'Vertigo' - Alfred Hitchcock - (1958)

Film Title: 'Vertigo'

Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Genre: Mystery, Thriller

Year: 1958

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I would like to use extreme close ups in order to heighten tension in my short film, similar to  Alfred Hitchcock and his style of film making. He used a these technique in his film ‘Vertigo’ when Scottie has a nightmare, although he disorientated the viewer using colour and Scottie’s discorporate head. He chose to intensify key moments by using contemporary shots and methods in order to put the viewer on edge, making them too feel claustrophobic and fearful. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5jvQwwHQNY - 'Vertigo' trailer 

'Breathless' - Jean-Luc Godard - (1960)

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Film Title: 'Breathless'

Director: Jean-Luc Godard

Genre: Crime, Romance, Drama

Year: 1960

Length: 1 hour 30 minutes

I loved the handheld camera effect as I felt it immersed me in the story while adding a very personal and intimate atmosphere. I loved how it made the film appear as a reality that I was part of. This I believed would fit well with a short film I would create as I believe it will create the aspect of reality that I want to portray in order for a viewer to feel that they are part of it. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2K-0JGUo0qA - 'Breathless' trailer

'Slap' - Nick Rowland (2015)

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Film Title: 'Slap'

Director: Nick Rowland 

Genre: Coming of age

Year: 2015

Length: 25 minutes

My expectation: 

I believed that the film would focus on a person being bullied by a group of people. 

However, it was far more complex than that. It followed the story of a boy who wanted to be something that society wouldn't let him be. This touched me as I felt that I began to understand the internal struggle this man was facing, and the damage society has done him.

What I liked: 

I liked that the film tacked an issue that many cannot relate or understand. I felt that I because educated as I watched the film as I began to understand his struggle. 

What I didn't like: 

I didn't like the abrupt ending as it ended on a solemn note which could be seen as demoralising for someone watching in the same situation. However, it did highlight the need for change and the importance for acceptance. 

Anything I may use?: 

I want to take an issue that needs to be more widely understood. 

https://www.shortoftheweek.com/search/?q=slap - 'Slap'

'The Arrival' - Daniel Montanarini (2016)

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Film Title: 'The Arrival'

Director: Daniel Montanarini 

Genre: Drama/Monologue 

Year: 2016

Length: 5 minutes 

My expectation: 

I believed that the short film would focus on someone unexpected arriving, focusing on one character.

The film focused on an unplanned pregnancy and a women deciding whether to keep the baby or not. It is narrated solely by a voice over or internal monologue, where we get the chance to listen to a women making a difficult decisions on her own. 

What I liked: 

I loved the fact that anyone could relate to this film in one way or another as it focuses on someone who is making a decision in their head which we all do daily. It was charming how she notices things that throw her off course like spilling tea - things like that made it feel real. I also loved how personal the internal monologue was, which made me sympathise with her situation greatly. I also liked the effect of the camera zooming into her as it grew intense this made it feel personal. Lastly, I enjoyed the hazy effect the fogged up door made at the beginning as it made me feel that I was moving into someones mind. 

What I didn't like: 

I really enjoyed the whole film and I felt that it absorbed m din the story. I would say I would have liked to know what she was going to do at the end but that was a clear artistic choice not to tell. 

Anything I may use?: 

I would really like to use an internal monologue as I feel that that makes it so personal. I would also like to use technique of getting closer as the intercity grows as I think that draws a viewer in more investing them in the story. 

https://www.shortoftheweek.com/2016/06/10/the-arrival/ - 'The Arrival' 

Short Film Ideas

Short Film Ideas

1. Therapist and person discussing - Virginity, Paranoia, Menopause. 
2. Divorce.
3. Depression - Suicide (Yes/No).
4. Fat man in chair green bottle.
5. Ghost story - Head on the top of Caravan. 
6. Charlie Chaplin.
7. Encounter - Love?
8. Argument.
9. Struggles of being a woman. 

'Echo' - Lewis Arnold (2013)

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Film Title: 'Echo'

Director: Lewis Arnold

Genre: Personal interest/True story

Year: 2013

Length: 17 minutes 

My expectation: 

I expected the film to be about an event that repeats itself and as it continues to progress we find out more.

The film followed a girl who cons members of the public with the same story daily, in order to get money. This was similar to my prediction, but explored it in a heartbreaking way. 

What I liked: 

I liked how the film played with the viewers emotions making us pity the girl but then dislike her when the truth is discovered. I found it really interesting how the film began with an observational shot then focused in on her using a medium. The way it began ambiguous then zoomed in was really effective as it highlighted that even though she was a normal person she had significants to the story. I also liked how they showed the complexities of crime and why people commit them, highlighting that not everyone who commits a crime is a bad person. 

What I didn't like: 

If I had to change anything it would have been just having more back story about her dad. 

Anything I may use?: 

The opening observational shot that then changed to a medium shot that selected her out of the crowd, this I think could be effective to entice a viewer in to a characters story. 

https://www.shortoftheweek.com/2014/03/29/echo/ - 'Echo' 

'Tight Jeans' - Destiny Ekaragh (2008)

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Film Title: 'Tight Jeans'

Director: Destiny Ekaragh 

Genre: Light comedy

Year: 2008

Length: 9 minutes 

My expectation: 
I believed the film would be about a girl who couldn't get her jeans on leading to her friends having to help her get them on. 
However when I watched it it was completely different, it was about a group of boys talking about different topics current today such as race, gender and age.

What I didn't like: 

I didn't like this short film, I found it a bit boring to watch as it didn't focus on one topic - which I think was the idea. 

Anything I may use?: 

I will focus on a topic which is current today. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcPBCrUc8YI - 'Tight Jeans'