotonous tone.
A straight cut is then used to reveal the character in more detail, but exposing the room to be dark, lifeless and gloomy. Hence, this signifies that the characters life is too dark and unsatisfying. Moreover, the fly which enters room indicates the sense of time in the short film: the character is able to kill the fly slowly which presents him as slow and sluggish. After this however, we are introduced to the twist- a small boyle has formed under his arm. The use of camera work indicates this isn’t something he is used to as the previous long shots/mid shots change to a close up, signifying a panic which is reinforced through his facial expressions. However, this panic is broken as immediately after we see dirty dishes reinforcing the lifeless aspect of the short film. The sound in this shot also portrays a struggle as the use of the tap dripping further strengths the silence and isolation. After this, his loneliness is even more portrayed through the long shot, as it reveals the room to be large, and his presence to be small.
Moving on, from 3:09, we see a different side to the character. For example the emotion anger is what we wouldn’t expect, due to his lifeless body language and presence. In relation to the camera techniques and editing, we also see a faster pace, contrasted to the early shots. However, when we see a high angle of his third arm, all the anger is lost. Child like features portrays the arm to be sweet and innocent, qualities that the main character didn’t have. Therefore, he soon becomes attached to his ‘child’ conveying ideas of friendship and love. Mostly importantly, through the mid shot of him smoking, there is an equality shown through the frame as they are both centralised. Furthermore, the fact they both participate in activities such as smoking, reading, playing the xylophone adds to the positivity of the short film. In particular, the emotional attachment the main character has on the child is shown deeply when he provides a small pillow for the child. The sound also uses sweet music to add to this.
Moreover, the symbolism used on the child’s first birthday of the bubbles represents freedom. The fact the child receives this gift however indicates that the main character will never be free. The death of the child by the window merely reflects the protagonist’s old day-to-day routine, meaning that he will always be alone and isolated. Some argue however that the child was never real, and that the protaginist was attached to an illness: which could be loneliness.
Overall I really like this short film, the simplicity of isolation depicts different emotions and feelings. I feel I could go into this theme as it explores different types of emotions.
The short film industry has a specific audience compared to the mainstream feature film audience. For example, niche audiences are a specific group of people that have a unique interest in the market. Arguably, this audience is targeted for the short film industry. The two main groups of audience for short film according to my research shows they are young students producing short films and people working in the shot film industry. For young students interested in short films, the target audience would be in the demographic social group of E due to unemployment. For the employers in the industry they would be categorized into the social group of A-C.
Most short films are seen online on the internet on websites such as www.futureshorts.com or quite simply on YouTube. Short films aren't shown with the mainstream films in cinemas, but they are shown in short film festivals. Therefore, this means that I should be aiming to create a short film that fits into these festivals. I believe these conventions are alternative, which links to my research into short films: length, storyline, character, twist, creatively and emotion. Most importantly, I must aim to target a nichie audience.
