Agent 327 - Textual Analysis

In this animated action short film, camerawork is used to create suspense. This is evident through the use of a tracking shot. The tracking shot occurs throughout most of the film and is focused on the protagonist. This is used because it is common is most action films due to highlighted the protagonist so as an audience we know who the good guy is. What effect this then has is that the audience then gets behind the protagonist and supports him, therefore as the audience we go through the journey with him.

Furthermore, another piece of camerawork was the use of the close up of the agent. This close up was again to emphasis he was the spy, therefore we can't not know it is an action film and he is the protagonist. This close up then zooms into a mid shot of the antagonist is the distance to represent a clear code and convention of action films of good vs evil. This illiterates the protagonist and antagonist meaning we are more likely to build emotion for the main character. Hand held camerawork was also used throughout the short film to create a shakiness to the shot to make us feel as we are upon the action. The effect this has is putting the audience theoretically into the film and feel the emotions the protagonist does too.

Moving onto sound, there was a good use of both diegetic and non-diegetic sound. The first sound we hear is the synchronous soundtrack. This has been used to straight away highlight what genre of film we are about to watch. Therefore, the impact upon the audience is creating an adrenaline rush from the start. This is also a short film convention, due to setting the scene early which is important due to the small time available to show the story. Other non-diegetic sounds included sound effects. These consisted of; foleys for added emphasis on punches and kicks, also for jumpy moments such as the agent turning around and unexpectedly seeing the barber.

To add, the diegetic sound also revealed the genre of this short film. The first diegetic sound we hear is the dialogue of the protagonist, 'Agent 327, I'm going in', this illustrates that he is a spy, which then clarifies we are watching a action short film. Also, the diegetic sounds of punches, kicking and weapons conforms to the stereotype of conflict is resolved through violence in action films. The effect this has upon the audience is that the feel the adrenaline through the noises of violence and get behind the protagonist.

Mise-en-scene is the short film of Agent 327 was again an clarification to the action genre. The first mise-en-scene is a prop of a spy watch. This emblematizes it is an action film because of the fact his watch is also a phone and whatever else we don't know. Another prop used is the laser on the gun of the antagonist. This highlights that it is action film due to the use of weapons. This impacts the viewers because they feel scared for the protagonist as he is outnumbered and the antagonist has gun.

In addition, there was also other props such as hairspray and hairdryers. These are not typical action props, however, they were used to become an archetype of the action genre. The protagonist uses these props to fight back and then eventually beat all the antagonist when outnumbered. This conforms to two traditions of action films which are; protagonist is resourceful and clever, as well as, protagonist always win usually being outnumbered. The audience is impacted by feeling good and excitement due to the character they have been behind winning at the end.

Lastly, editing was a significant factor to build suspense through the film. The use of fast paced editing was evident during most of the film and was the main role to create suspense. The use of fast paced editing built the action through the characters fighting and therefore conforming the action code and convention of conflict is resolved through violence. This then impacts upon the viewers as suspense is happened due to the smooth transitions of fast paced editing. The sense of smoothness that has been created gives feel of realism making the audience feel as if they are there, then meaning they feel adrenaline or feel scared for the protagonist. This can be further supported by jump cuts between the protagonist and antagonist, clearly showing the code and convention of good vs evil. This then continues to make the audience build emotion for the protagonist.

Alexia - Textual Analysis

Sound was effectively used in this short film to build suspense. This was through the use of both diegetic and non-diegetic sounds. Firstly, the diegetic sounds were very limited. This itself was a very good use of diegetic sounds because the silences were used immaculately to create the nervousness of the audience whilst building suspense. The long uses of silences were effective as left us preparing for a jump scare as in most horror films, but they kept delaying and delaying the outcome from the silences meaning it created tension for the audience. To add, the main actual diegetic sound was the keyboard. This was useful as still continues to build suspense whereas dialogue would have ruined this as makes it less scary due to protagonist himself not being scared. therefore, this short film met a vital convention of a horror in which the protagonist being scared is more likely to make the audience scared themselves and for the character.

Furthermore, for the use of sound in this short film, I felt that they used non-diegetic sounds just as effectively as the diegetic sounds. Straight away we were exposed to the non-diegetic sound which was the soundtrack. The soundtrack was synchronous and excellent to build suspense. This was used well as it worked in conjunction with the close ups and jump cuts to evolve the tension even more. This left the audience biting their lips and on the edge of their seat preparing for a jump scare.

Moving onto the camerawork, again this was used well for me. I believe the camerawork went well because it was kept simple but effective. The reason for this is that the uses of close ups and extreme close ups became repetitive but it was successful. The effect these camera shots had was that it kept the surrounding location a mystery. This meant that there was a sense of unknown, a key code to create suspense which is vital for the horror genre.  There again leaving the audience fearing for this worse.

In addition, other camera work was used towards the end of the short film, such as, tracking shots. The use of the tracking was to once again create a further unease to the film. The shot meant we followed the protagonist and left us not being able to see what was in the room just as he could see. This puts us in the shoes of the protagonist, making us as the audience feel as if we are the protagonist and are about to turn into the room, this is a great way to involve the audience whilst causing a discomfort, which is what the film was aimed to do.

Mise-en-scene was integral for the success this short film had. Firstly, the lighting was the first factor that had an effect from start to end. The lighting was low key due to create a dark location for the effect to create this sense of unknown.  Having low key lighting meant that the focus was on the incident lighting which was coming from the computer. This built suspense due to the audience generating many possibilities from past experience in horror films, such as; Is someone/something behind him? Is he going to be possessed through the computer? Is something going to come out of the computer? and so on. This leaves the tension among the audience still, making them scared of whats to come.

Moreover, other mise-en-scene such as props was useful. To begin, the computer which has been mentioned but was there as prop to be the focus. We experience the computer breaks and is hacked, building suspense and leaving the audience think who and why? There is also the plug, which the protagonist unplugs yet the computer still works. This impacts the audience as we know it shouldn't work, however it does, meaning something bad about to happen, leading us towards the climax of the short film. Lastly, the setting emblematizes the sense of unknown and isolation. This is because it its mostly in one setting, a key convention of a short film, and also the setting is dark therefore creating unknown factor.

Continuous editing in Alexia was used throughout to create the sense of realism.This was effective in making the audience feel scared due to it feeling real. This editing technique was even more successful as it combined with the everyday location and everyday objects. This means the audience could relate to the protagonist in his house on his computer, which was made feel real due to the smooth use of continuous editing. The relation the audience gets with the protagonist means that they feel the panic and worry as he does too.

Lastly, the use of fast paced editing and jump cuts generated a feeling of uncertainty and creates adrenaline rush shown in the extreme close up of the protagonist pupil that enlarges. As an audience we mirror his feelings and feel in danger or at risk. This is because the jump cuts and fast past editing emblematize his reactions and thoughts of being at risk.

Short Film Pitch Q&A

Above is a video where I delivered my teams pitch for our short film idea to an audience. A Q&A session did occur at the end, however the memory card as full, so was unable to capture the questions. At the the end of the pitch, the questions the audience asked are stated below with our responses;

How will you make the shots with text messages in look professional?

The solution to this question is that the text messages will be displayed in an alternative way. We knew that the text messages are hard to film due having to film an over the shoulder shot with the characters hands typing in the shot. Obviously, this is hard to execute, and we took this into account by generating the options of either, having the text messages appear on the screen itself whilst being able to maintain mid shots, close-up and extreme close-ups to show the reactions to the text messages being sent and read by the protagonist, Zola. Therefore, this then obtains a professional edge to the shots but having clear and steady shots which allows better viewing pleasure, being as close as possible to the quality of 'big' films who have higher technology to aid them. Alternatively, we may even remove the audience sight of the text messages, and just have the protagonist see the message and as an audience we see her reactions. We can therefore, have that same professional impact through this method too.

Have you got the mask and costumes for your characters?

The costume for our protagonist is completely sorted already. We have white/light clothing for females already, being tops, shorts, tracksuit bottoms, jackets, jumpers, the lot. Moving onto the antagonist, we have decided he will be in all black/dark clothing. We have got the trousers and jacket sorted already. However, for the mask of Grimm, we had in mind the one on our pitch, however, we thought to create questionnaires to open up on social media to get the audience insight. We will create a first questionnaire to ask the audience their favourite mask from each category of mask to begin with, such as, animal masks, clown masks, zombie masks etc. Then we will take the audiences favourite mask from each and place them in a final questionnaire and get their overall favourite for the most frightening mask. We will see if the majority has dominate a certain mask and if we feel it suits our role, then we will purchase this mask.

The question below then was a question that followed up the previous question asked.

What if the masks are expensive? Have you got a certain budget for the mask? What research and where will you find the masks you are using in the questionnaires?

Jade and I have already taken all this into account. We have set a budget of £20 maximum for a mask, so it isn't too expensive but definitely worth the investment to tailor the audience preference. We also made it very clear the masks we put into the questionnaire have to be purchasable, within the budget and noted where from. Therefore, all the masks we will place into the questionnaire will be available and affordable. With this, we shouldn't encounter any problems.

Short Film Pitch

IDEA THREE: Suprise/REAPER/Grimm (Horror) Location Recce

For our third idea, our short film will be located in a house. This is a popular location used in horror films as it counteracts the general thought of home being safe.





Another reason we thought that a house would be an ideal place to film our horror was because we are able to make use of many windows in the background. By having windows present in the background of shots can cause the audience to feel discomfort due to them not knowing what is outside and who could be watching through the window.











We also do not face any limitations as this house is available at anytime if we need to re-film any shots. Lighting will also not be an issue as it is easily adjustable.

IDEA TWO: Virus Location Recce

For this idea, I have chosen my location and have taken pictures in the areas where the film will take place.

For my location, I have chosen to base my short film within average-sized house. This can give the sense of realism and help portray the negative message that people rely on technology so much that they do not need to leave the house to know what is going on in the world.




In this short film, we felt that most of it should be set in the kitchen where the person would be sitting at the table on their laptop. Again, supporting the message that people spend too much time in one spot, using technology.

I have taken pictures of the laptop using more than one shot which we will include in our filming if we chose to go forward with this idea. It will also allow the audience to see what the entire room looks like instead of only being able to see it through the use of one angle.







The use of colours in the mise-en-scene can be important in the narrative and mood throughout the film. For example, in the kitchen, there is lots of white shown and the colour white is known to connote innocence, safety and the idea of being clean. However, the narrative goes against the idea of safety due to the people who live here not being protected by this virus in their own home. It also counteracts the idea of being clean as people suffering with virus generally feel as though they are dirty.

In addition, the uses of the colour grey is associated with the meanings of dull, dirty and emptiness. Therefore, the grey is used to describe the virus itself. It can also be associated with loss and depression in which the virus is causing as there are many deaths and loss of loved ones.

IDEA ONE: NewsBreaker Location Recce

This is a location recce for my first idea of the drama short film - NewsBreaker.



The recipient's house

Above is the house where we plan to see in full in the short film.The use of this will be an establishing shot of recipient. This is where the first news (bad) is broken. This is a common, normal standard price and average family's house. This then emblematizes that the recipient is a normal person just like the viewers. This creates similarities and sense of realism for the audience.




The recipient's door (from inside)

This picture shows what we would see as a POV shot as if we were the recipient. This would connote innocence due to white walls and a white door, which is stereotype that portrays innocence and purity. Therefore, the news that is about to follow will seem mean and is an upsetting act.

Short Film Ideas

Short Film Questionnaire Analysis

Short Film Questionnaire.

Below is a short film questionnaire which I created in order to gain audience feedback. The purpose for this is to help adjust our current ideas for a short film.

With this is mind, this should hopefully give us a larger audience if we adjust their feedback into our short film. Therefore, this research should help us realise our main target audience too.

5 Films About Technology - Textual Analysis

Short Film Conventions

What To Consider This Year For Short Films

When analysing short films, I will need to consider micro-elements and macro-elements.

Micro elements include:

Mise-en-scene
Editing
Camera angles and movement
Sound

Macro elements include:

Genre
Narrative
Audience
Representation


For my AS, I had to focus on mirco-elements, however for my A2 I will be considering macro-elements as well to further my analysis.

Introduction to A2 Media

My name is Dominic Lewis, I am an A-level media student at Coopers company and Coborn School. Over the course of this school year I will be completing a short-film of any genre around 5 minutes long. I will also be creating a film poster, writing my own film reviews and creating four evaluation responses to go alongside our short film. The project requires me to focus of 4 key macro-elements; genre. narrative, audience and representation.

The purpose of this blog is to record research, planning and any other work carried out for our stages of pre-production, production and post-production due to this project requiring a large range of methods to present the work in interesting and creative methods.