Wild Tales (Szifron, 2014) – Analysis Sheet for Evaluative Commentary

Film 1: Pasternak

What did you like about the film? I liked the plot twist of it, I liked the use of the heavy topic but somehow adding a comedic element to it.	What didn’t you like? I didn’t like the filter that was over the film, I thought it made it look almost like an advert
What ideas could you use? Narrative or style? The use of a plot twist	What ideas won’t you use? Why? I liked the use of real places like airports however I don’t think this would be realistic for the gravity of my project.

In-Depth Study – Film elements

Film element	Example
Cinematography	Example 1: the shot where the camera is in the overhead locker, the camera is at a medium close up on a canted angle.   Example 2: the tracking shot of the lady in the airport that is a worms eye view.
Editing	Example 1:at the end of the film there is an abrupt cut off of the plane crash, I think this adds a comedic undertone to the brutal ending.   Example 2:as the more people admit to knowing the man flying th plane the quicker the cuts become.
Sound	Example 1: the added sound of planes flying in the air in the diegetic world adds to the realism of them being at an airport.   Example 2:the music when the plane

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

Cinematography:  I liked the tracking shot of the female in the airport	Editing:  I like the fast cuts to convey panicked conversation
Sound: I think music was used in the right moments	Other:

Film 2: The Rats/Las Ratas

What did you like about the film?   I liked the style of the movie, I also liked how they conveyed dynamic through small intricate details like the two serving windows.	What didn’t you like? That it was a horror and how sinister and graphic it was.
What ideas could you use? Narrative or style? I liked the idea of devil’s advocate I thought it translated well though the acting and the set design.	What ideas won’t you use? Why?   The idea of murder

In-Depth study – Mise-en-scène

Feature	Example – how does it convey meaning or create an effect
Set Design	The two serving mirrors conveyed two sides and options creating meaning and juxtaposition.
Costume	Main girl is dressed in a green run-down sundress I think this conveys her character to be optimistic through the use of bright colours. The chef is wearing dark monotone colours I think this Is key for her character as she is a murderer.
Space	The spacing of the two main characters are mostly at opposite ends of this screen this helps highlight their opposing views
Lighting	The lighting is dim and dingy this adds affect to the run-down café highlighting the poverty that this girl suffers from her father’s death.
Composition	The use of cool and warm tone lighting with the two characters draws the attention to their oppositions eg- wants to kill vs doesn’t want to , old vs young  ect…
Hair and makeup	The hair and makeup I this are minimal to match the aesthetic of a woman having to fend for her family that is in poverty.

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

Cinematography/Sound/Editing: I liked the spacing and blocking of the actors depending on their personality to convey the tory though positioning.  I think when the man is stabbed, and the woman Is lying on the floor there is a shot which zooms out and spins at the same time I think is really effective to translate the chaos to the viewer.	Narrative structure: I think the narrative structure was random and a little hard to follow.
Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme:  I liked the establishing shot of the café I think it told you half of the story without It having begun.	Creating enigmas:  I think the enigma code at the end of not knowing who takes the fall is effective to make audience converse and think bout It more

Film 3: Bombita

What did you like about the film?   I liked the use of the main character being a false hero, a unreliable narrator almost.	What didn’t you like?   I didn’t like the constant downward negative spiral.
What ideas could you use? Narrative or style? I liked the style of editing used and the filter over it to make colors vibrant.	What ideas won’t you use? Why?   Big stunts and props such as explosive as the editing would be tedious.

In-Depth study: All elements

Feature	Example
Narrative structure
Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme	It begins with dynamite in the tunnels beneath some sort of power plant and showing an explosion with him in a police uniform establishes him as a main character and some sort of explosives engineer.
Mise-en-scene	The mise en scene of this film was urban city like areas. I liked the blue hue put on top of the film
Cinematography	I liked the worms eye view shots from the drains when he gets his parking tickets
Editing	The use of the newspaper coverage at the end was an interesting editing technique.
Sound	I think the use of tense music in moments of distress makes the audience feel more and more anxious building up more emotion until the plot twist.

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

Cinematography/Sound/Editing:   The shot types and how the movie overall appeared.	Narrative structure:   I liked how although the storyline is linear the narrative is all over the place.
Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme:  I liked the city setting it gave the film a urban feel.	Creating enigmas:

Film 4: Till Death do us Part/Hasta que la Muerte nos separe

What did you like about the film? I liked the drama of it I think it made it very interesting to watch. I think the switch of the wife and the grooms character added a sense of comedy to the film.	What didn’t you like? I didn’t like the storyline at the end where they ended up together again.
What ideas could you use? Narrative or style? The use of a drama narrative would be interesting to attempt to base mine off.	What ideas won’t you use? Why?   The romance element would be hard to replicate due to amateur acting.

In-Depth study: All elements

Feature	Example
Narrative structure	Liner narrative structure
Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme	At the beginning of the film the camera goes around the venue of the wedding, the upbeat music and dancing along with seeing a girl in a white dress and a man in the suit allows the audience to know that there is some sort of wedding.
Mise-en-scene	The ball room is dimly lit making it romantic and calm at the beginning of the film, as the film goes the light become lighter and lighter taking away this romantic illusion.
Cinematography	I liked when the groom followed her and the camera follows the door
Editing
Sound	The use of music at the beginning immediately establishes the happy conventions of the wedding

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

Cinematography/Sound/Editing: I liked how the camera followed through the party, I also likes how the camera stayed on the door as the groom opened it.	Narrative structure: I likes how there was multiple plot twists
Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme:  I likes how the began with showing the party, to establish it was a celebration	Creating enigmas: with showing shots to the lady the groom cheated with allowed there to be a great enigma as to what connection she has to them.

Critical score: 8/10

I enjoyed the film, the fantasy created through the underworld and mythical creatures blurred the line between real-life and fantasy. I think this was done really well as the fantasy elements appeared in the real world of Spain in 1944, post-civil war era. I enjoyed how this was a period piece and the Spanish history portrayed through a powerful story of the need for disobedience.

Stand out scene: The stand out scene for me, is when Mercedes and Ofelia are caught trying to escape the mill by Captain Vidal and his men. I really enjoyed the sound effects here as they added a lot of suspense to mirror Ofelia’s apprehensiveness as she asks Mercedes if she also heard the noise, she says know then lowers her umbrella and is faced with a crowd of soldiers. This scene is also where Mercedes is found to be working with the rebels highlighting the theme of disobedience as she is meant to work for the Captain as a housekeeper. I think this is where the story turns as the battle starts to intensify.

La Jetée (Marker, Korea, 1962) – Analysis Sheet for Evaluative Commentary 

Part 1: Brief Reference 

What did you like about the film?  I enjoyed its uniqueness and the plot	What didn’t you like? How it ended so abruptly
What ideas could you use? Narrative or style? I like the idea of time travelling being used and how they used 3 different time periods, present future and past	What ideas won’t you use? Why?  I wouldn’t use the use of the images simply because it takes a lot of effort to keep all the images in order and in sense.

Part 2: In-Depth Study – Narrative 

Narrative Feature	Example	Your own example
Establishing protagonist – what information do we find out? How is it conveyed?	Introduced only in narration – first in third person as “a man marked by an image”; then in first person -memory of incident at the airport. We don’t see him until the first experiment is shown. This shows how core the act of remembering is to his identity – indeed we find out very little about him (he remains nameless) apart from his ‘remembering’ (even when he is travelling in time).	We see the scientists at the very start of the movie. One specific scientist stands out because of his glasses; this is the same scientist that goes back in time and kills the main character. The use of mise-en-scene costume keeps him sepret from the others and shows his importance in the short movie.
Establishing other characters – what information do we find out? How is it conveyed?	The Woman is the first person we see (“the only image to survive the war”) – and she is defined only by the fact the narrator remembers her. Feminist critics may comment on the fact she barely seems to exist outside the experiences of the narrator and her growing belief in him.	The scientist that ends up killing the guy at the end. We find out that he was using prisoners to travel into the future. Once the main character managed to travel into the future the scientists were planning on killing him. We are also told that ‘his jailers will not spare him ‘we also see the scientist in a low shot looking up to him
Establishing location (time and place) – what information do we find out? How is it conveyed?	We are told immediately that the location is Paris. The bombed out wreckage of the city (real WW2 images) don’t immediately establish that this is the future until the narrator mentions radiation. The underground location beneath the Palais de Chaillot is shown by intercut images of broken cherubs and other sculptures.	We are told we are in a museum and see a collection of frames that show art pieces in the museum. This is conveyed through mise en scene where we can see that it’s decorated with artifacts and skeletons of dinosaurs which shows how its a museum for old items.
Creating Enigmas – what are they? How are they created?	The image the narrator obsesses over is the central enigma: who is the man he witnesses dying? How does he die? Who is the woman? The still images and voiceover powerfully evoke the nature of memory.	What other questions are posed throughout the narrative? The other question is how did society get to where it is in the future? The use of character makes up and costume help convey a totally different timeline from the present where everything is rubble and ash from WW3 to super humans
Narrative binary oppositions	The ‘Living Present’ vs Past/Future. As the film progresses, what constitutes the ‘present’ (for the protagonist) seems to shift from his dystopian subterranean society to the ‘past’ of pre-apocalypse Paris. This is conveyed by the faster rhythm of the montage and the sequence (18:00-18:49) where the images almost become like traditional cinema.	Repeated use of the speed up heartbeat track and the murmuring of the scientism show the dystopian and horror feel the movie has.
Crisis – how was this conveyed?	Is it the first experiment? The moment the man spots the woman from the airport? Or is it when the future society offers him the chance to escape to the future?	What do you think is the crisis point? How does this affect the rest of the narrative? I think the crisis is how the world became so damages after ww3. We see images of the world and Paris in shreds which shows us as the audience that the potential of war could be detrimental and a Crisi that people are so desperate to solve, they’re willing to do human experiments.
Resolution – is it closed or open narrative?	The narrative is closed – but it is also in a loop: the narrator is both the dying man and the child watching the scene. This ‘time paradox’ has inspired films as diverse as The Terminator and Looper (as well as 12 Monkeys which is almost a remake).	What do you think about the end? Is it closed – or endlessly circular? I think the ending is closed since this movie shows that everything that will happen is going to happen regardless of what you do. No matter how hard he tries to escape death by fleeing timelines he still dies the same way each time (by the scientist )

Part 3: Meaning and Effect 

What did you think was the intention of the filmmaker(s)? Intellectual message? Emotional response? Everyone is trapped in their time – they cannot escape it, even through memory. It is also about concept of photography and cinema itself, trying to ‘freeze’ time with images despite time always being in motion.

How was this achieved? The use of photomontage separates each frame of the story into a frozen image – even though these are joined together using traditional narrative film techniques such as voiceover, dissolves, fades and music. As the man begins to ‘live’ more and more in the ‘past’ with his lover, the space between these frames speeds up to resemble ‘motion picture’ speed at one point. The stuffed animals in the museum are also ‘frozen’ in a single moment. Your own idea: I think they were trying to show that everyone is apart of one timeline and the domino effect is very real and happens to everyone. This was achieved by the array of different characters introduced. For example, the woman who the main character met was affected by the entire plot ran against the main character. This is shown using close up shots of the woman at different points of the movie, both in the past while the protagonist was young and the ‘past’ when the protagonist was travelling through time

Aesthetic binary oppositions The use of still photo images are combined with traditional narrative cinematic techniques that bring them ‘to life’… until the moment around 18:00 when they flow together.

Effect of these oppositions? Shows the intensity of emotion the narrator feels with his lover: like he is finally ‘living’ in moving time rather than a series of frozen, separated moments.  Your example: The repeated use of the thumping heartbeat and the mumbled voices of the scientist whenever they are injecting the main character. The repeated audio shows how many times they have done this and how it still feels the same every time.

Wild Tales (Szifron, 2014) – Analysis Sheet for Evaluative Commentary 

Film 1: Pasternak 

What did you like about the film?  I liked the shock value at the very end of the film with the plane crashing into the elderly couple and the direct cut off. It fell in line with the dark, comedic tone from the rest of the film and was a very good ending.	What didn’t you like?  This was my least favorite of the Wild Tales films, as I think it was the least memorable. There was quite a bit going on and I think it was hard to keep track off.
What ideas could you use? Narrative or style?  I liked the use of irony as the characters are unaware that they are part of a joint act of revenge until it’s too late.	What ideas won’t you use? Why?  The amount of characters

In-Depth Study – Film elements 

Film element	Example
Cinematography	As the film went on, the shot length eventually shortened as the tension began to rise. This heightens anxiety for the audience, and is a good technique to make them feel as if they apart of the action.
Editing	The film uses continuity editing. This maintains realism, with things such as match on action, eyeline matches and shot-reverse-shots. This also makes it so the story remains coherent.
Sound	There is a lot of diegetic sound. Examples are the airplane noise, the announcements, conversations within the passengers and other rustling sounds. This again builds verisimilitude (reality) for the film world

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

Cinematography:  There are lots of shot-reverse-shot sequences that were used a lot in the scene where the characters would have conversations with each other. This would maintain realism and a smooth rhythm.	Editing:  The very final cut, the abrupt one that ends with the elderly couple about to get a plane crashed on them, is carefully chosen and the shock value is incredible
Sound:  A lot of scenes used silence as a technique to emphasize tense moments of realization. The absence of any sound at all amplified a sense of dread	Other:

Film 2: The Rats/Las Ratas 

What did you like about the film?  I really liked the restaurant setting and how the use of the deep/low and dark lighting set the atmosphere. There was also bright, neon lighting as part of the restaurant’s decoration and I think it all blended in well. Additionally, it remained interesting the entire way through.	What didn’t you like?  There’s not much I didn’t like about the film, however I think there could’ve been more character establishment. Understanding the relation between the characters was a little difficult, however that could’ve also been because of the language barrier.
What ideas could you use? Narrative or style?  I think I will get inspiration from the location and the lighting/mise en scene. I really liked the scary/tense tone and the way the lighting helped establish that.	What ideas won’t you use? Why?   The storyline of it; I wouldn’t use the murder story. I also wouldn’t use the themes of rage and revenge.

In-Depth study – Mise-en-scène 

Feature	Example – how does it convey meaning or create an effect
Set Design	The set design inside the restaurant is very claustrophobic feeling. The small diner heightens tension and makes the scene feel intimate and inescapable, so the characters are stuck there with all their drama.
Costume	The costuming is simple, with the protagonist wearing typical waitress clothing. However, the man who she hates (the antagonist) is very rich-looking, wearing business attire with a suit and tie. This is good for storytelling; it shows how he has much more power than her and is much higher on the social ladder. It shows an unbalanced power dynamic. His costume specifically also tells the viewer that he is arrogant, corrupt and almost ‘untouchable’.
Space	The camera is always very close to the character’s faces, with many extreme close ups. Especially when they are talking. This makes the viewer focus on what they’re saying, but more importantly it heightens drama and tension.
Lighting	The lighting is my favourite part of the film. Lowkey-lighting is most prominent throughout the duration of it. It feels gritty and tense, and the use of shadows heightens that. Also, there are times where the lights help further establish the power dynamic between the protagonist and the antagonist, as the waitress is mostly shown through bright lights and the man through dark, sinister lighting.
Composition	All the elements together are perfectly composed to reflect themes of anger, vengeance and arrogance. But another technique used is the composition of the shots. More specifically, the characters’ positioning in frame. The man often sits centered and upright, asserting dominance, whereas the waitress is frequently shown off-center or behind objects as if she is scared and hiding, or hesitant.
Hair and makeup	The hair and makeup are natural, with the waitress/the protagonist having a neat, tied bun and neat clothing.

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

Cinematography/Sound/Editing:  I’m inspired by the cinematography in this film. As I’ve already said before I love the way the lighting was used to establish tone and important character dynamics	Narrative structure:  This film follows a very linear structure. The action happens continuously straight after each other. It also has a closed ending that is very clear and ties up the narrative well.
Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme:   The characters could’ve been established better, but I think the setting and themes were very clear and well done.	Creating enigmas:  Enigma was created from the relationship between the protagonist and the antagonist. The viewer wonders what their history is and why there is so much hatred. When it is revealed, it feels satisfying as the narrative was slowly building up to it.

Film 3: Bombita 

What did you like about the film?  I liked how the main character was written and portrayed. He blamed the injustice of society for his problems yet caused these issues for himself. It was like a satirical tone was taken.	What didn’t you like?  I did like most of the film, however I think sometimes it was a little too fast paced. There sometimes wasn’t much time to process what had just happened, which could also be a positive- as it represents the film’s chaotic theme- but overall, I found it difficult to follow.
What ideas could you use? Narrative or style?  The strong narrative of presenting him as a character. Very clear  Causality	What ideas won’t you use? Why?  The big explosions and other heavy CGI-moments

In-Depth study: All elements 

Feature	Example
Narrative structure	It had a cyclical structure and was in chronological order. I liked the way it was told.
Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme	The themes were very clear and presented well. Especially the main theme of revenge which slowly escalated as the film continued. Also, the theme of injustice, which was important for the narrative and pushed it forward.  Also, the protagonist was the focus for the entire film which meant his character could be deeply explored. I liked that element.
Mise-en-scene	The protagonist’s car presents itself as an initial symbol of his frustration and holds a lot of meaning. Additionally, an urban landscape is used and is presented well.
Cinematography	In a lot of moments, a handheld camera is used, and I liked that aspect as it reflected the protagonist’s sense of chaos in his life, with all the car problems and anger towards society he had.
Editing	There were a lot of tight, fast-paced cuts that moved the story along quickly and created a tense feeling for the viewer
Sound	There is a lot of diegetic sound throughout the film, and especially in the scenes recorded in a public space in the city. For example, in the tax office, the sounds of fax machines, printers, and phones are loud.

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

Cinematography/Sound/Editing:  Match-cutting was used a lot, which was efficient.	Narrative structure:  I think it had an open ending, as we as an audience weren’t sure of the main character’s relationship with his family, and if he would ever get released from prison
Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme:   I liked how the film focused solely on the main character and that will be something I use in my own film. This way, the director could put a lot of focus on the protagonist specifically and develop his character.	Creating enigmas:  The film created a lot of mystery with its open ending. At the end, the protagonist claims the nickname “La Bombita” and he sort of stands as a famous symbol for oppression and a lot of people start to support him, however, we don’t know if anything in their society changes or if La Bombita’s ideals had any success.

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

What did you like about the film?  The costuming and set design were very realistic and it appeared to be a grand wedding. I liked the symbolism of the blood on the bride’s wedding dress.   Also, the acting by the bride and groom was believable and moving, and finally it was entertaining.	What didn’t you like?  I didn’t like that some sequences seemed to go on for too long and there also wasn’t a varied amount of shot types.
What ideas could you use? Narrative or style?  The mise-en-scene was good for establishing important character moments. Such as when at the end the cake was knocked over, but the bride and groom had reconciled and then there was a shot of the cake’s center setpiece. Additionally, when the groom catches his wife cheating and he first notices her missing heel on the floor.	What ideas won’t you use? Why?  I won’t use this dramatic and huge frenzied plot, as it would be hard to do. The drama was accompanied by the reactions of all the side-characters.

In-Depth study: All elements 

Feature	Example
Narrative structure	The narrative follows a relatively linear structure, with a clear setup, rising action, climax, and resolution. It has no flashbacks or flashforwards. It also has a closed ending. (sort of)
Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme	This is another film where the characters were established extremely well, because they had so much time to be developed. We also had a lot of sharp and clear dialogue from the bride and the groom that helped the audience learn about them. The setting- a wedding reception- was believable, the plot was thoroughly interesting, and it was sort of a juxtaposition to itself, and finally the themes were what made the tension for the film.
Mise-en-scene	The mise-en-scene was good for establishing important character moments. Such as when at the end the cake was knocked over, but the bride and groom had reconciled and then there was a shot of the cake’s center setpiece. Additionally, when the groom catches his wife cheating and he first notices her missing heel on the floor.
Cinematography	There is dynamic camera movements throughout. The camera movement is fast-paced and fluid during action or suspenseful moments, which matches the unpredictable and chaotic tone of the film. For example, chase scenes or moments of confrontation are often shot with handheld cameras or quick zooms, creating a sense of urgency.
Editing	The editing matches the films’ tones of comedy and dark humour. In the case of comedic timing, rapid cuts, quick zoom-ins, and exaggerated reactions are used to enhance its humour, whereas for the darker tone, sharp cuts are used to transition from the more comedic situations to tense, suspenseful ones.
Sound	In the scene where everyone was dancing on the dance floor, the music was loud and blaring. It matched exactly what that scenario would be like, so it felt that the audience could connect to the experiences the characters were having. Additionally, it matched the films’ themes.

La Jetée (Marker, Korea, 1962) – Analysis Sheet for Evaluative Commentary 

Part 1: Brief Reference 

What did you like about the film?  Its storyline was the most interesting thing. I liked the concept and the way it was told through narration	What didn’t you like?  I did not like the use of the still images, although it was a stylistic choice that likely had meaning. It isn’t something I’d personally use.
What ideas could you use? Narrative or style?  Narrative	What ideas won’t you use? Why?  The expensive CGI and other inaccessible stuff

Part 2: In-Depth Study – Narrative 

Narrative Feature	Example	Your own example
Establishing protagonist – what information do we find out? How is it conveyed?	Introduced only in narration – first in third person as “a man marked by an image”; then in first person -memory of incident at the airport. We don’t see him until the first experiment is shown. This shows how core the act of remembering is to his identity – indeed we find out very little about him (he remains nameless) apart from his ‘remembering’ (even when he is travelling in time).	From the very beginning, we learn he’s obsessed with an image from his childhood. We see a still image of a woman’s face and a moment of death at the airport. This memory becomes a kind of anchor point in the story and establishes his inner world: he is haunted by time. This establishes the futuristic theme of the short film. We also learn he lives in a world after a World War, with location shots of destroyed places filled with rubble.
Establishing other characters – what information do we find out? How is it conveyed?	The Woman is the first person we see (“the only image to survive the war”) – and she is defined only by the fact the narrator remembers her. Feminist critics may comment on the fact she barely seems to exist outside the experiences of the narrator and her growing belief in him.	The scientists/experimenters are also characters that are established. Every time they appear on screen, their still images often show them shadowed, which gives them an almost faceless, inhuman feel that is eerie, like they are controlling everything behind the scenes.
Establishing location (time and place) – what information do we find out? How is it conveyed?	We are told immediately that the location is Paris. The bombed out wreckage of the city (real WW2 images) don’t immediately establish that this is the future until the narrator mentions radiation. The underground location beneath the Palais de Chaillot is shown by intercut images of broken cherubs and other sculptures.	We are shown the important location of the airport around the first few moments of the film where his vivid childhood memory was set. This is important as it sets up one of the most relevant parts of the narrative.  We also see still images of a park, a museum and other war-torn places in Paris.  The futuristic time is also conveyed through strange lighting and feels different in tone.
Creating Enigmas – what are they? How are they created?	The image the narrator obsesses over is the central enigma: who is the man he witnesses dying? How does he die? Who is the woman? The still images and voiceover powerfully evoke the nature of memory.	What other questions are posed throughout the narrative?  This is created when the audience questions who killed the man in the very last scene in the memory.
Narrative binary oppositions	The ‘Living Present’ vs Past/Future. As the film progresses, what constitutes the ‘present’ (for the protagonist) seems to shift from his dystopian subterranean society to the ‘past’ of pre-apocalypse Paris. This is conveyed by the faster rhythm of the montage and the sequence (18:00-18:49) where the images almost become like traditional cinema.	Memory vs reality  In the protagonist’s memories, the still images are vivid and emotionally charged. They carry a tone of nostalgia and warmth, and even look different to the images in the present.  However, reality/the present is harsh and devoid of emotional connection. It’s a world where human experiences are manipulated by scientists and where the city is ruined by war.
Crisis – how was this conveyed?	Is it the first experiment? The moment the man spots the woman from the airport? Or is it when the future society offers him the chance to escape to the future?	What do you think is the crisis point? How does this affect the rest of the narrative?  I think the crisis point is when he gets his first memory. And when the memories begin building up, and the experiment escalates, the film becomes a little more tense. It also establishes the point that the protagonist is being used as a mere experiment.
Resolution – is it closed or open narrative?	The narrative is closed – but it is also in a loop: the narrator is both the dying man and the child watching the scene. This ‘time paradox’ has inspired films as diverse as The Terminator and Looper (as well as 12 Monkeys which is almost a remake).	What do you think about the end? Is it closed – or endlessly circular?  I think that with the theme of time travel being prominent, it makes it so the ending feels endlessly circular. If time can keep being rewinded and forwarded, and if we can manipulate it to our will, then that means that the ending can be stopped from happening and anything else could’ve happened too.

Part 3: Meaning and Effect 

What did you think was the intention of the filmmaker(s)? Intellectual message? Emotional response? Everyone is trapped in their time – they cannot escape it, even through memory. It is also about concept of photography and cinema itself, trying to ‘freeze’ time with images despite time always being in motion.   I think that with the use of time travel, one of the key messages could be that life can change very quickly and suddenly. That anything can happen at any moment in time, such as the main character’s memory of the shooting at the bridge

How was this achieved? The use of photomontage separates each frame of the story into a frozen image – even though these are joined together using traditional narrative film techniques such as voiceover, dissolves, fades and music. As the man begins to ‘live’ more and more in the ‘past’ with his lover, the space between these frames speeds up to resemble ‘motion picture’ speed at one point. The stuffed animals in the museum are also ‘frozen’ in a single moment. Your own idea:  I think one of the main intentions of the filmmakers was the futility of time. But also, the way memories shape our identity. All the memories the protagonist had changed his life and helped form who he was as a person. This was achieved through the reflective narration.

Aesthetic binary oppositions The use of still photo images are combined with traditional narrative cinematic techniques that bring them ‘to life’… until the moment around 18:00 when they flow together.

Effect of these oppositions? Shows the intensity of emotion the narrator feels with his lover: like he is finally ‘living’ in moving time rather than a series of frozen, separated moments.  Your example:  Not sure

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

Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme  This film established its theme very well. For example, the tone throughout remained eerie and strange, unknown to the viewer. This helped portray the futuristic/time travel narrative. I could take inspiration in making my theme appear very clear.	Creating enigmas   This film also was good at presenting deep questions to the audience. It helped push forward the narrative and helped keep it interesting. I can do the same thing by leaving some plot points to mystery and not telling the viewer everything immediately. I can use the technique of foreshadowing maybe.
Narrative structure (non-/linear? Open/ closed ending?)  I liked the use of the voice over. However I think I’d rather use a closed ending instead of an open one	Striking use of technical features  Once again, the use of the voice over.

Film 1: Pasternak 

What did you like about the film? The creative use of camera angles (i.e. the shot inside the luggage hold(?) was good)	What didn’t you like? I figured out the twist rather early on, but that’s probably an issue with me.
What ideas could you use? Narrative or style? The freeze, i feel that freezes are good for comedic timing purposes.	What ideas won’t you use? Why? The setting because i do not have access to a plane.

In-Depth Study – Film elements 

Film element	Example
Cinematography	The cinematography was used effectively in the shot where the camera was placed into the luggage hold. This really stood out to me because of the fact it is a unique angle that would leave an impact on the audience  At the end, the framing was used effectively because of how you could see the calmness of the couple in the scene and the visual gag of the plane slowly coming into view.
Editing	The use of the freeze at the end was a good use of dark comedy, and by having the tense scene on the plane cut to a calm view of two older people, it really creates a memorable moment for the audience.
Sound	The use of the diegetic sound in the short film really helps the audience get emmersed in the world that is being built for it.

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

Cinematography: The interesting cinematography/camera placements. It gives the audience a view of the characters that they might not get with a regular close up or mid shot.	Editing: I feel the comedic timings in this short film where very effective, so i will try and take inspirations from that.
Sound: It has made me realize how important diegetic sounds are in creating a believable world for the characters to interact with.	Other: The comedic timings were very god, i aspire to have timings like that. The way it was able to build up to the twist with the small bits of dialogue was good.

Film 2: The Rats/Las Ratas 

What did you like about the film? It was suspenseful. Good character building.	What didn’t you like? The story was one that clearly needed the extra minutes that the run time allowed, with I will not take inspiration from in my piece because of the time constraint.
What ideas could you use? Narrative or style? The theatrical looking stage directions.	What ideas won’t you use? Why? I feel that that using a set like theirs may be too ambitious.

In-Depth study – Mise-en-scène 

Feature	Example – how does it convey meaning or create an effect
Set Design	it is clear that they used a real diner for the set, which is making it more believable for the audience and makes it easier for them to get invested.
Costume	The costuming was very good and was able to show the audience things about the character without stating them. Such as connoting that the man is wealthy due to his suit.
Space	I feel that the framing for the short film is very theatrical, which i find to be very interesting. A good example of this is when the waitress and the cook are looking out of the two serving windows. The way that the
Lighting	The lighting is used very effectively. From the first moment of the short film, the audience is able to tell it will have a darker theme due to the low key lighting which continues from outside in the rai, into the restaurant.
Composition	the way shots are composed is very interesting, as seen in the scene where the man has just been stabbed. By having him still holding onto the waitress, it shows that despite him being dead, she still feels as if he has a power over her, because of how he effected her and her family.
Hair and makeup	The  makeup is very clearly able to show the differences between the younger and older women who work at the restaurant. BY having the younger woman have more makeup, it shows that she wats to be more presentable due to her position in the restaurant as a waitress.

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

Cinematography/Sound/Editing: I feel like the cinematography is very out there, while i may not be able to get shots as clean as the ones in The Rats, shots like the bird’s eye view of the body have given me inspiration to try more experimental camera angles in my own piece.	Narrative structure: i feel like the pacing was very good, they knew their run time and where able to tell their story. While my run time will be quite a bit shorter, i want to try and get the same kind of smooth pacing for my short film.
Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme:  I feel that in the man’s first few opening lines and actions, the audience is able to tell immediately that he is a dangerous person, or at least someone that the waitress does not want in the restaurant	Creating enigmas: Within the first few interactions the main character has with the man, you can already tell that she is at least uncomfortable with him in the restaurant. By using an almost ‘show don’t tell’ way of portraying this, I feel that it helps to build the suspense of why she is so uncomfortable with him around before it is revealed

Film 3: Bombita 

What did you like about the film? Good sense of message. The circular narrative made it interesting.	What didn’t you like? Simon is annoying. Very similar overarching character points to Aurther (Joker)
What ideas could you use? Narrative or style? I liked the cinematography.	What ideas won’t you use? Why? The narrative is a little confusing. Too technologically advanced for me (editing wise)

In-Depth study: All elements 

Feature	Example
Narrative structure	It is a linear narrative, which makes it so the audience can easily follow along with the story.
Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme	It immediately got you into the plot, showing you how the characters act and react to the area surrounding them.
Mise-en-scene	By using real world locations, it makes the audience feel more connected with the characters by putting them in a situation that feels real.
Cinematography	The camera being placed inside the ATM as he puts in his pin number to withdraw money. The pan back as everyone is giving in money.
Editing	The newspaper bit is very impressive and was able to give the audience all the information they needed without someone having to exposition dump it all in dialogue.
Sound

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

Cinematography/Sound/Editing: The use of the newspaper cut outs I find is an inspiration. I feel that they are a good way to show the audience something rather then telling them through dialogue.	Narrative structure: The narrative was able to tell a good story, and show the decline of Simon in its limited runtime. I would like tot be able to show that much character in the limited runtime I have.
Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme:  The way that Simon was built up throughout the short, seeing all the things pile up against him really makes the audience feel attached to him and eventually feel bad for him, therefore when he does use the bomb the audience feels that he is justified in that.	Creating enigmas: being able to have a through piece is very key in showing something like the decline of a character. by having him get his car towed multiple times and having that each time he gets angry, when he eventually doesn’t, the audience is left wondering why he isn’t upset.

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

What did you like about the film? Interesting plot. The variations in camera work were interesting. The lighting was dramatic, and it helped set the mood. The characterization made the audience already pick a side immediately, the people in it felt real and as if they where acting as real people rather than characters.	What didn’t you like? The story became a little confusing around the middle. While it seemed to be very character focused, there characters themselves didn’t make sense.
What ideas could you use? Narrative or style? Many of the camera angles where interesting (the door shot) which gave me inspiration to try more out there camera angles in my own piece.	What ideas won’t you use? Why? Most of the aspects that happen towards the end of the short film. As well as not having a large cast, as they would be hard to manage.

In-Depth study: All elements 

Feature	Example
Narrative structure	The way they where able to convince the audience that the couple where not good for each other in the middle, then by the end show that they are perfect for each other was very impressive to me.
Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme	The fact that they got into a huge fight and then made up in the way they did, shows the audience that this couple is probably bad for each other but will always come back together.
Mise-en-scene	The mise-en-scene is very effective, as immediately you are able to understand that the short film is taking place at a wedding, as well as they, due to the costuming the audience is also immediately able to tell who the bride and groom are.
Cinematography	The cinematography used is in a very effective way during the scene where the bride is running away. The camera is attached to the handle of a door, so the audience is able to see the door being opened, the bride running through and down the hall. Then once the door closes, the audience sees the people chasing her do the same thing.
Editing	Editing is used in a good way to build suspense. Like in the scene where the bride is dancing with the woman who her husband cheated on her with. The camera cutting between the two is very effective is showing their conflict.
Sound	The diegetic sound used is able to bring the audience in, due to the loud music they really are able to get immersed in the wedding.

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

Cinematography/Sound/Editing: The fun camera angles and sense of suspense towards the end.	Narrative structure: By having the plot play out with multiple characters, rather than just following one *like the cutting between the husband and wife*
Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme:  By having a larger ensemble cast but establishing two a the *main* focus. It helps create and make the world they’re living in seem more realistic.	Creating enigmas: How the husband met the woman he cheated with. What happens to her after being thrown into the Mirror. what happens to the chef. How does the marriage go after this.

Film 1: Pasternak 

What did you like about the film?  The tone was set well with the place and main characters identified quickly making that part of the plot easy to follow. The set was simple, making it believable.	What didn’t you like?  Overall, I enjoyed the movie, I thought the ending was a bit quick there was a lot of build up just for the plane to quickly crash, for me it was personally a bit anti-climactic. I think I would have enjoyed the ending a little more if there was some chaos at the ending but maybe the quick ending was intentional.
What ideas could you use? Narrative or style?  The narrative story worked well, the pace of it was quick and you got to the point quickly doing a shorter movie I might adapt this into my movie.  The plot was also quite simple, showing that i could use a public area for my plot to make a believable shot.	What ideas won’t you use? Why?  The editing at the end I wouldn’t personally use that, I’m probably not capable of doing that to make it look good to that effect.

In-Depth Study – Film elements 

Film element	Example
Cinematography	Example 1: Overhead baggage  The camera captures from the point of the overhead baggage; I think this is an interesting technique which shows the scene and character and space from a different point of view.  It’s a standout technique which creates different shot differences which I could take inspiration from to my movie.   Example 2: A long shot down the middle of the plane shows the space well and clearly shows all the faces of the passengers on board the plane, this can be used to identify characters clearly and possibly show a little of each induvial character just from shot, it also shows the space of the plane well so you as a viewer can become familiar of the setting.
Editing	Example 1: Plane scene at the end  The scene of the plane crashing into the garden creates a contrast of peace and the dramatic scene going on in the plane. This can be a good use of editing to round up the story as an almost unexpected turn to stir emotion and shock in the viewer   Example 2: The slow pans to where the characters come into view are interesting as they put the focus onto one area and then show the people around it. This is done with the airplane window showing the lady sitting next to it later in the shot. This could be done to firstly show the setting they are in and then move on with the narrative construction.
Sound	Example 1: They use a lot of background sound in the beginning to quickly identify the place as an airport, such as diegetic as beeping and the rolling of suitcases, in my opinion this makes the story seem more realistic as this is generally what you would wear within this setting. It brings you into the world of the story.   Example 2: In the moment they realize that they all know each over, a high-pitched violin non- diegetic underscore plays possibly heightening the suspense and emotion of the moment that they release that something is wrong about the situation.

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

Cinematography: The different shot types showing such as the overhead baggage from the point of view of the camera, this creates really stand out use of space.	Editing: The editing in this movie comes across as natural and doesn’t draw a large amount of attention to the editing besides at the end which i think is an interesting technique due to the attention brought to the end.
Sound: The use of diegetic sound can really add to a scene like in the airport and make my film seem more realistic.	Other: I think the questions proposed in this movie create a lot of drama such as in the beginning when they are working out why they are all somehow related to one person.

Film 2: The Rats/Las Ratas 

What did you like about the film? I liked the style of the movie with the dark gloomy vibe of the movie, and the narrative device of good and evil within the movie.	What didn’t you like? I think the scenes where there was more gore made the not enjoyable for parts for me, I think in my movie I will imply the violence if it is used
What ideas could you use? Narrative or style? I Think the idea of opposing ideas creates an interesting and easy to follow plot idea, such as having the evil cook and the nice waitress. I could have two characters that oppose each overs view	What ideas won’t you use? Why? I probably won’t show any scenes of violence in the movie showing blood. This seems unrealistic to do for Me and I personally think when implied violence happen it can create more of a mystery for the viewer.

In-Depth study – Mise-en-scène 

Feature	Example – how does it convey meaning or create an effect
Set Design	It conveyed meaning and effect by the gloomy weather creating a dark and mysterious effect from the beginning of the film. This set the tone instantly and introduced that this would be a dramatic film possibly with a dark ending from the very beginning
Costume	The man in the movie is dressed nicely conveying the wealth and status with a nice suit like outfit.  The girl is dressed youthfully in bright colours, in comparison to the chef who dresses older showing the difference between the two characters.
Space	The space is used well, a shot that i like is the two food doors and the cook and waitress standing in them separately this possibly shows the two different emotions’ going through them showing the good and evil, this use of space works well.
Lighting	All the scenes are shot in dark lighting with the main light source coming in from the restaurant is from lamps  Kitchen is more lightly lit but moments of the chef coming from the darkness possibly show her intentions.
Composition	The composition of the film is interesting as it shows the space in different ways one which stands out to me is the kitchen scene where the man is distantly in the background while she speaks. This creates reality out of her words as she speaks about him the viewer can also see him.
Hair and makeup	The hair and makeup make the girl look youthful and nice it possibly portrays her nature in the movie compared to the chef who doesn’t have a feminine ideal to her appearance.

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

Cinematography/Sound/Editing: I will adapt that the use of cinematography, they use the space well and the way the shots are composed with the characters in the  background really stands out to me. I will be trying to use shots like these in my movie.

Narrative structure: The narrative idea of having characters with opposing ideas about a situation creates a lot of drama and tension within the movie drama will be something that I will use due to wanting to create tension in the short time i have.

Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme:   The small gestures that the man makes really stood out to me due to how he asks about his poster and if he looks okay, another gesture which establishes the character is him giving to her the menu then taking it away. These small gestures create a sense of arrogance and righteousness for this character without dialogue I would really like to adapt this into my movie.

Creating enigmas: The questions created in the movie are:  Why did the chef first go to prison? What will happen to the girl after the film ends?  The ending of this movie leads you with a lot of questions which i would like to use in my short film.

Film 3: Bombita 

What did you like about the film? I liked the storyline and the foreshadowing at the beginning and the match of everyone clapping for him at the beginning and the end.	What didn’t you like? I didn’t really follow the plot well; I think that the overall idea was okay, but I thought the devices used were better. Also, I’m not sure what the bit of beginning was with the green light about but maybe that’s me not following story’s
What ideas could you use? Narrative or style? I think I would like to buy the idea of foreshadowing into my movie, or a similar beginning and end.  I like the narrative idea of a hero to a villain.	What ideas won’t you use? Why? I probably will shoot in a less city Enviromint with less shots of buildings that the movie used often. I think I’m going to focus more on the mise- en -scene a bit more.

In-Depth study: All elements 

Feature	Example
Narrative structure	Narrative- Hero to villain  Causality- the idea of cause and effect that everything has a reason.  I like the characters develop in this movie, I don’t think it would morally be correct to blow things up in society, but the anti-society message behind it is an interesting take and how people support him as something had to be done about the parking people.  Starts with people praising him and ends with it. Bomb could show a visual metaphor as it brings everything down.
Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme	I think you quickly establish the theme in the start of the film   with the explosion that sets the tone for the rest of the movie, people praising him in the beginning also sets the tone of the movie as
Mise-en-scene	The car ticket office is composed as small and crowded showing the chaos and has a glass screen separating the ticket person and him. This could separate the government from him showing the disconnect or the trust they don’t have in the people due to the glass panel furthering his frustration
Cinematography	The cinemaphotography in the scene where he is let go shows the long corridor that he walks down the corridor is symmetrical drawing the attention to him.  The use of wide shots possibly shows the explosions which are about to happen it also clearly shows the space
Editing	The overlay of articles is interesting as it shows the information in context as you ae watching the movie unfold giving your insight to what over people think of him just not what the viewer does.
Sound	A guitar plays in the beginning as you are first seeing the main character this establishes him as a main character and the non-diegetic sound gives him an element of importance as the camera pans away from him.  The use of music in peak types of frustration for the main character furthers the strong emotions that he is feeling in the moment like when his car is toyed.  The movie also uses diegetic sound such h as cars beeping to symbolize why he is frustrated with society.

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

Cinematography/Sound/Editing: I think moving into a wide shot to show a sequence happening is an interesting idea for your viewer to get the full effect of the scene	Narrative structure: The hero to villain plot is an interesting character arch which takes you on a journey of how they come to become a villain this is something that will take inspiration from
Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme:  The setting of a city could be something that i could adapt as a natural setting, for example using the town setting in jersey.	Creating enigmas: The enigma created for me were why does he hate society in the first place which was a key feature of the movie and plot.

Film 4: Til Death do us Part/Hasta que la muerte nos separe – this one was the most stand out to me.  

What did you like about the film? The plot was very interesting, things kept getting progressively worse? It was very interesting to watch due to this.

What didn’t you like? I think the story was too much to process at times. I think it was intended to show the chaos of the time, however the party scenes were hard to follow, as the lighting was a lot.

What ideas could you use? Narrative or style? I like the narrative element as well as the camera technique as the camera follows her as she’s crying walk through the door. It’s an interesting technique I would like to try.   The camera moved like it was shot from the door, this was interesting as it really captured the unstable nature of the bride from the angle.  I think the acting in this was also good, the bride portrayed the anger and sadness switching emotions well, a scene which stands out to me is on the roof top.

What ideas won’t you use? Why? I will try in my movie to put more emphasis on the dramatic parts of the movie, instead of having loads of little dramatic moments like this movie did.

In-Depth study: All elements 

Feature	Example
Narrative structure	The narrative structure was probably my favourite out the short films, it created such energy like you could feel the anger throughout the movie from the way the story showed the characters. An example was the ending where they join the chaos and get back together. The ending really rounded the whole energy of the film.
Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme	The film starts with a lot of energy and quickly shows that this is a wedding with lots of quests without dialogue showing them at high notably  Due to the excitement of the guests at the beginning. The theme isn’t instantly clear but that just makes the following sequence of events even more shocking
Mise-en-scene	The light plays a key feature in the mise-en-scene of the film, as the chaos in the movie gets stronger the lights get darker showing that they have moved into a deeper sense of chaos reflected by the light.
Cinematography	The door scene really stood out to me, when Shes upset the camera is pointed from the point of the view from the door, this shows the emotion on how hard she is pushing it and possibly her emotion as she stumbles though it. This really conveys to the viewer the emotion that the bride is feeling in the moment.
Sound	The music while they are dancing is a well-known track, the heightened emotions of it creates a sense of chaos in what Shes going to do about the newly found information as they dance. It shows the chaotic behavior now and possibly how quickly her emotions are moving.   Another example is when they are spinning in the circle, they play high speed music to further the chaos and uncertainty of the situation

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

Cinematography/Sound/Editing: Cinematography will be something that I will use, like I’ve spoken about before the door shot where the camera moves in the position of the door shows the scene well and stood out to me.	Narrative structure: The narrative structure of having a seemly normal wedding turns into a complete disaster but somehow, they realize that they are perfect for each over.  The twist at the end was quite unexpected that they end up together however i liked it and might want to put a unexpected twist into my film.
Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme:  The setting of the roof top may be achievable for me to do, the setting of this created a lot of drama.	Creating enigmas: The questions of why he cheated and how long they have been together that was going through my head. There was some mystery about who he cheated with and why was the groom’s phone with the woman.

Part 1: Brief Reference

What did you like about the film? I liked that the use of still images instead of live shots made the storyline and key moments stand out I liked the lighting being used and the style of photos all having an eerie feel to themThe storyline kept me engaged the whole time despite there only being images	What didn’t you like? I didn’t enjoy the music because I think it was too loud and distracting from the images instead of enhancing the images At times it was quite boring because some sets of images being presented were very similar The images were kept on the screen for quite a long time which made me lose interest at some points
What ideas could you use? Narrative or style? I think the use and choice of music used in the futuristic setting fit and enhanced the images nicely therefore dialogue between the characters wasn’t really needed	What ideas won’t you use? Why? I wouldn’t use still images because I think at some points that made the overall film slow and a bit boring and I would maybe have a much upper beat music

Part 2: In-Depth Study – Narrative

Narrative Feature	Example	Own example
Establishing protagonist	Introduced only in narration – first in third person as “a man marked by an image”; then in first person -memory of incident at the airport. We don’t see him until the first experiment is shown. This shows how core the act of remembering is to his identity – indeed we find out very little about him (he remains nameless) apart from his ‘remembering’ (even when he is travelling in time).	Even though the man is the protagonist in the film as it is all about his experiences, the opening shot is of a woman therefore making the audience think about her overall involvement and importance in the film. Having her be the first person we see makes the viewer know she will play a significant role in the story and plot.
Establishing other characters	The Woman is the first person we see (“the only image to survive the war”) – and she is defined only by the fact the narrator remembers her. Feminist critics may comment on the fact she barely seems to exist outside the experiences of the narrator and her growing belief in him.	The group of doctors looking men experimenting on the protagonist were almost always shot from high angels implying their importance within the story. They were also speaking English therefore making it feel like maybe this whole story occurred during WW2 when the germens were in power and notoriously known for doing tests on humans during that time.
Establishing location (time and place)	We are told immediately that the location is Paris. The bombed out wreckage of the city (real WW2 images) don’t immediately establish that this is the future until the narrator mentions radiation. The underground location beneath the Palais de Chaillot is shown by intercut images of broken cherubs and other sculptures.	There is an obvious contrast between the images shown when presenting the past compared to the future therefore making it easy for the audience to follow along and understand what is happening and when. For example, the images showed to represent the past are lit brightly while the ones representing the past are shot with heavy shadows and eerie looking sets correlating to the feelings of the characters and their lives during those times.
Creating Enigmas	The image the narrator obsesses over is the central enigma: who is the man he witnesses dying? How does he die? Who is the woman? The still images and voiceover powerfully evoke the nature of memory.	What other questions are posed throughout the narrative? This makes the reader wonder whether or not we can actually use time in order to stop certain events but also making it confusing whether or not the people in his universe are also phased by his actions.
Narrative binary oppositions	The ‘Living Present’ vs Past/Future. As the film progresses, what constitutes the ‘present’ (for the protagonist) seems to shift from his dystopian subterranean society to the ‘past’ of pre-apocalypse Paris. This is conveyed by the faster rhythm of the montage and the sequence (18:00-18:49) where the images almost become like traditional cinema.	Even though the doctors practicing the experiments on the protagonist are primarily painted as heroes for their efforts to help humanity after the nuclear war, they seem to be against humanity as the film goes on due to their eerie atmosphere but also their whispering implying their secretive nature.
Crisis	Is it the first experiment? The moment the man spots the woman from the airport? Or is it when the future society offers him the chance to escape to the future?	What do you think is the crisis point? How does this affect the rest of the narrative?   I think the main crisis was when the doctors practiced their first experiment on the man as that was the reason he could time travel therefore being the reason there was a man to shoot at the end which was the main question the audience would be asking themselves. (who was the man he witnessed dying?)
Resolution	The narrative is closed – but it is also in a loop: the narrator is both the dying man and the child watching the scene. This ‘time paradox’ has inspired films as diverse as The Terminator and Looper (as well as 12 Monkeys which is almost a remake).	What do you think about the end? Is it closed – or endlessly circular?   Even though we get the answer for the main question at the beginning of the film (who the man getting shot was) however the ending of the film seems to be circular because we relies he was the man who died but that could have only happened if he saw himself get shot and the woman when he was young.

Part 3: Meaning and Effect

What did you think was the intention of the filmmaker(s)? Intellectual message? Emotional response?   Everyone is trapped in their time – they cannot escape it, even through memory. It is also about concept of photography and cinema itself, trying to ‘freeze’ time with images despite time always being in motion.

How was this achieved? The use of photomontage separates each frame of the story into a frozen image – even though these are joined together using traditional narrative film techniques such as voiceover, dissolves, fades and music. As the man begins to ‘live’ more and more in the ‘past’ with his lover, the space between these frames speeds up to resemble ‘motion picture’ speed at one point. The stuffed animals in the museum are also ‘frozen’ in a single moment.

Aesthetic binary oppositions The use of still photo images are combined with traditional narrative cinematic techniques that bring them ‘to life’… until the moment around 18:00 when they flow together.

Effect of these oppositions? Shows the intensity of emotion the narrator feels with his lover: like he is finally ‘living’ in moving time rather than a series of frozen, separated moments.

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

Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme making my characters easy to understand and recognize making the plot of my short film develop quickly showing what is happening is just as effective and telling what is happening	Creating enigmas the audience knows that the woman showed at the very beginning of he film is going to have an important presence and storyline attached to her because she is the first person we see
Narrative structure (non-/linear? Open/ closed ending?) having a non-linear ending can be very confusing for the audience up to the very end when we find out the plot, this can cause people to lose interest in your film before the end therefore before the plot even happens	Striking use of technical features even though the use of still images emphasizes key moments within the film, I will personally not be using them because I think that is rather boring compared to action shot

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.

Film 1: Pasternak 

What did you like about the film? The storyline was quite comedic considering that the theme is revenge, it’s absurd that a man would gather all those who’ve wronged him onto one plane just to crash it.	What didn’t you like? It looked a lot like an airline commercial with the colour grading (or lack of) amongst other elements.
What ideas could you use? Narrative or style? The use of creative angles to establish characters, specifically when she opens the overhead locker to put her luggage away, highlighting her as the main character/driver of the story as well as the man seated beside her. The freeze frame at the end just before the plane crashes.	What ideas won’t you use? Why? I found that the domino effect of all of the passengers chiming in to give their own story of the man she was talking about – it wasn’t that effective from a comedic perspective, however it did a good job establishing what kind of man he was, adding to the climactic moment which reveals he’s flying the plane.

In-Depth Study – Film elements 

Film element	Example
Cinematography	Example 1: Lens focusing on the entire group of passengers instead of the ones at the forefront when Gabriel Pasternak speaks over the intercom, further proving that he orchestrated this flight to have all of those individuals specifically on that flight.  Example 2: Depth of field in the final shot where we’re shown the old couple in their garden, in the foreground, and we can see the airplane accelerating towards the ground in the background, forcing the audience to anticipate the inevitable crash.
Editing	Example 1: The freeze frame at the end gives an abrupt halt to the story, implementing a cliff-hanger narrative device to keep the spectator guessing, yet giving enough information prior to allow us to connect the dots. Leaving us asking questions: what became of the old couple? Was Gabriel Pasternak caught for what he did, or did he die with the rest? What does he look like?  Example 2: Fast cutting between shots as the plane begins its fatal descent, increasing the tension and fear, which is reflected from the characters in Pasternak onto the spectators.
Sound	Example 1: Using sound to foreshadow to the spectator that the plane is approaching, hearing it before we see it in the final shot, creating anticipation for the inevitable.  Example 2: The only evidence we get of Pasternak is his voice over the airplane’s intercom, almost making him seem like a god. We know he’s there, but we can’t see him, can’t put a face to the man everybody on that flight spoke so negatively of, making him even more mysterious and frightening.

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

Cinematography: When she opened the overhead locker to reveal herself, the camera was in the locker and that gave us a high angle shot, which i would like to use in my own short film.	Editing: The freezeframe at the end which leaves the anticipation and tension suspended in the air, never resolved, leaving the viewers wondering what possibly happened.
Sound: I enjoyed how they used the sound of the plane approaching the area, yet we can’t see it just yet, allowing the viewers to be informed of what’s about to happen without rushing into it; building suspense.	Other: Having a hidden antagonist because it effectively maintained the mystery even as the passengers shared information about him so the audience could better understand his character – like an omnipresent being who can’t be stopped.

Film 2: The Rats/Las Ratas 

What did you like about the film? I really enjoyed how they manipulated lighting to reflect the character’s ideologies – in the scene where the waitress and the chef are discussing putting rat poison in the man’s food, the waitress is stood in a cooler, brighter light which reflects the pressure and conflict she feels over killing him, however the chef is stood in a warmer light which indicates that she’s content with the idea of harming a bad person.

What didn’t you like? The monologue the waitress gave about her history with the gangster, seemed a bit melodramatic but it did carry the point home that he’s a bad man and that she has a personal link and a justifiable reason to resent him.

What ideas could you use? Narrative or style? Beautiful colour grading and symbolic/atmospheric usage of lighting and colour, along with framing – especially when they shot the two women talking, each framed by one of the server windows, highlighting their moral divide.

What ideas won’t you use? Why? A restaurant, due to difficulties getting permission to film or even rent out the venue for the shooting session.

In-Depth study – Mise-en-scène 

Feature	Example – how does it convey meaning or create an effect
Set Design	Whilst the waitress and the chef discuss what they should do with the gangster, the two women are framed by the concession windows, highlighting their contrasting views on harming the man.
Costume	The gangster’s colour palette is muted aside from the slight pop of red of his cravat, hinting at his dangerous character hiding beneath the outward appearance he tries to put forward to the world.
Space	The entire restaurant is empty except for the one table which the gangster is sat at, perhaps hinting that the waitress is all alone in this uncomfortable situation, the empty space also leads to less diegetic sound of other customers, making the scenario tense and eery.
Lighting	Using lowkey lighting throughout the majority of the film, it’s nighttime, dark memories are resurfacing for the protagonist when the man arrives, setting the mood to be uneasy and tense. This is until the final scene when the authorities come to the restaurant and it is daytime, signifying the waitress finally receiving closure through revenge.
Composition	In the sequence where the gangster calls over the waitress to receive her opinion on his campaign choices, they are centre-frame, medium shot to keep us at a distance, building curiosity. The only main artificial light is on the wall directly behind the waitress, illuminating her alone, once again reinforcing Levi-Strauss’ binary opposition of good versus evil.
Hair and makeup	The waitress has a neat hairstyle, presentable and feminine, whereas the chef has brushed back grey, short hair, minimal effort put into her hair. This can point towards the waitress’ self-control and drive to conform, on the other hand the chef quite frankly doesn’t care what anybody else thinks.

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

Cinematography/Sound/Editing: Using weather sounds to create pathetic fallacy – raining, moody, dark. I think that sound and music work well to convey messages better than words at times, the somber underscore when the waitress is retelling the story of how she knows the customer amplifies the emotions she is feeling for the audience to see.	Narrative structure: Levi-Strauss Binary Oppositions – good and evil. Clearly conveyed through the characters of the waitress (protagonist) and the gangster (antagonist), then there’s the chef who’s morally grey, so she is somewhat of a middle ground.
Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme:  Establishing shot of the restaurant from the outside, raining, diegetic sound, gritty. Allowing the protagonist to retell the story instead of using flashbacks which would’ve been a waste of time and possibly a bit clunky.	Creating enigmas: Rats, connotations of vermin, outsiders, the need to rid the world of them – which is the moral dilemma the protagonist is faced with. The rat poison intended to kill a man who’d be considered a ‘rat’ since he’s a criminal, the world eradicates criminals just as much as they vermin.

Film 3: Bombita 

What did you like about the film? The shot types e.g. through street grates or from the trunk of a car	What didn’t you like? The story was boring; the main character wasn’t that remarkable.
What ideas could you use? Narrative or style? The style of the shots – they were stylised in a way which forces us to be involved in the story. The news clippings provide further information on how the explosion impacted society.	What ideas won’t you use? Why? The family narrative didn’t add anything to it, only showed that he was arrogant. I think the main idea of the story was that society is corrupt and is apathetic towards its citizens.

In-Depth study: All elements 

Feature	Example
Narrative structure	Linear. We find out what his job is, knowing he has access to explosives, revealing that his car had been towed, his resolution is blowing up the car when it gets towed again, new equilibrium is him celebrating a birthday with his family unlike in the beginning sequence which he missed due to his car being towed. Todorov’s Equilibrium; base equilibrium is him with his job and family, which is strained due him working late frequently. Then the disruption of him getting his car towed, he must chase around authorities to try and get his car back. When this doesn’t work, he resorts to blowing up the DMV as a form of protest towards the government’s unfair treatment of its people. He gets sent to prison, but this is quickly resolved when he is released, and a new equilibrium is restored where he is closer with his family than ever, and the issue with his country’s government is getting media coverage in the news.
Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme	Established his career allowed him to have access to explosives, he knows how to handle them. Simón is presented as forward and a bit arrogant, standing up for himself. The setting is an urban city, an established government which is unfair – theme of anti-establishment.
Mise-en-scene	Simón goes to get his car back after it had been towed away, the man at the desk is behind a glass panel, essentially shutting Simón out. This could be viewed as a testament of the government’s wilful ignorance and neglect towards their citizens – even in unfair situations. Tightly framed, tricky situation.
Cinematography	Simón picks up another ticket, it is shot from a worms-eye angle, the frame is blocked in places by the grate, and when he steps into frame it resembles a prison cell – foreshadowing where he’ll end up.
Editing	The newspaper montage, dissolving into one another, highlighting the truth being the society which the short film is set in – impacting the viewer with harsh reality.
Sound	The sound effect for the bomb going off, this was likely created by a foley artist in a sound stage to have an impactful effect on the audience, drawing them into the action.

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

Cinematography/Sound/Editing: The news articles used as an overlay, dissolving into one another to convey a strong message to the audience, providing multiple viewpoints on a single topic.

Narrative structure: Circular and causality structure, having a clear cause and effect in my narrative to keep the audience engaged – something disrupts the character’s day, what will come of it? How will they fix it?

Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme:  I liked how we are first shown Simón at his job, highlighting that he’s hardworking, his job is of significance to the story – it disrupts his family life and is a reason why he decided to bomb the DMV because he has access to explosives.

Creating enigmas: The parking ticket. Each time he receives one it pushes him further to act on it drastically, at first it was just being frustrated and aggressive with the DMV worker, the second time he realised that they were being issued out unfairly and that he must do something to get his message across since words aren’t enough – therefore leading to him using explosives to make a statement.

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

What did you like about the film? It was fun to watch – especially the camera work when Romina stormed off and the camera moved with the door swinging open, highlighting her distress. Two people who stooped low enough to cheat are perfect for each other – betrayal turning into union.	What didn’t you like? There wasn’t anything of note that I didn’t enjoy.
What ideas could you use? Narrative or style? Whenever the couple were dancing together the lighting was always warm and intimate, the background was almost black, highlighting that they’re in their own world. For better or for worse.	What ideas won’t you use? Why? Aerial shots due to budget restrictions and preferably refrain from filming dialogue outside like they did on the roof because of wind interfering with audio quality.

In-Depth study: All elements 

Feature	Example
Narrative structure	Todorov equilibrium – equilibrium was the marriage and party, disruption was finding out the husband cheated.
Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme	The short film opens with a dark room, an intimate setting as childhood photos of the newlywed couple are presented on a screen (?). Showing wedding guests and then the couple, starting us off with a celebratory atmosphere – making the following plot twist more impactful.
Mise-en-scene	In the final sequence when the couple forgive each other for being unfaithful, all the guests have left the room, they have sex on the table. Within the shots we’re shown the wedding cake as it crumbles apart, the centre piece of the bride and groom fallen onto the floor because of their activities. Could be highlighting to the audience that despite their messy flaws they will always have each other.
Cinematography	When Romina is running away from the room, the door swings open and the camera is attached to the door, making the scene cathartic as we can feel her distress.
Editing	We’re shown shots of the wedding filmed on a camera by the wedding videographer, adding to the verisimilitude.
Sound	Once the party segment of the wedding commences, the DJ is playing ‘Titanium’ by David Guetta, this was a purposeful choice because the lyrics “got nothing to lose” sums up their relationship, and the wedding.

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

Cinematography/Sound/Editing: Harsh overhead lighting when the cake is brought out by the bride, women crowding around it as their faces are illuminated in a bright light, the bride is seemingly ignoring the fact that she just flung a girl into a mirror. Perhaps shining an uncomfortable light on the situation.

Narrative structure: Using the Todorov equilibrium to enhance plot twists to their full potential – the new equilibrium which follows the disruption is not what the audience expected, therefore making it entertaining.

Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme:  At the beginning we’re presented with a celebratory event, everyone is happy, joining together to celebrate the union of two people. At the end, it is still a celebration of sorts as the couple forgive each other, willing to move past infidelity – however this time the guests have filtered out, mostly everyone is content. Sticking to the theme of celebration, a circular structure.

Creating enigmas: The woman the husband cheated with. If she wasn’t there at the wedding, the bride probably wouldn’t have stormed out initially, and yet we are never given any explanation from the mistress, no information from her perspective – this remains a mystery.