Film 1: Pasternak 

What did you like about the film?  The ending was memorable and unexpected as we found out how all the people on the plane were connected.	What didn’t you like?  The story felt slightly confusing, and it took a while to understand the plot and what was happening.
What ideas could you use? Narrative or style?  I could use the narrative idea of having a dramatic plot twist that drastically changes the story.	What ideas won’t you use? Why?  The violence of the plane crash because it would be very hard to replicate.

In-Depth Study – Film elements 

Film element	Example
Cinematography	I liked the low angle shot at the ending of the film where Pasternaks parents are relaxing in the garden, it gives a false sense of security as it looks very laid back while still creating suspense as there’s a clear view of behind them leading spectators to be apprehensive about the chaos on the plane and what may come.
Editing	Again, at the end of the film, the editing stood out to me as the film closed with a freeze frame of the plane about to crash into Pasternak’s parents. It creates an element of dark comedy which I enjoyed.
Sound	Sound was incredibly well used at the end of the short film when Pasternacks parents are peacefully sat in their garden, the diagetic sound of the plane increasing tells audience that its getting closer and builds tension.

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

Cinematography:  A lot of the unique shot angles could be easily replicated such as the angle from inside the luggage holder and the low angle reflecting the parents and the plane getting closer.	Editing:  The chaotic editing towards the end of the film gives an idea of how to portray the fast pace of the film aside from just the narrative.
Sound:  I would like to copy the use of sound to build the atmosphere of a scene, rather than to show a setting.	Other: I would like to involve the theme of revenge in my short film similarly to how Pasternack crashes the plane into his parents house for revenge

Film 2: The Rats/Las Ratas 

What did you like about the film? The lighting and the mix of warm and cool tones and coloring	What didn’t you like? The graphic scenes of the lone shark being stabbed and his son vomiting.
What ideas could you use? Narrative or style? The style of the film could inspire the lighting as it has drastic contrasts making its style very unique.	What ideas won’t you use? Why?  The violence involved as I think, would be hard to replicate while looking realistic.

In-Depth study – Mise-en-scène 

Feature	Example – how does it convey meaning or create an effect
Set Design	Creates a clear setting of a restaurant and kitchen
Costume	Shows the clear roles of the workers in the restaurant (chef ad waitress) and how the man coming in is a wealthy and has a well-paying, well-respected job as he wears a shirt and tie.
Space	Despite appearing to be a small restaurant the space does not film cramped.
Lighting	The lighting within the short film creates a clear distinction of warm and cool tones, it reflects the differing personalities and beliefs between the chef, reflecting her dark past in prison and her want to kill the man and waitress, whereas she is in the light and wants to let the man live. It also helps develop the films neo-noir vibe.
Composition	The man is sat at a table ordering the waitress who is shown stood above him, this juxtaposes where she is places in the hierarchy as she is seen as less than the man who is perceived as rich and powerful. This adds a patriotic undertone.
Hair and makeup	The younger waitress appears to be wearing a lot more makeup than the chef in the kitchen as hers is very natural and appears to be non-existent reflecting the large age gap between them and how the chef cares less about herself and what others think of her compared to the younger waitress.

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

Cinematography/Sound/Editing:  The idea of using a variety of shot types, such as low angles and dolley shots to give a wider range of points of view.	Narrative structure: The short film is a good example of a linear narrative structure, but I don’t think I will use this in my own short film as I’d prefer a non-linear narrative structure.
Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme:  The small number of characters allows all of them to be important to the plot, I will also use a small number of characters to avoid being unable to establish characters.	Creating enigmas: I like the idea of having an ending that is up for interpretation as I think it leaves a lasting effect on audiences.

Film 3: Bombita 

What did you like about the film? The plot and different shot angles throughout the film	What didn’t you like? The ending was slightly confusing as before the ending the last we saw of his wife was the divorce proceedings and her want for sole custardy of their daughter before the reconciliation in jail.
What ideas could you use? Narrative or style? I could use some of the shot types such as the backseat angle as he drives the car. I could also use the circular structure of the film.	What ideas won’t you use? Why? The violence aspect, as I think it would be hard to replicate, and the overall political unrest in the movie as people see “Bombita” as a hero rather than a criminal.

In-Depth study: All elements 

Feature	Example
Narrative structure	It was a circular structure as the film begins on his daughter’s birthday and her cake and then finishes on the father’s birthday and his cake.
Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme	Simon, even though. he shows an angry violent nature he isn’t created to be a villain; he is established to be a man frustrated with what he believes to be a corrupt system and despite his actions he loves his daughter and is respected by others in prison.
Mise-en-scene	I really like the cake prop, it was shown in the beginning of the film and again a cake at the end, highlighting the circular narrative structure.
Cinematography	The range of shot types in the film were used well, especially the scenes of explosions and when the camera follows the cake as it approaches.
Editing	The many jump cuts in the film cause it to fast-paces reflection how quickly the protagonist’s life is deteriorating as his anger and frustration towards society grows.
Sound	I like the sounds used in the film as they create a sense of apprehension, specifically in the middle of the short film as Bombita becomes angrier and more vengeful.

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

Cinematography/Sound/Editing: I think I will use similar shot types such as close ups to reflect how characters are feeling.	Narrative structure: I like the idea of having a circular structure as I think it is unique and adds to the plot as it can repeat forever.
Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme:  It was a good idea to have the main character instantly established as it avoided confusion and allowed for a clear development.	Creating enigmas: I could create an enigma by using scenes from the past and future into the storyline, like Bombita

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

What did you like about the film? The plot was sporadic and chaotic without being confusing and random.	What didn’t you like? The lighting felt too dark at times, and it was hard to see what was going on.
What ideas could you use? Narrative or style? The shot angles are easily replicable and were more unique to ones seen before such as the camera on the swing door and the closing shot of the floor with the broken cakes.	What ideas won’t you use? Why?  The graphic injuries seen on both Romana and her husband’s mistress, they would be hard to replicate realistically.

In-Depth study: All elements 

Feature	Example
Narrative structure	It felt like a roller coaster (enforced by Romana referencing a roller coaster when she throws her husband’s mistress) as their relationship and the other characters emotions was constantly going up and down, it was overall quite turbulent and when you expect all the intense moments to be over another one comes.
Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme	The characters were well established from the opening scene as we see young photos of them, and they are introduced as newly–weds at their wedding.
Mise-en-scene	Costumes made it clear to tell the different characters roles in the wedding party and their relationship to the couple, but they were boring.
Cinematography	The cinematography was clever throughout the film such as the intimate ending being clearly portrayed without seeing anything and we rather just see the floor
Editing	The editing made the film flow well and it felt less heavily edited due to the smooth cuts and transitions between events.
Sound	I liked the mix of non-diegetic and diegetic sound. For example, the music played by the DJ and him being instructed to play. It added realism to the film as it felt more cohesive.

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

Cinematography/Sound/Editing: I think I will also use a range of fast and slow paces shots and use editing to change the pace like in til death do us part. as it highlights the continuous ups and downs of Rominas moos and her relationship with Ariel	Narrative structure: I could use a similar narrative structure to the short film as it shows the highs and lows of Romina and Arial’s rocky relationship through the narrative.
Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme:  I enjoyed the different way of establishing characters in till death do us part as we are introduced to them through the bride’s perspective.	Creating enigmas: I could create a similar enigma to till death do us part as at the end, the audience are unsure on how their relationship progresses after the film ends.