Research Evaluation - The Heist

Short Film - The Heist

Research Evaluation

Area 1:

How to make a short film - learning form similar examples - primary research.


Sources used

The Heist - Short Film


Description of sources used

Camera

Shot Type and Angle

Movement
Keeping with the mock-action genre of the film, classic action movements are used. For example, fast moving shots following hand movements and head turns are used to keep up the idea that there is an intense operation in progress. This effectively contrasted with the script to create the desired theme.

Handheld movement was also used to continue with this theme, as it makes the film confusing and faster than it is, making it appear intense and dangerous. In addition to this, the confusion gained from this effect can also be connoted to reflect the protagonists feelings in the film, not just the audience. For example, before it's revealed that they are in a toy warehouse, the handheld movement connotes the confusion they have because their are no guards.

Forward and backtracking is also heavily used for the same purpose, as it effectively kept up the appearance that the mission was dangerous when it was not yet revealed to be a failure, negating the goofy banter just shown in the car scene.

Editing

While the editing didn't provide comedic or other effects, it was effective in that is successfully showed the action narrative of the film without drawing attention to itself - it was seamless as it should've been, because the comedy came from the script and slapstick from the scene.

Sound

As with other parts of the film, sound both encourages the action theme of the film, and contrasts with it. The fast, upbeat music is classic for a heist film when they first enter the warehouse and are checking it, and it continues throughout the scene to connote pressure and urgency. However, the average-high, posh voices of the protagonists contrasts with this (as it's often the trope to have deep and accented voiced characters in action films), while also providing humour for the comedy aspect of the film.

What I was hoping to get from this.

As this film shares the mock-serious/ mock-action vibe which my film will use, I was hoping to get more of an understanding of how to create this theme from a technical standpoint (camera angles, movement, editing etc).



Brief summary of what I gained through my research

More of an understanding of how to use camera work to connote an action theme in a comedy film (handheld, lots of tracking etc.) Also, I learnt that contrasting in all parts of the film in effective when featuring action and comedy equally.



Reliability of the sources used
As this is a student film on Youtube, quite reliable, although as it's not professional not completely.

Research Evaluation - Alone

Short Film - Alone

Research Evaluation

Area 1:


How to make a short film - learning form similar examples - primary research.

Sources used

Alone - Short Film


Description of sources used

Camera

Shot Type and Angle

The majority of handheld shots were from either a high or eye line angle, to create the appearance that the audience is looking from the character's perspective (for example, using a high angle shot to show the survival pack and him checking through it). As a result, most shots were a medium close up, as this was the distance the character was from what he was looking at. If not this, a medium shot was used, to include the character's head and shoulders in the shot to achieve a similar effect.

Movement

There was a very heavy emphasis on contrasting movements in this film - still and handheld movement especially. They were both used in a non-linear montage (travelling and scavenging scenes), switching from one another quickly to emphasise the strange but yet familiar pacing of the character's life - a normal day in a weird world.

Panning and tilting were used a lot in Alone, following the character's movements (walking, picking objects up etc.) to give the impression that the audience is watching him from a distance - emphasising the point that he is alone. Also, tilting was used in the film to establish a location, before revealing where the character was in the location specifically, which effectively showed what the character was doing without making the montage boring and still (which can also be seen as juxtaposing the context of the narrative - a boring and still world).

Editing

The editing for this film is non-linear, showing the audience only the 'highlights' of the protagonist's day after the apocalypse. This is effective in showing that his life is boring and monotonous, as mundane tasks like walking and eating are shown to be large, important parts of his day.

Sound

Narration was used as a main plot device - explaining and expanding on the video over it. The bored, monotone voice of the protagonist adds to the themes of boredom and isolation already instilled in the audience from the premise of the film, making it an effective addition to the film. 

Music, slow with little variation, achieved the same goals as the narration, making the narrative appear slower and more monotonous than the film already appeared.

What I was hoping to get from this.

I was hoping to learn more about how to use narration and camera movements in my short film, especially in a non-linear film, as Alone did these parts very effectively (winning them an award).



Brief summary of what I gained through my research

An appreciation and knowledge of how and when to include handheld and still camera shots in a short film to create a desired effect. For example, contrasting both types to create confusion and the appearance of time passing.



Reliability of the sources used

Very reliable, as the film is from Youtube, a reliable source, and the film has won awards in cinematography and sound, parts I am looking at.

Research Evaluation - Adobe Premiere Workbook

Book - Adobe Premiere Pro CS6 Classroom in a Book: The Official Training Workbook from Adobe Systems (Classroom in a Book (Adobe))

Research Evaluation



Area 1:




Learning how to use Adobe Premiere to edit my short film - primary research.


Sources used

Adobe Premiere Pro Manual


Description of sources used

This book has detailed explanations of how to effectively use Premiere for all steps of the editing process, including sound editing, multi-camera editing, colouring etc. All parts of this book will be very useful for my project, as editing and VFX play a big part in my film.


What I was hoping to get from this.


Further knowledge of editing, especially in non-linear form which my short film will feature, plus colouring and effects to make my film appear to be as professional as possible.


Brief summary of what I gained through my research


From the manual, I have learnt how to colour, use multi-camera editing, basic VFX, audio editing among many other parts of editing.


Reliability of the sources used

Very reliable, as the book has been created by the software developers,, purposefully for the function of teaching these skills to readers.

EPQ – Progress Review / Research Review / Planning Ahead

So far, I have used planning, analysing and organistation skills to plan out the details of my product. This includes making a Gantt chart to plan the creation of my films, analysing other short films to learn more about the creation process and what features are successful in a film, researching production teachniques with books and manuals etc.

What technical skills have you used?


What new skills have you learnt?
I have learnt how to effectively analyse a film in terms of what parts of the production were successful and unsuccessful in showing the meaning of the film. Also, I have learnt how to plan a film production (e.g. timings via a Gantt chart, equipment planning etc.).


Name and discuss the sources have you used so far?
About a Girl - Short Film
The Gunfighter - Short Film
The Expert - Short Film
Alone - Short Film
The Heist - Short Film
Adobe Premiere Pro Guide
Description of the sources. What was you hoping to gain from the research?

Evaluate - Have your research techniques been successful so far? Why?
My research techniques have been successful so far, as I have learnt from each one different parts of production for my short film - use of camera angles, editing techniques and when to use them etc.

Has the information been useful? How /Why?
The information has been useful, as I can now plan my film better from a technical standpoint - taking into account editing, camerawork, script etc.

How reliable were the sources?
As all the films were popular and had won awards, my sources were very reliable, as they each individually demonstrated the skills I wanted to learn effectively.

Do your questionnaires / surveys / Interviews need adapting / questions need tweaking (Evidence)


Do you need to amend your plans? Discuss and evidence the updates.

Research Evaluation - The Expert

Short Film Analysis - The Expert

Research Evaluation





Area 1:


Learning how to create a similar short film - primary research.




Sources used

The Expert - Short Film


Description of sources used

Camera 

Shot Type and Angle

The most common angle used in this film was again the eyeline match. As the setting of the film is a corporate office, it is connoted that the office seeks efficiency and clear ways of doing things (connoted by the minimal, sparse decorations of the room, the propor mode of address of the actors in the beginning, and denoted by the company seeking a professional for a task). This angle supports this theme, especially as it lacks handheld for the whole film, because it shows clearly facial expressions of the actors without angles or movement to distract or get in the way of the key information. This was an especially effective technique as the film went on and the narrative of the film showed the descension from order to incompetence, while the angles and techniques stayed the same, connoting that the company is still keeping it's professional facade even when they're obviously inept.
Apart from eyeline level shots (which ranged from close up to medium shots to show hand motions and facial expressions), the only other shots used were high angle long shots to show people using the white board while the rest of the cast spoke. This was effectivly jarring, as it differs so much from the standard shot of the film, which highlighted the connoted confusion and frustration of the expert, which he was trying to remedy by using the white board that caused this shot.

Movement

There was no camera movement in this film, all shots were steady and the only transitions used were cuts. This was effective, as said earlier, in connoting a clean and efficient work environment, which contrasts with the narrative to justify the confusion of the expert, and make it relatable.

Editing

The editing in this film was unobtrusive, with no VFX or transitions other than a simple cut. This was effective in making the film feel overly corporate and clean - professional, which again contrasted with the film's content to make the protagonist relatable.

Sound

As this film lacked non-diegetic sound, it relied completely on dialogue and ambient noise for effect. This was an effective part of the film, as it focussed on normal, almost ambient noise (for example the pen squeaking on the whiteboard) to highlight the awkward scenario in place, without being overt about it.

What I was hoping to get from this.


The film was made on a small budget, and used comedy with a theme of average situations shown to the extreme, which my film also does. So from this I was looking to learn how to create an effective short film cheaply, while also learning how to implement comedy in a normal situation effectively.


Brief summary of what I gained through my research


Production techniques were effective in this film by creating a contrast between the narrative of the film and the techniques used to make it, which was effective in portraying the feelings of the protagonist to the audience. From this, I have learnt that the camera and editing techniques can be used to portray a character in a certain way very effectively, which I will use in my film.

Reliability of the sources used

As the film came from an established short film creator from a reliable site (Youtube), I think it's very reliable to learn from.

Research Evaluation - The Gunfighter

Short Film Analysis - The Gunfighter

Research Evaluation



Area 1:




How to make a short film - learning form similar examples - primary research.


Sources used

The Gunfighter - Short Film


Description of sources used

Camera

Shot Type and Angle

Again in this film, the eye line match was the most common shot type in the film. Due to the tense scenario, where any character could kill any other, this is effective in connoting to the audience that all characters are equal and so at risk - there are no techniques used to tel the audience that one person will win. As all but one character dies, this foreshadows the end result subtly. This is especially evident when the characters are shown sitting at tables, still being shown at eye level, eliminating the possibility of the camera being from a character's perspective.

Movement
Zooming in is often used when moments get tense, to connote a sense of suspense and urgency. And the fact that it is not used when the film becomes comedic rather than tense further reinforces this idea, but all character experience this zoom at one point or another, showing that they all feel similar ways and are all dangerous.
Cuts are more commonly used to transition from one character to another in The Gunfighter, as the scenes are often tense and so fast cuts support this. Movement was only used twice, which connotes to the audience that they are similar (used to transition from serious to comedic), although they don't initially appear so. For example, the camera turns and tracks towards the Henderson Boys when they are first introduced, which starts the comedy aspect of the film. And after the shootout, the camera pans to show the devastation, before landing upon the female character where she is found alive, before having other funny moments with the character.
Handheld was used exclusively in this film, to give it a realistic feel and connotes to the audience that the scenario is serious and prone to action, which it eventually is. Although the shots are not from a character's perspective, the handheld technique supports the idea that they are, which makes the audience feel attached to the characters as they feel like they see the situation from a similar perspective to the characters.

Editing

Opposite to many short films, The Gunfighter uses continuity editing for the whole film, with no cuts to other time periods or situations. This functions to provide an easy narrative to follow, which is especially important as the story get more complex, with different people opposing each other very quickly. Cuts are used almost exclusively as well, to provide a clean, flowing story for the audience to follow. This also makes any other editing techniques more important, as it connotes real change in the narrative. For example, a fade is used to transition from the establishing shot of everyone dead, to a panning shot showing the same thing. This shows that the situation is as dire as it seems, and connotes feelings of loss to the audience, as it is evident that no one is above until the panning stops.

Sound

Non-diegetic sound plays a central role to the plot in this film. As the characters are aware of the narrator, even though he is not present, it creates a unique role for the narrator. The film capitalises the noticeable effect diegetic sound often has, with the only source of non-diegetic sound (apart from the theme music) being the only way in which the film progresses. As the narrator is integral to the evolution of the plot, it creates incidental sound as him speaking always leads to action, making the narrator very effective at it's purpose in the narrative. The reliance on this non-diegetic sound also makes the theme music more effective as the audience expects it to have a large effect on the film.

What I was hoping to get from this.

I was hoping to learn how to film a mock-dramatic film from this, as my film and this are both similar in that they feature comedy drama as a key part of the film. This entails learning effective editing, camera angles and movements and sound, all of which add to the themes in the film.



Brief summary of what I gained through my research


As my film also features narration as the main plot device, I will use this film to identify ways to use narration effectively. For example, I will use narration, or rather the dream sequences that it prompts, as an indicator for events - like it's function as incidental sound in The Gunfighter.
Also, as the film uses a continual, flowing narrative (which my film will partially do), I will take inspiration for this for my film, as I have now seen that it's effective in a short film.

Reliability of the sources used

Reliable, as the film is popular and comes from a reliable source - Youtube.

Research Evaluation - About a Girl

Short Film Analysis - About a Girl

What I have learnt for my film

This film was effective in connoting meanings and feelings though production techniques such as cutting and camera movement. From this, I have learnt that cuts and editing is effective in connoting meaning, which I will use in my film for the dream sequences.

Research Evaluation

Area 1:

How to make a short film - learning form similar examples - primary research.


Sources used

About a Girl - Short Film


Description of sources used

This film is about a young girl and her strenuous life, and dreams of escaping, in a working class society. Throughout the film it cuts from the girl's description of her life to the harsh reality of it.

Camera

Shot Type and Angle
The most common shot type in the film is an eye line match. This is to show the audience that even though the girl/protagonist is young and apparently unfortunate in her surroundings, she is intelligent and isn't to be pitied. This contrasts with the infrequent shots when she isn't the main focus (mum using scratch card behind her, the end shot etc.), which highlight the struggles she faces against all parts of her life. This results in the audience developing a close relationship with the character, as they feel protective but also equal to her - a bond similar to a close friendship, which makes the message of the film more effective as it feels like the audience is close to the character.
Confusion is also achieved when tracking the girl, as the angle used is always slightly canted it changes the audience's perspective on the character, again connoting that she isn't all that meets the eye, and could also connote that as she only appears to be equal to the audience (through eye line shots, which is helped by the canted angle as it makes her appear taller as more of her is in the shot), but is actually only pretending to cope with her surroundings, which was connoted buy her dreams of forming a band.

Movement

When the protagonist is talking to the camera, the movement is always a side/back track, handheld, moving at the same pace. This is used to give the appearance that the girl is having a conversation with the camera and so the audience (which is supported by the acting, as the character looks at the camera multiple times as if in conversation), again supporting the idea that the character is equal to the audience. In addition, the lack of forward tracking in the film is used to create confusion, as the audience doesn't know where the character is going. This transitions power to the character, as she is constantly aware of the situation (which is shown in the end shot), connoting to the audience that she is more intelligent than she shows. However, the infrequent long shots show the isolation of the character more clearly (although it is hinted at with her dysfunctional relationship with family), which makes the idea of the character talking to the audience (through camera work) feel more worrying - she has no one to talk to and confide in, so she has to talk to an imaginary entity (the audience).

Editing

Non-continuity editing is used throughout the short film, mainly in the form of jump cuts to emphasise the point of the protagonist. For example, jump cutting from the girl talking about the image of the band, to her actively doing this, proves to the audience that the girl is honest, although the obviously unlikely success of her band contrasts with this honesty, reminding the audience that the character is still just a young girl with big dreams.

The character talking to the camera, before jumping to the event she was talking about, gives the idea that the character assumes prior knowledge of the event. As a result, this editing technique connotes to the audience that the character is actually talking to herself, as the audience only shares experiences that the girl has, no other character. This is also supported by the frequent, jarring cuts to other topics of conversation which mimics a typical train of thought.

Sound

Sound is purely diegetic, with no sonic bridges or other editing techniques. This is effective in creating jarring cuts between scenes, which creates confusion for the audience and gives the protagonist control, again connoting control and maturity to the character.

What I was hoping to get from this.


From this source I was hoping to gain knowledge of how to successfully carry out non-linear editing in a short film, as well as learn more about how to implement narration, a key part of my film, as a central part of a narrative.


Brief summary of what I gained through my research

This film was effective in connoting meanings and feelings though production techniques such as cutting and camera movement. From this, I have learnt that cuts and editing is effective in connoting meaning, which I will use in my film for the dream sequences.

Reliability of the sources used

Very reliable, as the film is award winning and respected.