This week, we were challenged to watch and analyse three, 1 minute short films, and comment on Shot Types, Setting, Lighting, Sound, Camera Directions, Narrative Structure, Colour, Costume, Props, Hair and Makeup and Editing Techniques. Please find my three short film analysis's below.
This short film starts with a camera tilting down onto the main object – a box. However, it is not the box itself that is the focus, but rather the inside of the box. It is also interesting to note that all other objects in this shot, apart from the box, are blurred, so that the idea that the box and its contents are the main subject, is clarified. The most used texture in this film is Wood (the wooden box, wooden cubes, and wooden door). By doing this, this creates a harsh and hard feel to the narrative. The second scene shows a medium close-up shot of a man sitting in front of the wooden box. His nervous facial expressions indicate to the viewer that he is unknowing of the contents of the box and feels afraid. Alternatively, perhaps the man does know what the box contains and that is the reason why he is fearful of it as he already knows the dangers it may present. It is left up to the viewer to choose which way they want to interpret this idea. The man is sat in a dark room, with suspenseful background music playing, making the location feel mysterious. This makes the viewer nervously anticipate what events will follow. Also, it is important to note the costume choice for the man. He is wearing a white t-shirt with a dark green hoodie (adding to the enigmatic tone), which is zipped up halfway up his chest. By using these layers of costume, we can understand that the man is fearful (zipped part of hoodie), however, is also intrigued of the unknown and wants to bravely open the box (unzipped part of hoodie). The third shot is an extreme close-up of the inside of the box after the man opens the lid. At this point in the film, a loud thundering sound effect can be heard, signifying a strange relief about the man having finally opened the box. The main source of light in this shot is of a side, fill light shining onto the cubes in the box, spelling out the word, ‘Hello’. However, as there is only one source of light (the fill light), the majority of the inside of the box is plunged in darkness. This enhances the mystery element of the narrative. As the short progresses, the shots after follow a simple pattern; a medium close-up of the man and an extreme close-up of the cubes. Each time that the man opens the box to ask a question, the same low, thudding noise can be heard, yet every time it seems to get slightly quieter, perhaps symbolising the man now knows what is in the box yet is still fearful each time he opens it. However, each time the camera cuts to the man, the shot is slightly closer to his face each time. This amplifies his fear, and equally, builds suspense for the viewer. In the final few shots, the man asks a final question, opening the box to reveal no cubes left. This time, the usual thudding sound has changed into an evil-like rising noise. In the blurred background, the viewer can see a door gently swing open, alongside the sound of a creaking door. It is in this final scene that we see the man recognise what is happening behind him and realise his fate. At this point, the short turns black and the ending is left open for the viewers interpretation. This short film has been shot using a linear narrative.
This short film starts with a close-up shot of a bunch of flowers with a soft stream of sunlight lighting the top of them. This simple shot immediately creates a peaceful and calm setting for the viewer. However, looking at this shot in more depth, I also noted a slight shadow which is cast on the other side of the flower bunch. This could be foreshadowing a darker moment that is yet to come. The following shots are also close-ups of an envelope and somebody writing in a card. In these first few seconds of the short, the viewer is instantly able to start understanding the meaning behind these objects – perhaps it is someone’s birthday, or a get well soon card. It is also important to note the many pieces of jewellery, multiple rings and bracelets, that is presented. This could have been used to portray the idea of wealth. The use of light of the sunlight and shadows onto the card continue to discretely warn the viewer that an unexpected moment is imminent. The narrative of this story is strongly told through the use of light and shadow. In the following shot in this film, we are introduced to a woman sat at a table with an empty chair opposite her; this scene has been shot using a wide shot. The director may have used a wide shot to clearly display the character and the setting of the shot. Again, through the use of sunlight, the woman is lit, and the empty chair is in darkness. At this point in the film, the viewer is able to start understanding the narrative of the story and is fearful for the woman. As the film continues, we are further shown the woman’s dangling earrings and loose hair. Along with her jeans and relaxed jumper, this gives the viewer the impression that the woman is in an informal setting, which matches the overall, calm pace of the narrative so far. As the peaceful music begins to fade, the camera cuts to a scene of a door opening and uses a harsh and loud sound effect. This brief moment immediately separates the previous dream-like setting, and forces both the woman and the viewers back into reality. After a medium close-up shot of the woman answering the door, the scene cuts to a medium close-up shot of a man on the other side of the door. Although there is no dialogue in this scene, the man’s powerful single breath instantly portrays his innocence, shock, and sadness. In the next shot, the man uses body language to portray narrative when he slightly shakes his head. In this heart-stopping moment, the woman and the viewers fears are confirmed and the scene cuts to a close-up shot of the woman’s hand dropping the card and bunch of flowers to the floor. This shot could signify her despair and sudden weakness at the news she was hoping not to receive. During this moment, the gentle music has completely stopped and a low, rumbling, white noise can be heard. Furthermore, noting the colour scheme in these scenes, the fact that the man is wearing a navy hat and the woman is wearing a navy jumper helps to enhance the narrative of the film, once again, creating a calming tone. The final shot is a two shot extreme close-up of the two characters hugging. This connected ending is fitting for the poignant narrative. This short film has been shot using a linear sequence.
This short film begins with an establishing shot of a dark, empty, outdoor setting, with a woman walking from the left into shot. A suspenseful sci-fi, rising noise can be heard as the woman walks away from the camera, with the shot transitioning from a Medium-Long Shot into a Long Shot. In terms of props, the first action that the woman displays are placing earphones into her ears. This immediately allows the viewer to question whether she is blocking out a specific sound – maybe the whispers as stated in the title of the film. In terms of costume, she is wearing a big, dark-coloured scarf around her neck, perhaps acting as a form of shield and protection. The second shot shows the woman standing at the edge of a tube platform from behind. This shot type is another Establishing Shot as the camera and subject are now in a new location, therefore, this needs to be introduced to the viewer. This shot uses the locations surroundings (Walls, Platform, Artwork) to its advantage to create Natural Framing, an interesting composition method. This shot also zooms in towards the back of the woman to imply that something is moving towards her or following her. The third shot is a close-up of the woman’s face looking up and down the platform as an inaudible whisper can be heard in the background. Through the use of facial expressions, the viewer is able to understand that the woman is afraid and confused. Although the background of this shot is blurred, we as viewers are able to see the train approaching the station from behind her. This also plays on the idea that something is following the woman or creepy around behind her. In the fourth shot, the scene returns to the long shot of the woman standing on the platform, this time much closer than the original shot, displaying that the ‘whispers’ are moving closer towards her. As the music amplifies, so does the speed of the train. I believe that this shot has been sped up to create an unnatural and frightening effect. As the woman is standing in front of the train, which is coloured in a metallic silver and light blue, adding to the chilling feel of the narrative, in this short 10 second shot, the viewers attention changes from the woman in the midground to the moving train in the background of the shot. In the fifth shot, which shows the train in a desolate exterior setting, is another wide, establishing shot. After this, we see an unsteady long shot of the woman exiting the train station and walking outside. However, the camera is placed slightly behind something so that the corner of the shot is blocked by an object – either a bin or a bench. This clever camera work further indicates the illusion that somebody or something is watching the woman’s every move. The camera then cuts to the woman walking alone down a dark street, where the sounds of whispers are increasingly getting louder, and the woman’s facial expressions portray her growing fears. At this moment, the woman frantically pulls her earphones out of her ears in a sudden fit of panic. This could suggest that the woman is finally ready to face the horrifying whispers and that she is unable to block out the noises anymore. In the next scene, the camera cuts to a long shot of a mysterious, ghostly figure walking towards the woman. As viewers, we are unable to recognise any features of the figure as it only appears as a silhouette. This effect has been created by using a back light only in this scene, which is placed behind the ghost. This is a clever lighting method to allow for the outline of the figure to be seen but keep all its features hidden. This narrative could have been used to tell this story literally, or, alternatively, it could have been created to metaphorically represent the inner battles that the woman is dealing with, with the ‘whispers’ representing something much larger in her life. To support this idea, in the final shot of the film, we see a close-up shot of the woman’s terrified face, before quickly being tackled to the ground by another black figure. This brief moment could suggest that her problems have finally caught up with her and that she feels trapped and unsafe. This short film has been shot using a linear narrative.
コメント