In the short film Drink, protagonist Alice is in a worn down 'motel' room to which her and her two children are waiting for their Father to arrive. A 'don't drink' sign tells them not to drink the water however the older son forces the younger one to drink it. Meanwhile Alice keeps having flash backs of different sections of her, or someone else life. The young child drinking the water wishes for his older brother to stop bullying him, and this happens by the older son being transformed into a 'human figure'. Noticing this the mother Alice, who doesn't want children wishes for her kids to vanish, causing them to disappear. When the Father arrives he wants his kids only to find they are not there. Instead of wanting his ex-wife/wife he wants his children. Knowing this she makes the Father drink the water bringing the children back, but this time without knowledge of Alice being the mother.
Characterisation
In the short film drink, the main character of the mother is portrayed as a person who 'kidnapped' her children, as stated by the older boy. This is engaging to the audience as they wonder why this happened in the first place. The kidnapping becomes more apparent when the mother states 'do the locks work', seeming that the children are indeed kidnapped.
The two children in the film play a small but important role. The whole short film is based around the Mother not wanting children, but the Father wanting children. This makes the children more of an asset rather than the humans they are. The younger child appears to be bullied by the older child, making the younger child give him the money that their mother gave to them to buy a soda. To the audience this immediately changes their outlook on the 'corrupt' family, putting negative views on both the mother and older child.
The father contrasted fully to the mothers opinions, showing he preferred his children over his wife (even though he loved his wife). People however have more sympathy for the father as the mother did get her wish, albeit losing her partner whilst at it.
Camerawork
At 3:12 a key piece of camerawork is used, a high angle from the younger to the older boy is denoted. This connotes the power of the older child in comparison to the younger child, and also connotes the stereotypical bully shot of the older child, seeing his face but not the emotionally hurt face of the younger child. The direct eye contact is also shown clearly in this shot suggesting that the bullying occurring is emotional.
At 8:32 in the short film, another key camera shot is denoted, this time a focus shot which shows the children in the background, and the dirty water in the foreground. This shot is powerful as the older child is forcing the other child to drink the murky water coming from the tap, and therefore by showing the tap in the foreground it is foreshadowing that something bad is about to happen. It is also iconic as the name of the short film is 'DRINK' which is exactly what is denoted in this shot. This therefore creates a more powerful shot as it remains prominent in the viewers minds throughout the rest of the short film.
Editing
Editing is demonstrated throughout the short film, mostly being shot reverse shots indicating power, or sudden cuts to create tension. The 3:12 camerawork suggested above uses a shot reverse shot to provide the low/high angle combination between the older and younger child. This re-enforces the stereotypical bullying trait as the younger child is looked down upon by both the older child and the camera (and then vice versa). This puts the viewers in the children's views which may promote the audience to be more involved.
Between 8:39 - 8:44 another editing technique is used; jump cutting. The jump cuts create tension throughout this section as the camera also violently shakes to simulate the voices the younger child is hearing. This way the audience feels more involved and hence feels tension as the film tries to promote. The violent shaking also works with a visual effect (next) which connotes a more tense scene overall.
Visual Effects
Between 8:39 and 8:44 a blur is used with the camera shaking which provides even more definition to how the boy is hearing. This is important as it makes the dietetic sound more apparent and therefore more tense.
Another visual effect occurs at 10:21 when Alice experiences a haunted flashback/event that occurs in the room 13. The lighting is changed to a more old timey, relaxed feel which creates a break from the tension at the time. It also allows the audience to recognise that a flashback is happening and is not part of the current timeline.
Cold - A Drama / emotional short film
Narrative
The short film shows a multitude of people who are living in the city of Toronto. It is snowing and a radio presenter is explaining about giving smiles to people which can brighten their day. The people are switched through meeting in person and no one seems positive at all. Everyone has their own issues which separate them from normal life. At the end of the film a man who was contemplating suicide hears a story on the radio which makes him change his mind, passing by the radio presenter on his way home (causing a loop) the radio presenter smiles at him which cheers him up, showing the the cold isn't about the weather, but instead the emotions of everyone in the city.
Characterisation
There are many characters in the short film COLD, however i will be speaking about the main characters. The first main character in the film is the radio host. The radio host is perceived as a loving and kind character, trying to spread the message of love around the city of Toronto. He states 'people are to cold' meaning both emotionally and physically (with it being winter). This makes the audience feel compassion for the radio host as he is trying to promote a loving message which therefore connotes happiness and joy.
Another key character in the short film is the young man holding the Christmas tree, we can see he is a key character based on his happiness rather than the doom and gloom of most others. He engages the audience to show not everything is bad, and therefore the audience feel the happiness intended by his character role. The character develops by showing his happiness through a message he sends to the radio station (from the beginning).
Another key character is the homosexual male who is sat in his chair contemplating suicide. He hears the radio station and a girl rings up stating she had a 'gay brother who killed himself', she was upset and states she wished that it would have never happened. The man hearing this decides not to commit suicide and return home instead. This is engaging for the audience as it is not only tense, but also emotional and also provides the message that you should never give up, but take pride in your work and enjoy life as much as you can. The man also plays another role when the previous radio host and him meet at a hotdog stand, the man pays for the radio host's hotdog as he smiled at him, and this could also be seen as a foreshadow coming true from earlier.
Camerawork
At 12:46 a two shot is denoted where two of the actors, a man and woman can be seen on the bus together. This shot is important as it shows a change in the diegesis and hence that something new will happen. The man also appears to like the woman, and so therefore connotations of love and happiness as the man looks at the woman. The camerawork is good as both actors are positioned at the left and right of the screen and are both facing each other, whilst the camera is down the isle of the bus, making the set look more natural. The shot is also exactly symmetrical which draws the attention of the viewer to both sides of the screen, as both are identical and no centre of attention is apparent.
At 16:53 another important close up shot is denoted, this time more dramatic. The man is holding a gun inside of his mouth, ready to commit suicide. The shot is made dramatic by putting the centre of attention onto the gun while the man seems irrelevant (even though he isn't). This is important as it shows the man's state of mind as he is not thinking about himself, but instead the gun that he could kill himself with. The dark lighting also adds to the tension of the scene which connote sadness and being unhappy.
Editing
In the short film at 21:43, the radio host walking from left to right of the frame acts as a transition for the next shot, which follows back to the same person at a different camera angle. This is useful as is shows the radio host to be an important character and the editing promotes this to the viewer. The transition allows the viewer to not only recognise the importance of this character, but also the background (which is created with bokeh; a type of visual effect).
Between 22:00 and 22:10 a shot reverse shot is denoted in the short film, between the man and radio host. The radio hosts states 'Hey!' which is enough to attract the man for a quick conversation. The man replies 'You we're the first person who smiled at me tonight', which has connotations of happiness and compassion. This quote is also important as it was the radio presenter at first who stated that people should smile more often. Demonstrating indirect foreshadowing.
Visual Effects
In the short film Bokeh (a type of long exposure but low focus) shot is used to create a more warm background to a happy shot. The connotations of this once more suggest happiness and compassion, something important to get across in an emotional film. The blurred nature of the effect also draws the viewer more to the actors rather than the background, which allows the viewer to focus on the conversation/event happening rather than being drawn to a busy background.
The Heist - A Comedy Short Film
Narrative
The heist takes place outside of a warehouse in which two people are ready to commit robbery of a 'jewellery warehouse'. As one starts to become nervous they decide to head in, carrying guns and wearing masks. After discovering there is no security or people they become slightly worried about the place they are actually robbing, so check on of the crates to find sand lizard toys. In the end the two have an argument about not using Google Maps correctly and define their heist as trespassing.
Characterisation
In 'The Heist', there are two characters in the video, both of which are partners. From the get go one (the on wearing the suit) feels nervous and doesn't really wish to rob the warehouse. Throughout the short film he develops to become more relaxed up until the point towards the end where he wants to rob the place (only to find it is the wrong place and becomes intimidated by the other). This engages the audience as they can also feel his nervousness as it is his first heist. Towards the end he encourages the audience more by being comical and therefore making the audience laugh.
The second character initially is more ready to do the heist and even comes in military gear which shows the audience he is more ready. He seems to be the leader throughout the whole mission and towards the intimidates the other character due to his incompetence of not using 'Google maps' effectively. Throughout the 'heist' he also plays the leader role, flowing through the isles before the other, less secure person. This attracts the audience as they see the man as a leader figure, or potentially an ideal self. He also adds comedy value to the short film towards the end by throwing the 'sand lizards' at the other person, and stating they can only be caught for 'trespassing'.
Camerawork
At 4:42 in the short film, one of the characters can be seen in a cut-in shot where only his arm and gun can be seen, as well as a long empty corridor. The corridor is empty which connotes being creepy and eerie. This engages the audience as it makes them feel tense and wanting to know if someone will appear from around one of the many corridors. By showing the gun and arm it also connotes power and intimidation as the gun can be used as defence to hold someone up should they appear. The gun being over to the right hand side however draws the viewer to look towards the empty corridors before the gun, hence putting the audience in the characters position.
Another key piece of camera work occurs at 2:44 where a low angle, medium close up, two shot can be seen of both the characters. The camera for this shot is positioned in the boot of the car and so shows the characters looking at the camera as if the camera was another object in the vehicle. This is useful as you can (somewhat) see the expressions on the characters faces but also can't see what they are actually looking at, creating tension and potentially fear for the audience. The left character connotes expressions of fear and readiness whilst the right character looks bewildered, suggesting awkwardness.
Editing
Between 4:13 to 4:20 a crabbing shot can be seen of the characters with guns raised walking down the isle whilst the camera maintains a constant distance away from them tracking backwards. This shot is important as the camera wouldn't be there in real life and so the characters act as if the camera isn't there. Once again it connotes tension as the characters both have guns raised, but the viewer cannot see what the characters are looking at, only the intimidating view of the barrels of the gun and the focused faces on both of them.
At 5:22 a shot reverse shot edit can be seen whilst the two characters are arguing about whether or not the heist is taking place at the right location. This shot is important as the camera remains at a low angle for both of the views, suggesting they both have equal power and they are both potentially stupid for not being at the right location. The shot connotes power with the low angle which may be due to their power through having firearms rather than pysical/mental power.
Visual Effects
There are no visual effects due to the story being low budget but also the maintain the tense, realistic approach that is intended for the viewer. The lack of visual effect also adds to the humour of the event, showing that nothing bad has happened and will happen in the short film. It also becomes funny due to the character realising they only have BB guns rather than real guns.
2+2=5 - An emotional short film about truth.
Narrative
Although the narrative can be somewhat changed due to the vagueness of the clip. The story suggested tells that the teacher (authority figure) receives new news that the answer to two plus two is five, hence he teaches all the students this. One student however refuses this and makes his point that two plus two equals four. The teacher cannot believe this absurdity and gets the older students to come and kill the boy. The teacher then makes the students repeat that two plus two equals five and makes them write it down into their books. At the end one student crosses the five out and writes four, showing all students don't believe the same as the teacher.
Characterisation
There are 3 main sets of characters in the short film '2+2=5', the teacher, correct student and older incorrect students.
The teacher is seen to have the most power, and denies being wrong even though he is. Throughout the short film his character role only becomes more strict and results eventually in the correct student being shot and killed. His arrogance engages the audience by feeling aggravated at the teachers incompetents and inability to teach correctly. This character is also the antagonist in the short film and therefore most of the audience will feel hatred towards the teacher. The teacher strict nature also makes him more unaware of the truth and hence is selfish but incorrect.
Another main character is the young student who is demonstrated to have alot less power than the teacher, but still defies the system as he knows he is right. When put in the position of being killed, or writing the wrong answer to the sum, he writes '4' (the right answer to the sum) rather than 5 and hence the audience feels compassion for his truth. Contrasting the teacher he becomes more powerful throughout the film and does not back down from knowing the truth.
Finally the older students have more power by having the teacher on their side. This shows their unawareness of the rest of the world by following instructions and not confronting the major power at his invalidity. The audience is engaged by these students by feeling tense as they raise their arms to a holding gun position, although no gun is there. They follow orders by the major power and refuse to have their mindset changed by someone who in the film is deemed as less competent.
Camerawork
At 4:20 an over the shoulder shot can be seen of the teacher holding a chalk piece to the younger student. The camera looks sligtly down (high angle) at the student showing his lack of power in comparison the the teacher. This connotes weakness and inability for the student even though the student is correct. This shot is also important as the teacher holds the chalk at the middle of the screen, and due to this the viewers attention is drawn to the chalk piece as being a final warning to the student, if he fails then he will be killed. The piece of chalk in this situation is iconic and the camera makes sure this is known by the audience.
At 2:30 a key medium close up is seen as one of the students contests the teachers equation of '2+2=5'. This shot is important as the background is blurred making the audience be completely focused to the student asking the question. It makes the audience see the characters face in more detail and sense the nervousness of the student contesting the teacher. This connotes danger and unawareness which may also make the audience feel tense and nervous as well.
Editing
Between 4:12 and 4:16 a shot reverse shot can be seen of the teacher and student. This shot is important as it shows the confrontation between the teacher and student in a lot more detail. The teacher says 'Now complete the sum... Do it correctly' as if to mean if you do it incorrect it will be the last thing you do. The shot reverse shot helps here as it identifies to the audience that the teacher is not joking as you can tell by the student and teacher's facial expressions. It is also slightly unique as the student doesn't speak throughout this shot reverse shot, and this is most likely due to the power the teacher holds. The student connotes nervousness and therefore danger whilst the teacher connotes selfishness.
Between 6:30 and 6:35 a slow zoom can be seen heading towards one of the students sat at the back of the classroom. This is important as it suggests that something will happen to this student within the next few shots, making the audience feel tense as one student had already been shot. The slow zoom connotes a slower time presence as well as importance of that character. Which is seen as the student crosses out '5' in his book and writes '4' (the correct answer).
Visual Effects
There is only one visual effect in the film, that being the shot of the invisible guns by the older students. This is important as it can have a variety of meaning, as the students aren't actually holding guns. The effect also creates a more negative approach to the film which is perceived as the gunshots are fired. The gunshots also connote power and danger to which the class recognise not to contest the teacher further due to his over ruling power amongst the classroom.
The breaks - Short Comedy Film
Narrative.
A competition by Royal Cola is going on with the chance to win $1,000,000 if you get the bottle cap. Jasper (a local in Texas USA) gets the bottle cap to redeem it at his local store. Being dumb Jasper doesn't realise that he has to go to Royal Cola to redeem it, and so the shopkeeper takes advantage of this and runs to get the plane to get to royal cola. Onboard the plane the French Air hostess realises she has this cap, and so spikes the drink for the general store cashier to take the $1,000,00 bottle cap. At this time Jasper finds out the bottle cap is fake, and his friends made it up. The Air Host and Hostess arrive at a 'gas station' where she leaves behind the Air Host and makes her way towards the Royal Cola, ending the film as she walks inside with the fake cap.
Characterisation
The first character we see in the short film 'The BREAKS' is an American teenager named Jasper, he follows the stereotypical traits of an unsmart, gangster teenager. We see his character in this sense by the way he speaks, 'yo i won the Royal Cola challenge, now pay me my mother-f*****g money'. This engages the audience as they can see the teenagers stupidity when he says to pay him $1000 rather than $1,000,000, making it quite comical. Throughout the film Jasper realises the lid was a prank by his friends who film him after taking him hostage.
Another main character in the film is the blonde air hostess we never find the name of. She is stereotypically French (being arrogant, juvenile and a liar). This shows when she steals the fake bottle cap, and leaves the air host behind to claim the $1million for herself. She engages the audience by making people detest her, through both the lying she commits and the stereotypical attitude of her. The audience is also engaged by this character as at the end they understand she is redeeming a fake bottle cap, so no money will be given to her.
The final character who is significant in the short film is the shopkeeper. She is also from Texas (where jasper is) but also steals the bottlecap from him to try and redeem the full amount. When her and the air hostess conflict the audience is engaged greatly as both do not deserve the money from Jasper's cap (even though it is a fake). When the audience do realise that it is a fake, they will feel happy knowing she is not getting the real money, like the air hostess.
Camerawork
At 2:12 in the short film, a cutaway shot can be seen denoting the air hostess holding the bottle cap. The shot shows the inside of the bottlecap with the '$1,000,000 Winner' message wrote in the middle. This is important as it connotes fame and a good lifestyle, something that the audience may see an ideal lifestyle, following the ideal self theory. This shot is also important as it focuses the audience onto the bottle cap, and also puts the audience in a POV shot for the air hostess. It is also useful as this is a turning point in the diegesis, where the air hostess in now also a contributor in attempting to redeem the cap.
At 3:01 another key shot is denoted, an over the shoulder shot of someone holding a gun up to Jasper. The gun is positioned at the centre of the screen whilst Jasper emotes a shocked/confused face. This affects the viewer by putting them in the gunman's shoes, making them feel more powerful but also noticing the detail more for the emotion of Jasper. The element of unknown now denoted by this camera shot makes the audience feel tense which engages them further.
Editing
Between 2:59 and 3:01 a rapid shot reverse shot can as Jasper is held up at the general store. We can see the expression on Jasper's face being shocked as he says: 'I don't work here man, take whatever you want'. The expression by Jasper connotes fear and danger which engages the audience by presenting them into a tense but also comical situation (due to the mask the gunman is wearing).
At 3:21 a series of cuts can be seen as the air host adds a strong alcoholic beverage to the normal orange juice. The jump cuts happen for adding ice, alcohol, orange and then passing the drink to the shopkeeper. This is important as the edit connotes danger and unawareness as the present time. This engages the audience as they can tell that the woman should not drink the beverage, however they must watch as the woman does drink the bevarage, causing the viewer to be at the edge of their seat.
Visual Effects
There aren't any visual effects added to the short film due to it not needing any. The film is intended to be a comedy drama and for that reason no visual effects haven't been added, this also may be due to budgeting constraints. The lack of visual effects also works well for the short film due to making the audience realise the detail in the film rather than the post production effects.
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