Monday, 20 September 2010
Introduction
I am going to create a short film as part of a group. Before this I will do extensive research into what makes a good short film, and also research into genres as this will give me a better indication into what type of film I am to create, whether it be a single genre or a hybrid of a few genres. I will also produce two of the following three things; a poster, double page spread or radio trailer, this however is part of the individual work unlike the film itself.
Monday, 13 September 2010
Why is genre an important factor of film-making?
Genre is essential now more than ever before in film making, it helps to differentiate one film to another, when a film has genre it targets a niche market, for example, kill bill (Tarantino) is a film aimed at 18 - 35 year olds, it has a wide audience range but is still a niche market as it is for people who enjoy thriller films with violence and intense action, not just the age group. Another example of this is recently released Scott Pilgrim vs the world (Wright), this is aimed at a young audience probably 16 - 24, but also for people who enjoy comedy, but also black comedy as their is a lot of violence in the film.
Not only does genre allow film makers to specify what audience they are going to attract, it also makes it easier to make the film itself, as they can follow particular codes and conventions which you would expect to see in a particular genre of film, for example, in a horror film you would expect to see violence, death, gory effects, a particular weapon (knife, claw, chainsaw etc), chase scenes, a fictional creature (vampire, were-wolf, zombie), these things are know as iconography, they are 'iconic' to a horror films. Another example is an action film, you would expect to see at least one hero/heroine, guns, violence, explosions, a villain, the victim, a certain piece of iconography from the hero (superman - cape, batman - utility belt). All of these things, as an audience you would expect to see, if you go to watch a film you go to watch it because you expect to see something which interests you as an individual, you may do it subconsciously but if people write down their ten favourite films, it is most likely a pattern would emerge of what genre of film they like most.
As films are evolving, they are becoming more than one specific genre, many films today are now 'hybrid' genres, for example, twilight (Hardwicke) a very popular film among today's youth, is a hybrid film, you could attach a few different genres to the film; for example, thriller, action, fantasy, romantic, this allows for more of a wide audience as it has a little bit of everything so it can appeal to more people and ultimately making more money, it appeals to all the niche markets, that is why most films today try to be a hybrid film to become more successful .
Genre is essential now more than ever before in film making, it helps to differentiate one film to another, when a film has genre it targets a niche market, for example, kill bill (Tarantino) is a film aimed at 18 - 35 year olds, it has a wide audience range but is still a niche market as it is for people who enjoy thriller films with violence and intense action, not just the age group. Another example of this is recently released Scott Pilgrim vs the world (Wright), this is aimed at a young audience probably 16 - 24, but also for people who enjoy comedy, but also black comedy as their is a lot of violence in the film.
Not only does genre allow film makers to specify what audience they are going to attract, it also makes it easier to make the film itself, as they can follow particular codes and conventions which you would expect to see in a particular genre of film, for example, in a horror film you would expect to see violence, death, gory effects, a particular weapon (knife, claw, chainsaw etc), chase scenes, a fictional creature (vampire, were-wolf, zombie), these things are know as iconography, they are 'iconic' to a horror films. Another example is an action film, you would expect to see at least one hero/heroine, guns, violence, explosions, a villain, the victim, a certain piece of iconography from the hero (superman - cape, batman - utility belt). All of these things, as an audience you would expect to see, if you go to watch a film you go to watch it because you expect to see something which interests you as an individual, you may do it subconsciously but if people write down their ten favourite films, it is most likely a pattern would emerge of what genre of film they like most.
As films are evolving, they are becoming more than one specific genre, many films today are now 'hybrid' genres, for example, twilight (Hardwicke) a very popular film among today's youth, is a hybrid film, you could attach a few different genres to the film; for example, thriller, action, fantasy, romantic, this allows for more of a wide audience as it has a little bit of everything so it can appeal to more people and ultimately making more money, it appeals to all the niche markets, that is why most films today try to be a hybrid film to become more successful .
Friday, 20 August 2010
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Mix-tape
This film is the winner of the virgin media shorts competition 2009, and another one of my favourites, not many people I don't think will get this film, however I see that this film says a lot more than it seems, a little boy with a crush on what seems to be his best friend and he makes her an old cassette mix-tape because she likes the music, she puts it on and he can hear it as they live next door, and then it turns into some sort of music video, yet again the narrative is so simple but yet effective, its not particularly that clever but enjoyable, the music choice in this film makes it what it is as it is upbeat yet old music, feel good music. A little bit of dialogue to introduce the narrative and some very clever camera work and shot types.
Mix-tape
This film is the winner of the virgin media shorts competition 2009, and another one of my favourites, not many people I don't think will get this film, however I see that this film says a lot more than it seems, a little boy with a crush on what seems to be his best friend and he makes her an old cassette mix-tape because she likes the music, she puts it on and he can hear it as they live next door, and then it turns into some sort of music video, yet again the narrative is so simple but yet effective, its not particularly that clever but enjoyable, the music choice in this film makes it what it is as it is upbeat yet old music, feel good music. A little bit of dialogue to introduce the narrative and some very clever camera work and shot types.
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The Black Hole
This video from the 2008 virgin media shorts competition is a favourite short film of mine, although this film is not as amateur as you would expect which is the reason why it is good, you still cannot take away the fact that it is a brilliant yet simple idea which is how short films should be, a simple narrative with no complex dialogue or head splitting twists, it is interesting, funny almost and has great effects.
The Black Hole
This video from the 2008 virgin media shorts competition is a favourite short film of mine, although this film is not as amateur as you would expect which is the reason why it is good, you still cannot take away the fact that it is a brilliant yet simple idea which is how short films should be, a simple narrative with no complex dialogue or head splitting twists, it is interesting, funny almost and has great effects.
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Baby bus
I really liked this video because it is controversial, it also deals with a topic which is very common in this country, it is a very short film lasting less than two minutes, but yet is very powerful, the animation of the babies mouth moving whilst speaking to his mother was impressive and also the script written for the baby seemed really professional and believable. Although you could only hear the voice and not see the actor himself, his voice made a real impact and gripped me straight away, he was the reason the video was so powerful.
Baby bus
I really liked this video because it is controversial, it also deals with a topic which is very common in this country, it is a very short film lasting less than two minutes, but yet is very powerful, the animation of the babies mouth moving whilst speaking to his mother was impressive and also the script written for the baby seemed really professional and believable. Although you could only hear the voice and not see the actor himself, his voice made a real impact and gripped me straight away, he was the reason the video was so powerful.
Thursday, 19 August 2010
Short film research
Encounters short film festival - http://www.encounters-festival.org.uk/ - Encounters International Film Festival is the umbrella title for two of the UK's leading film festivals Brief Encounters and Animated Encounters, with a host of cross-over attractions, at venues in and around the Harbourside area of Bristol, UK.
London film festival - http://www.shortfilms.org.uk/- The London Short Film Festival, the city’s most expansive and radically explosive film festival.With over 200 short films, LSFF’s programme is exclusively with the work of Britain’s most exciting up-and-coming filmmakers.
Virgin media short film festival - http://www.virginmediashorts.co.uk/ - Virgin Media Shorts is all about shining a light on Britain's best film makers and giving them the biggest possible arena to showcase their work. the top 12 films will be shown on 214 cinema screens across the UK. And one lucky winner could walk off with up to £30,000 and the chance to work direct with the UK Film Council and Virgin Media to shoot their next film.
Why are short films good for directors and film creators?
Short films are a starting point for new talent in the film making industry. It lets production companies see what talent is out there. It is good for directors to show off their talent, it gives them their big break. Spike Jonze, Joe Nussbaum, Alex Merkin and even high acclaimed director Martin Scorsese used short film to get himself recognised.
Short films by these directors
Spike Jonze - "Im here", "How they get there"
Joe Nussbaum - "George Lucas in Love"
Martin Scorsese - "Versuvius VI", "Its not just you Murray"
Alex Merkin - "Across the hall" (original short film)
These are the posters for the short films, "I'm here", "Across the hall", and "George Lucas in love". You can see from the posters that they are not produced by Hollywood and are quite amateurish and low budget, they seem raw and the picture on the poster is the most important thing, unlike a Hollywood poster which mainly concentrates on the stars on the poster and the title of the film.
The "I'm here" poster shows that the film is about a romance, yet also a futuristic fantasy hybrid as well due to the robots. The "Across the hall" poster shows that it is a film full of suspense, a thriller slash action hybrid, with the character hiding or looking as if he is going to pounce on the other character, with the character sweating shows that their has been some action. The "George Lucas in love" shows there is a comedy aspect with the vague expression on the George Lucas character, and the small man drinking tea and the obese character sat eating. It is meant to seem quite serious but clearly this impression is not given, the cartoon style pictures gives an innocence and shows that it is not serious.
The "I'm here" poster shows that the film is about a romance, yet also a futuristic fantasy hybrid as well due to the robots. The "Across the hall" poster shows that it is a film full of suspense, a thriller slash action hybrid, with the character hiding or looking as if he is going to pounce on the other character, with the character sweating shows that their has been some action. The "George Lucas in love" shows there is a comedy aspect with the vague expression on the George Lucas character, and the small man drinking tea and the obese character sat eating. It is meant to seem quite serious but clearly this impression is not given, the cartoon style pictures gives an innocence and shows that it is not serious.
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