Film 1: Pasternak 

What did you like about the film? I liked the narrative/plot twist of finding out that everyone on the plane knew ‘Pasternak’	What didn’t you like? I felt that it could be longer as the whole story felt a little rushed
What ideas could you use? Narrative or style? I would use the narrative style of a big plot twist at the end	What ideas won’t you use? Why? I don’t like the style of it being done on a plane as I feel that this would be very difficult to do

In-Depth Study – Film elements 

Film element	Example
Cinematography	I liked the high angle on the main characters in the overhead locker. It is an interesting view and gives more of an insight into the characters’ expressions when they interact. It also allows the spectator to see another person on the plane, which they will then find out will be significant to the story  I liked the low, long shot on the couple at the end as you watch them read and chill out in the garden. It is really effective for when the plane comes in the distance and gets closer and closer
Editing	The editing towards the end of the short film is really frantic, especially when it is showing the people on the plane. Also, this emphasises the contrast between the calmness of the garden and the out of control  I really like the editing at the end with the freeze frame because I feels almost comical to contrast how intense the scenes on the plane was.
Sound	I like the way the sound of the plane coming closer is very subtle and gets louder and louder as the only sound playing. It feels very ominous and atmospheric  There is a string underscore when more and more people find out that they know Pasternak which feels very unsettling and uncomfortable and gives a feeling that there is something wrong before you even find out what it is

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

Cinematography: I really like the use of symmetry in some of the shots such as when they used a long shot down the aisle of the plane while the man and the woman were talking. I would like to use similar, symmetrical cinematography in my own film	Editing: I really like the idea of using a freeze frame, like in Pasternak because it gives a comical undertone to the short film, as well as it being an open ending. Freeze frames could also be used for jumpscares, which I am considering using
Sound: After watching Pasternak, I know that I wouldn’t really want to have it as quiet, though I do like the tenseness of the underscore and the chaos	Other: I really liked the use of a plot twist, which I will likely use in my own short film

Film 2: The Rats/Las Ratas 

What did you like about the film? I really liked the general aesthetic of the film—how dark and dingy it feels. I also like the way it used only one set the whole time as it feels more low budget and accessible	What didn’t you like? I didn’t really like the exposition and how everything is immediately revealed when the gangster comes into the diner—I would prefer for it to be revealed over time
What ideas could you use? Narrative or style? I like the murder-mystery tone that it has, which I will likely use in my narrative.  I also really like the style and how dark it feels which I would like to replicate. The use of symmetry in the composition of shots and cinematography is also something I will consider using	What ideas won’t you use? Why? I would not use the blatant violence and murder that happens in The Rats

In-Depth study – Mise-en-scène 

Feature	Example – how does it convey meaning or create an effect
Set Design	The diner feels very authentic and fitting for the tone—almost run down and dingy which is further suggested by the fact that there is rat poison and other toxic substances lying around in the kitchen. It feels similar to where a murder would really happen
Costume	Similar to the set design, costume feels very authentic and fitting. Costume could also suggest characteristics about the characters – the older woman who wanted to poison the gangster seeming dishevelled which fits with her deranged nature, and the gangster also looks far more put together than the other characters which emphasises the struggle that the protagonist is going through.
Space	Everything is tightly framed with little empty space that is always filled with little bits like empty glasses etc., which makes the set feel cozy and
Lighting	There is a stark difference in lighting between the kitchen, which has very cold lighting, and the main diner, which has very warm lighting. This could suggest that the chef is cold and calculating, while the diner/gangster is unaware of what is happening
Composition	Everything is rather symmetrical—there are multiple shots where the protagonist is being framed by windows or keeping her in the middle of the frame. This is very aesthetically pleasing
Hair and makeup	Similar to the costume design, hair and makeup also is used to suggest character information – both the older woman and the protagonist are depicted through this as tired and dishevelled, suggested by the slightly messed up hair and the way a combination of lighting and makeup makes them look pale and almost sickly

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

Cinematography/Sound/Editing: I really liked the visual style of Las Ratas as it felt homemade and quite low budget. The use of lighting helps with this, as well as the disturbing and contrasting string underscore which I really liked. There are a lot of aspects of this short film that I will likely take inspiration from.	Narrative structure: I will be doing a linear narrative like Las Ratas
Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme:  I didn’t really like the amount of exposition given in the beginning when the gangster first arrives – I’d rather keep it a mystery.	Creating enigmas: I like the use of enigmas in Las Ratas and I would like to make some of my own to create a sense of mystery in my short film

Film 3: Bombita 

What did you like about the film? I liked the use of a plot twist where it turns out that the protagonist ends up blowing up his car and the car-towing building (revenge). I also liked the addition of his birthday at the end that his wife and daughter show up to as it is also a plot twist	What didn’t you like? The narrative towards the end was slightly confusing as I didn’t understand what the protagonist was doing when getting his car towed again
What ideas could you use? Narrative or style? I’m probably going to use the use of a plot twist and I liked how the protagonist isn’t portrayed as a villain for what he did and rather praised for standing up against the towing company	What ideas won’t you use? Why? I probably won’t use the more modern style/aesthetic as I prefer having an older/film noir sort of feel to it like is La Jetée

In-Depth study: All elements 

Feature	Example
Narrative structure	Mostly linear narrative structure – everything happens in order/chronologically However, there are a few scenes that interrupt the narrative that include the protagonist planting, what we later learn is a bomb, in the car
Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme	The setting of Bombita changes frequently, unlike Las Ratas which is set in one place. It is used to establish setting and plot – the plot is established through showing the towing company’s office, which also helps to display the protagonist’s characteristics.
Mise-en-scene	Lighting: initially quite light as quite a significant amount is filmed outside and in light areas, though it gets noticeably darker as the story progresses – reflects the story Costume/hair + makeup: used to suggest character information such as the protagonist, who is first established in a more normal way, though he gets far more dishevelled towards the end as is sanity declines.
Cinematography	There was some very interesting use of cinematography such as when the protagonist is seen in the dark room from a low angle. It is suggested that the spectator is seeing him from the boot of his car as he plants the bomb. Also interesting cinematography when the protagonist is typing in a password on a keypad that is displayed on the screen in a holograph type shot
Sound	Wild Tales soundtrack written by Gustavo Santaolalla, a famous Argentinian composer who enjoys using strings, especially ronroco and guitar, which is evident in Bombita’s underscore which features these instruments. This gives a slightly unsettling feeling to the short film and emphasises the uncomfortable atmosphere, especially after he finds out his car has been towed for a second time

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

Cinematography/Sound/Editing: I really liked the use of the unsettling sound, and I will likely use something similar to this in my own short film. I also really like the use of more art-y shots such as the one from the point of view of the boot of the protagonist’s car	Narrative structure: I really like the idea of putting small short scenes of the future in the rest of the story (not completely linear)
Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme:  While I like the idea of using multiple settings to help establish plot etc., I will likely only use one setting similar to Las Ratas, as it will be easier	Creating enigmas: I want to create enigmas in a similar way to Bombita by using a not completely linear narrative and adding some scenes from the future in the middle of the story

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

What did you like about the film? I enjoyed a lot of the cinematography, such as when the camera was on the handle of the kitchen door that swings open as the woman storms through it. It feels very disorientating which could signify how she is feeling at the time	What didn’t you like? I didn’t really like the narrative/ending as I feel that it didn’t make a lot of sense
What ideas could you use? Narrative or style? I liked the lighting in the film, and I think that it would be cool to imitate disco lights in my own similar to this	What ideas won’t you use? Why? I probably won’t use the idea of it being set in a party as I think it would be really difficult to gather that many extras and imitate that setting

In-Depth study: All elements 

Feature	Example
Narrative structure	Completely linear as everything happens in chronological order
Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme	Characters and relationships are suggested through the way the protagonist treats the others – nice to parents, friends etc., but for example, the performance from the protagonist shows how she feels negatively about the woman she later finds out her husband has been cheating with. Mise en scene establishes setting – very obviously a wedding, seen by the white decorations, cake etc.
Mise-en-scene	Lighting: very dark during the party scenes and mainly uses the strobe lights that are typically found in settings like that, but becomes far lighter at other moments like in between the partying and when the protagonist is running out of the venue Costume/hair + makeup – originally everyone looks very neat and put together (nicely done hair and clean clothes), though that quickly changes after the protagonist finds out that her husband had been cheating. Her clothing and makeup is almost a way to display her declining mental state throughout the short film.
Cinematography	There are some very interesting shots, such as when the protagonist in running from the main venue and the camera is almost mounted to the handle of one of the doors she pushes which feels very disorientating and almost out of place. Another technique that is used a few times in the film is when the couple is dancing, and when she spins the woman who her husband had been cheating with around – the camera spins with their movements to increase the intensity of the moment significantly.
Editing	Gets very frantic at intense moments, such as when the protagonist finds out that her new husband has been cheating on her – editing frantic when they are dancing to increase the intensity of the moment. Similar happens when she is spinning the woman who her husband had been cheating on her with around before throwing her into a mirror.
Sound	Uses music outside of the score created for Wild Tales, Titanium, in the party scenes which brings the energy of the party up significantly, also aligns with the lighting and how dark/bright it is in the hall.

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

Cinematography/Sound/Editing: I like the use of the spinning shots, though I am unlikely to do something like this. I really like the score that is used and would like to use the unsettling string style that Santaolalla uses throughout all of Wild Tales	Narrative structure: I’d like to use a linear narrative structure as displayed in Til Death do us Part, though I think dipping into the narrative style of Bombita would also be really effective
Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme:  I like how the relationships between characters and their personalities were established through listening to how the protagonist talks to them and feel this would be an interesting technique to use.	Creating enigmas: I’d like to create mysteries in my own short film as they do in Til Death do us Part.