Jonah Short film research - 4 Short films

Applying the 5 key concepts to short films

Title: Dream Girl

Description: An unexpected encounter on an early morning tube journey

Director: Alice Seabright

Dream girl is a happy and simple story which makes it fun. Because of its social realism, it makes you think this could happen to you and what would you do, making it quite interesting and enjoyable to watch.

Representation

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->The social groups represented are gender and possibly age, masculinity and femininity. It’s hard to definitely say masculinity and femininity as the agenda of the male character can be interoperated as ambiguous. Gender is represented quite clearly as the woman sits down and starts to sleep on the man’s shoulder. Stereotypically speaking a man would avoid doing this at any cost as it would look emasculating but a woman would not care as much. Representing the characters this way adds to social realism and makes the film that more enjoyable as you know this could be real.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->It’s set in a underground train, possibly France or another French speaking country as of the poster inside the carriage are in french . Dream girl is interesting as it deals with the global problem of awkward social dynamics of public transport, the fact that no one talks to each other and we are all afraid of “invading “ others personal space. There is a man sitting across for the two main characters to which the male character looks for “Advice” and “Recognition” of what has happened to him and the man sitting opposites looks at him as if to say “What a funny situation, And get in there”.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->I would say Dream girl is a realistic comedy as it implements styles of comedy via camera work and zero dialogue. The male character is represented in a positive way as he does what he thinks is the right thing to do by getting out of that situation but then changes his mind to spend the time with this woman.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->The male who is black/African is represented as being shy in the beginning by acting very awkward and alarmed at his situation to which most men would be too making this seem very realistic.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Dream girl does deal with the issue of public transport and the social dynamics at play when we partake in it. And for many people public transport is their only way of transport and is a regular thing for them to use and be a part of. It shines a positive light on public transport making it a fun film to watch, if it represented public transport in a totally realistic way, negatively, it would not be interesting to watch.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->In whole Dream girl sums up the ideology of and beliefs of what is right and wrong when on public transport and turns it on its head, essentially, by having the male character going back and placing a strangers head back onto his shoulder.

Narrative

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->The plot of the film is very linear and fast paced. Obviously the plot does not reveal everything about the characters and only allows the audience to see the events that occur in the underground. This impacts the audience by showing them what is important to the story, that the two characters met on the train and shared an experience. It also leaves the audience guessing to what happened next? Did she wake up and apologize and that was that or did something more happen? And this sparked a relationship or friendship.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Because the film is socially realistic it makes sense to show it in pure chronological order to make it clear what happened and adding to the enjoyment of the film.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Narrative theory: Todorov

<!--[if !supportLists]-->o   <!--[endif]-->Equilibrium

The normality for the characters is getting the tube, working to work. 

<!--[if !supportLists]-->o   <!--[endif]-->Confrontation

The male character gets into a awkward situation with the female character and tries to remove her head from his shoulder.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->o   <!--[endif]-->Resolution

After failing quite a few times he decides to leave the train entirely. But decides then to enter the train again and place the female characters head back onto his shoulder.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->o   <!--[endif]-->New Equilibrium

Where he is happy to have this strangers head on his shoulder and has learned that it wasn’t all that bad.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Using this structure of narrative makes the story flow naturally and realistically. It does end in some closure as the male character has overcome his, you could say “Shyness”, and created a new norm.  But altogether it does not have full closure as the audience if left wondering what happened next.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->The ending of the film is very much a surprise as the ending titles already appear and you would think the film has finished but at the very end he turns around and enters the train into a new equilibrium which is striking and acts as a happy twist ending.

Genre

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Like most short films this cannot ultimately be categorised into one genre, and is more likely a hybrid genre. I would class this short as “realist comedy”.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Shot films by their nature are short and do not have the time required to set up and full winded story with a dynamic story and detailed characters instead short films are very unique and individual. Because of this pretty much all short films cannot be categorised into one genre but instead fall into hybrid genres or sometimes they are so unique and obscure they cannot be categorized.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Steve Neal – “Genre are instances of repetition and differences “ But this cannot be applied to most short films as styles and conventions are not systematically repeated and are different all the time. But on another level this can be applied to Dream girl as it does follow Todorov’s narrative theory and the audience have an idea to what is going to happen and will anticipate a twist ending, for some this is a lot of the fun of watching films as you know what will ultimately happen and you almost reward yourself with a sense of intelligence that you worked out what is happening.

Audience

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->I found Dream girl on the virgin media shorts homepage where it had been shortlisted into the finals of best short film of 2012. From browsing the website its clear to see this is a niche place for niche audiences and being quite a modern website with lots of access to social networking sites it’s fair to say that the demographic of Dream girl and other shorts are properly of the younger age bracket.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->With the majority of people now living in cities and having to take public transport everyday it’s easy to see how young and older audience of both genders would enjoy this film because it shows a little bit happiness and joy to the generally boring and uninteresting daily commute.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->On the virgin media shorts website this film has been categorized into “Other”. The film is also featured on YouTube, but has no category.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->The film hasn’t won any awards as yet but it was uploaded Jun 13, 2012 and the virgin media shorts of 2012 have yet to be announced. Dream girl has already been shortlisted and is in for a chance.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Alice Seabright is currently working for a media production company called Brilliant Films. Brilliant films launched officially in May 2008 and are based in London. (But because of the sheer amount of small production companies this may not be the right one).

Media Language

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->I find the ending particularly creative as the cinematography is very interesting a nice to look at. The sequences of shots below are showing the twist ending and the close camera work. The end shot of a mid close up showing the pride on the man’s face communicates meaning across the screen invoking a happy response from the audience that share his achievement and joy.  

Watch "Dream Girl" - Via Youtube

Title: Sprockett

Description: Freddy is faced with a double-dare. Will he face his fear and enter the world of Old         man Sprokett.

Director: Hazel Meeks

I find this short quite interesting as it is another feel good story but this deals with peer-pressure and the misconception of old people that children have.

Representation

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Age is relevant in this short because the children are daring their friend to “Enter the world of old man sprockett”. The gap between their ages has stereotypically made the children think because he is old he is some sort of monster. Sprokett deals with this issue nicely by having the old man and the little boy make friends.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Again this short cannot by defined by one category as it is very unique, but virgin media shorts has listed it as family/adventure. It shares conventions of classic kids adventure stories so if anything Sprokett is an adventure film.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->The boys friends are represented to be horrible and brutish, through the dialogue of the “Leader” of their little group its hard for the audience to sympathize with and quick find it easy to emphasise with the young boy who is dared to see old man sprokett.   

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->The old man Sprokett seems to be some sort of crafts man/watchmaker of some sort. In the beginning he is represented as being an angry old monster of a man. This is a stereotypical representation of old people in a lot of children’s film. But later on in the film it is discovered that he is really a friendly old man that has been unfairly represented.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Overall the representation of the old man is a positive one as he befriends the child and rewards him with one of his crafting tools so he can impress his friends.

Narrative

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->The plot and story are tied pretty tight as the story has complete closure. The narrative is linear to build suspense and to conceal the truth about old man Sprokett.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Narrative theory: Todorov

<!--[if !supportLists]-->o   <!--[endif]-->Equilibrium

Sprokett doesn’t really start with a complete equilibrium as the plot starts slightly ahead of the story so the equilibrium is part of the initial action of the children daring their friend to find old man sprokett. 

<!--[if !supportLists]-->o   <!--[endif]-->Confrontation

As the boy enters old man sprokett workshop he confronts the old man.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->o   <!--[endif]-->Resolution

After finding out old man sprokett isn’t a villain the boy and the man reach a resolution by working together and scarring the boys friends who are waiting outside.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->o   <!--[endif]-->New Equilibrium

The man gives the boy one of his crafting tools and a new equilibrium is made as the boy started where he was before but better of.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->The boy ends up in the same place as in the beginning of the film but with new knowledge after his journey. He is better off from his experience creating a happy ending.

Genre

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Sprokett is primarily a family adventure film, and I feel it describes the film perfectly.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]--> Steve Neal – “Genre are instances of repetition and differences “ sprokett being a family adventure film is a good example of this, I think even watching it the first time you can pretty much guess what is going to happen. This makes it even more enjoyable for the audience as its nothing out of the ordinary.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->From the establishing shot its clear to see the children are up to no good, and the scenery adds to that. Its set at night which tells the audience straight away “Something exciting is gooding to happen”.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->The style of this film follows normal adventure/family conventions, nothing scary or unexpected and generally easy to understand. In short films its essential really to follow pre-made codes and conventions of genres to help the audience understand what is happening and to immerse the audience in the story because they are so short there’s no time to create a dynamic story or unique conventions.

Audience

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->I found Sprokett on virgin media shorts it had also been short listed to win best short of 2012. It was tagged family action/adventure, so the main audience of this type of short would be for children and adults with children.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Audiences would have been pleased by the film from the resolution, as it represents over coming fear.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Sprokett has only been screened on virgin media shorts, but again it is early days for this film. Virgin media shorts only contains the best of the best and Is quite an award to obtain so choosing just to screen Sprokett on virgin media is quite fair.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Hazel Meeks is a school graduate and is currently working in corporate film. Sprokett is her only film so far and has been short listed to win virgin medias short film award.

Media Language

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->During the disruption low key lighting is used to make the old man seem more scary then he really is. He moves into the low key lighting shading most of is face as he leans his head down, which creates quite a powerful shot encapsulates the fear the boy has for this old man sprokett. The clothes the old man is wearing does make him look like some sort of a monster with a tool strapped to one of his arms and head gear covering a lot of his face. The use of camera work helps to create empathy for the boy as the camera is at a low angle during the shot reverse shot when on the old man, and high angle when on the boy.  

Watch "Sprokett" - Via Youtube

Title: Table 7

Description:  A couple are on the brink of a breakup, unaware that their every word is being closely monitored and not all is as it seems.

Director: Marko Slavnic

Representation

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->The social group being represented through the two main characters is sort of irrelevant to the story as they could be any age, as this film on the surface deals with relationship issues and how they can be overcome by a few simple words.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Again being a short film it is hard to label this into one genre but as a hybrid it would be a comedy/drama as the story follows many conventions of both genre through the use of non-diegetic soundtrack and the narrative of the characters.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->The film represents young people, and their relationships. A social group that would not have been represented, not too long ago, due to social change in the norms of our society. 50 years ago one would be expected to marry immediately without being in many relationships at a younger age, because of this it could be said that this short represents the fluidity of relationships now-a-days and how they can so easily swing one way or the other.   

Narrative

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Narrative theory: Todorov

<!--[if !supportLists]-->o   <!--[endif]-->Equilibrium

The equilibrium of this film starts off very negative as the couple are on the edge of their relationship, and are arguing.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->o   <!--[endif]-->Confrontation

The Asian fortune cookie writer intervenes by writing a “fortune” that is eerily related to the couples situation which stops them arguing and starts to turn things around.  

<!--[if !supportLists]-->o   <!--[endif]-->Resolution

The resolution happens when the couple read both their fortune cookies and realise what fools they had been and apologize to each other, and start fresh.   

<!--[if !supportLists]-->o   <!--[endif]-->New Equilibrium

The new equilibrium is the opposite of the original equilibrium as the couple are now happy and the issue has been resolved.

Genre

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->It is easy to say that this film is a drama but the term “Drama” can be applied to any film because it is so vague. This short film doesn’t apply to any main heading of genre because of its uniqueness.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->David Buckingham argues “genre is not simply given by culture: Rather it is a constant process of negotiation and change”. This applies nicely to this short as the text on the male characters fortune cookie “A simple sorry between lovers can prevent life-long regrets” suggests this couple will last a long time, even a life time, which is a modern ideology of our culture. The idea that there is the “One” partner that will be perfect for you and therefore you should find that person. 50 years ago people would find the closest person to them and get married as it was seen as it was the dominant ideology of the time.

Audience

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->I find the film on Vimeo, which is a fairly recent video hosting website primarily used by the younger generation, therefore the audience for this film would most likely be adolescents or young adults.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->The film will apply of young adults the most as their social group is being represented through the use of the main characters. Because a large number of young adults would be in relationships a short films like this is a friendly reminder to take a step back and just say sorry for the little things, which will be appealing for that age group to watch.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->The film can also be found on Youtube and variety of small short film hosting website, reinforcing the fact it will most likely be seen be a younger audience.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->The film has been categorized as a “Drama” by Vimeo and a Comedy by the official website.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->On IMDb Table 7 was rated 7.6 out of 10, and has been shown at over 10 film festivals and won awards at all of them.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->The director also wrote and produced the film, Marko Slavnic has produced a few short films all award winning. Including a favourite of mine “One Second” a short film showing the importance of time and to “Go for it” when a chance comes your way as the tiniest detail, or second, could create or destroy a life.

Media Language

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Camera work is used to reinforce the tension between the couple and create suspense around the Asian man as his device stops working and by using camera techniques like tracking in and the use of a dolly adds to the suspense and importance placed on his job.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·     Shot/reverse shot is used between the two characters to further add to the drama of the situation by seeing the facial expressions of the two characters.  

Watch "Table 7" - Via Youtube

Title: BOY

Description:  The grieving process of a bereaved father. His son was a professional cyclist who harbored hopes of performing for Great Britain in the Olympics before dying in a road accident near his family home.

Director: Justin Chadwick

Representation

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Age is a relevant social group represented in this short film. The short film deals with the death and bereavement. Working class is also represented as the father is a carpenter at the Olympic stadium.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->The son was young and very able as he was training to cycle in the Olympics unlike his father who is old and physically unfit but still able. This adds to the emotion of the film because, despite the fact the father cannot ride he still tries his very best to honour him, in his own personal way.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Social realism is the general style used for this short and it influences representation by using realism to create characters that are easy to relate too.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->The home of the father and wife is typically working class along with the father’s clothes and body language it builds up a very clear representation of the family and their working class background. I feel this is a positive representation as this is a heart warming short film and because of the actions of the father and how much he obviously loved his son.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->The film is a lot different to feature length films on the basic level because there is no dialogue throughout the whole film so it relies a lot more on the diegetic and non-diegetic sounds such as the soundtrack that can be heard continuously.

Narrative

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Narrative theory: Todorov

<!--[if !supportLists]-->o   <!--[endif]-->Equilibrium

It’s hard to apply this narrative theory directly as the confrontation and resolution is the theme throughout the entire film. But the beginning equilibrium could be the father continuing to go to work and live life without his son.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->o   <!--[endif]-->Confrontation

The father confronts his bereavement by honouring is son in his own personal way. By crafting a block of wood with the words “Ride on” and placing it in the Olympic stadium.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->o   <!--[endif]-->Resolution

The resolution is the theme throughout but the spark happens when the father gets onto his sons bike and starts to ride around the stadium, just like his son, and the soundtrack picks up a pace and works in parallel to what is happening on screen.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->o   <!--[endif]-->New Equilibrium

The father can now move on after confronting his bereavement and honouring his son.

Genre

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->No genre is identifiable in this short film as it tells more of a realistic story, or experience, rather than a fictional story. Again it would be easy to call it a drama as most films can be labelled that way, but that is not a specific category of film.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Short films by their nature are rarely categorized into one genre as each one is so unique and personal, which tell stories, experiences and explores wild concepts and ideas.  

Audience

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->This short film is more niche in its audience compared to most other short films as it was shown on aircraft, because it was created as an advertisement for British Airways and inspired by the London 2012 Olympics.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->The film is hard to find online and Youtube seems to be the only video hosting site that has it showing. Suggesting younger audiences would be the demographic but because of the area issues and themes of the film it would be more pleasing to the old audience, of middle aged social groups. Older social groups may find it easier to relate to in terms of bereavement and lose unlike the much younger audiences.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->The script written by Prasanna Puwanarajah won British Airways Great Briton award, and was then turned into this film – BOY.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Justin Chadwick oversaw the project and had directorial input, he is known for “The other Boleyn girl” and “The first Grader”. Chadwick has won a BAFTA TV Award and nominated for many other awards as well as winning a variety of other awards.

Media Language

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Because there is no dialogue BOY relies on camera work, Sound and editing. All of which come together to create a emotional understanding for the characters and helps bridge the gap to social realism.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->One shot of the father can be interpreted as very symbolic as half of his face is blurred and the other is clear as if the lose of his son has divided him, split him in two, and in this close up you can very clearly see the emotion in his eyes and facial expressions which creates an emotional atmosphere.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->The non-diegetic soundtrack tells a story in its self as it follows the fathers “mission” to honour his son. This generates a very powerful response as sound and music tell you how to feel even if you understand what is happening on screen.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->One sequence, and one shot in particular, is especially powerful because of the use of slow-mo or “Bullet-time” when the father in a flash back drops his coffee, because he missed his son who was racing by staying inside the cafe. By slowing done time it puts an emphasis on how important it was for the father to see his son race.

Watch "BOY" - Via Youtube