And Dream of Sleep Poster and Analysis

Font

The font I decided to use for my short film was ‘Red October’, a font designed in the style of the fonts used in Soviet Russia’s propaganda. The reason why I chose this was to remind the audience of the system that is in the place between the people and the government (as the font has connotations of the USSR).

Short Film Poster Analysis - Connected

I like this poster as it conveys the mood of the short film whilst explaining the audience what the story is about, two people being connected and struggling to survive. Unfortuantly it is a bit too Sci-fi for my film so I will take inspiration from it and settle down for a poster using ideas from this.

Short Film Poster Analysis - Purge

Many short film posters solely contain a close up image of the protagonist's face, as the character and getting the audience to empathise with the main character is vital for the audience's consumption of the film. Whilst it works for most short films, as mine also has a deeper story in terms of plot I do not think a simple image of the protagonist conveying emotion will work as I want it too. 

Short film analysis – The Black Hole

Mise en scene:

The location of this film is in an office, so computers, photocopiers, ties, desks are just some of the things that can be seen. The overall colour scheme is a dull grey one, promoting the stereotypes of office work being monotonous and unexciting.

Sound:

There is no non diegetic soundtrack being played in this film, instead, it is comprised of diegetic sounds, mainly those you would hear in an office such as the photocopier, buttons being pressed and the air conditioner, these help with the verisimilitude of the film. When the protagonist comes close to the black hole, an unnatural sound is played, suggesting the mysterious and sinister nature of the black hole, possibly foreshadowing the end of the film.

Camera shots:

Most of the camera shots throughout are either medium or close up, making sure the audience can see exactly what is going on so that they can follow the story without it being too confusing, as the director only has a limited time to make the audience understand the black hole concept the film is based on.

Editing:

Straight cuts are used, much like the camera work to make sure the audience can follow the narrative, without it becoming too confusing for them. Along with the straight cuts, certain shots are held for longer for more important parts, such as when the protagonist is inspecting the black hole, helping the audience figure it out at the same time. The final shot is held much longer than any of the other shots in the film as it adds to the dark humour the director has created for the end, showing the greed and selfishness of the protagonist, who is possibly a mirror of society’s personality on the whole.

Short film analysis - Maybe One Day

Mise en scene:

The colours used in Britain are mainly dull greys and blues, used to show the tedium and boring side to the protagonist’s life. These colours contrast largely with the bright greens and blues found when he travels, expressing the excitement and freshness that the protagonist feels. Also, he travels in a train and wears a suit and tie, both symbolic of office work and being confined on many levels, whereas sheep, swings and ice cream all have positive ideologies of youth and excitement, mixed with nature which have a contrasting effect, an effect of freedom.

Sound:

Throughout the film there is a constant internal monologue voiced over the action, acting as narration for the story. By using this, the audience is closer to the protagonist as they know his feelings and want to see how the story progresses as he’s involved. A non-diegetic soundtrack comprising mainly of piano spans the entire length of the film, and starts out slow and quiet, but gets louder and more victorious along with the action on screen, the parallel sound emphasising the feeling of overcoming the repetition of routine.

Camera shots:

Only two camera shots are used in the film, close up and fixed on the protagonist face and back of his head, which creates the feeling to the audience that they are following his journey, making them closer to him over the course of the film, as they are able to read his emotions and actions.

Editing:

The film is created out of a series of jump cuts, and whilst it may slightly break the verisimilitude to the audience, it helps keep the pace quick, so the audience does not lose interest in the film, for example the bathroom scene would have taken much longer if it had been edited using only straight cuts.

Trailers – A Summary

Film trailers are a montage of clips from the film, outlining the key plot and characters, without giving too much away. Trailers are created to advertise the movie to the films target audience, and show the best parts of the film to generate interest. Usually you would see trailers at a cinema or on the television, but they can be found on the internet too.

Teaser trailers are shown usually a year before, and full trailers are usually shown half a year before.

Trailers are an example of multimodal text, they create meaning through a combination of different modes of communication.

Trailers usually include iconography of the films genre, the story brief, any famous actors/directors, good editing, the films unique selling point (USP), action and enigma codes (to tantalise audience and help them read the clips), eye catching and memorable highlights from the film, a voiceover to increase atmosphere and a soundtrack which usually adds to and supports the narrative and is mainly parallel to the action.

What are considered to be the most important elements of storytelling in a short film - A suitable soundtrack

A good soundtrack can highlight the mood of the action, either by being parallel to the action or juxtaposing it, which makes it quicker and easier to get the audience more engaged, something a short film needs to do to the audience in a limited time. This is shown in How to cope with death, directed by Ignacio Ferreras, which starts with a very dramatic soundtrack which raises the tension, only for it to change with the action to a very upbeat song, the contrast it very entertaining to watch. 

Analysis of a teaser trailer – Twilight (Romance)

The camera pans down to the two protagonists in the middle of the woods. Bella’s asking Edward questions about him, with vague responses to create an air of mystery around him, which parallels with the images of him being a hunter. A brief summary of the plot is given with the text “When you can live forever. What do you live for?”And another character saying “She’s not one of us!” Creating interest to the audience of what Edward is, and the idea of forbidden love which is shown by clips of the protagonists looking at each other getting intimate, which is aimed at the target audience of female teenagers.

What are considered to be the most important elements of storytelling in a short film - Skillful editing

Without skilful editing, the action would not flow as well, and the verisimilitude of the film would be broken, causing the audience to be distanced from what is going on. Additionally, good editing can change the pace of the film and the mood, as shown in The cat with hands, directed by Robert Morgan, using good editing skills to create a unnerving sensation for the audience.

Analysis of a teaser trailer – The Hangover Part 2 (Comedy)

For the first half of the teaser trailer it presents a variety of location shots with quotes about the previous point, without saying what the film is to increase anticipation for this film, as the audience will be trying to think of what the film could be. The trailer then cuts to a low shot which pans up, slowly revealing the different characters, first the monkey which surreal presence in a film will stay with the audience. When all the characters are shown the words “The Wolfpack is back” a phrase that will have meaning to those who have watched the previous film, which makes the film seem like an adventure the audience is allowed in with. A small clip is shown showing quickly the personalities of the protagonists which will remind the audience of the previous film which is used to hopefully convince them to watch the film.

What are considered to be the most important elements of storytelling in a short film - A strong narrative

Short films are still media texts they need to be able to engage with an audience with a good storyline/plot. Unlike the larger cinema film counterparts a short film does not need to have an over complex narrative as that will more likely confuse the audience as it will all happen so quickly. Short films are able to use simple ideas in creative ways, as shown in The Black Hole, Directed by Phil and Olly, which shows a simple idea of a “black hole” and what can be done with it.

Analysis of a teaser trailer – Puss in Boots (Animation)

The trailer starts off with deep iconic soundtrack parallel with bold text impacting the screen, heavily parodying the stereotypical dramatic action movie trailers (this one is most probably parodying inception) to build up tension, only for it to be subverted with close up image of Puss’ face, creating humour from the contrast. Then a well known modern song (I know you want me) is played whilst Puss moves choreographically to the song, showing his character as being suave the and centre of attention, making sure the audience like and look up to him as Puss’ celebrity status is what will make people go see the film. At the very end a surreal image of Puss riding a horse in the glaring sun is shown, and though it will probably not be in the end result of the film, it will stick in the audience’s mind nevertheless, as well as the colour orange, making the colour an icon as they made the colour green an icon for Shrek.