Museum Visit- London Film Museum;

Exsisting Media- How to tell when a relationship is over in 90 seconds;

LIKED:

• Parody on typical relationships
• Use of How To Do books in other media

DISLIKED:

• Single medium shot, could of had more of a variety

Detailed Analysis of Exsisting Media;

HOW TO TELL WHEN A RELATIONSHIP IS OVER IN 90 SECONDS

SUMMARY (FROM BBC FILM NETWORK):
The story of a couple who split up in fifteen different ways.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p004p9wb/Film_Network_Comedy_How_To_Tell_When_A_Relationship_Is_Over_In_90_Seconds/

Exsisting Media- I Stood Up;

LIKED:

1. Main focus on one character.
2. Flashbacks between accident, present day and past.
3. Pace of shots - slow and fast.

DISLIKED:

1. More focus on girl so we could develop her character.
2. Better musical selection to represent the explosion.
   

Detailed Analysis of Exsisting Media;

I STOOD UP

SUMMARY (FROM BBC FILM NETWORK) :
Stood Up was the winner of the 2008 Smoke and Mirrors 48 Hour Film Competition.

The film was based around the word "luck" and it alludes to the 7/7 London tube bombings. It shows a man as he deals with survivor's guilt after giving up his seat to a fellow passenger on that tragic day in July.

Giving up your seat on your daily commute to somebody who is less able is seen as common courtesy. But what if this simple act becomes a matter of life or death?

Exsisting Media- Contraction;

LIKED:

1. quick cuts between shots- helped enticened the storyline.
   
2. lack of script- let the audience make their own plot.
3. use of music

DISLIKED:

1. The location- was confusing and didn't really have an impact on the story.
   

Detailed Analysis of Exsisting Media;

SHORT FILM 1- CONTRACTION

Film Information: Directed by Christopher Hewitt, this short film represents the concept of rebirth. This piece of work made especially for F5 Film and Animation conference in New York. Contraction shows the effects of someone being brought back to life and the how it effects the immediate surroundings.

Analysis-

• The title appears slowly using white text against a black background to stand out. Connoting the fade of the title to represent a heartbeat the audience can note that the short film is about a serious matter.


• Along with the non-ambient music which sets the audience up to be confused due to its static vibe.


• CUT close up of man, birds eye view shot as the camera slowly zooms into man's face where his eyes are wide open and his appearance is stunned.


• During this shot the volume of the music rises as the zoom continues to emphasize what that character was hearing at that very point in the scene.


• His eyes then blinked which lead to a CUT back to a black screen, these cuts helped breakdown the story itself to have a big impact on the receiving audience by building the tension.


• CUT again to a point of view shot where the female character is introduced. The female character appears looking over something/one which aids the audience to continue searching for meaning of the story.


• CUT to black screen then another point of view shot that tracks around the back of the woman to reveal the male character lying on the floor.


• The first impression leads the audience to believe he is dead. However another CUT to an overhead shot then medium shot shows the female is about to commit to something.


• She first appears to be kissing the male, however it then becomes apparent she is giving him the kiss of life.


• The CUTS become more rapid as the story hits it peak and the range of different shots at this point helps establish the location.


• The characters appear to be situated in an urban surrounding on top of a rooftop suggesting he was committed to ending his life via suicide or other.


• The music becomes more static connoting the confusion as the audience doesn't fully understand the situation between the two characters. The change in music suggests their is a barrier between these two characters in which the audience cannot fully understand.
• Once again the black screen could be a point of view shot from the male character unconscious and his undecided fate.
• As the woman begins resuscitation the floor beneath him moves in synchronization to emphasize the importance of the short film.
• The pounding on his heart is shown via the music as it grows louder as the piece hits it's peak.
• Both characters shown by a medium overview shot.
• Repeated twice.
• CUT to a landscape shot where the woman's hands finally leave his chest as a sign that all could be over.
• Music becomes pessimistic as the audience begins to see his life is finally ending.
• Tracking shot follows her hands that run through his hair which could suggest they know each other on a personal level. Also, her facial expression follows the lines of worried/sad and almost emotionally distort.
• She begins to shake her head in dismay.
• CUT to a long shot continuing to establish the location.
• CUT back to the scene as she once again begins to revive his life.
• The floor again is mimicking his heartbeat.
• In between pushes you hear the woman's lack of breath as her life struggles with his.
• The static music returns as do the variety of shots (medium, overview) to build up the atmosphere.
• CUT to black screen but returns as he jumps back to life but not without a struggle (as the music suggests)
  
• Shots taken from his shoes and side track his movements back to life as he is reborn.
• Both characters remain at the same level for the rest of the piece.
• The music dies down at this point as the characters begin to speak with over the shoulder shots.
• Limited script allows the audience to make their own minds up about how the story works out. 1 line - "Where did you go?" by the female character.
• CUT to a medium long shot of the pair however you cannot see woman's face as the main focus shifts to male character. Suggests her part was not as important.
• Male character appears in shock as he turns to the female but doesn't say a word.
• His struggle shown with an over shoulder shot.
• CUT black screen as music heightens
  
• CUT over woman's shoulders as we see the male character reflect.
• Music takes control of the piece.
• The sun reflecting on to the shot hides the pair as a sign to the audience the short film is almost over.
• The audience can still make out what is happening in the shot however.
• The vocals are muted but hand gestures from the female character finds us understanding she is explaining what has happened over the duration of the piece.

Definition of 'Short Film', Conventions and History.

A short film has a duration of 40 minutes maximum therefore cannot be categorised as a feature film. Yet the Internet Movie Database (www.imdb.com) draws the line at 45 minutes.

During the 1920s short films were mainly comedies, small cartoon and newsreels. The cartoons were never longer than 10 minutes and these films were part of varied programmes at local cinemas.

Charlie Chaplin was very famous for his 'Little Tramp' short films which kick started his career and many other comedians such as Laurel and Hardy also took this path to stardom.

Throughout the 1930s, a time of the Great Depression the film industry changed. Instead of a cinema manager choosing particular programmes to suit their local audience, the studios sold packages which features a main film and many supporting features around it.

Two reel shorts went into a decline with the uprise of these packages and they struggled to reach an audience once these double features came about. Changes were being made and celebrities of short films such as Laurel and Hardy moved into feature films full time after 1935 to continue in a job they love. Hal Roach in charge of both Laurel and Hardy and Our Gang moved out of short films altogether by the 1940s.

By the 1950s short films were practically dead especially with the rise of television which was an exciting experience as it was the beginning of new technology at home.

However, as we reach the 21st century the availability of websites such as vimeo, google and youtube make it possible to easily upload short videos to do with any genre at a low cost. Film makers such as Shane Meadows began with an "amateur" status using handheld camera to produce work until they become successful on the big screen. Once they make this jump the audience has high expectations of their next production.

The Chosen Brief;

While I was away on holiday my group continued to discuss which brief they feel most creative and confident to explore. After much discussion when I returned we were drawn between three options:
- a short film
- a documentary
- a music video

While I did a pros and cons list for a documentary and music video, my partners reviewed the briefs and found another they particularly liked.
When I returned we made the decision to go for the short film because we wanted a challenge something no one has looked into. Our group has developed skills in camera movement, storywriting and music with this knowledge we feel confident that we can continue to improve into A2.

THE BRIEF

A short film in its entirety, lasting approximately five minutes, which may be live action or animated or a combination of both, together with two of the following three options:

• a poster for the film;
• a radio trailer for the film;
• a film magazine review page featuring the film