Production Diary (Post 5)

Production diary

 

My Short Film idea (Post 4)

 My plot:

A group of friends go for a casual meet up at one of there houses, who will be viewed as the main character. This will take place in the evening, which will make the video capture a thriller/ horror essence. The dark is often associated with nightmares and evil, which is why I chose to do it in the evening, when it begins to get dark. I will be using music and sound to manipulate the tension of the scene and so that the audience are aware of a build up, thinking something is about to happen.

The opening scene will start with the camera focused on someone's hand knocking on the door, this is because I don't want the girl knocking at the door to be introduced first and will start to create a mystery from the start of the short film. The camera will then cut to the main character, who will be sat in the house, and the audience will then watch her going over to the door. This is when so will try to build up the tension with non-diegetic sound. 

The plot of the film includes a group of girls and one boy hanging out one afternoon, however as the night goes on I want to include mystery. Such as using the camera to peer through the windows as if someone is watching them, which will hopefully capture the audiences attention. When peering through the windows the audience will be able to see that the group is laughing and mocking one of the girls from their school, but was not invited to the gathering. Throughout the short film, when individual characters are on their own, they will be murdered. The first murder the audience will be able to see an unknown figure standing behind them, introducing the new character as the killer. However, the characters will not know that they’ve been killed but will know they’ve gone missing. A quarter way through the short film one of the girls will find the body and then the characters reality will slowly unravel. Towards the end of the film the identity of the killer is revealed, which would have been foreshadowed earlier in the film as it is the girl they were mocking from their school. 

Miss en scene:

Costume and hair- Each character will be wearing casual clothes, such as jeans and top. This is so the audience are aware that it isn’t a special occasion and just a group of friends wanting to meet up. The person playing the murderer will be wearing all black so that they are able to blend in with the night.

Lighting- I will be filming the short film in the evening when it’s dark to play on the fact that it’s genre is a thriller. Night is often associated with mystery and horror, more of a psychological thriller.

Setting- The film will be taking place at someone’s house as it will create an essence of normality and realism. The house will be in a rural area, making it isolated, it will surrounded by fields. But the house next door will be empty as recently the neighbours have moved house. 

Character expression- At the beginning the characters will seem happy and laughing, which will tell the audience that when someone is trying to kill them that they’re in shock and unaware of the reasons. When finding out about the murders, the characters will show fear.

Props- as prop that will be important for the short film will be the murder weapon, which will be a knife. I’m planning for the knife to be seen by the audience at the beginning of the film and then disappears half way through. 

Narrative:

Todorov- The film will follow the beginning, middle and end. This narrative helped me to figure out the plot line as I decided to have a linear narrative. The equilibrium will be the girls hanging out and having fun, but then is disrupted by the fact someone is murdered. The repair will be the when the girls will try to call the police, but goes wrong when the power line is cut and due to the excluded area there will be no service. The new equilibrium will be the fact that the girls are gone but everyone else still carries on with their everyday lives. 

Why are short films made? (Post 3)

Why do people make short films?

Some people make short films so that they start to get a bit of recognition and begin to build a portfolio. This so that if they make a featured film, an audience is more likely to be inclined to watch it if they recognise the name of the producer or director. This is because the audience will have more of an understanding of what type, genre and quality of the film is- Helps to build credibility. Short films help and guide people what type of films they are best at, therefore helps people find what kind of films they are most passionate about. Also, people like to create short films to build new techniques and adaptions for when they make a 'real film'. Practising and exploring the different ideas will help to improve their editing and camera cuts, which will draw a bigger audience as the quality of the film will be better. If there are fails that are made on a short film it will not cost someone as much as it would if it was on a featured film. Sometimes, short films are made to show snippets of a full version of a film, which helps to determine if they should actually go through with the featured film and allow them to know what kind of audience it will attract and approximately how many. But this is not most cases as it's usually about gaining the confidence to make a film and wanting to make them. Some people may make short films as the ideas they have might not need to be dragged out for 120 minutes. Keeping it to 20 minutes maybe what is actually best for the film. If someone makes a film that could be 20 minutes and pushes it to be 120mins it will cause the audience to lose interest and will bring down the producers credibility.

When making the film the producer will most likely choose unknown casting, who are also trying to get some recognition for their future careers. Short films are made by different types of people and reasons. For example, some people may create short films for work or school purposes, although this is only some cases as some do make films out of enjoyment. Usually the audience that watch short films are young people as short films are mostly distributed on social media/internet, such as Youtube. Therefore, short films are most likely aimed for the younger generation rather than the older generation. Often a lot of students watch short films to capture ideas for their own film and to get inspiration, helps to gather new techniques to and how to make a more creative film. Another, reason it could be aimed at students is for an educational and moral purposes, such as anti drugs and alcohol. Creating awareness or just to educate people on certain things like religion.

Lullaby- Student Short Film (Post 2)

 Lullaby

Mise en scene:

• Costume- the girl is seen wearing white socks with a white dress, which looks as if she’s been in a rush and just thrown it on or she’s just gotten out of bed. This exaggerates on the fear and panic that she’s in. 
• Setting- The location of the film is in the woods, this plays on the fact that it is a horror as forests are known to be notorious for gloomy and isolated areas, building suspense throughout the film
• Expression- The girls face is very apprehensive and is shown to be alarmed, making the audience aware of the girls fear. 
• Props- A prop that is used is her phone. She receives a text, and which is a photo of herself running through the woods. This pushes on the fact that she is being watched and no matter where she runs someone will always be catching up. Another prop is a doll, this appears towards the end when, hanging from a tree with a rope around its neck. The doll is used to imply that the girl is going to die or something bad is going to happen. 

Editing:

• An editing technique they used was fading and placing a film onto a film to get an illusion effect. This highlights that the girl running is tired and is starting to lose her vision, almost losing energy. This tells the audience that she has been running for a while and is starting to go delusional. This emphasises the fact that she is desperate to keep running, therefore, she is scared and terrified someone is going to catch up to her. We know this by the way she keeps turning around as if there’s someone there. 
• As the tension builds up the cut dramatically changes to a different scene. She has woken up in her bed. This allows the audience to know that she was asleep and they question whether it was all a dream. 

Sound:

• The opening starts off with ecstatic and the video seemed to glitch. This already has allowed the audience to know that this short film is going to be a thriller or horror. 
• A way to highlight the genre was by providing a non-diegetic sound over the top. The music they played was of a lullaby, which built up the tension and have the film an essence of terror. You are able to hear a child’s laughter, which will creep the audience and begin to raise their pulse. 
• There is no dialogue but they have incorporated heavy breathing  to build up tension and to show her short of breath as she struggles to find safety. 

Cinematography:

• In the first few seconds the camera is a close up, which is focused on someone’s feet running through a forest. When doing this you can see the bottom of her feet, which are shown to be completely brown from the dirt. This emphasises that she was in such a rush she didn’t have time to put shoes on and allows the audience to know that she’s been running for a long time, due to the fact that they are so dirty. 
• There are a few close ups on the girls face, which introduces the character properly. You are also able to tell what the character is thinking as the audience are able to see her expressions, she is seen to be lost and erratic as she desperately tries to find somewhere to hide. 

The Fly- short film (Post 1)

 The Fly

Mise en scene:

• Props- A tooth pick is one of the props, giving off a tougher exterior. It may also be a way of distracting himself as he looks very nervous 
• Costume- The man has a watch on his wrist which he keeps looking at in anticipation, suggesting that he is nervous. He is also wearing a leather jacket, which is usually associated with 'bad guy act' or someone with attitude. At the end we see the guys coming out in masks telling the audience that they are trying to hide their identities. 
• makeup- The makeup that is used in this short film is to make the effect of blood. Adding gore to it helps to associate its genre. It also suggests to the audience that when the guys came out that they had killed or hurt the people in there. 
• Character expression and movements- At first he is very nervous, grips the stirring wheel and constantly taps it as if he cant just sit still. This is usually because someone is waiting on something, so therefore he may be nervous. When irritated he has aggressive movements Very irrational and Lack of control of his actions.

Editing:

• J cut to make the audience aware of what is happening and heightens their hearing as this is the prime focus. You can hear a gun being loaded and set, giving away the genre, which is a thriller and crime. The audience don't know whether the perspective is of the criminals or officers. The mans voice is deep and is obviously the commander of what they are planning. They sound rushed and are given a 3 minute time limit. 
• The editing gets quicker to enhance the mans violence and frustration. When the camera flickers from one place to another it exaggerates a character's feeling and reaction. This is built up when he lashes out and smashes the car with a gun.

Sound:

• Throughout the majority of short film we are able to hear the engine running. That suggests that he has kept it on to get a quick getaway. This gives the idea that they are the criminals and the man in the car is in control of the getaway.
• Diegetic sound of a fly. Hinting at the fact that its trapped in the car with him as the sound is very prominent. The noise of the fly is irritating and annoying which provides an understanding into the character as inpatient and easily irritable. 
• Muffled voices behind the door. Shouting and very commanding, giving signs of aggression, this highlights that the men are here to rob a bank or store. This adds suspense to the film. The screams and gunshots from behind the door adds terror, fitting its genre of crime. 

Cinematography:

• Establishing shots are used to emphasise the chaos within the bank. This shot drives a curiosity to what is happening as it is never revealed what is happening, therefore the sound in these shots are very important to establish what is going on.
• A close up is used when the the fly lands which drags the audiences focus to it. It also creates the illusion of the fly being the biggest thing around. Even though it is small, it still can take the focus from everyone around.

Slap- Short Film (Post 1)

Slap

Mise en scene:

• Props- In the first scene the props are the makeup and magazine that are layed out of the boys floor. Due to the fact that this is the first thing we see as an audience, it already tells us a lot about his character. Such as that he is into beauty, hinting at the fact that he may be a cross dresser.
• Character expression and movement- When the boys dad gets home his movement is erratic which tells the audience that he doesn't want his dad to find out he is trying on makeup. This creates an idea of part of his identity is being hidden from close relatives and maybe his friends as well. When he hears his dad, the boys face looks worried and guilty as if he has done something wrong and is trying to hide something.
• Costume-  The costumes that stand out in this film is his boxing outfit and also the clothes he wears when he is not around anyone he knows- such as dresses, the things that 'typically' women would wear. This provides an idea of conflict within himself. Suggesting he places a veil over his true identity and how he actually wants to express himself due to not wanting other people to know. This tells the audience that he may be questioning his sexuality or gender.  

Editing:

• The cut from a sense of relief from the boy not being caught to then the boy being hit in the face is very abrupt, highlighting the fact that his life is constantly a show. The boxing is seen as a posterior to hide his actual feelings. Creating an illusion for everyone around him. But in reality he feels like someone else.  
• When the scene is more tense the cuts are more exaggerated and quicker to create the tension and to suggest the quick movement and no time to think when in a tough situation.
• When he is in the boxing match at the end the camera cuts to the door where he previously saw his girlfriend at the beginning. This suggests that she has gone and now he is left on his own. It tells the audience that he is angry and is building up anger as he has lost his mates.

Sound: 

• The beginning the sound is non-diegetic slow and peaceful, which maybe a metaphor for a bit of self acceptance when he puts his makeup on. But it is also has a feeling of loss and sadness,  suggesting that others around him may not be as accepting or they may not know about him putting the makeup on. But then the music stops, the silence allows the audience to listen to distance noise that comes from downstairs. It shows a disruption. 
• When the dad comes upstairs the dialogue is loud and emphasised to show panic in the boys voice. His expressions show desperation to get the makeup off as he scrubs his face with his top. To back this up, his face also turns red which shows that he is embarrassed for people to see and he is rushed and therefore over heating.
• The audience are able to here the ambience, for example when he boxes. You are able to hear the sounds of the boy being punched and the noises from the clothes that give off a squeak noise.
• In this short film, they use dialogue to drive the narrative. There is no monologues therefore, the audience have to go off from Connor's expressions and guess how he is feeling. But, his expressions seem to be obvious when he is alone and towards the end- no longer can hide his identity.
• The music at the end is non-diegetic, so only the audience can hear it. The music is sad and emotional, reflecting on how Connor feels. It shows a build up of anger, which is being released when he fights. As if hid emotions have taken control of him and he no longer has control on what he does. The music focuses on the frustration that he feels. 

Cinematography:

• medium shot of the magazines and makeup, wants the audience to be aware of what the character is doing but not too aware of the surroundings. This may foreshadow the fact that he doesn't expect his dad to come home yet as he is so engaged in the makeup and creating new looks. This allows the audience to know that he is so engrossed in the makeup and magazines however, he is also on edge when he suddenly hears his dad.
• Overall, the shots are medium and close shots. This may be because the director wanted to create an idea of the audience also being trapped and enclosed in, like how the boy feels when trying to figure out his identity. 
• The camera is also constantly moving, suggesting that Connor is never at ease. The camera is slightly still when he is in front of everyone in a dress and full glam of makeup at the party. But the camera is only still for a few seconds until Connor realises everyone is laughing at him and not taking him seriously. The other time is when he is placed in the boxing ring at the end. This highlights the fact that he is focused and that he has no distractions. 

The Ellington Boy- Short Film (Post 1)

The Ellington Boy

Mise En Scene:

• In the introduction you are presented with someone scraping knives together. Straight away the audience can make the assumption that the scene has been set in a butcher’s or a café. Also you are shown person wearing a red and white striped apron, this backs up the idea that they are in a food place. It also lets you know that the man is the chef and in charge of making or cutting the food in preparation for the customers.
• The outfits that the boys are wearing are casual everyday clothes. This tells us that their has been no disruption and that they are carrying on with their day as normal. A boy is wearing a leather jacket, which is a bit big for him, and a pair of jeans, suggesting that he cares more for his appearance and likes to look representable. One of the boys is wearing a vibrant jacket with matching tracksuits and an adidas hat. This could imply that the boy is chavy, living in a ‘rough’ area. 
• The boy that has been stabbed is seen in a grey hoodie and tracksuit. When trying to get away he puts his hood up, this is to disguise himself from the people after him. The boy is shown to be constantly looking over his shoulder, emphasising his fear and desperation to find someone for help. 
• When the teenagers enter the café, waving their knives at the owners, to get the boy that has collapsed on the floor the camera focuses on the men’s faces. The expressions are emotionless and then broken with a smile. This tells the audience that they don’t fear the boys, instead they should be fearing them. There character’s seem incriminating at this point as the smirk.

Editing:

• The editing to this at the beginning raises questions for the audience. When showing the introduction it is said to be based on a true story, however the next slide is bracketed as ‘kind of’. This is unusual for the audience to see. It conflicts to what it said before and now is confusing the viewers by making them question what is real and what is fake. Makes the audience think whether the story that is about to be told is just a rumour or maybe only parts of it is real.
• When the boy is telling the story he heard from his other mate there is a jump cut. This is to emphasise that it is a flashback rather then what is happening now. The abruptness of the flashback plays on the fact that what happened was quick and dangerous, the attack was unpredicted.
• There is a j-cut later in the short film when showing the story, to remind the audience that it is being told. It emphasises on the fact that it is not very known, so wasn’t released on the news. This could link to the beginning of the words ‘kind of’ when saying it was a true story. The real story could have been twisted. 

Sound:

• The sound at the beginning is the sound of the man sharpening his knives against one another. Already I know that the genre of this short film is going to be action with a bit of thriller. The sound is sharp and aggressive, letting the audience know that the owner’s of the shop are intense and show no emotion. This is creating tension for the audience and has caught the audiences attention. This is then followed with a man hitting a butcher knife through some meat. When the knife hits the table it makes a thud, this is continued three times, to make the audience jump and unsteady.
• Dialogue is used to create a story unlike the first short film. The use of dialogue is important in this short film as we are able to understand the characters and what kind of people they are. The audience are also able to gain a narrative on the story that is about to be told.
• When the boy is running from the boys that stabbed him everything goes quiet except his breathing. It is heavy and panicked. This shows his losing his breath, however from his wound rather than from his running- which his limping also helps to back this up.

  When the boys run into the café and the man starts walking towards the door, the music starts to gradually fade in and gets louder and louder.

Cinematography:

• A wide shot is used to show the area that the café is in, which gives the idea of what kind of place it is. By zooming out and allowing the audience to see the surroundings we know that the café is a family business.
• Camera then does a two person shot  inside the café. This introduces us to the characters. This shot allows the audience to interpret the relationship between the boys. The boys seem very comfortable around each other and have the same friends, as shown when they talk about another person who they both know. We can determine how close the boys are when one of them grabs the other boy’s fries. This suggests that they’ve been friends for a while and like to whined each other up.
• Another camera shot they use is a 180 turning shot, which brings the focus on the boy who’s about to narrate the story. Drawing the audience in like this we are able to know that something bad has happened, replaying the past. However, it is abruptly interrupted by the other boy, who seems fed up with his friend talking to him. This implies they may have a bad history with him, may have a dislike to him or a certain reputation that makes him untrustworthy when it comes to knowing the details to a story.