Analysis of 3 short films

Porcelain Rising

Narrative Structure

It was a linear narrative because there were no flashbacks throughout the short film. It was also a closed narrative as it told the story from the beginning to the middle and then to the end.

Format

It was a single drama.

Thriller/Horror Genre & Conventions(Mise-en-Scene)

Psychological/Supernatural horror since the movie revolved around possession of the girl which represents a demonic presence in her bedroom. Also scary dolls are most commonly used in psychological horror. 

The girl was wearing pajamas and the scene was set in her bedroom. The prop was the doll, which was wearing old-fashioned clothing to create a nostalgic theme and the teddy bear the girl was clinging onto which connotes protection.


Technical


Camera

Establishing shot showing the child awake in her bed in the evening the purpose of that shot is to slowly build suspense inside the minds of the audience. The reason why the suspense is slowly building is because it is only the beginning of the film and the camera was slowly zooming in on the subject. If it was a quick cut to a close-up then that would told more of a story and had more of a dramatic effect on the audience.

Two shot to show  the father and his daughter to let the audience know that there are two characters. This was included in this part of the film for the purpose of hiding the antagonist until the part where he/she makes his appearance. Also it indicates that this part of the film is still within the equilibrium stage.

There were a series of close ups showing the girl and the suspicious looking doll to establish the relationship between the two for the purpose of showing the binary opposition (Good and Evil). This indicates how important both characters are to the audience.

Sound

The girl had a frightened mode of address which is a dominant stereotype that children fear the dark. Ambient sound which was the lightning to create a sense of realism for the audience because the addition of ambient sound creates a realistic environment.

Incidental music to describe the doll's sudden movements. Reason behind this is to hold the attention from the audience whilst creating an ominous mood. It was used in this part of the film because it highlights the crucial part of the film and when the real horror begins.

Diegetic sound was used in the beginning to paint an eerie picture in the minds of the audience. This is was used in the film so that the audience knows something the characters don't which makes it nerve-racking because the moment the characters know what is going to happen next, it would be imminent. Non-diegetic sound was used when the doll started to talk and the girl and the audience can hear it this indicates that both the characters and the audience are aware of what is happening which would create more tension for the audience because they would be eager to know what is going to happen next.


Editing

There was a quick cut showing that the doll was smiling to surprise the audience. The purpose of this quick cut was for the audience to indicate that the pace of the short film has increased towards the disequilibrium stage. In addition, the quick cut makes it engaging for the audience because it makes them wonder because a while ago the doll didn't smile but the quick cut captured the doll smiling which was unusual because they are objects incapable of emotions.

Panning across the foot side of the bed to show her distressed face. There is more to the panning in this short film because it is foreshadowing the fact the rightward panning showing the victim's face is from the doll's perspective. This builds adrenaline as the audience is wondering what is going to happen next. In addition, it indicates that the film is reaching the core of the disequilibrium stage.

Shot/Reverse shot match used in this short film for the purpose of showing the audience the doll the girl was looking at. It was cleverly used in this part of the film because it signifies that the doll is truly alive and it was as if the doll was looking at the helpless victim. Now the audience and the victim knows that the doll being controlled by a spirit and they will have an idea of what will happen next.

Long take showing the face of the doll for the audience to realize that she only had one eye which is rather unusual. It was used because the editor wanted the audience to fully observe the one-eye doll and make them wonder why it only had one eye.

Lighting

Low-key lighting is used in this short film in the house so that we are unable to see the whole room. Also the lighting can foretell the genre of the short film for example, Porcelain Rising uses low-key lighting so therefore it is a horror movie because all horror movies use low-key lighting. It is also used to set an eerie mood for the audience.

Flashes of lightning were used during extreme close ups of the child directly addressing the audience with a frightened facial expression. This technique creates the element of surprise  for the audience as well as suspense and mystery therefore, making the audience more aware that there is an ominous presence.

The Smiling Man

Narrative Structure

Open narrative because there was a cliff hanger at the end of the short film to indicate that there is more to come and that only some of the story was given to us whereas the rest was kept hidden.

Format

It is single drama

Thriller/Horror Genre & Conventions

Thriller because there were a series of close-ups which created mystery and suspense. The scene was set in the evening. It was located in the streets(deserted).

The smiling man was wearing a hat and a white suit so that he stands out in the darkness. He had an unusual smiley face which was directly addressing the audience that he may be dangerous.

Technical


Camera

Series of close-up shots of the boy to capture his facial expression he is also foreshadowing danger. The victim's facial expression makes the audience question what the danger is and increases their eagerness to find out.

There was a hand-held tracking shot of the victim running from the deranged man to represent the involvement of the audience. It also represents the pace of the edit because now that danger has been detected the cuts must be fast paced to that it is engaging and it builds up adrenaline inside the minds of the audience. The tracking shot makes it look like you are also running from the smiling man.

There was a low angle shot showing the strange man from a distance. The fact that we are looking up at the smiling man makes us feel insignificant. It also tells the audience that he is the antagonist and that we are powerless.

                                       

Sound

Foley was used to enhance the sound of the strange man's movement because it verifies to the audience that the smiling man is moving towards him. I was also a hard sound effect because with that scene the sound of the footsteps were very dominant in the scene since it was louder than the environment.

Diegetic sound included the incidental music when he was spotted by the smiling man. This technique is most common in horror films because it indicates when the horror begins to take place.

Depth of field

Shallow focus was used to filter the environment for the purpose of forcing the audience to focus on the victim. This is used because the environment is unimportant and now they need to be looking at the victim's face which captured in a moment of surprise and taking mental notes and the audience would be curious about what he is looking at. 

Pull focus was used to direct the focus of the audience to a certain area. It is also used to hide some areas of importance from the audience. The important elements were kept out of the audience's vision because it notifies the audience that the film is still in the equilibrium stage  and the eerie scenes will come later.

Editing

There was a quick cut to the smiling man sprinting towards the victim. This editor has decided to do this because he can use the element of suprise to toy with the audience's reflexes and finally tell them that disequilibrium stage has begun.

In the disequilibrium stage, the pace of the panning increased to represent the increase of intensity for the audience and given that the camera was hand held for the duration, it seemed like the audience was involved throughout.

Lighting

Low-key lighting was used to create an ominous environment for the victim and the audience. It also tells you the genre of this short film. As I have mentioned before, horror films use low-key lighting to preserve the darkness and to create a picture of the spooky atmosphere inside the minds of the audience.

Lights Out

Narrative Structure

The narrative for this short film is linear the short film told the whole story through the beginning, middle and end.

Format

The format was single drama.

Thriller/Horror Genre & Conventions

Horror genre since it had demonic elements to the film for example, the victim witnessed a demonic presence in the short film.

 Through the NVC of the victim, we can see that she is frightened of the possessed being as it was slowly approaching her using the darkness this makes the audience suggest that she is a faceless being. 

The stalker wasn't wearing any clothes which promotes nudity and sex symbols and to send chills down the spines of the audience. The NVC of the demon was unknown until the end of the film where she turned off the lamp.

The location was someone's house and it was set in the evening. It was set in the evening to create an eerie environment for the audience.

  

Technical

Camera


There was an establishing shot of the house in the evening which is common in horror films since you can't clearly see your surroundings. 

Close-up shot to capture the victim's frightened face which tells the audience that she was afraid. Useful technique to use given her current circumstances because this forces the audience to acknowledge the victims feelings whilst blocking out everything that is happening now. This is a very good close up because she is under the covers which connotes protection and she is directly addressing the audience that she is under a lot of pressure.

Medium long-shot to show distance the victim and possessed individual. This shot indicates to the audience that she is safe as long as she keeps her distance. It also signifies that the flow of this short film is slowly accelerating towards the disequilibrium because the threat has already made its appearance.

Point of View shot showing the victims perspective as she tries to fix the lamp which was blinking. This creates suspense because she was desperately  trying to reach the plug. Also, this signifies that another poltergeist is in the room with her. 

Sound

Hard sound effects were used for example, when the female victim was turning the lights on and off.

The purpose of using Foley on the lights is to keep the audience engaged within the scene. There was no other background sound which created silence for the purpose of building tension within the audience and hinting that something unusual is going to happen.

Editing

Shot/Reverse shot as she was turning the lights on and off only to see an unusual body each time the lights were turned off. This shot reverse shot connotes danger because everytime the light were off the body moved closer. The audience would wonder what will happen if the body gets too close to the victim.

Zoom towards the open door to show that someone has turned off the light. The editor intentionally used this editing technique because by doing so, it tells the audience that there is definitely a supernatural presence within the household. There was also silence to build up the tension until the next scene.

An instant fade to black to end the movie and surprise the audience in addition, it leaves them to wonder what happened next.

Lighting 

The lighting switched between low key and high key when the victim is switching the lights on and  off as the demon was slowly approaching the victim. This was a creative use of lighting because it builds adrenaline inside the audience and also to increase the intensity.

Task B: Blog Report on Single Camera Techniques

Single camera production is used in producing videos and making films. The single camera is situated on the set and each shot which forms a scene is then taken separately. Each camera shots and camera angles are taken through the same camera then re-positioned to capture more shots and angles. These camera techniques are perfect for filming serials, single drama, and TV series with genres such as thriller, horror, comedy etc.

Doctor Who is a sci-fi and it uses single camera because each scene is repeatable. In this video, we witness a shot-reverse shot to signify that the doctor is having a conversation.


Utopia is a thriller and it uses single camera for the purpose of building tension and mystery which are the two basic elements which constitute a thriller.



Come fly with me is a comedy which uses single camera instead of multi camera because it isn't a
live performance, and there are a series of shot reverse shots and high-angle shots.



Moral horror such as saw uses single camera techniques because they powerful enough to send chills down your spine.

The 180 degree rule is a technique which falls under single camera production. It is most commonly seen in films. It involves a 180 degree line which the camera cannot cross. If the camera crosses the continuity, then it will confuse the audience because they won't know if they are looking at each other or at different areas.

Here is an example of a 180 degree rule from V for Vendetta this is the scene when the masked man is having a conversation with the woman. 

The advantage of single camera techniques is that the shots taken can be edited which means that there is no sequence needed. When editing you can add dramatic effect so that the audience can be engaged in the film, it also gives significance. Since you are only using one camera, it isn't as expensive.

The disadvantages of using single camera techniques is that you can only capture one angle at a time and all your footage is on one camera, leading to more time being used in the editing room where you will be dealing with outtakes. In the media industry, the more time you spend in the editing suite, the more money is being spent. 

Multi-Camera Production

Multi-camera production encourages the use of more than one camera and they are positioned to capture multiple shots and angles of the scene in sync. The set must have enough light to encompass all cameras. The process of multi-camera production is much faster than single camera in terms of photography because there is no need to edit since you don't have multiple takes of the live performance but the quality is lower. It another technique also used in film making. Multi-camera techniques are common in genres such as soap operas, talk shows, and game shows. They are used in live events to capture the reaction of the audience and the whole event.

The Maury Show uses multi camera because it is includes a live audience and multiple cameras are needed to capture the audience's reaction to the situation.



BBC Glastonbury uses multi- camera because the live event will not happen again. If it used single camera, then the camera equipment would be caught within the scenes.  

The advantages of multi-camera is that it saves time. With multi-cameras, you can view the scene from many different angles. You can record live events. Another advantage is that there is less continuity because the scene only appears once. You don't need to edit your footage.

The disadvantages of multi-camera is that there is barely any flexibility for example you try and do the over the shoulder shot because recording equipment will be seen in the shot. Since there will be more of the scene on the shot, compromised lighting would occur since it takes longer to light a multi-camera. The cameras need to record more people so they need to be in the right position so that shadows don't engulf the scene. Cost is another disadvantage because you have to spend money on actors, the equipment, the locations and the camera crew.

Formats

A series is a number of events, objects, or people of a similar or related kind coming one after another. In other words, each episode tells a different story. For example Black Mirror is science fiction TV series. Each episode of black mirror tells the story of each different character.

A serial follows the plot for the entire TV season or the whole TV series. The most common example would be soap operas and thrillers. For instance, Breaking bad is a TV series thriller/ crime drama. It is a serial because it has a plot which is consistent throughout the seasons.

A Single drama is aired once as it provides episodes based on real life situations and convenient for television. An example of this would be Interstellar. Interstellar is a science fiction movie single drama because it reflects on the life pattern. and the scene is shot in space once through a single camera. 

Narrative Structure

Linear narratives follow the story from beginning to middle to the end. For example, UP where two characters met since they were kids until they were old age and one of them passed away.  The purpose of this is to let the audience know that it is a linear narrative.

Episodic narratives tell the story through series and episodes. The walking dead is an episodic narratives because there is an episode for each individual character where they face their odds. 
Episodic narratives keep the viewer engaged through different episodes.

Open narratives consist of many characters and no foreseeable ending. EastEnders where Lucy dies and the show is finished. Open narratives leave the viewer in wonder of what is going to happen next. 


Closed narratives include tight reading and it is also a complete story meaning that all ends are wrapped up bringing the film to the resolution. Closed narratives allow the audience to fully understand the story and how the threat has appeared and how it has been destroyed. For example JAWS when Rob Schneider killed the great white shark with a shotgun and in doing so brings the film to its resolution. 

Realist narratives are based on real-life situations. Titanic was based on a true story. Realist narratives are often seen as educational and it enables the viewer to visualize the thought of being in the event.



Anti- realist narratives aren’t based on real-life situations. Anti-realist narratives provide humor or escapism from society and daily drudgery from everyday life. Toy Story is an example of an anti-realist narrative.

Multi-Stranded narratives involves different characters and separate character existing at once. X-MEN is multi-stranded all the characters were once separated until brought together. Multi-stranded narratives concern the audience about the action and outcome of each strand and how they relate to one another. This is a link of X-MEN days of future past opening scene where the squad battle invading sentinels.

My webisode is a linear narrative. What makes it a linear narrative is that it follows the story from beginning the middle and the end also, there are no flashbacks involved and no cliff hangers. The purpose of linear narratives is to tell the audience the entire story from beginning, middle, and the end. It is also multi-stranded because there was more than one charater involved in the webisode. Multi-stranded narratives educate the audience of the characters and their origins and how they relate to one another.

180 degree rule/ Rule of 3rds

The purpose of using rule of 3rds is to control the depth of field and fit the subjects head or an object within one of the sections created by the gridlines. These can be used in establishing shots and tilting shots. I didn't use the rule of thirds in my webisode because there was no depth of field within the footage and when it came to lining the script, we didn't use the rule of 3rds.

The 180 degree rule is seen in over the shoulder shots. The camera cannot break the line of continuity otherwise it would make it seem like they are looking at different places other than having a conversation. In our webisode in the scene where he was holding the drugs the person was facing in the opposite direction  we broke the line of continuity causing my webserial to look bland and it won't make any sense.

Lighting Kenny and Ashley

Lighting is an important part of film making because it allows the audience to see all of the action. The camera crew needs to balance the amount of light depending on the location they are using to acquire footage involving everyone and every object they need for their shots.

Kiera Head room, Lead room and Framing

The purpose of framing is to make room for the subject's head for the audience to look at the character's NVC. It may be useful for setting up close up shots. Framing was used in our webserial in the close up showing the scene where the character is sleeping on the bed, there was another scene with the character looking out of the  window.

SCT Techniques

The purpose of movement in cameras is to show the audience the location or to find another position for the camera to settle in. In our webisode our zoom was overused and we also spent too much time panning one part of the untidy bedroom as the camera was moving left, right, and left again.

The purpose of shot types is to directly address the audience of the actor's body language or facial expression. In thrillers, you would abuse close up shots since they create suspense. However only had three close ups within our webisode which means that it lacks tension, suspense and mystery, and creativity.

Single Camera techniques practical assignment

Establishing shots are shots of buildings, environment, or characters taken from a vast distance and is placed at the start of a film and its purpose is to begin the episode or the film. We used an establishing shot for our webserial which is the house.

Match on action is when one shot cuts to another for the purpose of creating mystery. We were unable to include a match on action in our webserial because we didn't have enough time to input more the editing techniques.

Blocking and building a sequence of shots

The purpose of building a sequence if shots is when many shots are combined to form a moving sequence. We didn't include that in our webisode because we didn't have the idea of building a sequence of shots in the lining of the script.

The purpose of blocking is to show relationship by the particular positioning two characters. There was no blocking in our webisode because there was no scene containing two people in order the examine the relationship.

Single Camera Techniques

The purpose of movement in cameras is to show the audience the location or to find another position for the camera to settle in. In our webisode our zoom was overused and we also spent too much time panning one part of the untidy bedroom as the camera was moving left, right, and left again.

The purpose of shot types is to directly address the audience of the actor's body language or facial expression. In thrillers, you would abuse close up shots since they create suspense. However only had three close ups within our webisode which means that it lacks tension, suspense and mystery, and creativity.

Blog Commentary of SCT

The purpose of using rule of 3rds is to control the depth of field and fit the subjects head or an object within one of the sections created by the gridlines. These can be used in establishing shots and tilting shots. I didn't use the rule of thirds in my webisode because there was no depth of field within the footage and when it came to lining the script, we didn't use the rule of 3rds.

The 180 degree rule is seen in over the shoulder shots. The camera cannot break the line of continuity otherwise it would make it seem like they are looking at different places other than having a conversation. In our webisode in the scene where he was holding the drugs the person was facing in the opposite direction  we broke the line of continuity causing my webserial to look bland and it won't make any sense.

The Master shot shows all of the characters captured within one scene for the duration for the purpose of telling the story. We didn't include a master shot in our webseries because all of the characters were scattered. It was a lot harder to tell the story since we didn't have a master shot.

The purpose of shot reverse shot is that it represents a conversation between two people through the use of two different camera angles and the camera switches between the two angles. We didn't have a shot reverse shot in our webisode because there was no conversation involved.

Depth of field forces the audience to focus on one subject whilst the background is blurry. We didn't use depth of field because the camera we were provided with didn't have the function to change focus on objects.

Establishing shots are shots of buildings, environment, or characters taken from a vast distance and is placed at the start of a film and its purpose is to begin the episode or the film. We used an establishing shot for our webserial which is the house.

Match on action is when one shot cuts to another for the purpose of creating mystery. We were unable to include a match on action in our webserial because we didn't have enough time to input more the editing techniques.

The purpose of movement in cameras is to show the audience the location or to find another position for the camera to settle in. In our webisode our zoom was overused and we also spent too much time panning one part of the untidy bedroom as the camera was moving left, right, and left again.

Lighting is an important part of film making because it allows the audience to see all of the action. We used the lights from the lampposts in the scene where the character was running away from the stalker to create a sense of realism for the audience.

The purpose of camera angles is to establish hierarchy within a range of shots. In our webisode, we used a low angle shot making the audience look at the hooded character which signifies that he is important in the story.

The purpose of shot types is to directly address the audience of the actor's body language or facial expression. In thrillers, you would abuse close up shots since they create suspense. However only had three close ups within our webisode which means that it lacks tension, suspense and mystery, and creativity.

The purpose of framing is to make room for the subject's head for the audience to look at the character's NVC. It may be useful for setting up close up shots. Framing was used in our webserial in the close up showing the scene where the character is sleeping on the bed, there was another scene with the character looking out of the  window.

The purpose of building a sequence if shots is when many shots are combined to form a moving sequence. We didn't include that in our webisode because we didn't have the idea of building a sequence of shots in the lining of the script.

The purpose of blocking is to show relationship by the particular positioning two characters. There was no blocking in our webisode because there was no scene containing two people in order the examine the relationship.

Guide on Master Shot/Depth of Field

Discussion of SCT Integrated In My Footage

We began filming with a master shot in order to capture all the characters and the environment. In single camera production this is important because master shots have the power to keep the story going and you at least have a movie. No master shot means no movie which goes to show how powerful master shots can be.

We followed the 180 degree rule in order to inform the audience that there is a character looking out the window. We made sure that it didn't cross the continuity. This is because in single camera productions the audience knows what is going on between the characters and they are facing in right direction as they are communicating instead of different areas.

We didn't have a conversation theme therefore, we didn't use shot/reverse shot.

Because we were shooting each shot individually we grouped all the close-ups on one camera and shot them all together. Because we were shooting each shot individually we were able to compose each shot using the rule of thirds to break the shot down in to 9 squares which will allow us to decide where to position the subject.

We used a low angle shot on the character getting out of bed to show that he is the main character and he is of importance to the story. because we were shooting with one camera, we had to set up these shots individually. This makes our webisode more single camera than if we had used multiple cameras.

During the shot of the room we used panning to express the condition of the room this creates a sense of mystery. This makes the audience curious since they would want to know why the room was in a mess.

To involve the audience and create a sense of realism we used a close up shot of the drugs being held by the character's hand this shot is powerful as it informs the audience everything they need to know about the story.

We decided to use natural lighting from the lamppost to create suspense and to show that the character is running away from the stalker.

We built our scene using a variety of coverage shots for example the establishing shot on the house, the close up shot of the drugs and the character's face. This was in order to tell the audience that there is more you need to know about the story by doing this we had to edit our sequence of coverage shots together with our master shot. We used cuts between shots to introduce a new scene. There were no flash backs in our webisode because it is a linear narrative.