The Black Hole is about a sleep-deprived office worker who accidentally discovers a black hole but greed gets the better of him…
Directed by Philip Sansom and Olly Williams.
MES
The short film has white titles on a black background this is done in order to make the titles stand out. The film is set in an office. It is dull and boring which makes the audience wonder what is going to happen is such a boring environment. The office is cluttered with computers, chairs and more which makes the audience uncomfortable because it is not a very nice place to be. The protagonist in the film is not very happy with his job because he kicks the photocopier and his facial expressions shows that he is not happy. His facial expressions also show that he is shocked about What he finds he can do with the black hole. This makes the audience interested and draws them in because it makes them imagine what it would be like to own a black hole of their own.
Sound
The short film is quite quiet which links to the boring office atmosphere and also makes the audience wonder what will happen. A lot of diegetic sound is used in order to highlight what is happening in the clip. Non diegetic sound is used which mostly makes up sound effects which are used to built tension up until the man gets stuck in the safe. When the man gets stuck the sound goes silent for a while establishing the end of the clip and the tension ending.
Camera
The short film opens with a camera crab from the left hand side of the screen to the right which centralises the man showing his importance to the film. Depth of field is used to highlight the man which enforces his importance in the film. Vast amounts of mid shots are used in order to develop the surroundings and to show the emotion of the character. There is a close up of the man kicking a photocopier. This shows that he is not very happy with his job and is getting annoyed. Close ups of the mans face is used throughout the film which is gone primarily to show his emotion changes. A low angle shot of the man drinking is used from the black holes point of view. This is done in order to tell the reader that the black hole is very important in the film and to build tension because it makes the audience wonder what is going to happen. A zoom is used of the door which is done to show that the man is draw to it.
Editing
Cut shots are used throughout the film to built tension and to add pace. Fast cut shots are used when the man is taking money out of the safe which builds vast amounts of tension and draws the reader in because it makes them interested in what is going to happen next.
Overall I think this short film is very good. This is because even though it is set in a dull, boring environment I think the storyline has been thought out well because it interests the reader and draws them in. The ending is also quite funny and sends a message to the audience which is not to be too greedy.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Mind Mapping Research
What is Mind Mapping?
A mind map is a diagram used to represent words, ideas, tasks, or other items linked to a word or idea. Mind maps are used to generate, visualize, structure, and classify ideas, and as an aid in study, organization, problem solving, decision making, and writing.
Mind Map Guildelines
1. Start in the center with an image of the topic, using at least 3 colors.
2. Use images, symbols, codes, and dimensions throughout your Mind Map.
3. Select key words and print using upper or lower case letters.
4. Each word/image is best alone and sitting on its own line.
5. The lines should be connected, starting from the central image.
6. Make the lines the same length as the word/image they support.
7. Use different colors throughout the Mind Map.
What is Rico Clusters?
Rico clustering is a brainstorming tool that emphasizes the connection between left-brain openness and connection-making and right-brain verbalization and ordering.
The basic idea of Rico Cluster is -
1. Write a word in the middle of a sheet of paper.
2. Circle it.
3. Write down the first word or phrase that comes to mind and circle it.
4. Draw a line connecting the second circle to the first.
5. Repeat.
6. When you’ve filled the page, or just feel like you’ve done enough go back through what you’ve written down. Cross out words and phrases that seem irrelevant, and begin to order individual bubbles or clusters. Here is where your right-brain is working in tandem with your left-brain, producing what is essentially an outline. At this point, you can either transfer your numbered clusters to a proper outline or simply begin writing in the order you’ve numbered the clusters.
Sources of information-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mind_map
http://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/rico-clusters-an-alternative-to-mind-mapping.html
A mind map is a diagram used to represent words, ideas, tasks, or other items linked to a word or idea. Mind maps are used to generate, visualize, structure, and classify ideas, and as an aid in study, organization, problem solving, decision making, and writing.
Mind Map Guildelines
1. Start in the center with an image of the topic, using at least 3 colors.
2. Use images, symbols, codes, and dimensions throughout your Mind Map.
3. Select key words and print using upper or lower case letters.
4. Each word/image is best alone and sitting on its own line.
5. The lines should be connected, starting from the central image.
6. Make the lines the same length as the word/image they support.
7. Use different colors throughout the Mind Map.
What is Rico Clusters?
Rico clustering is a brainstorming tool that emphasizes the connection between left-brain openness and connection-making and right-brain verbalization and ordering.
The basic idea of Rico Cluster is -
1. Write a word in the middle of a sheet of paper.
2. Circle it.
3. Write down the first word or phrase that comes to mind and circle it.
4. Draw a line connecting the second circle to the first.
5. Repeat.
6. When you’ve filled the page, or just feel like you’ve done enough go back through what you’ve written down. Cross out words and phrases that seem irrelevant, and begin to order individual bubbles or clusters. Here is where your right-brain is working in tandem with your left-brain, producing what is essentially an outline. At this point, you can either transfer your numbered clusters to a proper outline or simply begin writing in the order you’ve numbered the clusters.
Sources of information-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mind_map
http://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/rico-clusters-an-alternative-to-mind-mapping.html
Friday, June 25, 2010
15 Great Short Films
When carrying out my research of short films I came across a website that lists fifteen of the best short films.
15. Nought - A very eerie, surreal film along the lines of David Lynch. This is a challenging insight into a bleak, unstable world that exists within the realm of imagination, but aside from its absolute insanity, it’s well done.
14. Black Button - This is a short moral-based film that was made in Australia, and won the Melbourne Film Award. It carries some religious overtones, but is still thought-provoking.
13. Finite - This is a film that touches on concepts of mortality. It is very well made, and quite moving, although somewhat sad.
12. Touch - Although based upon fairly adult concepts, this is not a particularly visual film, but rather uses dialogue and implied visuals to tell a passionate story.
11. Snap - A fairly light-heartened, fast-paced film. It is remarkably well put together, and is very unique. The camera-work is particularly stunning.
10. Geri's Game - A short, but heart-warming animation from Pixar. Although this one is quite well-known, and over ten years old, it does not fade with age, and is brilliant in each retelling. A remarkable piece of work.
9. Ratrix Hero - Winner of a French short film festival, this is a very light-hearted comedy/action animation, which retells part of the Matrix story, with a slight difference.
8. For The Birds - Almost certainly the most celebrated Pixar short, this is widely-received as one of the best animated shorts ever. Very well made, and very humorous, this can be enjoyed by all ages.
7. The Life And Death Of A Pumpkin - Another unique and bizarre film, this follows a Halloween story… from the perspective of the pumpkin. It is quite funny in its utter bizarreness, and has won numerous awards in its time.
6. Kiwi - The story of the little bird that shows that even the biggest of dreams can be realized.
5. The Heart Of The World - A fairly recent film, despite the cinematography, it averages 2frames per second, and pays homage to the old silent movies with their black and white cinematography, lack of dialogue and grainy quality. Quite simply, one of the best and most unique short films ever made.
4. The Story Of A Sign - A simple, heart-warming Spanish short film. This is guaranteed to put a smile on your face, no matter how bad a day you’ve had. It’s simplicity is its hook, it has no fancy techniques, just a tale to tell.
3. Please - Before 300, Gerard Butler was the star of this award-winning short film, starring as a the protagonist in this emotional film. It is an amazing film, and it is in no way difficult to see why it has won awards.
2. Cashback - Another award winner, this quaint little film follows the antics of the staff at a supermarket during the night shift. It is unequalled for originality, artistic quality and execution.
1. Ten Minutes - One of my personal favorite short films, this was ranked as Europe’s best short film. It is a very moving, brilliantly filmed film, the majority of which is filmed in one, long take. You will think about this film long after its conclusion.
I will watch all of the top fifteen short films because it will give me a good idea of what makes a good short film and will give me a good idea of what I will need to do.
http://listverse.com/2008/09/06/15-great-short-films/
Image from Ratrix Hero
15. Nought - A very eerie, surreal film along the lines of David Lynch. This is a challenging insight into a bleak, unstable world that exists within the realm of imagination, but aside from its absolute insanity, it’s well done.
14. Black Button - This is a short moral-based film that was made in Australia, and won the Melbourne Film Award. It carries some religious overtones, but is still thought-provoking.
13. Finite - This is a film that touches on concepts of mortality. It is very well made, and quite moving, although somewhat sad.
12. Touch - Although based upon fairly adult concepts, this is not a particularly visual film, but rather uses dialogue and implied visuals to tell a passionate story.
11. Snap - A fairly light-heartened, fast-paced film. It is remarkably well put together, and is very unique. The camera-work is particularly stunning.
10. Geri's Game - A short, but heart-warming animation from Pixar. Although this one is quite well-known, and over ten years old, it does not fade with age, and is brilliant in each retelling. A remarkable piece of work.
9. Ratrix Hero - Winner of a French short film festival, this is a very light-hearted comedy/action animation, which retells part of the Matrix story, with a slight difference.
8. For The Birds - Almost certainly the most celebrated Pixar short, this is widely-received as one of the best animated shorts ever. Very well made, and very humorous, this can be enjoyed by all ages.
7. The Life And Death Of A Pumpkin - Another unique and bizarre film, this follows a Halloween story… from the perspective of the pumpkin. It is quite funny in its utter bizarreness, and has won numerous awards in its time.
6. Kiwi - The story of the little bird that shows that even the biggest of dreams can be realized.
5. The Heart Of The World - A fairly recent film, despite the cinematography, it averages 2frames per second, and pays homage to the old silent movies with their black and white cinematography, lack of dialogue and grainy quality. Quite simply, one of the best and most unique short films ever made.
4. The Story Of A Sign - A simple, heart-warming Spanish short film. This is guaranteed to put a smile on your face, no matter how bad a day you’ve had. It’s simplicity is its hook, it has no fancy techniques, just a tale to tell.
3. Please - Before 300, Gerard Butler was the star of this award-winning short film, starring as a the protagonist in this emotional film. It is an amazing film, and it is in no way difficult to see why it has won awards.
2. Cashback - Another award winner, this quaint little film follows the antics of the staff at a supermarket during the night shift. It is unequalled for originality, artistic quality and execution.
1. Ten Minutes - One of my personal favorite short films, this was ranked as Europe’s best short film. It is a very moving, brilliantly filmed film, the majority of which is filmed in one, long take. You will think about this film long after its conclusion.
I will watch all of the top fifteen short films because it will give me a good idea of what makes a good short film and will give me a good idea of what I will need to do.
http://listverse.com/2008/09/06/15-great-short-films/
Image from Ratrix Hero
About The London Short Film Festival
The London Short Film Festival returned to the city for its 7th edition over ten days and ten different venues in January 2010.
The festival presented over 200 short films, showing the work of Britain’s most exciting up-and-coming filmmakers. For ten days the country’s most independent and creative saw their work on the screens.
2009 Facts & Figures
• Over 6000 tickets sold
• 42 events across 10 days and 10 venues
• 75% of events sold to capacity
• 8 major media partners and 16 creative programme partners
• Over 200 films screened
The festival presented over 200 short films, showing the work of Britain’s most exciting up-and-coming filmmakers. For ten days the country’s most independent and creative saw their work on the screens.
2009 Facts & Figures
• Over 6000 tickets sold
• 42 events across 10 days and 10 venues
• 75% of events sold to capacity
• 8 major media partners and 16 creative programme partners
• Over 200 films screened
Best Short Film 2010
These were the nominated films:
THE BEDFORDS (Henry Coombes)
BELIEVE (Paul Wright)
JADE (Daniel Elliot)
KID’S MIGHT FLY (Alex Taylor)
LAST TRAIN (David Schofield)
THE REAPERS (Nick Jordan / Jacob Cartwright)
RED SANDS (David Proctor)
STRANGE LIGHTS (Rosie Pedlow / Joe King)
THE WAKE (Loren Slater / Kerry Kolbe)
YOU’RE THE STRANGER HERE (Tom Geens)
The winner was announced as YOU’RE THE STRANGER HERE, directed by Tom Geens.
You're the Stranger Here is a story about a middle-aged woman with a crazy leg. She lives in a fascist regime where people with her condition get shot on the spot. Inspired by the courageous death of one of her fellow sufferers, she goes on an all or nothing quest to change the world, falling in love with her executor in the process.
Year of Production: 2009
Running Time: 16 mins
Director: Tom Geens
Producer: Zorana Piggott
Editor: Chris Barwell
Screenwriter: Tom Geens
Production Company: The Chicken Factory Ltd
THE BEDFORDS (Henry Coombes)
BELIEVE (Paul Wright)
JADE (Daniel Elliot)
KID’S MIGHT FLY (Alex Taylor)
LAST TRAIN (David Schofield)
THE REAPERS (Nick Jordan / Jacob Cartwright)
RED SANDS (David Proctor)
STRANGE LIGHTS (Rosie Pedlow / Joe King)
THE WAKE (Loren Slater / Kerry Kolbe)
YOU’RE THE STRANGER HERE (Tom Geens)
The winner was announced as YOU’RE THE STRANGER HERE, directed by Tom Geens.
You're the Stranger Here is a story about a middle-aged woman with a crazy leg. She lives in a fascist regime where people with her condition get shot on the spot. Inspired by the courageous death of one of her fellow sufferers, she goes on an all or nothing quest to change the world, falling in love with her executor in the process.
Year of Production: 2009
Running Time: 16 mins
Director: Tom Geens
Producer: Zorana Piggott
Editor: Chris Barwell
Screenwriter: Tom Geens
Production Company: The Chicken Factory Ltd
Validation Short Film
This short film was written and directed by Kurt Kuenne. It is about a cheerful parking attendant who considers it his job to do more than validate parking. He wants to validate the customers themselves, by delivering compliments about their appearances and the inner qualities behind them. Everyone who comes up to him with a ticket walks away validated as a worthwhile and happy human being. Soon, the parking attendant becomes so popular that people line up for validation. He appears on news broadcasts and even ends up validating George W. Bush and Saddam Hussein. His life hits a roadblock when he goes to the DMV to get his driver's license photo taken and is met with a beautiful photographer whom he can't get to smile.
This movie has played at 34 film festivals worldwide and won 17 awards.
This short film inspired me because even through it is filmed in black and white and has quite a slow pace it has a good message and highlights the good things in life instead of the bad.
Source - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cbk980jV7Ao
This movie has played at 34 film festivals worldwide and won 17 awards.
This short film inspired me because even through it is filmed in black and white and has quite a slow pace it has a good message and highlights the good things in life instead of the bad.
Source - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cbk980jV7Ao
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
For The Birds (2000) Analysis
For the Birds was made by Pixar. It is about a group of small birds who are perched together on a telephone wire. A much larger and awkward-looking bird arrives, the smaller birds reject him with taunts and insults. But he persists in trying to win their friendship, until at last the smaller birds decide to shove him from their perch but soon discover that there may be a problem with this plan.
For the Birds lasts approximately three and a half minutes and won an Oscar for the best short animated film in 2002.
MES
The short begins with the creaters logo and name on screen where a lamp jumps across the screen and replaces the 'I' in the companies name which is 'Pixar'. The sky is then shot with a telephone wire across it and with a few clouds in the background. The picture is very bright which puts the audience in a good mood. A bird lands on the wire which establshes the characters on the screen. Another bird joins and starts fighting with bird, others join to make a total of ten birds who then start fighting. This portrays the birds as mischief and annoying which in some ways builds tension and makes the audience wonder what the rest of the short film will bring. Another bird is also in the short film but is considerably bigger than the others which shows he is different to the rest of them and maybe an outcast.
Sound
In the title scene there is only diegetic sound. This may be because it makes the audience focus more on the companies name. The music throughout the short film is happy and jolly which is good because it interests the audience and encourages them to keep watching because happy music will put them in a good mood. The noises which the birds make are high pitched and loud. This is done to show the contrast between the bigger bird and the smaller birds because of the difference in the sounds they make. This highlights the fact that the birds are different. The loud chirping of the small birds makes the audience feel uncomfortable and builds tension because it makes the audience wonder how or what will make the birds stop chirping which therefore draws the audience in. The story ends with the big bird laughing which adds a commical effect to the story which is done to put the audience in a good mood.
Camera
The short film opens with a pan of the sky which sets the scene. The title travels with the pan which highlights the name of the film. There is a long shot of the sky which establishes the location and surroundings. Mid shots are used as the small birds enter the frame. This is done to show the importance of the birds and to show how close they are to eachother. A long shot is used to show the bigger bird. This is used to show the distance between the small birds and the big bird. This shows the audience that the big bird is an outsider and is the odd one out. Mid shots are also used to show the small birds feelings towards the big bird adding to the fact that he is an outsider. A close up is used of the big birds feet on the wire. This is done to highlight the fact that his feet are key to the plot and to build tension of what will happen next.
Editing
A few cut shots are used in the short story to add a fast pace to it and to keep the audience interested. A shot reverse shot is used to show the distance in which the small birds are traveling in order to get away from the bigger bird. This also highlights the fact that the bigger bird is an outcast. The continuity of this short film was very good because it was set in one location and very lengthy shots are used.
For the Birds lasts approximately three and a half minutes and won an Oscar for the best short animated film in 2002.
MES
The short begins with the creaters logo and name on screen where a lamp jumps across the screen and replaces the 'I' in the companies name which is 'Pixar'. The sky is then shot with a telephone wire across it and with a few clouds in the background. The picture is very bright which puts the audience in a good mood. A bird lands on the wire which establshes the characters on the screen. Another bird joins and starts fighting with bird, others join to make a total of ten birds who then start fighting. This portrays the birds as mischief and annoying which in some ways builds tension and makes the audience wonder what the rest of the short film will bring. Another bird is also in the short film but is considerably bigger than the others which shows he is different to the rest of them and maybe an outcast.
Sound
In the title scene there is only diegetic sound. This may be because it makes the audience focus more on the companies name. The music throughout the short film is happy and jolly which is good because it interests the audience and encourages them to keep watching because happy music will put them in a good mood. The noises which the birds make are high pitched and loud. This is done to show the contrast between the bigger bird and the smaller birds because of the difference in the sounds they make. This highlights the fact that the birds are different. The loud chirping of the small birds makes the audience feel uncomfortable and builds tension because it makes the audience wonder how or what will make the birds stop chirping which therefore draws the audience in. The story ends with the big bird laughing which adds a commical effect to the story which is done to put the audience in a good mood.
Camera
The short film opens with a pan of the sky which sets the scene. The title travels with the pan which highlights the name of the film. There is a long shot of the sky which establishes the location and surroundings. Mid shots are used as the small birds enter the frame. This is done to show the importance of the birds and to show how close they are to eachother. A long shot is used to show the bigger bird. This is used to show the distance between the small birds and the big bird. This shows the audience that the big bird is an outsider and is the odd one out. Mid shots are also used to show the small birds feelings towards the big bird adding to the fact that he is an outsider. A close up is used of the big birds feet on the wire. This is done to highlight the fact that his feet are key to the plot and to build tension of what will happen next.
Editing
A few cut shots are used in the short story to add a fast pace to it and to keep the audience interested. A shot reverse shot is used to show the distance in which the small birds are traveling in order to get away from the bigger bird. This also highlights the fact that the bigger bird is an outcast. The continuity of this short film was very good because it was set in one location and very lengthy shots are used.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Pixar Short Films
Pixar Animation Studios is an American CGI animation film studio. The studio has earned twenty-four Academy Awards, six Golden Globes, and three Grammys, among many other awards, acknowledgments and achievements and has made $5.5 billion worldwide. It is best known for its CGI-animated feature films.
Pixar have also made a vast amount of short films.
These include:
Partly Cloudy (2009)
BURN-E (2008)
Presto (2008)
Your Friend the Rat (2007)
Lifted (2006)
Mater and the Ghostlight (2006)
One Man Band (2005)
Jack-Jack Attack (2005)
Boundin' (2003)
Mike's New Car (2002)
For the Birds (2000)
Geri's Game (1997)
Knick Knack (1989)
Tin Toy (1988)
Red's Dream (1987)
Luxo Jr. (1986)
The Adventures of André and Wally B. (1984)
Pixar have also made a vast amount of short films.
These include:
Partly Cloudy (2009)
BURN-E (2008)
Presto (2008)
Your Friend the Rat (2007)
Lifted (2006)
Mater and the Ghostlight (2006)
One Man Band (2005)
Jack-Jack Attack (2005)
Boundin' (2003)
Mike's New Car (2002)
For the Birds (2000)
Geri's Game (1997)
Knick Knack (1989)
Tin Toy (1988)
Red's Dream (1987)
Luxo Jr. (1986)
The Adventures of André and Wally B. (1984)
Final Product From AS
This is my final product from AS media studies. I will be using this to evaluate my progress.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
What is a short film?
A short film is defined as a motion picture that is not more than 40 minutes in running time including all credits.
Short films can be classified based on storyline. Short films have various sub-categories:
• Animated short (hand-drawn or CGI)
• Documentary short subject
• Experimental or abstract short films
• Live action short
• Musical short
• Sponsored
• Travelogue
Short films can be classified based on storyline. Short films have various sub-categories:
• Animated short (hand-drawn or CGI)
• Documentary short subject
• Experimental or abstract short films
• Live action short
• Musical short
• Sponsored
• Travelogue
Friday, June 18, 2010
Decision on which brief to do
After considering all the year 13 coursework options I decided to do a short film. This short film has to last approximately five minutes, which may be live action or animation or a combination of both, together with:a poster for the film and a film magazine review page featuring the film. I decided to do a short film because this one appealed to me the most because it sounds interesting and I believe I will do well by choosing this option. I will need to research a variety of short films in order to find out what I will need to do and to find out the conventions of a short film.
I did not want to do a movie trailer because it requires a vast amount of though and work in order to make it successful. It requires a lot of camera work and editing. I also did not want to do a music video. This is because I am more interested in doing a short film than doing a music video. I think that the lip sinking will be a challenge when completing a music video. I also do not think that the TV advertisement will be very interesting to do.
The brief of the short film - A short film in its entirety, lasting approximately five minutes, which may be live action or animation or a combination of both, together with:
* a poster for the film
* a film magazine review page featuring the film
I did not want to do a movie trailer because it requires a vast amount of though and work in order to make it successful. It requires a lot of camera work and editing. I also did not want to do a music video. This is because I am more interested in doing a short film than doing a music video. I think that the lip sinking will be a challenge when completing a music video. I also do not think that the TV advertisement will be very interesting to do.
The brief of the short film - A short film in its entirety, lasting approximately five minutes, which may be live action or animation or a combination of both, together with:
* a poster for the film
* a film magazine review page featuring the film
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