Research
FMP 2021 RESEARCH
FILM TITLE: AVARICE
i need to talk about:
---NARRATIVE THEORY
HOW IS IT IMPORTANT FOR A SHORT ?
REPRESENTATUION THEORY
RECEPTION THEORY
GENRE THEORY
for films and general life, we make immediate and long-lasting judgements in that very first moment of experience. Much like seeing someone across a room who catches your eye, a title should attract both powerfully and authentically, the likes of Blade-runner and Pulp Fiction really stand out because of the titles. This could be because of how popular the films are however the name of the films still give that punch and extra spice to the film.
There are many ways that films titles can be created and I had to deeply research to really help me find the perfect name for my short.
1. The shorter the better.
For me my film title is AVARICE. This is short and simple. The likes of films such as The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford have very long film titles. Having a short film title can sometimes add a little punch to your film.
2. The title should hint at the genre of the film.
I originally had the idea to call it Moneybags but I felt it was too simple. I didn't feel it had much meaning to the plot. The Revenant is a great example of thinking innovatively, it could've been called The Frontiersman or the bear, but the director Alejandro González Iñárritu thought how it could've become relevant to the plot. The Revenant actually means: “One that returns after death or a long absence.” and that is how to elevate an ordinary movie title to a distinctive and clever title.
This really helped me decide what to call my film, eventually, I spiralled out and research other words that are linked to greed because my film is about a heist that is done behind someone's back. The terms Avarice really worked and that instantly became my film title. I will have to create a short pitch eventually, so that means I need to make sure that all elements of my film combine together and create a sense of harmony is key, it will give off that it is a well-rounded concept that has been heavily thought about.
Understanding the short film structure
The most engaging short films are made by people who understand the ideology of the story. Creating a short film requires innovation and creativity and although this is applied in all films; doing this in shorts is not easy because you do not have that time for the film to develop. Technology doesn’t matter and a lot of shorts are created in the most unique ways. It’s not about the camera you have or the editing software you use. Stop for a moment and consider that your smartphone is far more powerful than any of the filmmaking tools Alfred Hitchcock used.
consequently, for me, I am going to be creating a short film that is about a heist which is done behind the ''big bosses'' back which goes terribly wrong. But this is almost a story inside a story and for me, this is what is pivotal in making short films. Linking back to my ideas, I spoke briefly about how I am being very careful about building this idea. I want it to be inspired by the likes of Guy Ritchie and other films however they are all made in two-hour films whereas I'm going to be creating a 10-minute film.
Short films are much shorter in length. Therefore, by their nature, they limit how many ideas you can explore, characters you can introduce and I am being very cautious with this information because it can easily catch me out, especially with my story. Because of this, you have to make far different decisions when it comes to story structure, characters, cinematography, and idea/concept choice than you would for a longer film. But these differences aren’t bad. They can give you the opportunity to explore concepts you can’t in a longer format and also this allows me to create good detailed shots.
When you are coming up with your short film story, you should identify whether your concept is something that is better suited to short-form or long-form storytelling, this is why I have stepped away from all gangster and gun-blazing inspired guy Ritchie short film.
Some stories are better suited for a short film. It is possible to translate short to long format (this happens more and more lately, such as with “Lights Out” by David Sandberg), but it can be quite difficult, and can result in a feature film with a premise that is stretched too thin. On the other hand, there have been some very popular feature films that started as short films. Likewise, a longer concept may not be easily made into a shorter film.
Reviewing basic short films that have been branded as the best
Throughout the research I will shorten my analysis of shorts to my genre, however, I want to really understand the basic theory of shorts and to do that I have watched 3 short films that are classed as iconic. One person who really inspired me when researching was Stephen McGlashan's statement - 'I imagine there are as many short film definitions as there are short films' - to me, this seems very apt when these definitions are listed together. There are, however, some similarities. For instance, half the first group of professionals define the short film in relation to feature film. Those who don't tend to be either new at the 'game' such as me, or else have more experimental than mainstream interests. especially the students, except one, don't mention feature film as a marker but focus on what they perceive a short film does. It expresses an idea and does it very precisely.
1. A TRIP TO THE MOON (1902)
This was really one of the first short films ever created. It doesn't really help me out in terms of developing my plot for the project but I think it outlines the statement that making a short film can be done by anyone, even in 1902.
Most of the visuals here would still be considered unique, grand and surreal by today’s standards. Even the special effects are made somewhat timeless through hyper-stylisation and good execution, people must’ve thought Méliès (the director) some sort of wizard at the time.
With that said, are Méliès films compelling watches 120 years later? It could be debated as I spent the duration admiring the creativity rather than actively engaged in the stories they tell but that could be because there is no sound. But there’s a lot to admire no less. And they’re still more engaging than lots of what’s being created o nowadays with over a century’s worth of innovation between and has really inspired me by watching this.
2.THE STRANGE THINGS ABOUT THE JOHNSONS (2011)
the film setups the most perverse role reversal imaginable, with a son who develops a sexually abusive relationship with his father. The film cleverly sets up the son as being innocent to start off with, as the father accidentally walks in on him during some private time, and they proceed to have a conversation about his sexual impulses being normal. But that soon gets flipped on its head once you do a double-take, and realize the boy is lusting over his own father. Also, the family seeming so wholesome further twists the dark truth of their situation.
It's a unique short that utilises the theory of shorts. Watching this short really helped me develop my idea because it was a story inside a story. Although this is the case essentially in all films within shorts it should be considered more in because you have less time.
The film does a great job of capturing the fear of the victim, which is the father, as he attempts to cry out for help. And how even the mother turns a blind eye to the situation by turning up the TV in order to drown out her husband's cries as he is being molested. The story also perfectly captures the victim shaming technique the son uses, to try and make his father feel like the situation is also his fault.
3. The Neighbour's window (2019)
This short is interesting as it won the Best Short Film Oscar this year at the Academy Awards--it's well made and uses music effectively to hit those heartstrings, emphasizing how fragile life is, and how surprising human connection can be, even in the sardine can of modern urban life, but those are not, by any means of the imagination, rare achievements for a film.
What this film does to help me is realise the balance of developing a plot for a short. It is such a basic plot but created so well. The cinematography was excellent and the framing of the apartments and the windows of the young couple across the street with the interiors of the main family’s apartment was consistently beautiful.
‘Short film’ refers to any film not considered a feature film in terms of length. Although length is the most obvious convention of a short film, there are other conventions that separate them from other forms of video. Identifying the basics of shorts will help me develop a more in-depth vision of how I can create this piece.
Length:
A short film will most commonly last between 3 to 20 minutes, however, the length varies greatly and can last as little as a minute and up to 40. I am trying to be careful with making sure I do not get carried away with the plot and introduce too much character development.
however, Focusing on making the best short film that I possibly can make needs to ensure that I allow enough time for the plot to be understood. An amazing 5 minute short is better than an okay 10 minute short. anything under 40 minutes is considered short. Films are rarely judged on time and instead, judged on the plot. No one is going to discount your short film for being too short or too long as long as it is good.
Storyline:
Storylines are generally kept simple and easy to follow and will be based on a short period of time. The narrative is usually condensed and there will be limited dialogue. Instead, characters will be developed through images and actions rather than extended and lengthy dialogue sequences.
SCRIPT RESEARCH
Focus on One Core Idea
It is duly noted that there are numerous successful short films that are experimental or metaphorical or anti-structure. These films don’t follow a conventional narrative or structure. And that is absolutely cool. But whether you are exploring a heady concept or telling a conventional story – your screenplay needs to consist of one core idea and everything needs to serve that idea – every action, image and line of dialogue. There’s no time to develop an elaborate plot, a raft of characters or lengthy setups.
Multi-layered stories aren’t going to work and neither are stories, which rely heavily on the main character’s back-story. Considering my time management again I know simply I will not have time to explore the back-story. It’s also best to avoid subplots, numerous characters, multi-protagonists, expensive set pieces, and stories set in two or more different time periods.
Character:
Due to the length and simplicity in the storyline, a short film will usually introduce between 1 and 3 main characters as creating backstories and developing characters is limited. This is also done in order to keep the audience engaged and follow the storyline without being confused with information and new people. Short films will usually only last long enough to connect the audience with a few characters and will not have a developed enough storyline to hold a large cast.
Enigma Codes:
Including an enigma code is a common convention in short films although this is not a general rule and not all short films will use this format. However, enigma codes allow the filmmaker to tell a short story in an interesting way and engage the viewer.
Creativity:
Overall short films allow for much more creativity. They will often be made up of a number of creative shots and soundtrack making up an artistic and sometimes quirky piece. The director or filmmaker are able to use more creative flair placing their own signature look on the piece as there is less pressure to make a profitable film for a large audience. Well established directors often also make short films as they can be much more creative.
Budget:
Budgets for the short film are usually quite low. Short films are unlikely to make any money which affects the amount spent in the making and they are often made by first-time filmmakers or experimental artists and filmmakers with no or little funding. This affects the overall look of the film creating a more homemade or arty look.
I am lucky enough to have accessibility to a wide range of equipment and I have been creatively testing cameras to understand which one would be better.
1).
The Panasonic camera really worked well on the tracks and definitely laid down the basics. quality-wise it was not that great however overall it could definitely be worked on in colour grading. The zoom is better as it is a 45-50mm lens which would be a reason why I would use this camera.
The audio capabilities it has is much better than my other option as it allows bigger inputs, therefore, meaning that it could have better sound quality. However, I am exploring options around this such as using an audio pack.
2.)
This camera is my Fuji Film XT-200. As you can see it definitely brings out the colour more but I think that this is because the Panasonic only goes up to 1080P whereas the Fuji can be shot in 4K. Video capabilities are much better without a doubt, with 4K capture at up to 30fps and Full HD 1080p video at up to 120fps now possible. The X-T200 has a new HDR video mode that combines multiple frames taken at different exposures to add a more dynamic range to standard videos but is only available at 60fps.
what is also good about this camera is that to reduce shaky video when shooting handheld, Fujifilm has designed a ‘digital gimbal’ that uses the camera’s built-in gyroscope, along with an image stabilization algorithm, to smoothen footage.
The issue I have with this camera is I am limited to audio capabilities. This is when sound comes in.
THE USE OF SOUND IN MY FILM
Though we might think of film as an essentially visual experience, we really cannot afford to underestimate the importance of film sound. A meaningful sound track is often as complicated as the
image on the screen. The entire sound track is comprised of three essential ingredients:
-the human voice
-sound effects
-music
My biggest issue is getting it right. I am I am on a limited budget meaning that I do not have the equipment that the Hollywood films have. Sound is something that is very difficult to execute and I want to make sure I do it well. These three uses of sound must be mixed and balanced so as to produce the necessary emphases which in turn create desired effects. We will talk about how I will combine these pieces of sound to ensure I get the best possible outcome.
The Human Voice
Dialogue authenticates the speaker as an individual or a real person rather than the imaginary creation of a story teller. The use of sound coming from a person for me will be used by a boom mic and boom pole.
Boom pole.
This is the pole the boom operator uses to get the mic as close to the actors as possible, I will be using this in my film as I have the accessibility to it.
Boom mic.
“Boom mic” is actually a general term that refers to any mic suspended with the boom pole, rather than a specific kind of mic. The two most common boom mics are shotgun microphones (great for noisy, outdoor filming) and small diaphragm hyper-cardioid microphones (best for quieter, indoor filming).
Mic blimp.
The mic blimp is a wind-resistant cover that goes over the boom mic to reduce environmental background noise. It’s commonly referred to as a “dead cat,” because it’s covered in fuzzy gray hair.
Shock mount.
The shock mount attaches to the tip of the boom pole and holds the mic in place. The shock mount helps absorb any vibrations and keeps them from picking up in the audio recording.
Synchronous sounds
Synchronous sounds are those sounds that are synchronised or matched with what is viewed.
If the film portrays a character playing the piano, the sounds of the piano are projected. This is essentially natural sound, something I will be heavily relying on in my short to enhance my project.
Niche Audience:
Short films have a lot smaller and niche audience than mainstream due to the creative nature, length and simple storyline. They also don’t have access to prime time television and cinema. Short films vary in genre and style and will appeal to a much more specific audience.
Emotion:
Short films are used to convey a strong emotion to the viewer whether it is laughter, pleasure, sadness or anger, sometimes making comments on morals or society in the process. Short films can be a lot more powerful in this way as it is easy to make something appear differently from how it is or to get the audience thinking about a particular topic without having the time to make up their minds while watching, leaving them to contemplate after the film has finished. There will also usually be a stronger connection to the characters as they are shown closely throughout.
Online Distribution:
Unlike mainstream films, short films are largely accessible for free through the internet. There are many sites that distribute short films online from independent to established sites such as the BBC. This is the easiest and most effective way for short films to reach audiences as they are very rarely shown at cinemas or on television.
NARROWING DOWN MY FILM GENRE
‘Lock Stock’ is a film that has a variety of audiences that can relate to it. Its wide range of genres attract different social groups but also allow the director to use different aspects from a range of genres to employ a range of connotations and denotations. The film could be categorised into either crime, British Gangster or the comedy genre which is exactly what I am aiming for in my film.
Guy Ritchie is a director who is heavily influencing my short film. He has made a variety of films such as Snatch and Lock stock and two smoking barrels.
From the beginning of Lock Stock, the generic expectations are satisfied in the gangster genre as the film employs stock locations, characters, costumes and sounds that are used in classic British gangster movies, such as slang and cockney accents, a suburban London setting and smart, snappy outfits. We understand that the film is based on the life and times of misfit gangsters as we are introduced to the male lead characters, Eddie and Bacon in the first few minutes of the film. The opening scene of a film should instantly tell the audience what it will be about.
After hearing the voiceover say ‘its time to move on and he knows it’, in a cockney accent, that the following story will be based around the life and times of these two characters and what exactly they are going to move onto, this will be the same in my short film as I will start with the definition of Avarice. The generic expectations of the film are fulfilled with crime as we understand that what the two leads are doing is dodgy deals on street corners, something that the police don’t take too kindly to as a chase between the dealers and the police ensue. The cockney accent, location and the suitcase full of ‘stolen’ goods shows that these characters are involved in some dodgy business. The comedy genre is established through the cockney rhyme and slang as well as the foolishness of the characters, letting themselves get so close to being caught. Things that anchor the film as being a gangster film are the stock costumes such as the buttoned-up coats, the cockney accents employed by these typical British gangsters and the location which denotes a dilapidated estate where small-time gangsters can thrive.
Guy Ritchie treats each genre quite playfully in the fact that he has decided not to stick with one particular genre but to mould a variety together to produce a beginning which the audience finds funny, intriguing and exciting and for that reason wants to watch more. Although the text does not conform to the characteristics of one genre specifically, we see that each genre has been thought of, such as the upbeat and rebellious soundtrack for the comedy genre, the accents and arrogance of the characters for the gangster genre and the stock characters of gangster vs. police for the crime genre. The contrast between the music in lock stock and the actors is huge but it almost combines a classic guy Ritchie technique which I would love to try and attempt.
Understanding the film genre as a whole is key however narrowing down the specifics and what is influential to my narrative will help me develop a deeper understanding of how I can make my piece better.
RESEARCH OF MISE EN SCENE ON FILMS I AM INFLUENCED BY :
When watching the beginning of Snatch it became apparent to me that all of the men are wearing suits and top hats, this is therefore conventional to a noir film. The men seem to be taking the form of a group which could therefore be associated as a gang, again this is a conventional thing to see in a noir as their narratives are built on crime in cities, however, I have noticed that older noir films seem to have fewer characters mainly focusing on one male protagonist who is normally a detective and a femme fatal who the protagonist falls in love with and therefore helps the femme fatal fight against the people she is having trouble with.
Film noir is not easily defined. The actual words come from French and mean "black cinema." In France during the post-war years, the term was used to describe a certain set of Hollywood films that were saturated with a darkness and sinister that was not seen before. These movies included the likes of The Maltese Falcon
Neo noirs have escalated this and introduced gangs, this could potentially be due to the increase of gang violence in modern society, and therefore brings a hint of social realism. Although Snatch seems to be a film that incorporates gang violence and people working in teams, it has still incorporated long detective coats into the film, therefore making this film conventional to a noir film as this is part of the costume the main protagonist would wear.
The props that are used within the film are conventional to the Noir genre. The use of guns throughout Snatch is conventional as conflict is a theme throughout the narrative. This contrasts with the next prop used, diamonds, as they seem to be the cause of the conflict in Snatch, as the group of men shoot the men in the office in order so they can steal the diamonds. The lighting used in Snatch is an important aspect of the film as by using low-key lighting it adds an effect to the dark and dreary atmosphere that Noir films create. Even though Snatch is filmed in colour, in some aspects the lighting is so dark the film could come across as black and white in some scenes.
in the opening sequence of Snatch, there were five settings. By analysing the opening scene of snatch it will help me develop an understand g for how to open a film but also the us of techniques that Guy Ritchie has used.
Setting1:
A detectives room – this very similar to the likes of a noir film as the protagonist is normally some sort of detective. However in this case the room is used as a starting point to the story to allow the main character to start explaining how he got there, again conventional to a noir, specifically to a confessional noir.
Setting 2: A building full of narrow hallways then a group of men enter this building after having security check them first. The white walls and black doors along with the narrow hallways make the setting feel very prisonlike. This setting allows for unusual camera shots that exaggerate how closely the men are standing together creating a claustrophobic effect and making the audience watching feel uncomfortable and suspicious to where these men actually are.
Setting 3:
A lift inside the building – Again this allows the group of men to stand close together and allows for unusual claustrophobic shots, that will again make the audience feel uncomfortable and suspicious on where they are actually going and therefore building up tension.
Setting 4: An Office – Props such as desks, computer chairs, computers, filing cabinet, files and planted pots have been used to make this look like a normal working office and therefore the audience is falsely lured into relaxation after building up the tension of where the group of men were headed until the shootings and diamond stealing happens!
Setting 5: A round table - There are a load of men sat around this table playing poker, the small size of the table and the room make the room seem claustrophobic and the low key lighting gives the room a grimy appearance, very conventional to noir films.
REPRESENTATION THEORY
The first part of understanding the representation theory is how it is split into three sections. How men view women, how women view other women and how women view themselves. Laura Mulvey is someone who is very involved in this topic. Laura Mulvey is best known for Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema, written in 1973 and published in 1975.
Her theories suggest that women are over-sexualised in cinema in order to appeal to the male audience. For me looking at this will make me understand the theory of the gaze and develop ideas more for my film. This links again to how women are more likely to feel at the competition because of how women are represented on the big screen. In terms of its connection to our short film, one could argue that my characters are both subjects to the Gaze but almost in a controversial way. Analysing the likes of Guy Ritchie has made me realise that this is definitely aimed at the male gaze.
Stuart Hall Hall became one of the main proponents of the reception theory, and developed his theory of encoding and decoding. It focuses on the scope for negotiation and opposition on the part of the audience. His theory covers dominant, oppositional, and negotiated readings of representation and explains how we receive certain texts depending on our social status. This would link to my short film as it would seem to a dominant viewer that the idea of greed is something they aspire to be. An oppositional viewer would be able to debate why there is greed and why this business is not something you would to be in. Finally, a negotiated reader would say that yes it's a nasty business to be in but you can earn a lot of money.
Rule of Thirds in film.
The rule of thirds is the basic rule of film techniques used in film production. You simply divide the frame visually into thirds horizontally and vertically, so the image is divided into nine equal parts, which creates control points. Place the main object that is in the shot along or within these lines. Almost all filmmakers and experienced videographers use this rule for filming to make the image more interesting and dynamic.
The rule of thirds softens the image and creates a spectacular composition, making the frames visually more attractive. If you place an image outside the centre of the shot, you increase the level of the audience’s perception. The viewer will be completely immersed in what’s happening on the screen and get aesthetic pleasure, and the eyes won’t get tired when watching. And the information conveyed at the same time will be understood much better.
I will be using this in my film in the opening shots. It's a simple technique that adds to the film.
David Gauntlett is a British sociologist and media theorist. His earlier work consisted of contemporary media audiences and has moved towards a focus on the everyday making and sharing of digital media and social media, and the role of such media in self-identity and self-expression. In 2007, Gauntlet published the article Media Studies 2.0 which i am unable to get hold of as it is a book, an article that argues that the traditional form of media studies research fails to recognise the changing media categories of 'audiences' and 'producers' blurring together and that new research methods and approaches are needed.
Jean Baudrillard is known for her hyperreality which is “A condition in which ‘reality has been replaced with simulacra.”. Simulacra- means when a sign loses its relation to reality and begins to simulate a simulation.” An example of Baudrillartd's hyper-reality would be celebrity culture. Celebrities who reach the point where they have every aspect of their lives taken over by someone else and they are living in a hyperreal world. They lose the ability to interact with people on a normal level and are cocooned in hyperreality. Similarly, the film was created to represent reality and now it is reality and that is representing what happens in the film.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
We found:
| Article title: | What is Representation? - GCSE Media Studies Revision - BBC Bitesize |
| Website title: | BBC Bitesize |
| URL: | https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/z9fx39q/revision/1 |
We found:
| Article title: | David Gauntlett Identity Theory – HBK Portal |
| Website title: | Hbkportal.co.uk |
| URL: | https://hbkportal.co.uk/index.php/david-gauntlett-identity-theory/ |
We found:
| Article title: | David Gauntlett | Media, Gender and Identity |
| Website title: | Davidgauntlett.com |
| URL: | https://davidgauntlett.com/portfolio/media-gender-and-identity/ |
We found:
| Article title: | Before you continue to YouTube |
| Website title: | Youtube.com |
| URL: | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTuMy7BEizo |
We found:
| Article title: | 30 Ways to Brainstorm Short Film Ideas You Can Actually Produce |
| Website title: | Studio Binder |
| URL: | https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/short-film-ideas-you-can-actually-produce/ |
We found:
| Article title: | Guy Ritchie - IMDb |
| Website title: | IMDb |
| URL: | https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005363/ |
We found:
| Author | Magazine Ltd |
| Article title: | Fujifilm X-T200 Review |
| Website title: | ePHOTOzine |
| URL: | https://www.ephotozine.com/article/fujifilm-x-t200-review-34726 |
We found:
| Article title: | Fujifilm X-T200 | Camera Jabber |
| Website title: | Camera Jabber |
| URL: | https://camerajabber.com/reviews/fujifilm-x-t200/ |
We found:
| Article title: | How to Craft a Remarkable Short Film with "Iceberg Storytelling" |
| Website title: | Filmmaker Freedom |
| URL: | https://filmmakerfreedom.com/blog/iceberg-storytelling-and-compelling-short-films |
We found:
| Article title: | Movie Title Ideas: 3 Ways to Come Up With Cooler Titles |
| Website title: | Script Reader Pro |
| URL: | https://www.scriptreaderpro.com/movie-title-ideas/ |
We found:
| Article title: | Before you continue to YouTube |
| Website title: | Youtube.com |
| URL: | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQRvKTSFatY |
We found:
| Article title: | Codes and Conventions of Short F: simplebooklet.com |
| Website title: | simplebooklet.com |
| URL: | https://simplebooklet.com/codesconv#page=3 |
We found:
| Website title: | Oscars.org |
| URL: | https://www.oscars.org/sites/oscars/files/91aa_short_films.pdf |
We found:
| Article title: | Write. Stand Out. Get Paid & Produced |
| Website title: | Openscreenplay.com |
| URL: | https://www.openscreenplay.com/lessons/story-outline-section/short-film-story-outline-structure |
We found:
| Article title: | Prep Times for Your Shooting Schedule |
| Website title: | Studio Binder |
| URL: | https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/how-to-plan-a-film-shoot-time/ |
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