Film 1: Pasternak 

What did you like about the film? I liked the idea of making a film about revenge with themes of black comedy. I also liked the elements of mystery	What didn’t you like?  I did not like the elements of  Comedy, only because I am not planning on making a comedy specifically.
What ideas could you use? Narrative or style? Style- particularly the overhead shot we can see the lady is putting her bags in the overhead locker	What ideas won’t you use? Why? I will not be using a large cast or the lighter atmosphere of this film (visual elements)

In-Depth Study – Film elements 

Film element	Example
Cinematography	Example 1: The overhead shot of the woman putting her bag in the locker. This shot feeds into the film’s narrative of Pasternak being in control of the plane and the fates of the people on it. This shot gives a sense that he is always watching, almost like a god figure who oversees when and how these people die.   Example 2: The worms eye view shot in the opening of this film. The first shot we can see what is believed to be the main character of this film- excluding Pasternak who we do not see- This shot creates a strong basis of who we are following throughout this film, while also feeding into my previous idea about being followed.
Editing	Example 1: The final scene of this film. At the climax of this film, we are met with an old couple relaxing on their lawn. Pasternak’s plane is plummeting down behind them, although we do not see the impact of the plane- due to the freeze frame editing at the end, which also connotes ideas of this film being a black comedy, we can gather that this coupled died. This shows the impact of Pasternak’s violence without significantly changing the genre of this film.   Example 2: The fast cuts when the plane is making its descent increase the emotional drive of the situation, expressing to the audience the passengers’ emotions and fear in their final moments, this technique creates chaos and tension not only with the performers, but also the audience
Sound	Example 1: when the people on the plane are all realising that they know Pasternak there is a building realisation shown through sound. The building strings are used as a connective to show that there is something amiss with their situation  Example 2: Additionally in the final scene the high-pitched sounds on the plane impending on the couple add to the tension and tell the audience that their fate will be death, without imminently showing it.

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

Cinematography: Overhead shots and shots that create feelings of being watched	Editing: fast cuts to create confusion and tension. This technique raises stakes and anxiety for the viewer
Sound: Operatic sounds- such as strings to build tension and create an emotive drive.	Other:

Film 2: The Rats/Las Ratas 

What did you like about the film? The dark atmosphere	What didn’t you like? The time it took to build up tension before the cafe sequences
What ideas could you use? Narrative or style? The visual elements were inspiring to me, the dark atmosphere.	What ideas won’t you use? Why? The clear-cut murder scenes- to keep mystery.

In-Depth study – Mise-en-scène 

Feature	Example – how does it convey meaning or create an effect
Set Design	the cafe has old tablecloths which tell the audience that it is not a fancy establishment
Costume	the costume on the cook (murderer) tells the audience that she is of lower status compared to the man in the film is who wearing a tailored suit and trousers- their status is shown through physical appearances- rather than being explicitly expressed to the audience.
Space	the window in the kitchen which perfectly shows the waitress and cook which creates a satisfying set design with elements of symmetry
Lighting	the dark and contrasting lighting in this film connote ideas of death and violence, foreshadowing the impending doom for the man. The contrasting lighting in the kitchen makes for a clinical and detached atmosphere showing the lack of emotions regarding the cook, who will eventually murder the man.
Composition
Hair and makeup	the makeup and hair of the cook is significantly drawn down, making her look dirty. This is a sharp contrast and counter-typical representation of a woman. This representation makes it easier for the audience to digest her as a murder, as if she was overtly feminine there would be room for excuse and sympathy for her actions. Having a more masculine presenting woman commit the murder, instead of the typically feminine waitress (who is dressed in a floral print dress) lets the audience focus their emotions on the waitress and view the cook as the driving violent force in the situation

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

Cinematography/Sound/Editing: I would take the shots with contrasting lighting into consideration for my film as it promotes the ideas of Levi Strause’s binary oppositions theory of good vs evil etc.	Narrative structure: I am inspired by the linear narrative of this story; my film will follow the same premise.
Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme:  My film will not have a large cast so I will only have to establish a maximum of 2 characters. I will not be using the same settings although I could take inspiration from the plot.	Creating enigmas:

Film 3: Bombita 

What did you like about the film? I liked the ideologies expressed throughout the film	What didn’t you like? The prison scene at the end- it felt ingenuine
What ideas could you use? Narrative or style?	What ideas won’t you use? Why? SPFx scenes as i do not have the budget for bombs

In-Depth study: All elements 

Feature	Example
Narrative structure	The narrative allows for tension to be built, as well as empathy for Simón. We as the audience can see and feel his frustration due to the unfairness of the DMV. The narrative is “happily” resolved at the end, with Simón being recognised for his crimes and gaining sympathy from those around him, while also earning back his wife’s affections.
Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme	I like that the main character Simón is established as a “good” and regular person, as well as a father. He is not villainized and even shown to be loved and embraced by his fellow prison mates.
Mise-en-scene	Throughout the city there are many run-down and unkept signs, as well as desolate buildings with lines out the door. This mise-en-scene communicates to the audience that Simons frustration with the DMV goes beyond just his car being towed. The city has decided to put its focuses on making the people’s lives harder, rather than improving their city
Cinematography	The wide shots which were frequently used throughout this short film show the enormity of this problem for Simon, it has taken over his life, he has managed to push everything he loves away including his wife and daughter. The wide shots show the emptiness of his life after chasing the DMV for justice
Editing	When the bomb finally goes off the at DMV there are a series of cuts which show the actual bomb going off, as well as how the people around are affected by the explosion. The cuts also heighten the emotional value of the scene, this is Simón version of justice, so the emotive cuts express that
Sound	After Simón detonated the bomb at the DMV there was a following sequence reporting on the incident. The music playing over this sequence is similar to that on the news, this technique gives the short film a sense of realism that reflect current situations in the world.

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

Cinematography/Sound/Editing: wide shots to show perspective	Narrative structure: I didn’t get any inspiration from the narrative structure, although the narrative technique of the audience following Simón throughout his day-to-day life may be used
Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme:	Creating enigmas:

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

What did you like about the film? The subtle humor created throughout the film and the absurdity of the events	What didn’t you like? There was nothing that I disliked, but I will not be using a setting like a wedding or including romance in my film.
What ideas could you use? Narrative or style? I liked the spotlight and handheld camera at the end which showed the audience the raw love and passion the couple have for each other despite their actions throughout the film	What ideas won’t you use? Why? Romance and setting

In-Depth study: All elements 

Feature	Example
Narrative structure	The narrative in this film is disrupted by the bride finding out about her husband’s cheating, this event creates a domino effect leading to the catastrophic situations that happen throughout the wedding, including the bride taking revenge on her husband by also sleeping with another man on the roof. This is an example of Todorov’s equilibrium
Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme	The groom is initially established as a stereotypical “bad” husband through his infidelity, but throughout the narrative we begin to see flaws in the couple and how fragile their relationship is. Alternatively, we find more out about the bride’s character as her mental state and reactions deteriorate throughout the film
Mise-en-scene	The near empty hall that the wedding takes place in reflects the couple’s relationship, we can see that there is no substance to them as a couple and all they have is each other and their mistakes-the lack Of mise-scene is a reflection upon them as characters.
Cinematography	The final scene of the couple embracing over the tables and cake is shot on a handheld camera with a prominent spotlight over them. This cinematography shows the tumultuous relationship they have with each other fuelled by rage for their cheating. The handheld camera shows the messiness and severity of the situation
Editing	When the couple is dancing towards the end of the film there are a sequence of closeups on them showing the development of them throughout their wedding. They share an intimate moment after the bride being thrown into a mirror and the husbands cheating being revealed. These closeup shots are revealing to the audience that the rocky relationship they have can only work with each other
Sound	Traditional fast paced wedding music is played after the bride is found cheating on the roof. This faced paced music is a reflection of her mania coming into play as a reaction towards her husband’s action- this music creates a fast-paced atmosphere which excites the audience

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

Cinematography/Sound/Editing: The way music is used to create tension and emotion throughout the film	Narrative structure:   Todorov’s equilibrium being used to create a sequence of events throughout the film- leading to a resolution a conclusion
Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme:  revealing character motives and personalities at different times to keep suspension and interest throughout the film	Creating enigmas