SECONDARY RESEARCHA2 Media Studies Advanced Portfolio

- Existing short film analysis- Short film design codes and

conventions

INTRODUCTION

For my A2 level media studies main task my focus was on analysing existing short films and becoming familiar with codes and conventions involved in producing a moving image.

By textual analysis of a moving image I critically deconstructed two films of different genres. The aim of this task was to look at key design features that makes a short film successful. These key features are-• Camerawork• Editing• Characters• Sound• Mis-en-scene

In addition to this research task I have gathered information about the practical production guidelines from professionals and structural tips in concerns to short film codes and conventions.

A VIDA DOCEShort film analysis

By Johnny Fonseca

‘A Vida Doce’ can be viewed on YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCtGw-_kORM

A VIDA DOCE ANALYSIS

IntroductionThe synopsis of this film, a feel good family drama that captures the natural moments within family life poetically narrated through heart warming quotes conveying that ‘life is sweet’ when you have family.The film is a family drama, although it does not stick to the conventional meaning of a family drama being- a family tragedy. However it falls under a subgenre of this category as it depicts an inspirational message through its filming of naturalistic scenes of human relations. Through the use of- realistic camera work, fading editing techniques, natural characters and emotive instrumental sound the over all mis-en-scene of this film is inspiring.

Camera workThe use of shots and angles is very diversified throughout ‘A Vida Doce’. The film is consistently shot at eye-level which gives the audience a realistic perspective from the directors point of view. The use of focus pulls is frequent through the film, this presents a documentary style of filming. Unfocused shots not only creates intrigue from the viewer but also creates a sense of the atmosphere. The camera work is shaky which contributes to the realism of the film, as if the viewer is in the moving picture witnessing the scenes first hand. The uses of close ups is to make the audience focus on the intricate details of life, rather then the bigger picture. To show that, like a family, it’s the individual elements combined that make a scene powerful. Over shoulder shots creates a perspective from the subjects as well as implying admiration for how other people see the world.

A VIDA DOCE ANALYSIS

EditingThe scenes in the film are mainly composed using fading and dissolve transitions in order to achieve harmonious conversions. The fade ins and fade outs merges the shots together and creates a ‘dream like’ effect. The transitions of softly dissolving a shot into another presents a certain amount of romance and nostalgia to the scenes. Also this makes the shots relative to one another, creating continuity in regards to the scenes, as if the audience is envisioning memories rather than real life. In addition sequence, scenes and shots are assembled as a visual collage which has a powerful impact in relation to the narration.

CharactersThere is no acting in this short film. The documentary style creates the feel that all the characters are natural. In the beginning of ‘A Vida Doce’ there are quick fades from natural footage of family members faces. Then in the middle of the film the camera captures a family gathering with traditional music and spontaneous dancing. Then in the last scene, a celebratory family event of a wedding is depicted. All this leads to the conclusion that family is at the heart of, both this movie and, life. And that the characters contribute massively to this central theme.

A VIDA DOCE ANALYSISSoundThe choice of a soft violin piece is suiting as it creates the atmosphere of the scenes. The piece builds with the progression of the film, giving it an emotive effect on its audience. The audio over laps of the violin piece and the narrating voice allows a powerful message to be told through both musical language and inspirational quotes. The quotes voiced in the film are individually relative to the scenes they narrate, which creates symmetry between what the viewer is seeing and hearing. The voice sounds old, wise and soothing, adding to the over all reminiscent feel to the film.

Mis-en-sceneIn the opening scenes it shows the title of the film in a cursive handwritten font upon a white background. This symbolizes how life is simple as well as implying that the film is a personal insight into what a ‘sweet life’ looks like (to the director). It also sets “A Vida Doce” up to be a light hearted family feel good film. The natural landscapes such as- grass and water shots embody the natural relationships of family. This is relate to the natural life events captured such as – weddings, parties and shopping in markets. The location of Portugal is communicated through the language the narrative voice speaks in and from the close up of Portuguese merchandise at the market place, this makes the moving images all representative of a traditional Portuguese family and their values. The lighting is continuously bright through out the film to communicate happiness and vibrancy, however there is a scene shot in a car at night to reflect ‘the rough patches of life’ that is represented in the audible quote- “though the road feels rocky it sure feels good to be pat of a family”. As the characters are natural it can be assumed that the costumes are their own attire, which reinforces the documentary style of filming.

AQUAShort film analysis

By Samual Davis

‘Aqua’ can be viewed on YouTube-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uUeBl3AP3g

AQUA ANALYSISIntroductionThe synopsis of this film, a chilling and heart pounding movie that follows an orphaned teenage girl spending the anniversary of her families death home alone. The girl had a near drowning experience and due to the encroaching presence of water the audience can assume she will have a similar fate. The film is a thriller/horror due to its conventions, such as music and suspense, being similar with a classic horror film. It portrays ‘the threat of water’ through its repetition of water related dangers.Through the use of- a wide range of camera work, quick cuts, a vulnerable character and realistic sounds the over all mis-en-scene of this film is thrilling.

Camera workThe use of shots and angles is extremely diversified throughout this short film. The film is predominantly shot using ‘close ups’ in order to draw the audiences attention to the small details that combine to create tension and communicate the backstory of the character. The uses of so many shots and angles gives the audience a wide range of view, in which they can see the story unfold from all angles. Unfocused shots not only draws intrigue from the viewer but also embodies a sense of uncertainty through disabling the viewers ability to see what is exactly going on making them feel helpless and hanging on to their seats. The camera work is steady which creates a sense of professionalism, due to a typical trait of a big budget film being steady camerawork. The use of long shots is to allow the audience to see what the character is doing as well as what is going on in the background, this can been seen when the can is rolling behind the characters back, another great way to build tension. The repeated under water shots of the girl drowning is fundamental to storyline keeps the audience on the edge of their seats from the beginning to end.

AQUA ANALYSIS

EditingThe scenes in the film are composed mainly of ‘quick cuts’ as they are an effective way to create tension. The quick cuts also create a sense of realism, as if the audience is witnessing the story second for second. Cutting from one shot to the next not only preserves time but creates a fast pace and thrilling feel to the scenes. It can be noted that each scene has been shot a number of times from different angles and edited together, this allows the viewers a perspective of the situation from many angles and creates depth to the scenes. Through this method of quick cut editing the director is able to shoot a number of subjects/objects and make them relative to one another, over all conveying a more interesting and ‘snap shot like’ story.

CharactersThe teenage female is the main character of this film. The film is composed around her every move. In the beginning of ‘Aqua’ the audience is given an insight into her near drowning experience. This will cause them to feel sympathy and will give them a connection with the main character. The ways in which the director has communicated backstory information to the audience is innovative. Through the filming of photographs, audible radio announcements, notes, newspaper articles and news reports the audience can clearly understand that it is the anniversary of her family's death, they died in a river accident and she lives with her grandma but she is home alone. All this leads to the foreshadowing of the character death, as the shots of her drowning and repletion of water all contribute to the audience anticipating her to share the same fait as her family.

AQUA ANALYSIS

SoundConventionally for the horror genre the music choice and sounds are one of the most important aspects. There is a mixture of diegetic and non diegetic sounds through out ‘Aqua’. The diegetic sounds such as the phone ringing, the radio broadcast, the window shutting, the can hitting the water bottle and the sound of running water changes in volume based on the characters location, this creates a sense of realism and makes the audience feel like they are inside the movie. The non diegetic music builds in memento just as the tension builds in the film, this emphasis the feeling of fear.

Mis-en-sceneIn the opening and ending scenes there are quotes about water, presented to the audience. This symbolizes the importance of water and indicates that it is a main theme running through the film. It sets it up to be a well thought out production and makes the viewers think. The location is in a house, yet the editing of the lightning and swinging gate makes it the typical ‘horror movie house’ making the audience anticipate strange things to occur. The lighting changes through out the film due to it being night and there being power cuts, the scene where the power trips and the character has to use a torch, the lightning is harsh and pale henceforth creating a cold and sinister atmosphere. The character is an ordinary girl home alone running a bath, a situation that many people can relate to emoting fear from the audience.

SHORT FILM- History- Codes & Conventions- Shooting

THE BRIEF HISTORY OF A SHORT FILM

A short film is a moving image that has a beginning, middle and end. Beginning in the 1900s short films, both animated and live action, were created to entertain audiences. Short comedies were especially popular, such as Charlie Chapman films, Even though there was often no set release schedule, these series could be considered somewhat like a modern TV sitcoms- lower in status than feature films yet nevertheless very popular. Lasting up to forty minutes long, short films today are created by independent directors and are generally low budget. Due to many of the short films not making it to the big screen, they are appreciated and awarded at film festivals. Through out history short films are generally used by filmmakers to gain experience and prove their talent in order to gain funding for future films from entertainment companies or film studios.

SHORT FILM CODES AND CONVENTIONS

• Making a film is divided into three stages- pre-production (scripting, raising funds and planning), production (shooting the film) and post production (editing and visual effects). Script and story board for a film make sure it can be achieved within budget and to make sure all aspects of the film can be achieved within copyright regulations.

• Just as a good novel can not be told in a short story, a feature length film can not be conveyed in a short film. Due to the time frame of a short film, very shot counts and very line of dialogue is important. This is why a short film should have a simple and easily identifiable storyline to which the viewer can understand. Yet due to modern day audiences being quite ‘film-literate’ it is becoming easier to expand on simple film ideas through the medium of short films. The award winning short film “Omnibus” is a good example of how the filmmakers took a relatively simple idea and expanded on it, fourth conveying three to four main characters with a number of considerable pathos all with in eight minutes.

• Also even through the film is short, the traditional tension/release patterns must be present in order to keep the audience interested. The basic plot has three conflicts and a conclusive ending or cliff hanger.

• Avoid filming in one location is advised, as well as filming in numerous locations. The location choices depend on availability and budget.

SHOOTING A SHORT FILM1. Most short films are filmed on video due to cost and accessibility

to new technology.2. It is essential to do a storyboard in preproduction in order to

break down the story into a sequence of drawings in order to visualize and improve it.

3. Essential equipment consists of; a video camera, a tripod, a microphone and some headphones.

4. A tripod is used to make the camera steady, therefore making the film look professional.

5. The microphone should be near the actor.6. Allowing up to 10 seconds before and after each shot will make

it easier to edit.