1)I have decided to utilise narration in my short film, engaging the audience and aiding in the character development of the protagonist, and additionally a non-linear narrative (montages etc)
2)Narration is evident in Le’Jetee and was used in an effective way to build a story line to essentially ‘sell’ the verisimilute of the stylistic and post-apocalyptic world. This is influential moving forward in my film, as I would aim to hint towards a non-linear narrative in from where I bring together the narration and the other clips.
Additionally, the mise-en-scene used in ‘Bombita’ is incredibly effective in forming the aesthetic and tone of the film, this is something i want to bring to my film using symmetrical shots, repetitive shots and surrealistic shots with obscure lighting.
The Genre that I will be doing is a thriller/ horror, because i find horror is a lot more interesting than any other genre.
the story i am basing my film off is the short film of ‘the rats’. i chose this sort film because I thought the storyline was very interesting and I thought it was entertaining.
I will be having a narrator telling you about the story in the background, kinds like being in someone’s mind and telling the audience your thoughts.
My film will have the distinct genre of drama, featuring characters such as mob bosses and characters in debt, similar to The Rats from Wild Tales. I have chosen this as drama is quite a wide genre, which means that I’m not limiting what I write in order to make it funny as I would for comedy or scary as I would for horror.
It will also follow two parallel stories, which will eventually combine since the two main characters of these stories are intended to be brothers. I have chosen this as it allows for me to use a variety of locations, both interior and exterior, while keeping a relatively small cast.
Short Film Influences (will be updated throughout pre-production)
Film element
Short films Notes on which elements you are using – which film, where and how are they used
My film Where are the examples or influences in your own film
Narrative structure – How are narrative features and dramatic qualities constructed
The Rats – Family involved in crime but the woman wants to put an end to it (done through the killing of the loan shark) Bombita – the man and his wife communicating through text messages La Jetee – Main character is killed
One brother is in debt to a mob boss, something his twin knows about, hence why he goes to the house pretending to be his brother. The two brothers will be speaking through text messages One of the two brothers will have an evident death, with the latter gunshot being ambiguous as to who has been shot.
Cinematic influences – How have cinematography, editing and sound techniques been used
Til Death Do Us Part – POV/moving shot of the door Pasternak – still frame ending cutting off the implied deaths of the passengers and parents The Rats – Tracking shots create claustrophobic atmosphere. Bombita – shot/reverse shots add realism to the conversations between the man, his wife, and their lawyers. Also, ellipsis is used to shorten down the first time the man goes to prison. A pan shot is used to reveal the man grabbing the fire extinguisher.
As the crime lord’s door opens, I intend to film a similar shot to the moving door. Once his brother is killed by the mob boss, the other twin will rush to grab the gun, with an offscreen gunshot ending the film. I will use tracking shots around the house to create an unnerving feel to the narrative, I will also use them in certain scenes where the other brother is running to get there. As the brother at the house speaks with the mob boss, shot reverse shots will be used to create tension and realism. Ellipsis will be used to shorten the other brother’s journey to the house, allowing for a variety of locations to be used. I intend to use a pan or whip pan in order
Creating meaning and effect – How the production creates meanings and generates responses for the spectator
The Rats – uses a rack focus to place an emphasis on the poison, suggesting the woman’s plan to kill the loan shark without explicitly stating it. The small cast of characters reinforces claustrophobia.
I will use a rack focus to emphasize the gun that the crime lord is in possession of, making his sinister intentions clear for spectators. I will keep my cast small in order to both not over-complicate my film but also to create tension.
– Comedy – In media res (Non-linear) Starting in the middle of the action, the film will revolve around 2 farmers under the German occupation accidently killing a German. The course of events in the film will be their comedic attempts of trying to hide his body in a panic as they also try to avoid other Germans in the area.
Short Film Influences:
– La Jette – the use of flashbacks is something I hope to incorporate into my film, as well as with till death do us part – The use of sequence events such as ellipsis, will be helpful to cover events and help summarise what has gone on.
My film is going to be based off of a non linear narrative in which it follows and includes a narrative. It will follow a man who doesn’t remember where and why he is where he is and the story slowly reveals why he is in the position where he is in a non linear way. I took inspiration from Szifron for the way that there characters find out why they are where slowly as it presented to the audience with build up. I am also going to take inspiration for La Jette as the film is going to be filmed in black and white and follow a film noir style.
My plan for my NEA project is to use a narrator and a distinct genre of crime as required in the specification. This will take inspiration from La Jete using narration to explain the world and keep the audience informed as the story progresses. The genre will also be similar to wild tales stories like the rats involving crime and revenge having the same sense of tension and suspense throughout.
bonnie and Clyde- gender, Bonnie should be a subservient, feminine and rule obeying woman but she is the complete opposite.
bonnie and Clyde- ethnicity, there is only one black man who follows the orders of his white boss, he is not a normal human, he is considered a worker.
Casablanca- gender, Ilsa is portrayed as a feminine, soft and a subservient woman, as that was the stereotypical ideal woman.
Casablanca- ethnicity, there is only one black man in the film and he is considered a entertainer or a worker not as a human being.
