An idea that has interested me for creating the short film is a murder mystery type film. I got inspiration from the board game Cluedo, which is famously a murder mystery board game.
There are a few things to consider whilst I have this basic idea:
Characters - should I use the original line up, or should I do a play of them and create my own line?
Setting - should it be set inside or outside? Should it follow a theme such as a pub or bar? Or should it be outside, which goes outside the convention of the story, which is famously known to be set in a mansion.
Style - there are many styles that I could follow, depending on the decade that I use will depend on the costumes and possibly the setting. My first instinct is a 1920's style, just because of the connotations of it being glamorous and classy. The cinematography I would make as 20's as possible with either using a 30mm camera and having the footage look black and white and grainy, or editing the video so that it still has the same effect. But having a 1960's style could be fun as I could make it colourful and and still use the 30mm effect. Even a modern style would be easier in terms of the clothing and the language used. However, I am more eager to the prior suggestions just because I think it suits the idea of a murder mystery more.
Plot - because I only have five minutes to put across my story, I will have to choose an exciting part that only limits to one or two settings, but has enough happening so that the audience will not be bored. I think I will focus more on either the middle of the story where everyone is trying to guess who it is, or have it at the ending where we find out who has done it.
Although this is a very basic idea, I do think it would be exciting to make just because it has potential to be a fun film and to not focus on any modern serious issues, which can be hard hitting for some people.
'A woman contemplates whether or not to keep her baby, while waiting for her lover to arrive in a small cafe.'
I founds that this set film stuck out to me the most, just because of how simple the visuals were. But I liked how the voice over made the film more deep, with small events changing her trail of thought. I also enjoyed the story line and I think that there are many ways you can explore this story. If I was to go from this set text, I would show when the person first finds out they are pregnant and are sat with a pregnancy test, because I think it would make it more raw and emotional as it would be their first thoughts and not something that they could have thought over a few days. My initial thoughts on how I would create this short film are:
A close up of the test and the person's face
A voice over style
Include background noise, such as another family member that they want to keep quiet from
Perhaps telling someone that they are pregnant?
No music, majority silent
Long takes
Opens the film in a bathroom, person sat on the toilet
End the film of them saying 'I'm pregnant'?
I think this idea is my most simple one, however it could be the most effective if planned right because a viewer could connect with it more as it would have a more personal aspect, especially as I would include a voice over.
I have chosen to do the collapse of the Berlin Wall as my historical event idea. This event was a big change in history as east and west Berlin finally were joined together again. It could become quite an emotional film because of people finally were reconnected with each other, and the whole FRG and GDR ordeal was finally coming to an end. My initial thoughts on creating this film -
Following a teenager's view point
Maybe meet someone from the other side?
End the scene with them cycling or running towards the collapse?
Use an 8mm film effect
Use 80s music
Have the setting include news story clippings about the political situation
Close ups to show emotions
Maybe have it as a person being rekindled with a family member, friend or their significant other?
Although it is set before modern times, just like my other idea for the idea based of a news story, I think it would be easier to do as the 1980s is easier to recreate than the 1940s, because the clothing for the 80s has made a comeback and accessing that style is easy. But because I still don't have a precise idea it may not be my first choice because there would need to be a lot more preparation to choose something I could realistically do.
This idea is different to my other ones just as it is the oldest one in terms of the year that this event was. But it was my first thought when I had to do an idea from a news story as it was such a big impact on the world. It would be a very patriotic film with a happy tone rather than sad one, because it was such a revelation event.
My initial thoughts on how to create this film are -
Use a 8mm film effect to get the 40s style
Find the most similar clothing as possible
Perhaps start the scene with the radio playing a news story about the victory
The person does not hear it straight away and ends up reading the newspaper
The film ends with a knock at the door, which will signify that their family member (brother/son) has returned from war
A very patriotic scene with flags
Perhaps them cooking getting ready for the street party to celebrate
1940s music in the background
I think that this would be the hardest idea to work from, just because of perfecting the style of the 1940s would be harder than just a modern style film. I am also limited with settings that I could use, and I don't know if there is a suitable place for me to film. However, if done right it would be a fun film to make as it would have a happy tone overall, as this was a great celebration.
Although not a regular short film because it has been made by a musician and contains their own songs. It is a short film telling us a story of sin and redemption.
The film opens with us being placed in the Garden of Eden with Adam (Shaun Ross) and Eve (Lana Del Rey). In unconventional ways John Wayne is portrayed as God and opens the scene for us. He is intersected by famous sayings by Jesus Christ, Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley. There are also cuts to Lana Del Rey portraying Jesus' mother Mary, who is seen to be regularly praying. Throughout the scene, it is carried by her song Body Electric -
'Grand Ole Opry, feelin' alright
Mary prays the rosary for my broken mind
I sing the body electric'
During this section Eve is tempted by the snake, and eats an apple from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, which results in her fainting and thunder clapping. Adam then does the same to join his lover and the experience of paradise is over. Throughout this section, it has been coloured pink and red to give an unrealistic and dreamy look. Doing this is suitable for this scene as we are meant to be in 'paradise'.
The second part of the short film is Adam and Eve placed in modern LA. During this part, Lana Del Rey is voice overing Walt Whitman's 'I Sing the Body Electric', with visuals have Eve as a stripper, and Adam as a gang member, who is also works in a run down convenience store. Although not a typical representation of Paradise, there are references throughout that mimic such as in the store there is a sign that says 'El Paraiso' meaning 'The Paradise'. After the poem has been read, the second song starts called 'Gods and Monsters'.
'In the land of Gods and Monsters
I was an angel
Living in the garden of evil'
This song does have many meanings, but one that I think suits the most is where the 'Gods' are the celebrities, that are worshipped and looked after because they are famous. And the 'Monsters' are the addictions, sinners and all the other trouble that comes into the world, which references the 'Garden of Evil'. However, soon 'Gods' can come into 'Monsters' because humans are greedy and we all want money and fame. And because the celebrities are already celebrities she thinks 'No one's gonna take my soul away', in this case because God is dead, she isn't afraid of losing her soul.
After the song, the story carries on with Adam leading his gang to perform a robbery on a group of rich business men. During this, Lana Del Rey recites 'Howl' by Allen Ginsberg. The ending of this second part is the group looking out towards LA. In the end she says:
'Los Angeles, The city of Angels, A land of Gods and Monsters, The in-between realm where only the choices made from your free will, will decide your souls final fate Some poets called it the entrance to the Underworld, but on some summer nights, it could feel like Paradise, Paradise Lost.'
In the third part of the story the colours change to warm tones and the setting of fields and mountains is much more relaxing than the gritty setting we had previously seen. We are greeted by John Wayne who is voicing over 'Why I Love America' by John Mitchum - 'You ask me why I love her? Well give me time, I'll explain. Have you ever seen a Kansas sunset or an Arizona rain?' Adam and Eve are shown to drive up to a field, changing their black clothes to white and clips cut to them being baptised. Showing us the bad turning into good. Lana Del Rey' song Bel Air begins to play as the pair are dancing in the field.
'Roses, Bel Air, take me there
I've been waiting to meet you
Palm trees in the light, I can see, late at night
Darling, I'm waiting to greet you
Come to me, baby'
This song represents death in general. With the symbol of roses that are a common part of funerals. Bel Air is a place where the wealthy people live, and that goes back to the meaning of money, which is the root of evil and can make the 'Gods' into 'Monsters'. This could turn Bel Air into hell. Thirdly, the symbol of palm trees is of victory and eternal life. This could represent what Satan offered her in exchange of her soul, she gained victory and eternal life.
After the song finishes, Adam and Eve ascend back into heaven, as they have finally redeemed themselves. In a slight turns of events a flying saucer appears, the video goes black and white. And Elvis is singing 'you were always on my mind'. The screen goes black and that is the end to the story.
Final Thoughts-
Although I could never make such a high quality short film, as I have a limited budget and only five minutes. However, I do like the idea of redemption and it doesn't have to necessarily been the whole story. But perhaps focusing on the part where a character decides to redeem themselves either back to a good place or back to God.
Narrative: A teenage boxer must finally come to terms with his true nature and confronts standards of masculinity.
Representation: Stereotypical males - blue walls, half naked women posters. Trans community. Lower class Britain. Audience: No sugarcoating - told it as it is.
Notable Micro Elements:
Music compliments
Mirror - reflection shows duality, cracked mirror shows distortion of face
Juxtaposition between him and condom machine 'Stud'
High/low angles after friend beaten up
Walking down the centre of the road in what he feels comfortable in
My response to the film: I enjoyed the short film and thought it was very professionally done. My response to this film may be biased just because there are two well known actors as the main characters that I know and enjoy anyway. The story line was simple, but it was the characters and the cinematography that, for me, made it more interesting to watch and made it more complex than just a boy who is transgender.
What could I use? Using a mirror to show duality is an interesting concept. I also know that using mirrors makes the actor most vulnerable as they cannot hide anything that they do or how they look. So, if I do use this idea it will increase the emotional state.
What could I develop? The music did compliment the film well all the way through. And I will come back to this short film for inspiration for when making mine.
What could I challenge? I possibly couldn't use this type of story line as I have no experience in this matter, and wouldn't want to use it without proper research and having been told what transgender people have gone through, and their different experiences. This is because I wouldn't want to offend or look clueless in the matter.
Narrative: A woman contemplates whether or not to keep her baby, while waiting for her lover to arrive in a small cafe.
Representation: Thoughts of an unplanned pregnancy, train - lots of thoughts all at once, time pressure that women can have children. Audience: Hear her thoughts, everyone has different views on unplanned pregnancy's and the blurb might impact how people go into watching it.
Notable Micro Elements:
See woman through door window - worker shuts it so the screen is clear and the story begins
Zoom in slowly
Voice over
Can still hear background noise
Lights dim - focus on her
Mans back blanks screen - indicating she's going to tell him
She's wearing white - dark background
My response to the film: I quite liked this film and I felt closer with the character as I was able to hear all her thoughts, opinions and questions. The minimal speech makes it realistic and does help with the character development, such as the coffee she ends up having spills everywhere, and does choose a different drink at the end that would be more suited for the baby. The use of train shows her 'train of thoughts' and how overwhelming situations like that can be. Furthermore, what happens in the background influences what she is thinking, which smoothly develops the story.
What could I use? Using voice overs for thoughts as this connects the character with the audience. Also, I do find these sort of plots interesting as you can have multiple versions just because everyone have different views on something, and everyone's situation is different depending on the relations and setting.
What could I develop? The idea of background activity changing the course of the plot or characters thought, but to perhaps have some that interact with the characters or the plot to make it more interesting.
What could I challenge? I wouldn't make it as theatrical, such as the train or chiaroscuro, to bring it more down to earth and realistic.
Narrative: 17 year old Caroline breaks down after receiving a phone call delivering some tragic news, but her reaction soon reveals there is more to this call than first appears.
Representation: Untrustworthy people, troubled youth, addiction, grief. Audience: We're onlookers with no addition to the story.
Notable Micro Elements:
Establishing shot of normal high street
Close ups
Long take in cab - pov long shot
Quick cuts with phone call
Profile in bed - isolates herself
Put on right side of shot - lots of space showing she's isolated
Sound muted at end - intense
My response to the film: I found that I didn't like this film at all. This includes the plot and characters. I found the story line didn't teach me anything at all and we were put right at the beginning again, with no changes in her life apart from the face she was once caught. I also didn't like the way she treat her brother even though he was be caring and only wanted what was best for her.
What could I use? I found the only good part was the establishing shot where it wasn't obvious right at the beginning who the main character was. She blended in with the grey setting and it was until she was speaking on the phone that we were told.
What could I develop? The close up shots for showing emotion is quite good to use, especially in intense situations.
What could I challenge? To have a resolution to the plot, or at least have something happens that changes the beginning so that it doesn't go in a complete circle.
