What did you like about the film? I enjoyed watching the film because of the narrative and characters.
What didn’t you like? I didn’t like the abrupt ending as it left me confused on certain aspects of the plot.
What ideas could you use? Narrative or style? I would use the space that was used as it was a good location.
What ideas won’t you use? Why? I would maybe add more of an ending, as it was quite abrupt, and the ending left us with a lot of unanswered questions about the plot.
In-Depth study – Mise-en-scène
Feature
Example – how does it convey meaning or create an effect
Set Design
The set conveys a simple American-styled diner, in which there is a kitchen and a bar that is in the diner itself.
Costume
The costume is typical restaurant staff attire, the chef wears a cooking apron, and the waitress wears a nice dress with a short apron. The customer wears smart business wear to emphasize his business job and dark persona.
Space
The space is based off an average kitchen diner.
Lighting
The lighting in the kitchen is slightly green toned, perhaps to imply the sick concept of the poison. The diner, though, is dark to potentially emphasize the dark background of the character who had killed the waitress’s family.
Composition
The diner is put together as a nice, sweet diner, this is not shown because of the dark nature of the scene and what happens.
Hair and makeup
The hair and make-up of the characters show typical, normal hair and make-up, perhaps the dark lipstick shade of the waitress suggests her revenge and anger for the customer.
Inspirations – what ideas did this film give you for your own short film? Cinematography/Sound/Editing: I was inspired by the cinematography as I liked the variety of shots and how they were taken, as well as the location. Narrative structure: I enjoyed the narrative of the film, so would maybe use the way that he was from her past and hurt her family which caused her revenge. Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme: I would perhaps use similar aspects of the theme of revenge in my film. Creating enigmas: The ending left a lot of enigmas, so would perhaps use a mysterious ending of mine, not the same though as I was confused with this one’s ending.
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.
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.
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.
