(Cinematography image)

Film 3: Bombita

What did you like about the film? I liked the characters, as they were given a lot of backstories such as with Bombita having marital issues and the employees having a history of scamming	What didn’t you like? It could’ve used more scenes of the man’s family problems as it seemed abit random for them to be together one minute and then separated in the next part.
What ideas could you use? Narrative or style? I liked the style of large, angled shots, as they were able to establish a location well and added detail to the scene.	What ideas won’t you use? Why? VFX like explosions as they are difficult to edit and most likely wouldn’t fit the short film.

In-Depth study: All elements

Feature	Example
Narrative structure	The narrative structure is well presented with sequence of events being presented through a linear pace. Scenes feel about the same length which allows the viewer to take in more from what is happening in the storyline.
Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme	‘Bombita’ is portrayed as a person of respected authority and composure within life and his workplace, this is until the emotionless and rude employees of the towing company and department of complaints ignore the fact he wasn’t parked illegally. These characters are portrayed as a corrupt government keen on scamming the people. After having this tow company lead to him having a rough patch in his marriage and employment, Bombita takes up the mantel of a robinhood-esk character by striking back against them with a bomb implanted in his car.  It is shown that soon after he regained his place in society for acting against the corrupt figures.
Mise-en-scene	The Mise-en-scene of the film is heavily reliant on the use of composition, props, and locations. This is evident with the use of props like set charges for bomb demolition being used at the start then later. Locations such as the towing centre, city road etc.
Cinematography	The Cinematography in ‘Bombita’ uses Long Shots regularly to establish current events in scenes, this is evident in scenes such as this as (whilst combined with an over the shoulder shot) Bombita is seen to be relaxed in watching his car get towed as it is all a part of his plan.
Editing	Jump cuts are used to establish time separation between scenes, this is clear during scene where bombita is sitting through traffic in a clear day and by the time he reaches home, the sky has turned to dusk.
Sound	Foley sound such as explosions are used in scenes where they are needed such as with the demolition sight or when bombita gets his revenge.

Film 4: Til Death do us Part/Hasta que la muerte nos separe

What did you like about the film? – The plot, the tracking shots, the performances, the one location throughout the whole short.	What didn’t you like? – The film seemed to drag out slightly towards the end.
What ideas could you use? Narrative or style? – Tracking shots, anger/revenge in the plot.	What ideas won’t you use? Why? – The setting of a wedding venue since it doesn’t apply to any storylines I plan to use.

In-Depth study: All elements

Feature	Example
Narrative structure	The film follows a linear narrative, and the only event not seen by the audience is the ambulance arriving (the woman getting thrown into the mirror cuts into her getting treated).
Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme	The entrance of the main characters immediately tells the audience that the two have just gotten married through their outfits, the music and the cheering of the wedding guests.
Mise-en-scene	The mirror is used to show the audience the wife’s devastated reaction to the woman answering the phone, making it clear that her husband has a personal relationship with her.
Cinematography	As the wife stands alone after calling the woman, we see her watching the woman from a distance while the guests in the frame have their attention elsewhere, connoting that only she knows about her husband’s affair.
Editing	The film cross-cuts between the wife and the chef on the roof, and the husband searching the building for her.
Sound	The opening scene consists fully of diegetic sound, from the dj speaking and the music playing to the clapping and cheering of the guests.

Cinematography Example

Film 1: Pasternak 

What did you like about the film? I liked the narrative and characters used in the short film as they were all linked so it was entertaining to see their connection to Gabriel Pasternak.	What didn’t you like? I think it was really fast-paced and all kind of happened at once, so I think that made it feel rushed in a way.
What ideas could you use? Narrative or style? I liked the style of the way in which the film was displayed cleanly with a flow and how the revelation of links to Pasternak began.	What ideas won’t you use? Why? I wouldn’t use the pace of the short film as I felt it was too rushed. Instead, I would maybe extend it a bit to add more effect and dramatize it a little more.

In-Depth Study – Film elements 

Film element	Example
Cinematography	Example 1: The shot of the plane taken from the middle of the aisle shooting all the way down from the front to the back of the plane.  Example 2: The wonky camera shot to show the plane’s turbulence and to emphasize the panic of the plane crash that is about to commence.
Editing	Example 1: The quick shots between each character.  Example 2: The cuts between the rocking plane and the passengers.
Sound	Example 1: Airport sounds (plane taking off, check in, plane crashing, etc.)  Example 2: Tense background music when revelation about Pasternak is formed

Inspirations – what ideas did this film give you for your own short film? 

Cinematography: I liked the camera shots that showed each angle and each character who would appear on the plane. I would use similar shots.	Editing: I would use the editing technique of switching quickly between each character to create tense emotion.
Sound: I would take the dramatic tense music in the background for my film because it added great effect to it.	Other: I did get inspiration from the plot as I thought it was a good narrative, in which they all discover they have a connection to Pasternak.

Film 3: Bombita

What did you like about the film? – The narrative, the convincing performances, the use of visual motifs.	What didn’t you like? – The sudden change of public opinion towards the man at the end, since we see beforehand that he is portrayed negatively in newspapers, which led to him losing his job.
What ideas could you use? Narrative or style? – the use of visual motifs, sympathetic and unsympathetic characters.	What ideas won’t you use? Why? – Visual Effects like explosions – too over the top and exaggerated.

In-Depth study: All elements

Feature	Example
Narrative structure	The events that occur back to back (e.g. the man missing his daughter’s birthday because he had to pay to get his car back, then getting stuck in traffic) are intended to build up the man’s anger with the corrupt system until he eventually reaches breaking point.
Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme	The very first event of the short is the protagonist taking part in the detonation of a building, showing the audience what his profession is and foreshadowing the eventual explosion of his car.
Mise-en-scene	As the car explodes, we see that the car park of towed cars is almost full. This implies that many others have suffered the same way the man has, hence why he is seen as a hero at the end of the film.
Cinematography	An extra long shot is used as the man walks up the office hallway to speak to the receptionist. The frame is empty besides the man and the building, suggesting his lack of support throughout the film.
Editing	A shot/reverse shot is used during the conversation between the man and the worker asking him to pay his fine. This builds suspense as the man grows more and more agitated while the employee remains calm.
Sound	As the man smashes a fire extinguisher against the glass barrier, some of the people behind him can be heard cheering. This too foreshadows his eventual reputation as a hero of the people.

Cinematography Example

Part 1: Brief Reference 

What did you like about the film? I liked the narrative/plot and how he ends up being the person he sees dying at the end.	What didn’t you like? I didn’t like the fact it was only images shown as it didn’t exactly depict the full story well enough for me to understand clearly.
What ideas could you use? Narrative or style?  I liked the narrative in the short film so could use a similar idea in the circular narrative it used.	What ideas won’t you use? Why?  The lack of the actors talking confused me because it was one man doing the voiceover, so the tone of the whole short film was the same throughout.

Establishing protagonist – what information do we find out? How is it conveyed?

The short film focuses on tracing the life of a man, a slave who travels in time to find a solution to the world’s destiny. He is the main protagonist, who remains nameless, and is sent back and forth in and out of time in an experiment that attempts to unravel the fate and the solution to the problems of a post-apocalyptic world during the aftermath of WW3. The experiment results in him getting caught up in a reminiscence of past events that are recreated on an airport viewing pier. 

Establishing other characters – what information do we find out? How is it conveyed? 

We see the other woman at the beginning and end, emphasizing her importance to the narrative. She almost leads the story on because she represents the main protagonist’s death and foregrounds that at the start. 

Establishing location (time and place) – what information do we find out? How is it conveyed? 

We know from the beginning that the location is Paris. The images they show of bombed out wreckage of the city are real WW2 images. 

Creating Enigmas – what are they? How are they created? 

Throughout the narrative, we question the beginning death scene and who the dying man is, we wonder how he dies, who the woman is and why he’s there. These are powerfully answered through the end scene and the images and voice over. 

Narrative binary oppositions 

The film is primarily based on the theme of past vs future, which is the main narrative binary opposition because of the protagonist’s confliction of deciding to either stay or travel back to the past in which he can find the woman. 

Crisis – how was this conveyed? 

I think the crisis is the moment he finds the woman as that is technically when his death is. Then when he dies of course is the other crisis, though metaphorically it’s when he sees the woman as she basically foregrounds his death. 

Resolution – is it closed or open narrative? 

I would say the narrative is either circular or closed as it is a loop so it doesn’t have much opportunity to continue the story. 

Part 3: Meaning and Effect 

What did you think was the intention of the filmmaker(s)? Intellectual message? Emotional response? How was this achieved?

I think the message of the film was that you can’t change your past or go back in time in order to achieve things, because it will mess with time, and the same thing will happen but in a different way. I think this idea was shown by the crisis at the end in which the main protagonist dies, because he tries to go back but ends up being the person he sees dead at the start. 

The effects of the aesthetic binary oppositions

I think the photos that show each scene and the time change throughout create the effect of change, as they progress throughout and showcase his emotions of loss and almost an identity loss. 

Inspirations – what ideas did this film give you for your own short film? 

Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme I like the plot of him going back in time and getting caught up in his own death.	Creating enigmas  I like the mystery and enigma of the woman on the airport viewing pier. I would use a similar concept in my film of the mysterious person who technically brings the film together.
Narrative structure (non-/linear? Open/ closed ending?) I would use the idea of the beginning and end linking to complete the story as I quite liked that concept.	Striking use of technical features  In a way, although it wasn’t my favorite technique, the photos did add effect to the film overall because it added dramatic effect, so maybe I would add photos in my film.

Warren Beatty (Clyde Barrow) produced and acted in Bonnie and Clyde. He selected the writers (Robert Benton and David Newman) and the director (Arthur Penn) and also selected most of the cast. He also oversaw the script and spearheaded the delivery of the film.

Faye Dunaway (Bonnie Parker) was perfect for the spirit of the thirties and the spirit of the sixties. Penn had seen her scenes from ‘The Happening’ before its release and decided to let her read for the role of Bonnie Parker.

Michael J. Pollard (C.W. Moss) is best known for his role in Bonnie and Clyde, he was relatively unknown before this film.

Gene Hackman (Buck Barrow) had most of his stardom come in for him in the 1970s, in which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in The French Connection (William Friedkin, 1971).

Realism in Casablanca is shown through the romance aspect of the film, and the theme of war shown throughout. The conflicted love affair between Rick and Ilsa portrays realistic aspects that create effect to the characters of the film, while the war theme creates a real meaning that impacts the narrative of the film.

Tone in the film is portrayed in a dramatic and romantic way. It shows the sad effects of war, while also being a form of escapism from war shown through the romance between Rick and Ilsa.

The visual style of ‘Film Noir’, can be seen through the dark look and shadows used in the film at Rick’s Café, typical of the film noir style. The use of urban settings, unconventional camera angles and low-key lighting also help define Casablanca’s ‘noir’ style.