In Search of Locations

I have been considering my locations for the short film. (PICTURES TO COME SOON)

(Note: Thomas and Emily are my chosen character names.)

Childhood Scene

 

For the childhood scene, there is only one location needed. I will be using the Dance Studio for the entirety of the scene. When considering this location, I need to take note of the fact that an entire wall is filled up with mirrors, and so I can only film from certain angles, otherwise I would expose the camera to the viewers, ultimately ruining the entire short.

 

 

Teenage Years

 

For the teenage years, I will most likely use the school theatre to host the first of the dance competitions that will take place over the entire short. I will get a black backdrop so that the area isn't too distinct that I can't use it again for the second competition.

The teenage scene will consist of two locations. I would like to include perhaps a scene where the two are doing an activity together, such as completing homework, or are out for a meal. I want the scene to be set very casually, however must be a comfortable setting where the two can talk freely and happily.

 

 

Adult Years

 

The Adult years will also consist of two scenes. The first scene will also be a dance competition, which may well also be set in the school theatre, however, this depends on the overall mise en scene of the first dance competition.

For the second location in this section, I would like the two to be walking in an outside setting. My original idea was to use the beach, however, as this scene will include dialogue, I fear that the microphone would pick up the wind, and though I could do a voiceover, I would prefer the scene to be played off as naturally as possible. In conclusion, I am going to use a quite outdoor path. I would like the streetlights to be the newly installed type with the white lighting, rather than the unattractive yellow tinted light.

 

 

Elderly Years

 

There is only one location necessary for the elderly scene. This will be their own home, with pictures of their family surrounding them. The first location in the home is the living room, where they will be slow dancing. The second location of their home will be the bedroom, where Emily will lie in the bed and Thomas will be at her bedside.

 

I would also like to mention that I will also be filming "filler shots", which may be filmed in slightly different areas. If they are filmed in areas not mentioned in this post, I will update it.

 

Possible Soundtrack

I have been looking into potential songs for my short film. As my short film revolves around dancing, it is absolutely vital that I find the perfect soundtrack. The songs that I select for the dance scenes must be perfect to match the style of dance. They should match the era, however, still have a nice beat to dance to.

I have recently discovered a small artist on YouTube. His artist name is "ProleteR", and he produces electro swing music, which is classic, retro styled music which synths and beats over the top.

I feel that his music will be perfect as I am spanning over several age ranges, and this style covers a vast age range. His music is also easy to follow considering a beat in dancing.

I have attached several songs I would consider including in my short film.

(Also: "ProleteR" has stated that anybody is able to use his music, as long as he is given credit for his music.)


This song is just so upbeat that I would struggle not to include it. Even if it's only in the credits, I have to include it at least somewhere.


This is possibly one of my favourite songs by ProleteR. I feel that this would be perfect to dance to. It's quite repetitive and so may be easy to dance to if you were to be performing quite a repetitive dance.


I feel that this song might be perfect for the adult years. I find this song holds a slightly sexier vibe, and so would match the ages of the characters at this point.

Concerning other scenes, I'm currently undecided on other songs. However, I do know that I would like to use these songs during dance scenes if possible.

Preliminary Task

We have filmed a comical chase sequence.
I can see several issues with this short, including a quick reflection of us in the door, and a smudge on the lense whilst the camera is circling David.

Media Questionnaire Results

Here are my media questionnaire results presented in a pie chart.

Media Questionnaire Pie Chart Results from thegardenofedenhall

Media Questionnaire

I produced a questionnaire asking viewers several questions about their opinions on genre and short films. This was the questionnaire that I created.

Media Questionnaire

 

What is your age?

12-15      16-19      20-23      24+

 

What is your gender?

Male      Female      Other

 

Do you enjoy watching short films?

Yes      No      Not Sure

 

How often do you watch short films?

Daily      Often      Sometimes      Occasionally      Never

 

Please pick six film genres and label them 1-6, 1 being your overall favourite, and 6 being your least favourite of the selected six.

Comedy		World Cinema
Horror		Crime
Thriller		Drama
Sci-Fi		Western
Romance		Musical
War		Documentary
Historical		Action
Adventure		Animation

 

 

In your opinion, what length should a short film be?

2-3 minutes      4-5 minutes      5 minutes+

 

If you had the option to, would you attend a short film festival?

Yes      No      Unsure

 

Do you enjoy films with multiple genres?

Yes      No      Unsure

 

Thank you for taking the time to answer my questionnaire.

 

Genre Theory

This is my Prezi on Genre Theory.

"Up" by Pete Docter, Disney Pixar (Film Analysis 2)

"Up" (2009) is a feature length film directed by Pete Docter, produced by Pixar Animation Studios, and released by Walt Disney Pictures.

The reason that I have decided to analyse this short is due to the similarity between the content in one particular segment of the film compared to what I would like my short film to revolve around, being the full lives of two characters.

The scene is named "Married Life".

The scene opens with their wedding day, with the two smiling with their families surrounding them. They move into their new home and create the dream life for themselves. This connotes true love and happiness, something I would like to present in my short film.

The colour palette is always bright and positive, which once again connotes pure happiness between the pair.

When they first show their employment, where Carl sells balloons to children, the cart begins to fly away and he only just manages to catch it, which connotes their youth and clumsiness, but as the colour palette stays bright, it still represents their strength as a pair to overcome these difficult times.

In the middle of the scene, Carl and Ellie decide that they would like to start a family together. The scene denoted a cloud watching experience on their favourite hill, where they sat several times during the scene. The denotation connoted their true love for one another, represented by their passion to expand their small family. However, they soon learn in the next scene that they cannot conceive, and as the colour palette still continues to brighten the mood, it is clear that this isn't the end of their "Married Life".

As they grow older, they quieten down and settle into a slower lifestyle. Throughout the entire scene, the dream of visiting "Paradise Falls" has a reoccurring place in their hearts. The two have attempted saving, but have only failed in the process, however have always managed to laugh it off. Later in the scene, when Ellie and Carl are elderly, Carl decides to grant his wife's final wish, wight he colour palette still burning bright. However, as his wife's slow demise, being the disequilibrium, takes place, the colour palette slowly grows colder and darker, connoting the end of their "Married Life".

I feel that throughout this scene, the colour palette and soundtrack were the strongest features. However, the storyline was what transfixed the audience the strongest. Overall, these three components produced a flawless scene, brimming with emotion from all ends.

(Note: This wasn't part of my analysis, however I felt that it was important to highlight the dancing scene in their living room. Although my short film wasn't inspired by this, I would like to mention that one of my scenes in my short film is planned to take place similarly.)