Sunday, 14 September 2014
RESEARCH: FINDING INFORMATION FOR MY PREZI
Codes and conventions of short films.
Length: A short film will most commonly last between 3 to 20 minutes, however the length varies greatly and can last as little as a minute and up to 40.
Storyline's: Storyline's are generally kept simple and easy to follow and will be based over a short period of time. The narrative is usually condensed and there will be limited dialogue. Instead characters will be developed through images and actions rather than extended and lengthy dialogue sequences.
Character: Due to the length and simplicity in storyline, a short film will usually introduce between 1 and 3 main characters as creating back stories and developing characters is again limited. This is also done in order to keep the audience engaged and be able to follow the storyline.
Twist: Including a twist is a common convention in short film although this is not a general rule and not all short films will use this format. However, a twist allows the film maker to tell a short story in an interesting way and they are able to do this as the short storyline gives less clues to the ending.
Creativity: Short films tend to be fairly abstract and alternative in order to show off director talent.
The director or film maker are able to use more creative techniques placing their own signature look on the piece as there is less pressure to make a profitable film for a large audience.
Budget: Budgets for short film are usually quite low. Short films are unlikely to make any money which effects the amount spent in the making and they are often made by first time film makers or experimental artists and film makers with no or little funding. This effects the overall look of the film creating a more home made or arty look.
Audience: Short films have a lot smaller and niche audience than mainstream due to the creative nature, length and simple storyline. Although largely accessible, many are not aware of short film.
Opposition to Mainstream: All of these codes and conventions laregly make short film in opposition to mainstream. They hold a very different format and style to each other and short film will usually try to give audiences a different outlet of film to the mainstream.
Length: A short film will most commonly last between 3 to 20 minutes, however the length varies greatly and can last as little as a minute and up to 40.
Storyline's: Storyline's are generally kept simple and easy to follow and will be based over a short period of time. The narrative is usually condensed and there will be limited dialogue. Instead characters will be developed through images and actions rather than extended and lengthy dialogue sequences.
Character: Due to the length and simplicity in storyline, a short film will usually introduce between 1 and 3 main characters as creating back stories and developing characters is again limited. This is also done in order to keep the audience engaged and be able to follow the storyline.
Twist: Including a twist is a common convention in short film although this is not a general rule and not all short films will use this format. However, a twist allows the film maker to tell a short story in an interesting way and they are able to do this as the short storyline gives less clues to the ending.
Creativity: Short films tend to be fairly abstract and alternative in order to show off director talent.
The director or film maker are able to use more creative techniques placing their own signature look on the piece as there is less pressure to make a profitable film for a large audience.
Budget: Budgets for short film are usually quite low. Short films are unlikely to make any money which effects the amount spent in the making and they are often made by first time film makers or experimental artists and film makers with no or little funding. This effects the overall look of the film creating a more home made or arty look.
Audience: Short films have a lot smaller and niche audience than mainstream due to the creative nature, length and simple storyline. Although largely accessible, many are not aware of short film.
Opposition to Mainstream: All of these codes and conventions laregly make short film in opposition to mainstream. They hold a very different format and style to each other and short film will usually try to give audiences a different outlet of film to the mainstream.
Thursday, 11 September 2014
RESEARCH: SCOOP IT ON SHORT FILM RESEARCH
I decided to make a Scoop It in order to display the research I did on short films. The scoop It displays clearly what websites I used for my research as well as a screen grab showing the an interactive website, which allows you to click on it and be taken directly to the website.
Click Here to see the scoop it
Click Here to see the scoop it
Wednesday, 10 September 2014
RESEARCH: THE CRUSH-SHORT FILM
Today in the lesson we watched an award winning short film called "The Crush".
The Crush is an Irish live action short film. The film's runtime is approximately 15 minutes. It was written and directed by first-timer Michael Creagh, and produced by Damon Quinn. Creagh cast his eight-year-old son Oran in the lead role of the story. The story sees an eight-year-old schoolboy fall in love with his teacher, Miss Purdy. One day he gives her a toy ring to show his affection. But when he bumps into Miss Purdy and her boyfriend having just bought a very real engagement ring he becomes heartbroken and angry. Devastated, Ardal challenges Miss Purdy’s fiancé to a duel to the death.
The film was awarded Best Irish Short at the 23rd Foyle Film Festival. On 25 January 2011, it was nominated for the Academy award live action short film at the 83rd academy awards.
The film has several codes and conventions, that are good to take inspiration from. For example, some codes and conventions that can be linked to a western film, could include the shot reverse shot, displaying young Ardal challenging Miss Purdy's boyfriend in a stand off. Also the soundtrack played over the sense is associated to that of a western film, thus making the audience make a connection between this scene and a wild west cowboy stand off.
Whilst young Ardal is staring at his teacher in awe, the use of slow motion, enhanced colour and a soft, angelic soundtrack, signify to the audience the codes and conventions of a romance theme. Therefore suggesting to the audience that the young boy is in love with his teacher.
The Crush is an Irish live action short film. The film's runtime is approximately 15 minutes. It was written and directed by first-timer Michael Creagh, and produced by Damon Quinn. Creagh cast his eight-year-old son Oran in the lead role of the story. The story sees an eight-year-old schoolboy fall in love with his teacher, Miss Purdy. One day he gives her a toy ring to show his affection. But when he bumps into Miss Purdy and her boyfriend having just bought a very real engagement ring he becomes heartbroken and angry. Devastated, Ardal challenges Miss Purdy’s fiancé to a duel to the death.
The film was awarded Best Irish Short at the 23rd Foyle Film Festival. On 25 January 2011, it was nominated for the Academy award live action short film at the 83rd academy awards.
The film has several codes and conventions, that are good to take inspiration from. For example, some codes and conventions that can be linked to a western film, could include the shot reverse shot, displaying young Ardal challenging Miss Purdy's boyfriend in a stand off. Also the soundtrack played over the sense is associated to that of a western film, thus making the audience make a connection between this scene and a wild west cowboy stand off.
Whilst young Ardal is staring at his teacher in awe, the use of slow motion, enhanced colour and a soft, angelic soundtrack, signify to the audience the codes and conventions of a romance theme. Therefore suggesting to the audience that the young boy is in love with his teacher.
As well the film includes all the main ingredients for any short film, such as enigma, suspense, plot twist and action. By having all of these the film instantly entices its audience and holds them throughout the film without them losing interest.
Saturday, 16 August 2014
RESEARCH: HIGH MAINTENANCE
I also liked a short film called "high maintenance": Phillip Van- director, Simon Biggs- Writer.
This film managed to create an interesting and original storyline, which generates enigma and a plot twist in the space of just 9 minutes. The film is set in the near-future, a woman whose robotic husband fails to meet her standards is returned and upgraded him for a better version with standards that she now fails to meet and so he ends up switching her off. This film was good as when we initially see her turn off her robotic husband we assume that all the males are robots and that women are in charge but then the plot twist shows her new husband turn her off, showing that they are all robots. This allows the film to not lose it audience's interest and to be able to finish the story properly in such a short space of time.
I found that the film used clever techniques in this film, such as in the beginning the sound of the couple chewing was amplified making it the most noticeable sound. This exaggerated the awkwardness and uncomfortableness of the scene. As well as building up enigma, suggesting something will happen soon.
It also was not to complex for a film set in the future and did not seem over the top or especially unrealistic. This meant it was appealing for the audience as well as having an interesting storyline.
This film managed to create an interesting and original storyline, which generates enigma and a plot twist in the space of just 9 minutes. The film is set in the near-future, a woman whose robotic husband fails to meet her standards is returned and upgraded him for a better version with standards that she now fails to meet and so he ends up switching her off. This film was good as when we initially see her turn off her robotic husband we assume that all the males are robots and that women are in charge but then the plot twist shows her new husband turn her off, showing that they are all robots. This allows the film to not lose it audience's interest and to be able to finish the story properly in such a short space of time.
I found that the film used clever techniques in this film, such as in the beginning the sound of the couple chewing was amplified making it the most noticeable sound. This exaggerated the awkwardness and uncomfortableness of the scene. As well as building up enigma, suggesting something will happen soon.
It also was not to complex for a film set in the future and did not seem over the top or especially unrealistic. This meant it was appealing for the audience as well as having an interesting storyline.
 |
| This extreme close up shot shows her turning off her husband. |
 |
| This point of view shot shows her searching for an upgraded husband online. |
 |
| This close up shot shows the woman after her upgraded husband has turned her off. |
Thursday, 14 August 2014
PLANNING: TRELLO SHOWING WHAT WE NEED TO DO
Tuesday, 8 July 2014
RESEARCH: FILL ME IN
In the lesson today, we looked into past A2 student work and professional short films, to gain a deeper and broader understanding into what we should aspire to create. This was also helpful in finding out how to condense a plot line into the space of 5mins.
I first watched:
Fill me in: Writer / Producer - Gus Miller, Director / Editor / Script Development / Producer - Sebastian Thiel.
Thiel presents 'Fill me in' a short film written by Gus Miller that explores how a young mans venturesome day gets turned on its head through the perspectives of the people around him. This short film explores how perspectives can change and alter a persons story drastically. It does this very cleverly, the footage is all filmed on a go-pro or hand held camera. The film repeats itself twice the first time we watch the young mans day from his perspective, with him narrating what he is doing, although a selection of words and footage are edited out, due to this what he is doing is seen in a very negative light. After you watch it the first time he say's, "I know your probably thinking i'm wild but thats a true story, tell me what you think of me now?" It then plays for a second time filling in the missing speech and footage, and it is uncovered that the story is not at all what you would thought and so after watching it through again he repeates "I know your probably thinking i'm wild but thats a true story, tell me what you think of me now?" and the audience is forced to rethink there previous answer, now knowing the full story. The film then ends with a quote by Wayne Dyer- "when you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change." I really liked this short film and found it very benifical in giving me ideas for making my own short film.
The genre codes and conventions of this film are helpful to me as they give me and outline to follow when making my own short film. As this film is in the genre of drama, it is similar to that of my film. The film works well in communicating the confusion and tension of the film. One memorable convention was the use of soundtrack, this worked in building up the tension. Also the camera shots were clever as they used close ups, extreme close up and point of view shots these all conveyed a sense of mystery, suspicion and secrecy; as they did not give a lot away and they gave the audience a unique perspective.
I first watched:
Fill me in: Writer / Producer - Gus Miller, Director / Editor / Script Development / Producer - Sebastian Thiel.
Thiel presents 'Fill me in' a short film written by Gus Miller that explores how a young mans venturesome day gets turned on its head through the perspectives of the people around him. This short film explores how perspectives can change and alter a persons story drastically. It does this very cleverly, the footage is all filmed on a go-pro or hand held camera. The film repeats itself twice the first time we watch the young mans day from his perspective, with him narrating what he is doing, although a selection of words and footage are edited out, due to this what he is doing is seen in a very negative light. After you watch it the first time he say's, "I know your probably thinking i'm wild but thats a true story, tell me what you think of me now?" It then plays for a second time filling in the missing speech and footage, and it is uncovered that the story is not at all what you would thought and so after watching it through again he repeates "I know your probably thinking i'm wild but thats a true story, tell me what you think of me now?" and the audience is forced to rethink there previous answer, now knowing the full story. The film then ends with a quote by Wayne Dyer- "when you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change." I really liked this short film and found it very benifical in giving me ideas for making my own short film.
The genre codes and conventions of this film are helpful to me as they give me and outline to follow when making my own short film. As this film is in the genre of drama, it is similar to that of my film. The film works well in communicating the confusion and tension of the film. One memorable convention was the use of soundtrack, this worked in building up the tension. Also the camera shots were clever as they used close ups, extreme close up and point of view shots these all conveyed a sense of mystery, suspicion and secrecy; as they did not give a lot away and they gave the audience a unique perspective.
 |
| A point of view shot showing the young man hading over money. |
 |
These two screen shots show how they edited out certain bits making them "warrped" |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)