1. Research a film and describe its story – including subject-matter, genre and style etc.
Film research: Quarantine Perspective – amateur short film by Myles Dean
Student in the US describing the feelings of living through a pandemic, and quarantines link to technology and creative outputs. Follows a day in the life sort of style, with an audio recording throughout describing his experience, including tips on ‘how to survive/enjoy’ the quarantine lifestyle.
2. Who is the film director? Why did he/she make it? (intentions/ reasons) Who is it for? (audience) How was it received? (any press, awards, legacy etc.)
Video director: Student Myles Dean
He made this film in a documentary/self help style, to have a record of his experience as well as the video itself being a creative outlet and a way to occupy himself during the COVID-19 pandemic. The intended audience would be individuals similar to himself, other students perhaps struggling with isolation, and giving ways to cope. It is an amateur film, released on Deans YouTube channel, therefore did not receive much exposure with only 370 views, but did receive multiple positive comments from his viewers.
3. Deconstruct the film’s narrative, editing and sound, such as; scenes, action, shot sizes, camera angles and mise-en-scene (the arrangement of the scenery in front of the camera) from location, props, people, lighting, sound etc.
Dean uses a wide variety of different and beautiful shots, using overhead drone footage following him, as well as wide angle shots of different clearly carefully structured settings. He cuts these with close ups of skateboarding, driving and at home scenes, keeping with a day in the life narrative. He uses a peaceful backing track, with an audio recording throughout of him describing his quarantine experience, how it has affected his personal life, as well as globally, and ways on how to entertain yourself and better this world lived experience. He uses lighting well, going from day to night shots to follow the repetitive day after day nature of the pandemic.
Application to my own Project
I chose this video as it follows the topic and style i have built my project around, and has a variety of shots that i plan to incorporate into my film, such as the use drone-like shots for that overhead style with some skating and field scenes. I shall also include some of the techniques from his lighting choices, using a slow degrade to darkness during a time-lapse scene in my bedroom (inspired by another students amateur video called Numb by Liv McNeil). However, instead of following his day-to-day format, i will be using flashbacks and hyper-sped up scenes, creating the same documentary style through different techniques.