Looking at the three short story ideas I came up with, thinking about them more deeply, the overall decision I came to was that I would film the story related to the proverb "when there's a will, there's a way."
There were a number of contextual factors for this choice as firstly, with the first idea revolving around the £10 note, the range of props and cast needed would have been troublesome to have got hold of, besides also finding time when people were free to be filmed. However, I really liked this short film idea and to have been able to have filmed it would have been great as I feel a lot could have been done to it, and with the help of good editing, it could have turned out to be rather good.
As for the other story about the music composition based on the proverb "what goes around, comes around" I felt there was too much a demand on a good cast as I have only access to high school students and so to try and make them appear as though they could be middle-class business people would be pushing it, and would also remove the whole realistic vibe.
As for the story which I chose, this only really needs two people (the main characters) and the need for minor side characters such as those in the classroom would be no problem as I can easily use my circle of friends for that. The setting and location of the story is also easy to get hold of as it simply requires a school setting - which I have daily access to. Furthermore, I feel that this story can be made rather comical and not be entirely serious throughout the whole thing, so as to entertain the audience, as a short film should do. A variety of editing shots can be used along with this story too, as I have in mind the use of intergrating a split screen, overlays, voiceovers, and match-on action shots.
Thursday 27 January 2011
Wednesday 26 January 2011
Short Film Ideas: Round and Around
The proverb "what goes around comes around" reminds me of the term "karma" and so, that is the theme in which my short story is based around. The storylines goes as the following:
the most popular high school student is gifted with a once in a lifetime chance of gracing a scouting company with her first-class piano composition skills. However, she comes to a dead end as she runs out of ideas for a song which she could make to please the scouters from the company, which leaves not only a strong impression on them but is unique and different from what others may perform. Whilst sitting in the school music room by herself, she begins to panic as she has but a short time left to compose. Suddenly, her eyes come across an old folder filled with music scores from a couple of years ago. Believing these compositions have been long forgotten about, and considering the situation she is in, the young girl copies down the music onto her own blank sheet and starts to practice playing it.
The next day, she is called up to perform "her" composition. At first, all goes well but then, as soon as she starts playing the melody, one of the scouts stops her. Knowing she had taken credit and plagiarised some material from somewhere, the young student starts to feel nervous and begins fidgeting. Unfortunately, the next thing that happens is the scout who told her to stop walks up to her and asks her "did you compose this yourself?" Knowingly lying, the girl replies that she did it all herself but then the scout starts to tell a story about how the music sounded rather familiar. It appeared that the music the student had plagiarised actually belonged to this scouting person. And it also gets discovered that he used to be a student at the very same school as this young girl. Word breaks out about how this first-class music student cheated and from then on, wherever she goes, the other students call her a "cheat" and a "liar".
From this story, I feel not only is the message about karma conveyed, but also the message that one should not steal and take credit from other peoples work; it's simply not right. No good comes from cheating or lying.
the most popular high school student is gifted with a once in a lifetime chance of gracing a scouting company with her first-class piano composition skills. However, she comes to a dead end as she runs out of ideas for a song which she could make to please the scouters from the company, which leaves not only a strong impression on them but is unique and different from what others may perform. Whilst sitting in the school music room by herself, she begins to panic as she has but a short time left to compose. Suddenly, her eyes come across an old folder filled with music scores from a couple of years ago. Believing these compositions have been long forgotten about, and considering the situation she is in, the young girl copies down the music onto her own blank sheet and starts to practice playing it.
The next day, she is called up to perform "her" composition. At first, all goes well but then, as soon as she starts playing the melody, one of the scouts stops her. Knowing she had taken credit and plagiarised some material from somewhere, the young student starts to feel nervous and begins fidgeting. Unfortunately, the next thing that happens is the scout who told her to stop walks up to her and asks her "did you compose this yourself?" Knowingly lying, the girl replies that she did it all herself but then the scout starts to tell a story about how the music sounded rather familiar. It appeared that the music the student had plagiarised actually belonged to this scouting person. And it also gets discovered that he used to be a student at the very same school as this young girl. Word breaks out about how this first-class music student cheated and from then on, wherever she goes, the other students call her a "cheat" and a "liar".
From this story, I feel not only is the message about karma conveyed, but also the message that one should not steal and take credit from other peoples work; it's simply not right. No good comes from cheating or lying.
Short Film Ideas: Ways With Wills
"When there's a will, there's a way" - the short story idea I have come up with which fits to this proverb revolves around the lives of two high school students; a highly studious girl and her classmate, an academically inept person.
In a nutshell, the story I have created tells about how with lots of hard work and determination, one can achieve what they want. In this case, the lesser learned of the two tries to prove how she is in fact, not as 'dumb' as people may think she is as she ends up challenging the more intellectual student to a battle where she agrees to compete that she will achieve a higher score in an upcoming maths paper.
The short story simply follows the process which happens for the two to end up placing such a bet in the first place as both students reputations are put on the line. First the short film starts off with the two colliding (where the agent of change occurs), and then I plan for a montage to occur which demonstrates the number of things which the less academic student does in order to try and improve her intellectual ability and prepare for the maths test. In the meanwhile, I am thinking of perhaps producing a split screen during this scene as on the second half of the screen, a contrast will be displayed where the other student will be seen wasting her time, not bothering to revise at all as she has too much pride and ego. The final section of the film will then show the two students actually being tested and then finally, receiving their results.
Of course, the storyline is supposed to be predictable and so the ending result will be that the 'dumb' student achieves her target whereas the other realises that she shouldn't have been so egoistical and relaxed. In this story, not only is the initial proverb dealt with, but the message of how one should not think prejudice and act upon it also accompanies this short story as it is because the higher achieving student thought that the other would never get a better grade than her, that she put no effort towards the maths test and ends up being overtaken.
In a nutshell, the story I have created tells about how with lots of hard work and determination, one can achieve what they want. In this case, the lesser learned of the two tries to prove how she is in fact, not as 'dumb' as people may think she is as she ends up challenging the more intellectual student to a battle where she agrees to compete that she will achieve a higher score in an upcoming maths paper.
The short story simply follows the process which happens for the two to end up placing such a bet in the first place as both students reputations are put on the line. First the short film starts off with the two colliding (where the agent of change occurs), and then I plan for a montage to occur which demonstrates the number of things which the less academic student does in order to try and improve her intellectual ability and prepare for the maths test. In the meanwhile, I am thinking of perhaps producing a split screen during this scene as on the second half of the screen, a contrast will be displayed where the other student will be seen wasting her time, not bothering to revise at all as she has too much pride and ego. The final section of the film will then show the two students actually being tested and then finally, receiving their results.
Of course, the storyline is supposed to be predictable and so the ending result will be that the 'dumb' student achieves her target whereas the other realises that she shouldn't have been so egoistical and relaxed. In this story, not only is the initial proverb dealt with, but the message of how one should not think prejudice and act upon it also accompanies this short story as it is because the higher achieving student thought that the other would never get a better grade than her, that she put no effort towards the maths test and ends up being overtaken.
Monday 24 January 2011
Short Film Ideas: Money Is Evil
For this short film idea, I had in mind of creating a story in which revolves around the life of a ten pound note; the activites it is used for by a various number of people, and the overall misfortune it brings. The reason for this choice of idea is that I believe it matches perfectly with the proverb "the love of money is the root of all evil" as I intend for the characters in whose hands the ten pound note falls into will display signs of greediness for the money and become attached. However, it will be due to this yearning and selfishness for the money which leads to their misfortune, thus explaining why it is evil.
In short, the story will start off with a ten pound note flying around in the air, and its path will be tracked by the camera. The money lands in the sight of a lone chav who is walking down the street smoking frantically searching for some money. He spots the money and picks it up. After looking around, he decides to walk slyly walk away hoping no-one sees him as he is under the impression that the money probably fell from the hands of someone close by. The camera follows this chav walking down alleyways and stops to find him dealing drugs with a gangster. He hands the ten pound note to the gangster in return for some weed.
As the gangster is a high school student, the next scene is him using this "well earned" money to bribe a studious classmate to do his homework for him. Which the class geek gladly accepts. This scene is then followed by the geek happily walking down a street grinning away at the money they have received for their hard work. However, not all is good as they are then suddenly attacked by a trio of bullies who snatch the money away from the geeks hands. This eventually turns into a squabble between the geek and the bullies but then no thanks to a 'tight' grip on the ten pound note, a wind picks up and blows the money out from one of the bully's hands for a brief second.
The ten pound note then lands in the middle of the road and lies there. This is followed by a few extreme close up shots of everyone's head turning to look at the money and in their eyes will be a reflective image of it lying on the ground. After a few shifty movements, the geek leaps into the road and is seconds away from reaching out for the money but unfortunately, they get hit by a passing car (which will coincedentally be driven by the chav).
The final shot will be a canted angle where the audience sees the geek on the floor with the chav running out of their car and rushing to the geek's side calling for them if they are okay. The camera then zooms out slightly and refocuses, leaving the audience to see the ten pound note lying on the ground in the foreground, and in the background is the geek on the floor. To finish, the short story will fade out black.
The reasoning for the choice of such a story is because I intend for the audience to be the teenager age range as I hope to convey the message not only that money is the root of all evil (the proverb which the short story pivots around) but also that things which may seem normal to an ordinary teenager should not be overlooked. This explains why I have tried to involve a stereotype of the most common teenagers (chav, gangster, geek, bully) within my storyline. Furthermore, by using such characters, it acts as a hook which enables the the story to accomodate and catch the audience, since it means the audience can relate to these character types.
In short, the story will start off with a ten pound note flying around in the air, and its path will be tracked by the camera. The money lands in the sight of a lone chav who is walking down the street smoking frantically searching for some money. He spots the money and picks it up. After looking around, he decides to walk slyly walk away hoping no-one sees him as he is under the impression that the money probably fell from the hands of someone close by. The camera follows this chav walking down alleyways and stops to find him dealing drugs with a gangster. He hands the ten pound note to the gangster in return for some weed.
As the gangster is a high school student, the next scene is him using this "well earned" money to bribe a studious classmate to do his homework for him. Which the class geek gladly accepts. This scene is then followed by the geek happily walking down a street grinning away at the money they have received for their hard work. However, not all is good as they are then suddenly attacked by a trio of bullies who snatch the money away from the geeks hands. This eventually turns into a squabble between the geek and the bullies but then no thanks to a 'tight' grip on the ten pound note, a wind picks up and blows the money out from one of the bully's hands for a brief second.
The ten pound note then lands in the middle of the road and lies there. This is followed by a few extreme close up shots of everyone's head turning to look at the money and in their eyes will be a reflective image of it lying on the ground. After a few shifty movements, the geek leaps into the road and is seconds away from reaching out for the money but unfortunately, they get hit by a passing car (which will coincedentally be driven by the chav).
The final shot will be a canted angle where the audience sees the geek on the floor with the chav running out of their car and rushing to the geek's side calling for them if they are okay. The camera then zooms out slightly and refocuses, leaving the audience to see the ten pound note lying on the ground in the foreground, and in the background is the geek on the floor. To finish, the short story will fade out black.
The reasoning for the choice of such a story is because I intend for the audience to be the teenager age range as I hope to convey the message not only that money is the root of all evil (the proverb which the short story pivots around) but also that things which may seem normal to an ordinary teenager should not be overlooked. This explains why I have tried to involve a stereotype of the most common teenagers (chav, gangster, geek, bully) within my storyline. Furthermore, by using such characters, it acts as a hook which enables the the story to accomodate and catch the audience, since it means the audience can relate to these character types.
Wednesday 19 January 2011
Brief: Short Film Ideas
From my analysis and research into already existing short films, many ideas have sprung to mind around what I make for my own short film production. "Alma" is the two short film which has influenced my decision for the plot/ theme in which my short film will revolve around as I have become quite attached to the idea of producing a piece which revolves around the theme of a proverb (whereby in "Alma" the concluding proverb was 'curiosity killed the cat'). Therefore, I decided upon searching around for other proverbs which I could create a short film for and managed to narrow down my choices to the following three:
- the love of money is the root of all evil
- when there's a will, there's a way
- what goes around comes around
I have chosen these particular proverbs as I believe many stories can be produced in relation to these sayings. Also, in my opinion, these three quotes are perhaps ones which have the most relevance in our lives today and can easily relate to everyone about something which they have probably done in their lives, thus deeming to be something which would be useful to produce to, especially in terms of audience as it means the task of trying to converge with the audience will be mitigated.
- the love of money is the root of all evil
- when there's a will, there's a way
- what goes around comes around
I have chosen these particular proverbs as I believe many stories can be produced in relation to these sayings. Also, in my opinion, these three quotes are perhaps ones which have the most relevance in our lives today and can easily relate to everyone about something which they have probably done in their lives, thus deeming to be something which would be useful to produce to, especially in terms of audience as it means the task of trying to converge with the audience will be mitigated.
Monday 17 January 2011
Ancillary Task: Poster Analysis; Short Films
Comparing these short film posters to that of feature film posters, it can be seen that there are a few differences among their conventions, as well as many similarities.
To state those which are the same, it is the clear use of the title of the film being present, but then again, it would be a silly idea to not display the film title. The name of the film director has also been given but apart from that, there is not much evidence of any other text on the short film posters, like the feature films, such as quotes from newspapers and a star scale. This goes to show that short films are not as well known as feature films and in terms of scale, they are also much smaller. To continue on with this, for the short film posters shown above which are not animated, the names of the actors are not given showing the films are low key and that they do not use A list actors, therefore there is no need to state their names.
These posters, unlike the feature films, also display only the main characters of the film and does not incorporate any other ideas such as the genre or setting of the film. Furthermore, they do not give away or hint at anything which may be in the film so as to give the audience ideas about the narrative. The overall images used are also fairly simple and do not involve the use of special effects and the whole poster quite simply keeps to the minimum amount of information needed.
In relation to all this with my own poster to represent the short film in which I shall be producing, I will need to be aware of these features which have been kept, or removed, as it will show that I am capable of integrating these ideas within my own work and adhering to the short film poster conventions.
Ancillary Task: Poster Analysis; Feature Films
Film Poster Analysis
As I intend to create a short film for my coursework, one of the ancillary tasks I have to produce alongside the short film is that of a poster to promote the film. Above, I have chosen three existing film posters and analysed how the film poster makes use of a number of features to not only promote the film, but as devices to inform the audience of the film content:
- colour
- facial expressions
- font
- images
- layout
- language/ wording
- location
- poses (of characters)
- props
- text
These points have been addressed in a way whereby these details are ambiguous and lead to the audience producing a number of interpretations, therefore acting as a way to persuade the audience to watch the film.
When it comes to the creation of my own poster to promote my short film, I will need to take these conventions into account in order to produce a successful film poster, which gives the audience succinct detail and content about my short film, without giving away too much information.
As I intend to create a short film for my coursework, one of the ancillary tasks I have to produce alongside the short film is that of a poster to promote the film. Above, I have chosen three existing film posters and analysed how the film poster makes use of a number of features to not only promote the film, but as devices to inform the audience of the film content:
- colour
- facial expressions
- font
- images
- layout
- language/ wording
- location
- poses (of characters)
- props
- text
These points have been addressed in a way whereby these details are ambiguous and lead to the audience producing a number of interpretations, therefore acting as a way to persuade the audience to watch the film.
When it comes to the creation of my own poster to promote my short film, I will need to take these conventions into account in order to produce a successful film poster, which gives the audience succinct detail and content about my short film, without giving away too much information.
Short Film Analysis: Get Out
Get Out
To sum up this short film animation, "Get Out" is much like a metaphor of a scenario in which we have all experienced, yet have no recollection of. This short film makes use of playing on two ideas which come together at the end to reveal a hidden meaning. It was an award winning film of 2009 produced by students from a French animation school (ESMA) in Montpelier. "Get Out" integrates features of horror, comedy and fantasy genre and must be credited greatly for its unexpected twist at the end.
Analysis
This 7 minute long animation follows a number of conventions which are evident in that of short films. To start, there are two main characters, yet one - Gary - is focused more heavily upon as opposed to the psychiatrist and this supports the short film convention where it is normally just one character in which a short film revolves around.
As has already been mentioned, this short animation crosses the boundaries into a number of different genres effectively. For example, the fantasy genre would be when we are drawn into his imagination and can see what it is he is thinking. The horror genre is shown whereby Gary overreacts to the psychiatrist trying to help him with his phobia of doors. And the comedy genre is touched upon throughout but has its strongest impact at the end of the film where the twist is unfolded and the narrative explains itself.
Although not there is not much evidence of music or sound effects, it is used when essential and at a minimal level. Music has been used in this animation to help with the narrative and is most noticeable when Gary is in his own world. Whenever he is daydreaming/ indulged in his own little world, a tranquil, happy and rather dopey music begins to play. However, this music only ever plays when he is like this, otherwise no background music can be heard apart from the dialogue, which indicates that dialogue plays an important role in carrying out the narrative.
Without ruining the plot of the story, characterisation is another factor which helps lead up to the big moment when the twist is revealed. Gary appears to be dressed in a large baby grow and that he is also bald helps with the twist at the end where it is revealed who he actually is.
The theme of this animation is cleverly constructed and has probably undergone a very long thought process as the whole idea of Gary having a phobia of doors is not only an important aspect of the film but it helps link in with the twist at the end where this phobia is justified. This narrative also converges with the audience in a way that all viewers would have experienced the same feelings as Gary and so when the twist is revealed, the comedy aspect is appreciated by all who have spent their time watching it.
To sum up this short film animation, "Get Out" is much like a metaphor of a scenario in which we have all experienced, yet have no recollection of. This short film makes use of playing on two ideas which come together at the end to reveal a hidden meaning. It was an award winning film of 2009 produced by students from a French animation school (ESMA) in Montpelier. "Get Out" integrates features of horror, comedy and fantasy genre and must be credited greatly for its unexpected twist at the end.
Analysis
This 7 minute long animation follows a number of conventions which are evident in that of short films. To start, there are two main characters, yet one - Gary - is focused more heavily upon as opposed to the psychiatrist and this supports the short film convention where it is normally just one character in which a short film revolves around.
Although not there is not much evidence of music or sound effects, it is used when essential and at a minimal level. Music has been used in this animation to help with the narrative and is most noticeable when Gary is in his own world. Whenever he is daydreaming/ indulged in his own little world, a tranquil, happy and rather dopey music begins to play. However, this music only ever plays when he is like this, otherwise no background music can be heard apart from the dialogue, which indicates that dialogue plays an important role in carrying out the narrative.
Without ruining the plot of the story, characterisation is another factor which helps lead up to the big moment when the twist is revealed. Gary appears to be dressed in a large baby grow and that he is also bald helps with the twist at the end where it is revealed who he actually is.
The theme of this animation is cleverly constructed and has probably undergone a very long thought process as the whole idea of Gary having a phobia of doors is not only an important aspect of the film but it helps link in with the twist at the end where this phobia is justified. This narrative also converges with the audience in a way that all viewers would have experienced the same feelings as Gary and so when the twist is revealed, the comedy aspect is appreciated by all who have spent their time watching it.
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