evaluation question one part one draft

7/28/2019 Evaluation Question One Part One DRAFT

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Hannah Cox

The Silent Call


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Using conventions from real media products:When researching into the codes and conventions of short films, I realised that they include a small number of

characters.

(See blog post on Wednesday, 4 July 2012: Codes and conventions of short films) For example, in the short

films I watched

such as The Girl with the Yellow Stockings and Lifeline they only had 1 -2 characters. This was because it allows

the audience

and characters to connect better in a short space of time. Hence, this argues my media product uses typicalconventions from

real short films as I included 2 characters which talked, and 2 characters which didn't, hence, making the

connection easier

between audience and characters. However, because I used more than two characters, it could be argued my

short film is

challenging the forms and conventions of short films. The Silent Call could be reflecting a mainstream feature film

as I have

included smaller characters which is typically shown in larger films through extras. However, the fact my filmlargely focuses

and connects with only one character argues it follows conventions from short films.

Furthermore, my short film also includes a twist: a typical convention found in short films. When researching the

codes and

conventions of short films, most of my research said that short films must contain a twist as this keeps the

audienceentertained in a short space of time. The twist portrayed in my short film is conveyed through the rewind. When

the

Twist resulted in alternative

scenes: 1:58 where he did see

the car and 4:00 where he

didnt see the car. The call

also made me late of timeresulting in him not seeing the

bod : 5:09.


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of a short film because during my research I watched numerous a short films, largely containing twists. In

Bengini a twist

occurs when a man grows a baby like formation on his arm. In The Black Hole there is also a twist when a man

finds a large

paper with a black hole on the front which has a secret portal he can use to get inside vaults. Similar to the

characters in

Bengini and The Black Hole, my protagonist finds the body, (finds the twist like the baby and the black hole)

hence arguingmy short film uses typical conventions of short films from real media products.

My short film also uses creativity: another typical code and convention of short films. In most of my research I

found out that

the majority of short films use alternative and creative storylines, completely different from mainstream films. The

message

behind short films is usually direct and personal, presented in a random and unusual style. In Bengini the toneand storyline

of the film differs hugely from mainstream feature films and my short film has a similar tone and style. For

example, in my

short film I used no music, just the sound from the action created in the shots. Compared to mainstream feature

films, music

is used to create atmosphere. In contrast to, The Silent Call and other short films such as Bengini and Blik,

atmosphere is

created by the emotions presented in each shot.

Using real mediaconventions:

Keeping the protagonist

centred in the opening shots

allows audience to establish

the main character as

centralising suggests

significance.


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Developing conventions of real media products:One way I have developed real media products is through the narrative. Upon my research into narrative and

structure (see

blog post Friday 22nd June: Narrative and story research) I understood the different types of narratives that can

be portrayed.

My short film uses a linear narrative as it has a beginning (introduction to characters and story) a middle

(events happen-

story builds) and an end. However, in the middle of my narrative I use elements of a circular narrative as therewind

allows the story to go back in time. Hence, this argues my short film develops conventions of real media products

as I have

developed traditional narratives.

I also wanted to develop meaning behind the text, similar to LoveField. I wanted to portray this through the

protagonist andpresent his life as simple as possible, thus contrasting against the fact he meets a mysterious body lying in a

field. I tried to

convey this through many shots and this argues I have developed real media conventions:

By having the glass of water, the phone and the

note pad, it conveys a very structured lifestyle.

The fact he writes that he is going on a walk also

suggests the protagonist is very peaceful and

calm, again contrasting against the scenes with

the mysterious body.

Furthermore, by shooting the shot in a high

angle, it reveals most of the room and the

protagonist. Hence, the fact he retrieves the iPod

suggests this is a normal task as his facialexpressions are plain and simple.

In addition to this, the slanted

angle of this shot suggests

unfamiliarity as most of the shots

have been stable and straight.

Hence this argues theprotagonist is faced with a


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Challenging forms of real media

products:

One aspect I have challenged

conventions

of short films is the titles. Most short

films

tend to introduce the title of the film

over

footage, perhaps due to the short

space of

time to develop the narrative. In my

shortfilm however, I have used a modern

approach to introducing my film by

having

a black screen with white text. This

typically reflects a mainstream film,

hence

arguing that my film does challengeforms

Short films: LoveField and Benigni Psycho and Black Swan

Hence, as we can see, the difference between these four

examples show

that short films have titles behind footage whereas mainstream

films

such as Psycho and Black Swan have black screen titles. The

reason I

chose these two films is because I believe my short films callsinto the

evaluation question one part one draft

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