9.5/10
A memorable scene in my mind was the coinciding scene at the beginning of the film and the end of the film, where Rocket comes face to face with L’il Dice and his gang.
This scene also matches with my memorable image as it is symbolic as to what Rocket must battle with, the temptations of gang culture throughout Rio, or his career and future as a photographer.
First response
| Score out of 10 | Memorable scene | Iconic image |
| 8/10 | A memorable scene for me was when she goes into the pale man’s world and eats the grapes. I think the Mise en Scene of the scene made the room feel magical and otherworldly in comparison to her bedroom. The sound of a humming mixed with a dramatic underscore throughout the scene also creates a lot of tension for the scene. The Proformance of the way the pale man moves are also off putting making the scene even more dramatic | Get screen grab 21:19 The iconic image for me is the stairwell that she walks down to meet the faun. This is where the movies’ magical theme starts and end. I also find the background information of this being an entrance to the underworld really a key feature of why i think the birds eye shot of her walking down it is important as it shows the beginning and the end of her journey. |
4 Micro Elements
The motif of the lullaby that Mercedes hums for her at various times throughout the movie. It is often played in times of sadness when Mercedes is trying to comfort Ofelia in moments of the distress such as when her mother is ill. It also plays in the beginning of the movie to open the scene up and the end when Ofelia has completed her quest. The lullaby i think for me showed vital moments but also for example at the end brought me back to the beginning as i remembered hearing in then possibly symbolizing the beginning and the end of the movie on her journey to go back to being a princess.
Mise en Scene
When Ofelia goes on her quest to get the key from the toad. You see her crawl through an underground muddy tunnel which is dimly. However, the set of the muddy tunnel of it somehow are made otherworldly and the composition of the set shows a lot of depth to the area. I personally think the way the set is designed throughout the movie makes the mise en scene so great throughout the movie. The tunnel is purposely muddy and dirty to show the length that she is going to complete these desks eve ruining her dress that her sick mother made for her to get the key. I think showing the area as not natural and giving the scene a great amount of mise en scene really creates the effect that she is almost entering a different world to the viewer and creates a contrast when she returns to the real one.
Editing
The editing techniques that stood out to me was the point when the camera pans down to the bath, then pans down into the tunnel stairway seamlessly. The way that the scenes are combined I think show that Shes always thinking about the stairway and quickly moves the change of setting for the viewer. However, I think there is also match cutting in the movie between the wo narratives taking part being the magical world that Ofelia steps in and the captain’s harsh reality of the war. An example where this takes pace is Ofelia handing the key over to the faun then it quickly cutting to the captain opening the door with a key showing the themes are familiar but so different between the two worlds by the editing used.
Cinematography
I think the opening shot where it slowly pans in Ofelia laying on the ground dead and slowly moving into her eye is one of my favourite bits of cinematography in the film. The slow movements of the camera allow the spectator to see the character clearly for the first time and establishes her as a main character well as allows you to notice that you are seeing things from her point of view symbolized by her eye. Another feature of the cinematography is that the movements of the camera are more fluid in the fantasy world but in different way to the captain’s world they are steadier and ridged this really creates a contrast with the cinematography between the two worlds showing the raility of the war.
Gender paragraph
The binary opposites between male and female
The binary opposite between male and female is created by multiple features in the movie. The captain is often represented in a blue dark light and is often associated with broken items and knives created a negative light around him throughout the movie. His attitudes also create a binary opposite to those of the females with him being tradiontial tough and represented as almost a monster who takes power over anything else. However, the females in the film are more caring with a example being Mercedes who cares for Ofelia but also takes on. a strong and powerful female role at the same time which was non tradional for the time. Woman in the movie such as Ofelia are often associated with a warm yellow light possibly showing the good in the woman in the film.
List 10 things that the viewer knows about the story in the 1st 10 mins of the film.
Historic and social context
Pans lab was set in a post-civil war setting
In the real world setting the rebels did not win the fascists won but pans lab chooses to have a happy ending where the rebels win.
At the table the priest sits next to them while they discuss starving the poor people while having large amounts of food.
The director wanted to show the history of the civil war.
Del toro uses Morden and old school techniques
He wanted all his monsters to be original
He used puppets and CG to create the monsters for his movie
Dark colours at night
Using a Spanish cast and made in Spain
Del toro and his friends put their own money into it; he cut out the studio taking control of his film.
Won 3 Oscars a breakthrough movie
Wild Tales (Szifron, 2014) – Analysis Sheet for Evaluative Commentary
Film 1: Pasternak
| What did you like about the film? I like how the antagonist was never actually seen but he still felt present | What didn’t you like? I didnt like the abrupt ending |
| What ideas could you use? Narrative or style? The use of dialoged to explain a lot of what’s happening in the short movie | What ideas won’t you use? Why? I won’t use that many characters because it gets tricky with scheduling |
In-Depth Study – Film elements
| Film element | Example |
| Cinematography | Example 1: The long shot of the plane coming towards his parents made it clear that the parents were involved and that’s where the plane would end up Example 2: I like the use of medium shot down the isle showing all the characters together, this added a lot more stress in the scene because you could see the panic on all of them |
| Editing | Example 1: the editing in Pasternak as natural and you couldn’t notice it making the whole thing feel real and like thr audince was also involved Example 2: The cut from the panic in the plane to the parents in a lawn calm made the movie feel more intense. This is because we knew (as the audience) that those were the parents and that they were somehow going to die but the parents aren’t aware of that. |
| Sound | Example 1: The sound at the start of the suitcase rolling immediately told us as the audience where we were and the theme of the short film Example 2: The plane slowly getting louder as it got closer towards the end of the movie gave the feeling of impending doom. |
Inspirations – what ideas did this film give you for your own short film?
| Cinematography: I enjoyed thre different angle types and the wide variety so i will hopefully be able to use a lot of angles and shot types as well. | Editing: i engoyed the use of sudden cuts to chnage the feel completly of a scene (the plane to the parents cut) so i will also try to use this. |
| Sound: The music and sound did a great job at Addington the movie and making some scenes feel more intense which i also want to achieve | Other: |
Film 2: The Rats/Las Ratas
| What did you like about the film? I liked the colouring of the movie and how consistently scary it felt | What didn’t you like? I didnt like |
| What ideas could you use? Narrative or style? I could use the already established villain hos story gets told by the character’s and isn’t acted out | What ideas won’t you use? Why? I won’t use the set location of a restaurant because it gets busy and loud |
In-Depth study – Mise-en-scène
| Feature | Example – how does it convey meaning or create an effect |
| Set Design | The set design was old and broken down which conveyed that they weren’t a popular Restuarant and it also added to the horror feel of the short film |
| Costume | The costumes in these short films are well made and show the worth of each character and who they are. For example, it’s easy to tell who the waitress is because of her outfit and it’s easy to tell that the guy is rich because has wearing expensive looking cloths and a jacket. |
| Space | Space played a big role in showing character dynamics, for example the kid sat right next to the dad showing their close relationship while the waitress didn’t want to get near him showing her hatred |
| Lighting | The lighing in the whole film is dim making it hard to see and it also shows its night out which is when most crimes typically occur. The darkness adds to the spooky ambience of the film. |
| Composition | At the beginning, the car pulls into the driveway into the center of the scene directly underneath the large ‘Restaurant ‘sign. The only things lit in this frame are a part of the sign and the windows which makes the light focused in the middle of the frame and dark surroundings. |
| Hair and makeup | The waitress has her hair half up half down which shows slight respect for her job since waitresses typically must have their hair up. She also has a little make up while the cooking lady has none showing she has less care for her appearance. |
Inspirations – what ideas did this film give you for your own short film?
| Cinematography/Sound/Editing: I liked the use of a pan left and smooth camera movements, it makes the film feel more alive and I’d like to use that. | Narrative structure: I would like to use the linear structer this film has and howe they didnt break away from the order even while tellling stories from the past. |
| Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme: I liked the way the main villain was introduced by the waitress who talked about why he was a bad person, i would like to also have a similar effect with one of my characters. | Creating enigmas: |
Film 3: Bombita
| What did you like about the film? I like the editing style being full circle | What didn’t you like? How randomly it ended with no explanation as to where they were or how much time had passed or what happened after |
| What ideas could you use? Narrative or style? It being a full circle Causality | What ideas won’t you use? Why? The whole plot just doesn’t make sense |
In-Depth study: All elements
| Feature | Example |
| Narrative structure | I like how the narrative structure was causality, which means that one thing (the main character) causes all the events in the movie such as the explosion and the divorce and the car towing’s |
| Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme | The main character is established in the first shot when he is loading up the building with explosives. This shows us his job which |
| Mise-en-scene | I think the set design of this whole movie was incredible. For example, the long corridor that was large and made the main chacarera look small in comparison added to the feeling of alone in the society he lives in |
| Cinematography | The use of a long shot when the explosion went off made the scene more dramatic and intense. |
| Editing | I thiught the editing in this movie was naturalistic and very seemless, this made the movie feel more immersive and helped get the message across to the audience better |
| Sound | The sounds in the movie such as the loud explosion sounds at the start and end of the movie made the movie feel more real |
Inspirations – what ideas did this film give you for your own short film?
| Cinematography/Sound/Editing: A variety of different camera angles to make the movie feel wider and more imersive. | Narrative structure: |
| Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme: | Creating enigmas: |
Film 4: Til Death do us Part/Hasta que la muerte nos separe
| What did you like about the film? I liked the use of music in certain areas to make the scene seem more layed back compared to other scenes | What didn’t you like? How bizzar the end was |
| What ideas could you use? Narrative or style? I liked how diverse the emotions were throughout the film and how it was constantly a rollercoaster going up and down and how this was portrayed through all the characters. | What ideas won’t you use? Why? I wouldn’t use the costuming since i thought it was ugly and outdated. |
In-Depth study: All elements
| Feature | Example |
| Narrative structure | I liked how the movie had a close ending when they ‘make up’ after everything that happened (equilibrium). I also like how the movie is a rollercoaster of issues and solutions, and it maintains this through the whole movie. |
| Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme | Both main characters are established well at the start through the picture cycles on the wall and them entering through with a literal spotlight on them. |
| Mise-en-scene | I think the costumes were ugly and didnt add anything to the movie other than letting you know the basic fact that shes the bride and hes the groom. |
| Cinematography | Some parts of the movie had good use of angle. Such as when the groom was going up the stairs and it was a high angle shot looking down the stair well. |
| Editing | I think that the editing in this movie was seamless and natural with no overly harsh cuts. This worked well for the movie since it made you feel like a wedding guest watching it all happen. |
| Sound | There was a good use of diegetic sound in the movie. Some of the songs were a part of the movie’s world such as when the DJ was told to play the music, but it still added so much to the scenes feels |
Inspirations – what ideas did this film give you for your own short film?
| Cinematography/Sound/Editing: | Narrative structure: |
| Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme: The characters were well established through their costumes and the scenery; I’d also like to usethis effect since it would help cut back on time in establishing scenes. | Creating enigmas: |
Rating – 7/10
10 things that the viewer knows in the 1st 10 mins.
1. set in Spain in 1944
2. a young girl dies
3. set in like a fantasy story
4. Ofelia likes reading book set in a fantasy world
5. Her other is pregnant and quite ill
6. the mother and daughter are moving from city to country
7. Ofelia’s real dad isn’t here anymore, and the captain is not her real dad
8. Ofelia and the captain do not get along that well. The captain is a harsh person and isn’t very nice.
9. Mercedes is a nurturing person who works as a type of servant for the captain
10. there is a labyrinth near by
The camera is at a canted angle and pans from what looks like a wall to Ofelia who is laying down covered in blood. The canted shot shows the distorted and uncomfortable vibe of Ofelia who looks severely injured and looks like she could pass at any time. The camera then zooms into Ofelia eye and takes us into a mystical world. The camera than tracks left to right in this world to show the audience this mysterious place. Then the camera tracks in to shows stairs and this girl running which creates the feeling that Ofelia is trying to runaway from something.
The Sound Design of the effects that accompany the violence is very realistic. This is most likely enhanced in post-production by Foley artists. As parts of this film fit a horror genre this adds to the horror and emotional impact of those violent actions on the viewer. There is also a music motif in the Lullaby that is sung to Ofelia. It can be diegetic when sung by an on-screen character (the mother or Mercedes) but it becomes the theme tune for the film taking on a number of different musical forms (orchestral) adding to the suspense in places or the emotional state of Ofelia (rather like the ‘Time Goes By’ tune is manipulated in ‘Casablanca’.
5.50 shows a slightly high angle mid close up shot of a watch, this watch is being held by the captain to shows his higher status and he is powerful. Making Ofelia and her mother in the car seem vulnerable as we can tell they are late due to the close up of the watch and the diegetic sound of the watching ticking. Furthermore the over the shoulder shot of the captain taking to Carmen shows his manipulation although we can’t see if face we can picture that he is being controlling and trying to hide the fact that his is controlling his new wife to sit on the chair through the use of a uncomfortable hug, although there isn’t an obvious set of dialogue for that part we can hear a quite whisper that shows that the captain is convincing Carmen to sit of the chair.
The use of costumes and CGI help to achieve this terrifying, horror and fantasy look of the film. The make-up when the captain gets stabbed in the face and body helps the scene to look realistic and very horrifying. In the scene where the captain is fixing the watch we can see that the mechanisms look like the props of the old mill wheels in the background found in the back of the captain’s offices.
The styling of the editing is conventional although several diegetic wipes are used or cross-dissolves to and from black – thus forging a link between the real and the fantasy world. One example of this is when Ofelia, in close up lying on her mum’s tum, tells a story to her yet unborn brother and the shot literally tracks into the womb.
How are men and women represented differently and how does this position the viewer?
Ofelia – daughter of Carmen – Ofelia is treated poorly by the captain, as it is evident that the captain wanted a son so therefore treats Ofelia badly. From the first scene the captain and Ofelia are together the captain looks like he is crushing her hands because she lifted her left hand instead of right hand when going in for a handshake. Ofelia is told off by her mother time and time again about being childish and reading children’s books, however you can see that her mother does care for her.
Carmen – heavily pregnant ‘new’ wife of the captain – We can see that Carmen is controlled and manipulated by her husband, the captain, we can she is getting poorly treated by him for example “kill her instead of the baby” which is said by the captain because he wants to have a son to keep family traditions. Carmen is represented as being vulnerable as she is made to sit down on the wheelchair showing she is at a lower position then everyone else and she is constantly ill.
Captain Vidal – Soldier in Franco’s Army – he is represented as being very controlling and shows him being manipulative towards people. He is a real word antagonist; he treats people poorly like killing the doctor for not going ahead with what the captain says. He is portrayed as a villain.
Mercedes – housekeeper – Mercedes is represented as a nurturing, kind, and thoughtful lady. She acts more maternal toward Ofelia than her own mother does, and she makes sure that Ofelia is safe and takes Ofelia with her when she tries to escape. Mercedes is very independent and makes sure that she is strong when facing the captain and rebelling to leave her job. She is thoughtful as she is trying to help her brother even though she isn’t allowed.
What is the ‘look of the film’? How has this been achieved?
The costume for the fantasy-based character is not CGI and they are made by designer that spend a lot of time creating the costume and fitting the costume onto the actor.
The film is a magical realist text – combining beautifully constructed but very dark fantasy sequences, some verging on horror, with a graphically violent rendering of factional fighting in Northern Spain in the early years of Franco’s dictatorship. In Pan’s Labyrinth, as we have already seen, Franco’s army unit is represented as a brutalising force of occupation and its commanding officer, Captain Vidal, as a sadistic epitome of evil: cruel to everyone including his wife and stepdaughter. His evident pleasure in torture is straight out of a psycho-horror film. The ruling elite who attends a banquet given by him are equally venal and corrupt and Del Toro clearly has little empathy for the priest and the organised Catholicism he represents. In contrast however we find the guerrillas and their supporters, such as Mercedes and the Doctor, are presented as honourable and caring people. Del Toro makes it very clear with whom we are positioned to side. Indeed, the narrative triumph of liberalism over fascism is literal as the movie ends with the captain’s execution by the victorious rebels and Ofelia’s imaginative or real resurrection in the Underworld. Another motif, aside from the Gothic and gore discussed above is paganism. The moss-covered ruins of the Labyrinth and associated standing stones, and the tree beneath which Ofelia finds the toad, and from which blooms her own resurrection (see above – endings) all suggest a sophisticated and elemental pagan past now acting as rare portals to the fairy kingdom.
Set Design
The set design for the toad scene was first constructed to be a bigger space which took a lot of money and time/ effort however they decided not to use, and they quickly thought of a new idea in limited amount time and made in 2-3 days.
Social – The representation of women referred to above is evidence of the social problems women faced in this patriarchal and macho era. A local priest, attending a meal held by the Captain, dismisses the possible pain felt by the rebels on theological grounds. His representation lacks humanity and is clearly a barbed commentary on an out of touch and complicit Catholic church: “God has already saved their souls. What happens to their bodies hardly matters to him.” Del Toro uses the cinematic conceit of a banquet to heighten the corruption of the local middle classes and ruling elite. Despite his criticisms of Catholicism as a dogma and institution it is clear that Del Toro admires the spirituality of his native religion – in a later film Crimson Peak, a ghost story, he commented on his belief in ghosts. The scene above is strongly redolent of a stylised heaven with its church-like setting, a rosary window flooded with golden light and a grey bearded father figure flanked by a doe-eyed mother. It is all rather stuffy and formal befitting a royal court perhaps but not a fairy domain. That said it is clearly Ofelia’s (Princess Moanna’s) ‘happy place’ – she has come home to a loving warm family and an adoring people.
History – The period featured, 1944 in Spain, is intriguing to the non-specialist as it is clearly a period where the rumblings from the Spanish Civil War are still being felt despite the war itself having finished in 1939.
Spanish Civil war – The Spanish Civil War was a military conflict fought from 1936 to 1939 between the Republicans and the Nationalists. Republicans were loyal to the left-leaning Popular Front government of the Second Spanish Republic. The Spanish Civil War broke out in July 1936, after a group of conservative militaries tried to overthrow the progressive government of the Popular Front. In January 1939, its capital, Barcelona, was captured, and soon after the rest of Catalonia fell. With the Republican cause all but lost, its leaders attempted to negotiate a peace, but Franco refused. On March 28, 1939, the victorious Nationalists entered Madrid in triumph, and the Spanish Civil War came to an end.
Labor unrest was widespread in the early 1930s, and the election of February 16, 1936, brought a leftist Popular Front government to power. Fascist and extreme-right forces responded in July 1936 with an army mutiny and coup attempt that expanded into a civil war.
The nationalist won the Spanish civil war. Pans Labyrinth – is set after the Spanish civil war. The whole of the Mis-en-scene is very accurate with the costumes and props.
Influences
In my short film I am taking influences from La Jettee, as I will replicate the still shot types to introduce mise en scene and setting. Another element I enjoyed in La Jettee that I will replicate is its unsolved narrative creating enigma around my films ending.
I am also taking inspiration from the short film Bombita, I found the downwards spiral like narrative effective and I would like to incorporate a similar element into my short film.
Working title and logline
My short film, just an old friend will follow two best friends and how the trajectory of their friendship is changed through different life choices, capturing how relationships realistically fizzle out without a rekindling through the Lense of one of the friends when they are older with the use of a non-Linear narrative structure and flashbacks to convey this.
On the last night of their final summer together, two inseparable friends confront the secrets within their bond when one receives unexpected lifechanging news, threatening the friendships future.
Elements of nostalgia will be a key focus in my film to encapsulate the idea of bittersweet memories. It will be filmed with mostly handheld camera work to add a sense of realism and closeness to the film.
Using the X meets Y formula
Aftersun (2022) meets Booksmart (2019)
Casting, location and equipment
Casting
As the film is told through the Lense of one of the friends all grown up, I will use an older woman to tell the story throughout the non-linear narrative, for the flashbacks I will use two teenage girls between the ages of 17-18 as this is a common age for life changing opportunities to arise e.g. University offers etc.
Location
The location for the older characters part of the film will be a simple homely like setting in places like a living room or kitchen. The flashbacks to the younger friends will be in places such as the beach to convey happy memories and in a party like setting to get the image of youth and enjoyment across.
Equipment
As I want to use handheld shots to communicate realism and closeness, I will use a gimble to steady my hand-held shots.
Film 1: Pasternak
| What did you like about the film? The narrative was captivating and easily held my attention as the character of Pasternak remains a mystery throughout. | What didn’t you like? It was very fast paced which made me struggle to understand the story line. |
| What ideas could you use? Narrative or style? The idea they all encountered or had some significance to one individual was comedic and easily captures attention. | What ideas won’t you use? Why? The location, not on budget and I felt there wasn’t enough room. Everyone was closed off and I felt there were minimal ways the camera could be shit. |
In-Depth Study – Film elements
| Film element | Example |
| Cinematography | Example 1: The shot of her walking is a tracking shot which adds significance as it slowly reveals her face (who she is). It creates a suspenseful Example 2: The overhead shot of her attempting to put the suitcase away creates a difference in the other views/shots. It also shows the point of view of the suitcase. |
| Editing | Example 1: The freeze frame at the end made the short film have a sudden stop and let the audience think unpack the narrative themselves. It also gave us a moment to think/want to know who Pasternak is? What does he look like? Example 2: The fast cuts when the plane has server turbulence. This creates chaos, it takes us on an emotional rollercoaster as it shows us the different reactions of each character. |
| Sound | Example 1: The diegetic noise of her high heels on the floor gave a heightened sense of suspense (wondering who they are). It made her character seem very direct as the noise of her heels is very staccato. Example 2: The mass of sound that came from everyone on the plane after he ask who knew the man. This created a large commotion between everyone and had an impact on the sound as it juxtaposes the sound when they first got onto the plane. |
Inspirations – what ideas did this film give you for your own short film?
| Cinematography: Overhead shots that seem like you are being watched. | Editing: Fast cuts that create a huge amount of tension between all characters. |
| Sound: Using diegetic sound all the way through as it shows that all noises are coming from the world of that film/short film. | Other: |
Film 2: The Rats/Las Ratas
| What did you like about the film? I liked the different lighting used as it creates an interesting composition. | What didn’t you like? The gory scene at the end made me lose interest as I don’t like blood. |
| What ideas could you use? Narrative or style? I could use the idea of a vulnerable girl being insulted by an older man whose had an impact in her life. | What ideas won’t you use? Why? I won’t use the violence involved as it wouldn’t match the narrative i am planning. |
In-Depth study – Mise-en-scène
| Feature | Example – how does it convey meaning or create an effect |
| Set Design | The two hatches that are at the front of the kitchen make an impact on the effect as it distinctly separates the two characters. |
| Costume | The costumes are casual, stereotypical waitress uniform. This creates an impact on the effect because it shows that she is like us (ordinary girl). |
| Space | The space is roomy yet tight. The kitchen is spacious however the seating area (main restaurant) is quite small. |
| Lighting | The lighting is article; it is dull and dimmed. This creates an effect and could signify to the audience the restaurant could be run down. |
| Composition | One scene has a composition that is so clear. The girl is in a cool toned white, blueish lighting and the older lady is in a brown, orange lighting. This creates an effect as it could relate to their moods. |
| Hair and makeup | No hair and make-up seem to be worn by any characters. This conveys to the audience that they are in a very casual setting. |
Inspirations – what ideas did this film give you for your own short film?
| Cinematography/Sound/Editing: When the short film is first introduced the show the exterior of the restaurant with diegetic sounds included and then it suddenly cuts to the interior of the restaurant. I like this sudden cut, and it has given me ideas for what I would like to do. | Narrative structure: The vulnerable girl and insulting older man have indicated an idea to me. It creates a deep effect on the audience and plays with their emotions. |
| Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme: When the music starts to play and adds dramatic effectiveness to the young girl explaining her relation to this man has given me and idea of how I want to establish my characters. | Creating enigmas: I like the fact that when the man was first seen you can feel tension however you do not know what is wrong, this creates an enigma that gets explained later in the short film. |
Film 3: Bombita
| What did you like about the film? The relationships between the characters (his children). The child’s birthday party shows a bad relationship yet at the end it develops. | What didn’t you like? The narrative didn’t capture my attention. I think it needed a change in pace or lighting change. I thought it stayed on all one level. |
| What ideas could you use? Narrative or style? This use of a disagreement to boost the narrative (in bombita it was his car being towed which was the starter). | What ideas won’t you use? Why? The violence, smashing windows, exploding cars. Just not what I was to involve in the short film. |
In-Depth study: All elements
| Feature | Example |
| Narrative structure | In short terms, he was engineer and one day his car was towed however, he believed that there was no yellow line where he parked so this means it was a legal parking area. |
| Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme | When establishing the man male he is seen doing his job (engineer) he is blowing up something for his job. This instantly makes him come across powerful and respected. |
| Mise-en-scene | The mise-en-scene captures the normal viewing of a city street. |
| Cinematography | Lots of different shot types were used to show action and reaction (when he is in the place to appeal his car being towed). |
| Editing | Jump cuts seem to be the main edit. From driving on the road to jumping to a cupcake getting its candle lit. Action reaction edits, texting on his phone to his reaction of the traffic he is sitting in. |
| Sound | Throughout Bombita the sound is always jumping and getting louder this can suggest how the character is feeling, constantly on edge and his rage is building. |
Inspirations – what ideas did this film give you for your own short film?
| Cinematography/Sound/Editing: The wide shots that vividly established the place he was at and captured everything. | Narrative structure: The relationships between his family members added some sympathy to the narrative. |
| Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme: There was only one main character, which made it easy to follow the plot. | Creating enigmas: As his nickname is La Bonita it created an enigma by already making the audience question why he is named that. |
Film 4: Til Death do us Part/Hasta que la muerte nos separe
| What did you like about the film? I liked the narrative, the jealousy and the way they constructed it (turning the wife into being a chaotic character was funny and captivating. | What didn’t you like? I did not like the violence however I also thought the acting was not the best, it was somewhat unrealistic. |
| What ideas could you use? Narrative or style? Emphasizing on the dramatic parts just to uplift the narrative more. | What ideas won’t you use? Why? The location would not match my ideas. |
In-Depth study: All elements
| Feature | Example |
| Narrative structure | The energy throughout the short film was entertaining and upbeat, even when she was crying there was always some comedic element involved into the narrative. |
| Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme | In this short film they quickly establish the different characters with lots of detail, and the plot follows the same format (unveiled quickly). |
| Mise-en-scene | The mise-en-scene correlates all together and neatly compliments one another. The big colourful room with a cake and loads of table and chairs clearly show it is a wedding reception. |
| Cinematography | They use various shot types, but I like when they use the close ups to clearly show the actions and reactions of the characters, it helps to show in depth of what they are truly feeling. |
| Editing | The jump cut used was effective, this happened when the husband was scene left on the top of the building and suddenly it jumps to the wife walking into the amin wedding demanding the music to be turned back on. |
| Sound | The sound used when they are dancing, and she has just found out he slept with his co-worker, the music gets more dramatic and louder as the scene unravels and continues to get worse (the narrative) |
Inspirations – what ideas did this film give you for your own short film?
| Cinematography/Sound/Editing: I want to have the same editing techniques, having a mixture of fast and slow. | Narrative structure: I like the linear narrative structure as it makes the story easy to follow yet still interesting. |
| Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme: I like how each character’s characteristic is shown from the very start which makes it easier for the audience to communicate with. | Creating enigmas: After the women who the man so called cheated on is thrown into the mirror what happens to her next? Did he really cheat? |