"Back to Solitude"
Mise-en-scene
The use of the setting, costume and decor with in the short film supports the narrative and story of “Back to Solitude” . They act as an aid to illustrate and informed the audience of the somewhat complicated narrative structure. However lighting has been used in an unusual way within the short film, at the beginning where the narrative was presenting the end of the relationship depicted it would be conventional to use low-key lighting to reflect the sombre mood. However within the short film the beginning depicting the end of the relationship was presented with high-key lighting where as the end depicting the beginning of their relationship was depicted with low key lighting. This supports the reverse narrative structure and also the non-diegetic voice-over, and therefore the lighting is in juxtaposition with what’s happening within this scene but supports the narrative voice over as well. This adds another layer of semantic elements to the film, that assists the audience understanding of this complicated narrative.
Cinematography
The framing within the short film, over the shoulder and point of view shots act as a means in which to create a superficial relationship between the characters within the film and the audience. They also act to illustrate the character is tumultuous relationship and help the audience to identify with it. The scale of shots also supports this superficial relationship however through the distance that is depicted between the camera and the actors. However the scale goes further than that and whereas the narrative is presenting the reverse of what actually happening, the shot scale refers to what actually is being depicted within the sea. So for example the beginning displayed the end and the scale of framing refers to this as the shot is displayed to the audience is a long shot of both characters. Whereas, at the end, portrays the beginning, the scale is a close up to the characters faces so the audience are forced to create a superficial bonds with the characters. The use of motion also supports this connection between characters and the audience with the use of racking focus, as very often when both characters are presented within a frame, instead of changing the position, the focus is changed from one character to the other which depicts the relationship between both.
Editing
The Dip to Black has been used within the editing to refer to the change in either location or time within the film. This supports the reverse narrative as the audience is always slightly unsure at what moments in the relationship are they being presented with. Furthermore the dip to black also supports the jump in time from the beginning to the end of the film and acts as bridging the difference moods within the scenes. The slow rhythm of the film can support the narrator’s slow pace to the voice-over but also can reinforce the prolonged and endured relationship between both characters. It is all the editing has been used to create a reverse style of story whereas the narrative presents the linear structure beginning to end, the editing has been used to reverse the narrative and create a cyclical narrative where the beginning is the end in the end is the beginning.
Sound
Within the short film parallel sound is used, however at the moment is sound effect is as which sounds very similar to the sound of audio being reversed. This supports the idea of the reversed narrative within the films, and appears at significant moments where, what the narrator is saying and what is actually happening is in juxtaposition to each other. There is no diegetic dialogue within the film but only non-diegetic voice over and music. This supports the idea of there being an outsider observing this relationship but also how the reverse narrative is created.
Mr. Foley
Mise-en-scene
All of the encompassing mise en scène within the short film supports the ironic nature of the film however the use of the high-key light reinforces and signifies the superficial nature of this dream like scenario. The use of the setting and costume signifying the hospital and how it is featured at the beginning and also the end of the film can signify this is an ongoing and repetitive treatment, this just exaggerates the humour and comical aspects of the narrative.
Cinematography
The use of the cold colour to the film reinforces the superficial quality and emphasises the comical aspects in a similar way to the high-key light. The use of the high angle combined with the long shots reinforces the humour within the scene as it creates distance between the character and the audience and the viewer doesn’t become as connected to the character therefore what happens towards him is seemed to be more satirical. The use of tracking and steadycam add some motion toward the scene and also adds the idea of the audience following what is happening to the character almost as if their are a person with in this scene rather than an objective viewer.
Editing
A dip to black transition has been used to infer the passing of time between one moment and another bridging the gap between two scenes. This affects the audience as the continuity editing has been used to move the story on without giving the appearance of the passing of time. This combined with the use of the cheat cuts in quick succession adds to the quick pace of the short film which adds to the drama and the excitement that is required to keep the story engaging and comical.
Sound
Interesting aspect of this short film is the source of the sound as though the foley artists are presented within the film and of the sound effects are applied Post production therefore they are post synchronised to the film. Whereas, though in fact the artists and the sounds they are creating are presented with in the diegesis the sounds become diegetic rather than non-diegetic, even though they are non-diegetic. By the fact that the sounds are matching the action presented on screen they automatically fall into the category of being parallel audio which is important for the short film as it is the audio that drives the story and ads that comical aspects.
Plot Device
Mise-en-scene
Within the short film there is an array of different genres which are presented. This creates a challenge for the mise en scène and defining each element within it. Therefore because the genres are so varied and extensive the mise en scène hast to comform with a genre that is trying to be presented there for the setting, lighting, space, costume and decor all has to match the codes and conventions to each genre as by the very nature mise en scène is one of the first and most obvious aspects for the audience that identifies what genre they are watching. The mise en scène matches the genre that is being presented, within the short film.
Cinematography
In a very similar way to the Mise-en-scene the cinematography the scale and framing think has to match the genre and its codes and conventions. Therefore the whole range of scales from extreme longshot to extreme close-up has been used to identify and suggests the genre that is being presented. The movement has also been used to add emphasis on certain elements to the use of tracking, zooming and tilting throughout all genres no matter what they are. Disengages and emphasises certain elements within the film to draw the audiences attention to the significance undramatic quality of each of them.
Editing
Throughout the short film a lot of re-establishing shots we used, this is significant as because there is a variety of genres, when they change the audience hast to refamiliarise themselves and associate themselves with what is being presented. Therefore re-establishing shots and we used to aid this process of readjusting the audience to the new genre that is being portrait. Through the use of cheat cuts and continuity editing a quick pace has been achieved to add excitement and intrigue to the film combined with the large array of different scales and framing that I pieced together to acts the excitement for the audience.
Sound
Again the sound has been used to identify and exaggerate the codes and conventions for each genre, four example when the film noir was portrayed of voice over was used rather than diegetic dialogue as this is the norm for a film noir. To keep the coherency and familiarity for the audience parallel sound was used so they can quickly and easily identified for what the genre is being portrayed.
Loop
Mise-en-scene
The mise-en-scene of this short film adds to the supernatural and alternative reality aspect as due to the high-key lighting and the modern clean lined kitchen the realism of this piece is almost true real but it looks fake and therefore adds to the alternative and macabre aspect that this film in braces. This is a one minute short film the location only being a kitchen quickens and cuts the time that is needed to explain the new location and therefore the story is explain quicker.
Cinematography
This short film has a limited range of scales and an even smaller range of movements however both of these add to the speed in which the film has to be delivered as the more complicated movements and shot types are the longer it takes the audience to familiarise themselves with what’s happening within the scene. Whether there is an array of different framing styles especially the worm level and birds eye view of missing this adds to the pace of explaining and demonstrating what is happening within the scene I has the birds eye view and worm shot show more of the surrounding elements within a standard framing.
Editing
Through the use of cheat cuts and continiuty editing the pace of the short film is kept quick which is important as the director at least defeats the entire story into a single minutes and therefore through the use of limited shots scales and movements the story can be kept simple and the pace can be kept quick.
Sound
There were only ambient sounds used within the short film this is because dialogue takes up time and stop the story from moving forwards and with this short film moving the story forward is the most important aspect for keeping its consistent within the one minute timeframe.
Love Sick
Mise-en-scene
Once again the use of high key lighting within this short film adds to the, comical elements and humour. Whereas the other elements of mise-en-scene are directly related to the plot of the story and how it plays out. High-key light could signify the humour within short films as comedy is usually considered to be bright and enjoyable and therefore the use of the high key lighting infers and reinforces this ideology.
Cinematography
There is a limited range of different shot scales within this short film which could directly relates to the director wanting to build a relationship between the characters and the audience and therefore using shot that are closer to the main character to build the connection between them both. As well as to signify key elements and important aspects to the film that will be used later to advance the comedy with in the film. As well is this a range of movements have been used to engage and aid the progression of the film as for the majority of it the main character is running and therefore to have a static shots would be dull and an interesting warehouse to have a moving tracking shots there is some sort of extra engagement and excitement that is built for the audience.
Editing
Cross dissolve’s have also been used to link different scenes together with the same meaning and therefore the audience takes those ideas and applied in to the next shot and therefore both scenes have a similar tone and meaning that wants to be created. However this also can jump the story along in the diegesis time streem therefore increasing the rhythm and quickening the pace of the film which also adds another, call element of how quick this whole cyclical structure and narrative has come around.
Sound
A voice-over has been used with in the short film rather than diegetic dialogue as to use dialogue the character has to be shown speaking for the audience to understand and relates to the character where as the voice-over keeps the story moving while given the description and significance to the shops that being shown. Parallel sound has also been used to emphasise and exaggerate comical aspects of this short film.
