Table 7 Short Film Research

Table 7 

Table 7 is a short film about a couple having a heated unknown argument whilst a mysterious chinese individual is listening in on the conversation. 


 Genre:

Table 7 starts off with a thriller vibe, with blocking being used which is iconic of a thriller genre, it includes dark lighting and cuts back and fourth between the heated arguemnt and the unknown chinese man, the first time it cuts to the cinese man listening in on the convesation the soundtrack starts with an eery and mysterious vibe to it really setting an emotion in place, this makes us think hes some sort of spy listening to a some valuable information as he starts writing down what they are saying in a type of stranscript. 
At this current mommet in time we beleive this is a thriller and the chinese man works for the chinese government, it then begins to play out further as the music takes a slight crescendo and we start to beleive somethings big is going to happen when the chinese man gives someone the transcript with urgent manor but nothing is really revealed which cretates further enigma. 
It then concludes the man made fortune cookie quotes and actually had asnwers for the couples questions and in the end they make up; even though we never knew the real issue it makes the audience content and we realise the chinese man wasn't a spy or anything like that but just the maker of fortune cookie quotes that can relete to further situations it then ends with a little smile from the chinese man who has now gone from possible antagonist to protagonsit. 

Narrative:
The story is told through the chinese charcters eyes or in this case his ears as the story begins it includes blocking and the start of a heated convesation between a couple, at this point in the plot we aren't aware of anyhing but the fact this couple have some issues, the film then takes a turn for the weird as a mysterious chinese man is listening in on the convesation he starts writing a transcript translating what the couple are saying with a variety of close ups on the chiense man, his equipmet and the transcript whilst you hear the couple speaking from his headphones allowing you to straight away indicate the man is listening to the couple; this is furthermore evidence that we are seing through the chinese mans perspective although we know nohing of the chiense mans backstory we can hear friom his headphones which only he can hear in the film and he knows as much of the couple as us the audience seem to know. 
The heated argument continues as the couples voices start to crescendo and both are getting more annoyed at each other, the chinese man then gives someone else the trascript urgently and it makes us think perhaps he knows something, but we dont know anything and if we are in the chinese mans perspective surely he knows nothing either which then develpos barthes theory of enigma keeping the audience on edge. 

It then cuts to a two-shot of the couple and then a close up of fortune cookies being put on the table they both end the convesation negatively saying they 'dont know what to say' too each other but once they open the fortune cookies a subtle answer to their question is in each cookie and it helps them reslove the arguemnt, then the start of a more jolly soundtrack begins to play as it cuts straight back to a close up of the chinese mans face who now is our clear protagonsit as he smiles for now we know he isn't a spy but a fortune cookie note maker and listens into convesations on the table to write the best fortune cookie. 
This is a good example of Todorovs theory of equilibrium disequalibrium and new equilibrium as the couples relationship before the short story is equilibrium and the plots heated argument is the disequalibrium and the making up and forgiving at the end is the new equilibrium as they are on good terms now but they will never be exactly the same. 

Audience:
The audience for the short film can vary as it ends up being a 'feel good' film anyone who's in the mood for a happy film could pick this up and watch it but the main target audience has to be couples especially younger couples, both the actress and actor are young adults possibly late twenties early thirties so its obvious this will defiantly attract that audience but this film is about a young struggling relationship which is trying to deliver a message to its viewers that sometimes you need to jus say you are sorry and sometimes you just need to forgive and even if it gets rough and you aren't use or don't like arguing it happens and you shouldn't break up from it sometiems you just need to apologise and forgive. Thats why I thik this films target audience is young couples that might be in a situation and hopefully this feel good film can help resolve the situation there in or at least help them undertsand couples fight but there is always the right things to say to resolve the problemand return to a new equilibrium. 

Erol's short film research

Name of short film: Wake

Director: Lin Oeding

This short film has many attributes from the genre of action. The two main characters, a woman and a man (probably married) are trying to carry something in but in the way of them are several armed antagonists. There are many parts of this short film which suggest that this genre action packed. The opening shot is of the female protagonist inside, what looks like, a church. The tall pillars, low key lighting and arched roof are a good indicator that the setting is a church. 

The prop of a orange jump suit indicates to the audience that this character has been in prison. This conveys to the audience that he has committed crime - something which is commonly associated with action films. The two share a moment together although the police officer shouts to them that they are not to touch one another. The police officer is monitoring this man as he may have been given some partial supervision realise time. The chains around his arms suggest that he could be a dangerous character, although it is most an agreement that he would only be allowed out of prison with chains around his arms under the supervision of an officer. 

The dramatic music in the background adds to the stereotype of an action film. It makes the scene sound more tense and it builds up the suspense as if something is about to happen. When this fast paced sound track is added with a man walking fastly towards them it makes it appear as if something is about to happen. The pair watch over towards the man making his way directly to them, they seem suspicious and the camera is focused on him - he also appears to be getting quicker with everyone step.

7 shots happen in the space of about 15 seconds. This s a quick succession of shots in a short period of time which is very common in action packed films, as it does not give the audience time to think about each shot. This technique helps to create a high level of suspense.

The female character is quick to react and ducks down to the floor. Although the male character is not as quick to react.

This picture shows the man they were watching firing a gun at them. He is completely in the center of the frame (extreme long shot) 

This male protagonist was too late to react and ends up getting shot in the shoulder as a result of this. The gun is a prop which is heavily used in action films. As well as blood (shown in the picture above) 

The male protagonist falls to the floor and leans against the wall where he gives the female character something. It is not shown but it is important to the plot; this helps to move the plot forward. As she continues to run down the stairs a antagonist appears and tries to shoot her. As a result of this she jumps on him, which ultimately bring him to the floor. A fast paced fight scene between the female and the male antagonists breaks out. Something which is commonly seen in action films, as well as this several antagonists appear from all different directions as if what she is carrying is highly important. The heroine uses the man as a a human shield to protect her (uses people as hostages is commonly seen in action films too) against another antagonist shooting at her. 

In movies where there is a high amount of action it is common for characters, especially antagonists to wear black clothing; a leather jacket, a shirt or even a full suit can be used to give a professional and sharp impression. The picture above shows both characters wearing dark clothing which supports the idea that this is an action genre. 

Erol's short film analysis

short film name:Eden 

Directed by: Tu Do YouTube videos 

Audience/ Media language 

Eden is a short film about a young male adult and a little boy. These two characters appear to be related due to their closeness and the older male's caring manner towards the boy.  This shot establishes the location and the fact that there appears to be no one else around. The title of this short film takes up over half of the frame, this stands out making the audience aware what the film is called. Eden might even be the name of the little boy.

Audience: Eden is shot in a time where it seems there is no one left on earth, the audience will gather this information due to there only being two characters in this short with no one else around to be seen, no cars being driven, abandoned buildings too. These are all clues to what the story may be about, which will raise questions to the audience about why they are the only two characters in this film. Through the setting and character action the audience will build a picture in there head about the fate of these two characters and whether or not it is a good one.
 Something which helps to create a very still and quiet atmosphere is the fact that all you can here is the boy running his stick along the railings of the bridge. Another point would be that motorways are always very busy and loud so this would make the audience question why there are no other sounds to be heard. 

This type of short film is most likely aimed at teenagers to young adults (18-25).  The older male character does not appear too old  (maybe early 20's)  and yet he is caring for a boy a lot younger than he is even though he may still, in the eyes of some, be a young man himself. Perhaps the director chose this age range so that people who care for their younger siblings would be able to relate on some extent. The close up below shows the man's face, which reveals how skinny and unwell he looks. In addition this character does not appear to be too happy, his face looks pensive as if he is heavily thinking about something. Perhaps he is concerned for the welfare of his brother. 

The main claims 'things were a lot different before' which would give the impression to the audience that something had happened, imaginably a deadly virus could have wiped all of human life from earth apart from these two characters. The youngman would have to take charge of them and keep the brother safe, which is a big responsibility for someone who is very young too. 

The picture below helps the audience to imagine how lonely and quiet it might be for these two characters. As the two characters gaze over towards the motorway the faint sound of cars fade in and continue for about 5 seconds and then  the sound gets louder as if the cars were nearer towards them. Then suddenly the sound stops which gives the impression that the character comes back into reality which is also greeted by the sound of repeated coughing by the young boy. 

Here it shows the audience how his older brother is patting him on the back as the boy continues to cough. This would raise some level of emotion to the audience and it would cause them to feel sorry for the boy. This is due to the fact that there has obviously been some massive wipeout of humans and the coughing suggests that the boy may have the same illness. This would likely cause the audience to feel empathetic towards both characters. 

Narrative 

Enigma and action codes are used throughout the narrative in this short film. The boy coughing could be recognised as an action code as this moves the narrative on - it suggests that he is ill and they are going on a journey to find a doctor, as his brother states later in the film. 
At the start of the film it is noticeable that the faint sound of cars when they are looking at the bridge sound too distant for them to be seen, however as they look over there are no cars even there. At the last second the sound of the car sounds as if its passing them by really quickly, however it quickly cuts to a side shot of the male character looking into the distant. His character reaction seems as if he had been in a day dream and simply was remembering from before. 

Eden lightly follows Todorov's theory of equilibrium. The first stage in the theory is equilibrium where the atmosphere is peaceful and so are the characters, and although it seems in this short film as if there has been a complete wipeout of mankind the two characters are have accepted this. The short film shows the characters to be walking along a motorway bridge where Max asks 'where all the cars are at' to which the older boy  gazes into the distance in response to his question and imagines the sound of cars traveling past them. Another point to make in this first part of the narrative is there is a low pitch humming sound, perhaps this conveying a dream-like state for the older character. The disruption to the equilibrium (the second stage) is where they realise they need to get Max to a doctor. The coughing of this character is something which suggests that he is unwell, and this narrative suggests that he may die if he does not reach a doctor. After this they continue to follow their map which is assuming they are following to get to a hospital. (picture below shows them following the map and the older boy telling max to wait where he is while he goes to find the hospital) 

The next stage of equilibrium is confrontation. The confrontation happens in this short film when the older male character walks over the hill to discover that the hospital is completely abandoned and he then realises that (the next part of equilibrium) that his brother is going to die. However he tries to resolve this by telling him not to worry about the doctor and tells him that they are going to play instead. Despite the hero protagonist trying to be calm about it, it is obvious from the look on his face that he is upset. When he is facing max he tries to put on a brave face with a fake smile, whereas when he faces away he can no longer fake is smile. (pictures below show this) 

The picture below is where Max realises that he is going to die. 

The older male turns around to found out that max is nowhere to be seen. A new equilibrium has been created, Max has disappeared. It could represent Eden being mentally ill himself, perhaps Max died a little while ago and he is still having flashbacks. Scenes earlier in the sequence suggest this, for example the humming sound and also the sound of the cars at the start. Although it may not be a peaceful equilibrium, it has changed from the beginning and Eden is no better off than he was at the start. 

Short Film Analysis 4 - Post-it Love - Jacob Knowles

Post-it Love Analysis

Post-it Love, Simon Atkinson & Adam Townley, 2008

Post-it Love is a three-minute short romance film. The film shows us a short story about how a relationship develops between two shy office workers, which show their affection for each other without saying it overtly. They do this through making images for each other through post-it notes until one of the characters sees the other while they're making an extravagant image of both of them together.

Narrative in Post-it Love:

The narrative in post-it love is linear, it follows a set of events that are chronological with closure.

Post-it love loosely follows Todorov's narrative theory, the equilibrium at the beginning of the film is shown when both of the characters are stood at the printers without paying attention to each other. At this point it can be assumed that they have never talked before, as they look shyly at each other across the half wall. The disruption to the equilibrium is when they look at each other and realise a mutual affection between them. The confrontation takes place throughout the rest of the film, with the two characters showing their affection to each other through making pictures out of post-it notes in different places for each other. The resolution takes place almost during the confrontation, when the male character is making an almost mural-like picture of him and the female character together out of post-it notes, the female character sees him doing it and they share a moment together, though the film ends here it can be assumed that a new equilibrium has been reached between the two characters.

Genre in Post-it Love:

In Post-it Love there are many good examples of genre and how it can be used to make a good film. One of the first examples of genre in this short film is where we see a bird's eye view of the female character using the photocopier, the camera pans across to the male character to reveal that he is doing the exact same actions on a different copying machine. This is almost a graphic match between the two characters and their movements, however, they are in the same frame which makes this unusual. This event shows a connection between the characters from the beginning.

From the start of the film, there is a non-diegetic soundtrack, the song which is playing is very typical of a romance film like this. This gives the viewer some idea of genre as soon as the film begins to play. Another thing that gives away the genre of the film is the film's title, having the word 'love' in it immediately indicates that this is a romance film.

Another semantic device used in this short film is where the eyes of the two characters meet over the short wall and they both shyly look away from each other. This is commonly used in romance films as a way of showing that two characters have a romantic interest in the other but they are too shy or embarrassed to mention it.

In the next scene, the male character finds a simple face made out of post-it notes on his desk and looks around for who had put it there. As he looks, he once again catches the female characters eyes and quickly looks away. This time, however, we can see the male characters facial expression, it shows that the event has made him happy, and we can see that he is thinking of ways to do the same thing for the female character. In the next scene, we see the female character put her things on her desk, she then opens her blinds to reveal a sun made out of post-it notes on the window in front of her. This increasing extravagancy is what eventually leads to the characters having the same idea and meeting.

Media Language in Post-it Love:

The title scene in Post-it Love is very simple, it shows a framed picture of an office building, with title of the film in text just above it. The first shot in the film is a close-up of the female characters face, we can see through her costume that she is in work attire. In this shot the female character is looking downwards, this body language shows her shyness in the situation, though at this point the audience is not told what the situation is.

The next scene we see is a medium shot with both of the characters in frame, they are partitioned by a wall in the center of the frame. The mise on scene in the scene is mirrored on either side of the wall, with both of the characters making identical movements. As mentioned earlier, both of the characters moving in the same way creates a kind of graphical match. This medium shot with both of the characters contained in it not only introduces us to both of the characters but shows us a similarity between the two of them.

The next shot we see is a close-up of the female character's profile with the male character visible in the background. There is a focus pull between the two characters as we see them both shyly react to each other. Next, we see a medium shot from the perspective of the male characters desk as he walks towards it, we see him open a folded piece of paper with a confused expression on his face. This shot creates a small amount of enigma the audience is wondering what is on the paper, which is then revealed to us through a POV shot/eye line match of the male character's perspective.

We next see a tracking shot of the male character as he moves on his chair to try and find who left the paper on his desk, which is then revealed to use through a focus pull to the female characters face, who is once again making the same movements as him.

In the next scene, we see the woman approaching her desk in the same manner that the man did, to find another picture made out of post-it notes on her window. At this point the pace has decreased through a reduction in shot frequency. We next see a medium shot of the male character from the perspective of a mirror he is looking into in the bathroom as he's straightening his tie. A toilet stall door is closed revealing another piece of post-it art which has been made on it.

The next shot begins in complete darkness, as we see the female character open a door into the room which the camera is positioned in closing the door behind her before turning on the lights. Her turning on the lights after the door is closed shows that it is likely she is doing something that may be dishonest or not allowed. When the lights turn on we see an ECU of her eyes focusing and her pupils becoming more constricted, we also see her cheek bones rise showing through her facial expression that she is smiling without showing the lower half of her face. We then cut to a MCU shot positioned behind the female character, there is another piece of post-it art depicting a flower which is placed on the wall opposite her. The art and the shot are placed so that when she is holding the light switch chord it looks like she is holding the flowers in her hand since flowers have romantic connotations this is another sign of the developing romantic interest between the two characters.

Next, we see a slow tracking shot as the female character has her arms full of post-it notes, she is travelling somewhere to make something extravagant out of them. This shot has a shallow depth of field, emphasizing the character's nervous facial expression. We next see a POV of the final piece of post-it art that the man is still currently making, it is a giant mural like picture of both of the characters faces together. We see the man turn around and realise that the female character has been watching him, and see several close up shots of their facial expressions as they are both smiling.

Erol's short film research

Media research into short films

Key

media language

narrative

Audience

Short film name: Two & Two 

  Name of director: Babak Anvari

• Throughout this short film many techniques which are typical of media language are used; this involves camera , sound, editing and mise en scene - all of which play a vital role in the making of a short film. Two and Two is set in a Middle Eastern country inside what appears to be an all boys school, which is controlled by a strict set of teachers. 
• The strict manner of the school is highlighted when the teacher enters the room and the students respond by standing up - as a sign of respect - and remain silent while he is present. It is obvious that he is their teacher due to his professional style clothing and his serious facial expression which creates an authoritative impression. 
• The diegetic sound of the door creaking open alerts the boys that their teacher is about to enter and this sound is symbolic to them that they have to be quiet. The fact they stand up immediately could also be a sign that they are scared of their superior.  

• A longshot and an over the shoulder shot are both used to highlight how important this character is. He is dressed smartly in a black suit with smart black hair. The boys, however are all in white and white is symbolic of purity, truth and innocence. This is in contrast with the colour black, which is associated with power, importance and authority. 

• As the headmaster is announcing to the boys that they are to 'pay attention' and 'follow instructions', a group shot (shown below) of  the anxious-looking students  is used to emphasise their emotions. Although this is a group shot only two characters are in focus. Nevertheless, it is obvious to the audience that these characters represent a shared emotion amongst the students. 

• Even though the headmaster is not shown in the short film, his authority and dictator-like qualities are clear in the boy's worried faces as he speaks to them through a microphone. This reveals that even though  he is not there, the presence of him is enough to scare these students. 

• When the teacher plainly states that '2 + 2 = 5’, the boys’ faces illustrate their confusion which reveals their knowledge that this statement is incorrect. This is the idea behind this short film: it is a representation of the oppression of social constructs, or perhaps of dictatorships. This is symbolised by the way that the teacher's statement - which represents particular ideologies or conventions - is forced upon the pupils in the school. These pupils are potentially representative of people living in dictatorships, or perhaps just of society in general.   

• Props are used to enforce silence upon the students, for example their teacher slams the whiteboard rubber against the board while shouting the word ‘silence’, which is shortly followed by the dialogue of 'we will have order in this classroom’. This gives the teacher back the order and control that he lost, which could represent dictators like Hitler and Stalin who used force against their own people to gain control. 
• The boys are forced to repeat after their teacher that ‘2+2=5’, and even though they know this is wrong they still obey him. This picture below captures a boy who looks uncomfortable and confused. This reveals the conflicting emotions of fear and doubt which arise from being told incorrect information is factual, and perhaps indicates that he is no longer sure what to believe. 

• After this a medium shot of a young boy is used to show him hesitantly standing up with his hand raised. Dialogue is exchanged between the boy and his superior about the correct answer to the question ‘2+2’. The boy questions the teacher’s statement that ‘2+2=5’, but he is interrupted and quickly dismissed. It is obvious in the boy's body language that he is scared to stand up for what he believes to be true. This may be because he is told that he is to not question his teacher, and perhaps because he fears the aggressive nature of the teacher.
• Another student continues to question his superior and raises the fact that '2+2' has 'always been four' and questions how it could 'be five'. His body language, facial expression and speech is far more confident than the previous student. Perhaps this represents the way that changing opinion in society creates positive feedback, causing general attitudes to change. When the pupils are united in their questioning that ‘2+2=5’, they have more confidence in facing the teacher despite his controlling characteristics.

• This over the shoulder shot (shown above) is used so that the antagonist appears as an intimidating figure to the student and also to the audience. The student knows that is is risky to argue with the teacher, but in spite of this continues to express his opinion. This results in the teacher shouting furiously, after which the boy appeals to his fellow students that 2+2 is really 4 and has ‘never been 5’. The boy questions the class about how they 'surely all know' that he is correct. However, his classmates are too scared to publicly disagree with their teacher. This represents the way that the large numbers of people who make up society are able to be dictated to so easily: because they are worried about the consequences. 
• Subsequently the teacher calls in the school's 'top students’. He informs these boys that the young protagonist who has shown dissent is an 'insolent student’. This is ironic, as in actuality the teacher is the one who is insolent. The older students wear red badges around their arms. This is the most colourful part of the short film, creating emphasis, and is reminiscent of the Nazi insignia. Hitler, acting as a dictator, utilised this symbol as a logo for his beliefs - and therefore the image was worn by those who were under his control or influence. This parallel to a true historic event reinforces the idea that the boys are under the control of their dictator-like teacher. The older boys have been convinced that 2+2=5 and not 4, a fate which the young boys seem destined to follow.

• The rage and anger of this young boy is shown by an over the shoulder shot from a high angle, making the boy seem shorter - again increasing the teacher's powerful stance. Although the teacher is being threatening, the boy continues to fight for what he believes is true and writes on the board '2+2=4' and not '5' like the teacher wanted him to 'correctly' write. At this point, the three older students are pointing guns at him in an attempt to force him to submit to writing ‘5’. However, the boy persists in his protest and as a result is shot.

The older ‘top students’ do not carry actual gun props, as shown in the picture above. This is because the murder of the boy is a metaphor for the way that radical thinkers whose opinions are different to those held by society are persecuted and exiled.

• The dictator stands up tall in front of the class with the support of the older boys either side of him. They are standing beside him in a uniformed manner as if they have done it before, their arms behind their backs, their back is straight and their heads held high. This shows how they are obedient to their superior. It seems inevitable that the younger boys will ultimately become the same way.