Choosing a title

The title of a short film is important because it should give an audience the incentive to watch the film despite not knowing everything about the plot. If the title does not catch the eye of the audience then they will not be interested in watching the film and therefore it will be unsuccessful. It can be used to neatly encapsulate the underlying idea or moral of the film. To ensure I had the correct title I decided I would have to think of a few potential options first and make my decision based on what is most fitting with the plot and the moral of the short film.

Here are my ideas:

Blackout
The reason behind this name is because at the end of the short film I intend there to be a blackout in the action at the end of the short film and by having this title the audience will be waiting for it to happen within the action. Having this effect at the end of the short film will ensure that the audience are engaged throughout the duration of the screen time. Another reason that I like this title is because some teenagers refer to getting really drunk as "blackout drunk" because that is what the human body does if too much alcohol is consumed, linking to the action in my short film.

Best Behaviour
I like this title because it is ironic and in the short film the actors are not on their "best behaviour". It is intriguing because it makes the audience wonder what sort of events will be taking place within the short film. Another reason it is effective is because there is a song by current artist, Louisa Johnson, called "Best Behaviour". This gives a different vibe to the title because it makes is more modern and relatable for teenagers, especially those that listen to this type of music. It would typically be associated with party songs and this links to the atmosphere in the short film.

17
This title is effective because it is short, ambiguous and doesn't reveal anything about the plot of the film. It is a plain title but engaging because of the lack of clues given about the events in the short film. I chose 17 because of the age of the characters in the short film and the fact that 17 is just below the legal drinking age of 18. This links it to the events of the plot but subtly so it does not reveal any obvious information.

Intoxicated
The phrase itself is obvious as to what it means and for this reason it is an option for the title of my short film. It is straight forward and has a self-explanatory meaning yet it leaves an air of mystery when it comes to what the short film would be about and it does not typically link to a crime thriller which I think would be more engaging for my target audience.

What happened last night?

I intend to use this phrase in the short film itself and therefore when the target audience watch it they will hear the title of the film being paraphrased which I think is extremely effective. This is a common phrase among people who have been under the influence of alcohol and are unable to remember the events of the night before. It is also a theme in my short film as the actors are incapable of recalling what they did by the time they wake up in the morning.

Chosen title- Blackout
After coming up with these five film title ideas I couldn't decide which would be most engaging so thought it was best that I asked people what was most intriguing for them. I went and asked 15 people who fitted into my target audience criteria and this provided me with the final name of my short film. The feedback I received was that this directly linked to the plot of my short film but also left it unclear as to what it was going to be about. I wanted my target audience to decide on the title of my short film because I want them to be engaged in every aspect of my short film to ensure I am producing what they are interested in. Overall this makes sure I am concise with my research and work towards each stage of the filming.

Story boards

This is an example of the one of the story boards for my short film. It provides an insight into the first six scenes and how I have planned them out. They include the position of the actors, the camera shot and the angle it should be taken at. Also the time of day and brief outline of the action so I can look at my story boards whilst out filming so I do not forget what scene is next and therefore can be more time-effective than if I went out with no plan. This way it will be easier whilst filming and I can find out which shots work best for me even if I do end up altering the angle or order of shots, these story boards give me a rough idea of what action needs to be unravelling and when.

Props

This is an empty bottle of alcohol that will be filled up with energy drink in order for the actors to look as though they are consuming alcohol within the short film. I wanted to use an actual bottle to make it look more realistic in the film and easier for the actors to cooperate with the "drunken" acting, as working with the correct props can often give off a placebo effect.

This is the energy drink that is being used to put inside the alcohol bottle. When evaluating what I should use I decided it was between energy drink and apple juice and after testing them both on camera, I decided this worked better.

There is music featuring in my short film when the teenagers are having their own "party" and in order to make the atmosphere like a typical teenage get-together I figured a portable speaker would provide the best effect. This also means that I can play music without having to add it in post-production. I will evaluate how effective the music is once I have filmed the action I need, before I decide whether or not it works better having it edited in.

During one of the scenes, a character wakes up with "blood" on their hands and for this I decided that tomato ketchup gave the best effect of this. I experimented with food colouring but the consistency did not look right on camera so I chose this as a substitute.

Throughout the video the actors are seen consuming alcohol and they bring it with them on the journey. I decided that using a hip flask was useful because it was not transparent therefore I could fill it with water and the actors could cooperate and make it look as if it had the same effect on them as alcohol would.

Location

Location ideas

In the search for my location it was important that I found somewhere abandoned or at least somewhere that looked derelict to go with the atmosphere I wanted to create within my short film.

My initial idea was Atherfield Holiday Park as I had researched abandoned places on the Isle of Wight, or those out of business. After looking at photographs online I decided it would be better to go and have at look at the site in person to get a feel as to whether it would be good enough for the short film itself, and ensure it was the correct atmosphere. Upon arrival I soon discovered that what was left of this old holiday park was not viable to use because the council have begun to knock it down ready for something new to be built, therefore it would be too dangerous to film there and there would not be enough space to make the short film setting effective.

The next location I decided to investigate was Brighstone Holiday Park as, when I had researched online, it had been said that it was no longer in use. It looked like another good option as Atherfield had but upon arrival I soon realised that the site had been taken over by new management and it had been refurbished therefore the buildings were not fitting for my criteria.

The final location on my list was Puckpool Park a, despite it being a popular place for visitors I discovered that there was access to old war barracks that were no longer in use. After discovering this I got in contact with the management who provided me with the keys and permission to access the other unused parts or Puckpool. When I looked around I decided it was perfect for the setting I wanted and that it would create the correct atmosphere within my short film.

Choosing the actors

When choosing the actors that were going to be appearing in my short film I had to think about all elements of the characters and how I want them to be portrayed to my target audience.

Here is my choice of actors:

Oliver Bacon, 17

Chloe Hill, 18

Amber Smith, 17

Phoebe Winter, 17

The reason I selected these people is because I felt like they would be correct for the roles of each character I had in mind for my short film. Some have acting experience through Drama GCSE, A Level, and school productions but none are professional actors. I feel this is better for the performance because it is an independent film and the use of professional actors would be unnecessary. Also, they are the perfect age range to be relatable for my target audience. The four of them are close friends outside of acting which is another factor I think is useful because they have natural on/off screen chemistry which eliminates the chance of the action looking too constructed. I decided that 4 characters would be much more effective than a large group of people because you can have more focus and screen time for each of them, which is significant in short films. This way it will not be too chaotic on screen too. I subverted the stereotype of short films using the same amount of male and female characters because I thought it would be more effective for my plot. Another thing to add is that they are all British so I will not have to edit any of their accents as I intended for my short film to be British with the common British habits seen throughout. Assessing the mise en scene I wanted the actors to be wearing their day to day wear as it is based upon characters similar to their own personalities.

Equipment

When creating a short film it is important to use the correct equipment for the camera movements you are looking to use. The equipment is significant as you want to capture the action just right in order to keep your target audience engaged. Below is the equipment I decided to use in the production of my short film.

Nikon D3100

This is the Nikon D3100 and I am using this because it is lightweight and films in high definition. Considering this is the second short film I have ever produced, the first being the AS production on this course, it is a compelling choice for both inexperienced and experienced camera users. It is easy to use and has good lowlight capabilities which is a particularly significant quality as I plan to do parts of my short film at night time. Overall this camera has high quality performance therefore I shall be using it to film parts of my production.

iPhone SE

This is the iPhone SE- my current phone. I have decided to use this aswell as the camera because I plan for the majority of my short film to be from a POV perspective and having two hand-held cameras should provide me with the effects I am looking for. Here are the specs for it's video recording abilities:

• 4K video recording at 30 fps
• 1080p HD video recording at 30 fps or 60 fps
• 720p HD video recording at 30 fps
• 3x digital zoom
• True Tone flash
• Cinematic video stabilisation (1080p and 720p)
• Continuous autofocus video
• Face detection
• Noise reduction
• Slo‑mo video support for 1080p at 120 fps and 720p at 240 fps
• Time‑lapse video with stabilisation
• Take 8-megapixel still photos while recording 4K video
• Playback zoom
• Video geotagging

Risk assessment

Risk	Level  (1-5)	Solution
Actors unavailable	3	This would be frustrating but a risk that must be taken into consideration as it could easily occur. People are often not available on the same day as each individual has their own commitments. If this were to happen I would find another group of actors as I know of other actors who would fit into the correct specifications for my target audience, or I would wait for a day until everyone was available.
Location permission	4	This would be difficult if I was unable to get permission for the locations I wanted to film at because it would not be as effective without the right setting for the genre. If this were to be the case I would enquire further about permission and if it was still unavailable I would try to set up the correct background for the video in someone's house or around school where I would be granted permission.
Weather conditions	2	I do not feel like this would impact my film greatly because the majority of the scenes are going to be inside and those that are outside do not need a particular weather condition. As it is a crime thriller, if it were raining it would only add to the foreboding atmosphere and pathetic fallacy. The only issue that could arise is equipment getting wet but this would be manageable as I would shoot a scene at a time and ensure the camera was as covered as possible.
Battery/storage issues	3	This would be an issue if the actors were rarely available at the same time because I would have to re-film if the battery died or go home and upload all my content to my laptop if my storage filled up. However before I start filming I am going to ensure that I have full battery on my equipment and go out with an empty SD card so that I have plenty of room available.
Editing programme problems	2	I think that this will be dependent on how far into editing you are but it shouldn't be too much of an issue for me as I intend to be saving my short film after each step so that it will be saved already even if it does crash. If the programme broke completely with the majority of the short film on it then this would be much more of an issue. If this was the case I would also have to download another editing software, again this would not be too much hassle.

Editing tips from class

Editing is primarily about the narrative, therefore it is necessary the connection between editing and representation has to be made.

Some things that must be considered are:

• Match on action- how are messages being conveyed through small twists?
• How does the audience read the character?
• Eye line match- providing an insight into character's thoughts
• Which character is seen in the last aspect of the narrative?
• What message are you trying to leave with the last shot?
• Intercutting= juxtaposition of opposites- can be used to create tension
• Jump cuts= chaos, disorder portrayed
• Self conscious ellipsis- this draws attention to the rapid action
• Pace can imply character qualities
• Consider screen time and importance of the characters
• What's been left out? What effect does this have?
• What is the status of the characters being displayed and what narrative dominance do they have?

Short film plot and narrative plan

My Short Film Plot:

The basis of my plot is a group of teenagers bored and looking for something to do. Following a cliche, I decided that their evening would be based around wanting to go somewhere and get drunk but they are all underage therefore have nowhere to go. Running out of ideas, one of their friends is able to get them alcohol so they just needed a place to go for the evening. Their parents do not approve of them getting drunk as they think it is irresponsible and do not want them to get into a state. The children each tell their parents they are going to each others houses when actual fact they decide to find a secluded area and make a party of their own. They find an abandoned plot of land whilst intoxicated and decide that it would be where they stayed overnight. The next morning they wake up and have no recollection of how they got where they are and where one of their friends has disappeared to. One of the teenagers wakes up with blood on their hands and an empty alcohol bottle nearby, it was time to investigate what happened the night before. Whilst searching the building there are strange items in the rooms that they look in like hand cuffs and gas masks. This adds to the atmosphere of confusion and panic as to where they are and what usually takes place within the building. Their phones are either dead or have no signal so calling for help or tracking where they were seemed unavailable. They then stumble across the lifeless body of their missing friend and scream in panic. It is assumed that it is one of them who had done it because the building appears to be deserted and empty besides them. They panic because they need to get help but don't know how to explain their situation. A police siren sounds. The remaining teenagers sprint away from the building immediately before they can think about what they are doing. They have no alibis because they had each told their parents that they were staying at their friends houses and there was nobody else in the building that had seen the events of the night before. The camera at this point will go back to the point at which the body was found and it has disappeared. When the camera turns to look around to see if anyone is there, the lights cut out...

Disclaimer:

Although alcohol is present in the story line it is not the main element of the plot. There will be bottles used for the effect of the teenagers getting drunk but inside each of them will be fruit juice/energy drink- no alcohol will be consumed in the production of my short film. As the teenagers will be "partying" in some scenes with alcohol present, the scenes following this will be displaying the negative effects of alcohol therefore it is not being portrayed in a negative light whatsoever.

Narrative (edited since filming):

To begin with I wrote up a script for the actors to read from however the acting seemed too staged and not like the natural flowing conversation of stereotypical teenagers. After this did not go how I wanted it to, I decided I would trial not having a set script for the actors. My primary research questionnaire came back with the results that the target audience preferred short films with less narrative so with this in mind, improvisation was the next step. Before filming each scene I briefed them with what I wanted them to be discussing and through this I discovered the narrative worked much better without being planned; it sounded much less staged and it made the speech much more relatable and comfortable where it was natural. If my short film needed to be any longer I would have featured much more speech but I have decided to go unscripted for this one because I like the effect it has on the actors on camera. I believe the plot itself seems much more relatable this way which is what I wanted for the target audience.

Secondary research

As secondary research I decided to look online about what it is about thrillers that people love so much. I believe this is fitting to my short film research because it will mean that I am looking for what it is exactly that people enjoy and try to fit this into my short film. During my research I came across various reasons as to why people believed mysteries are so engaging for an audience.
Here are some of the ideas:

• Some would say that it is because mysteries are a safe thrill (like a roller coaster) and you can see the dark side of people, knowing that generally justice prevails- not in all cases.
• Another response was about how the audience relate to characters as it means they can become part of the solution in the action. The audience are generally on the side of the protagonist meaning they are on the winning team.
• For some people it is just the puzzle solving and the piecing together of the story that they enjoy the most.
• Studies show that mysteries can help us cope with the psychological and emotional concept of death and our own mortality. Death is inevitable and we are never prepared for it whereas in a mystery death makes sense and it becomes rational in our minds.

This research has been useful because I will be able to remember exactly what it is that my target audience relate to and why it is that they enjoy my particular genre of short film. This will keep my ideas consistent.

Primary research- questionnaire

As part of my research it was important that I made sure I asked my target audience what they wanted to see within my short film. To do this I produced a questionnaire and handed out 20 to all of those in my target audience which is 16 to 18 year olds. The specificity is due to the story line being relevant to the activities of those in this age group and the actors were also around this age. I wanted the events featuring in the film to be relatable for the moral of the film to be effective.

These are the questions I used in the questionnaire:

I felt that I could keep the questionnaire short as the film itself won't be very long so I jut wanted to keep my questions and answers concise. Also by keeping the questions relevant but generic in their field, it meant I was left to experiment more with how I created the film as I wouldn't have really specific and strict boundaries to follow. I have used the results as a guideline as to what I should keep in mind whilst filming and creating advertisement for the film. This research was carried out on people from within my target audience so I can ensure that I am keeping to the correct criteria and being specific in what they enjoy watching.

My Chosen Sub Genre

My chosen sub genre is crime thriller with a twist. 

I think that this sub genre stood out to me the most because of the air of mystery that it holds and the way in which it can be experimented with more than others. Having a twist makes it much more engaging for the audience and it is also more fun to film as there are alternate endings available for the audience to interpret as they please. With the storyline that I have, it could also be said to fall slightly into the action thriller category. This is because I wanted it to be a more unique plot and by mixing ideas it could be an original idea.

My Genre and the Sub Genres

Thriller

Thrillers are usually defined by the mood they elicit (hence the name). “Sensational and suspenseful” stories and stories creating “fearful excitement” are two definitions I found. Because of this, thrillers are crossed with almost every other genre. I’ve tried to only include mash-ups when their combination falls under my definition of “interesting.”

Action Thriller

Take any other thriller sub genre, give it’s defining elements a back seat, and focus on the action, and you have an action-thriller. This is more common in movies than novels because of the visual appeal of explosions and violence.

Conspiracy Thriller

In this sub genre the protagonist must confront a large, powerful organization whose threat only he sees. Usually he must do so alone.

Crime Thriller

This sub genre focuses on crime, and is usually from the criminal’s point of view. Physical action and eluding the police take the place of gathering evidence and trying to discover the criminal.

Disaster Thriller

In this subgenre a (usually) natural disaster is taking place, and the antagonist is either trying to stop the disaster, the extent of the disaster, or just save themselves before time runs out and the disaster has run its course.

Eco-Thriller

In this subgenre the protagonist must stop a threat to the environment (man-made or natural) that will have consequences for society if left unchecked. The damage could be local, but nation or even world-wide stakes are more dramatic.

Forensic Thriller

In this subgenre the protagonist(s) are forensic scientists whose involvement in an unsolved crime threatens their lives.

Legal Thriller

This subgenre takes place in and around the courtroom. Usually the protagonist is a lawyer who has found their case threatening death for either them or their client.

Medical Thriller

This subgenre involves something usually used for medical purposes becoming a deadly weapon. Often it is a virus that is leaking out to the public. The protagonist or antagonist or both are doctors.

Mystery Thriller

This is a subgenre of both mysteries and thrillers. It differs from a regular mystery by being much more fast-paced, with the protagonist on the run and the threat of another crime serving as the “ticking clock.”

Political Thriller

In this subgenre political relations or the whole government is at stake, and the protagonist is employed by the government to stop the decline. The protagonist may have been low-level before having attracted attention.

Psychological Thriller

In this subgenre a lot of the conflict is mental, rather than physical. The protagonist has become involved in a dangerous situation which literally threatens their sanity. They must use mental prowess to overcome their opponent, whether the battle is inside their own head or it a battle of wits.

Religious Thriller

This subgenre uses the history and myths of religion. Usually a religious artifact or historical secret is discovered, and different people and groups vie for control.

Romantic Thriller

This is a subgenre of both thrillers and romantic novels. The plot line follows a typical thriller’s tension, suspense, and excitement, but a main element is the growing relationship between two characters.

Spy Thriller

It’s hard to call this a genre mash-up when spy novels almost have to be thrillers. At any rate, this subgenre focuses on the high adventures of field agents. It is usually set against the backdrop of some war.

Supernatural Thriller

In this subgenre otherworldly elements are introduced, usually as an antagonistic force, but just as in the romantic thriller, the plot line and feel or distinctly that of thrillers. Some characters may have psychic abilities and other supernatural novel elements may be present.

Techno-Thriller

This genres is a cross between near-future science fiction and thrillers. Cutting-edge technology plays an important role, either as something to obtain, or working for or against the protagonist.

Genre Theorists

Researching genre theorists is essential because it gives me access to knowledge, attitudes, assumptions and expectations of genre and the different theories available to choose from.


Stephen Neale

Neale declares that "genres are instances of repetition and difference" and later added "differences are absolutely essential to the economy of genre". This is because he believes repetition alone is not enough to keep an audience engaged. Neale believes that pleasure is derived from 'repetition and difference' and that without difference there would be no pleasure for an audience. Some people may gain pleasure through observing how the conventions of genre are manipulated, others may enjoy stretching the genre in new directions and the way in which they consequently shift our expectations.

He believes that Hollywood's generic regime performs two inter-related functions:

1. To guarantee meanings and pleasures for audiences
2. To offset the considerable economic risks of industrial film productions by providing cognitive collateral against motivation and difference.

Neale argues that genre is constituted by 'specific systems of expectations and hypotheses which spectators bring with them to the cinema and which interact with the films themselves during the course of the viewing process'.

Rick Altman 

Rick Altman is a professor of Cinema and Comparative Literature and his theories are focused around a semantic and syntactic approach. 

Semantic- the conventions of the genre that communicate to the audience. For example the characters, locations, props, music, shooting style and other signifiers.

Syntactic- this is about the relations between the elements and the structure of narratives in genres. An example of this would be in a romantic comedy we would expect the potential lovers to begin by not liking each other, following on to a series of meetings/problems which eventually culminate their successful relationship.

David Chandler

His argument is that genres have become "too restricted" in today's society as the conventions do not allow them to adapt and change. Chandler explains the overlap in some genres. An example of this 

would be the hybrid of romantic and thriller films. The downside to hybrid genres is the sometimes it can mean they lose of the forms and conventions of the genre when they overlap.

David Buckingham

Buckingham suggests how genre is always changing and is strongly influenced by dominant ideas in society. He thinks that different generations have different values and beliefs therefore these affect the conventions of the genre. An example of this would be slapstick comedy and the way comedy has developed from that early form and become what it is today. It's much more complex in modern day especially when the comedy is used to convey a deeper meaning behind the humour itself.

Sound

As mentioned in the section about post-production editing, sound is very important in short films and like good editing it is an invisible element. The purpose of sound is to set the mood or atmosphere in a scene. It also has the power to emphasise reality.

Diegetic- this is any type of sound that the characters on screen can hear

Non-diegetic- this is any sound that the characters on screen cannot hear but the audience can

Synchronous- this is sound that is synchronised with the object of person giving off the sound

Asynchronous- this is when the sound is deliberately out of sync with what we see on screen. The sound comes from the action but is is not precisely synchronised with it. Asynchronous sounds create tension, curiosity or provide information.

Sound effects- these are sounds added to the visual editing

Sound motif- this is a repeated symbolic sound/music to create meaning. They are used to indicate a narrative turning point.

Sound bridge- a type of sound editing when sound carries on over a visual transition.

Dialogue- what the characters say on screen. When planning dialogue it is important to look at language, tone, accent and volume in order to have a particular effect on the audience.

Voice over- when we can hear the voice of a character and/or narrator speaking but they are not speaking on the screen. The purpose of them is to reveal thoughts/feelings, narrative development, background on characters or the plot.

Mode of address- this is the manner in which the narrative comes across to the audience and the choice in the style of language used by the character or narrator.

Direct address- when a director speaks directly to the audience an breaks the fourth wall through acknowledgment of presence of the audience.

Sound mixing- when mixes of sound from various sources is made through a multi-track mixing desk. Most of the dialogue in a short film can be remixed afterwards in the process of post-production.

Sound perspective- this is when the distance of a sound source is evidenced from the volume and timbre. It is referring specifically to edited sound.

Soundtrack- sound added entirely in post-production, done most often with a mixed music track.

Score- the purpose of a score is to set the mood and atmosphere of a scene. It is music composed, arranged and played specifically for the product, e.g. Adele- Skyfall.

Incidental music- non-diegetic music that accompanies events or changes of scene.

Themes- music that always accompanies this particular programme, film, or even a particular character to suit the mood or theme.

Stings- Musical stings are short bursts of music and they were originally used in TV and radio to bump together different chapters or sections of a show. They are used to highlight moments of significance or create tension.

Ambient sound- background sound that does not necessarily have to be in the field of vision as it can be recorded on location or added in post production.

After close evaluation of all of these different sound elements I have a good idea of the purpose of sound in short films and when exactly it has to be edited in. This is important research as it has opened my eyes to more techniques I was unaware of but can now use in the production of my short film.

Editing

There is an awful lot to consider when it comes to the editing of a short film. Some of the elements include: order of shots/shot choices, continuity, transitions, shot duration, pace rhythm and post production/visual effects. It was important to consider why each of these factors were vital to the short film and why getting them right was vital.

Order of shots- the meaning of a clip can change completely depending on the order in which they are cut together. Putting two shots together can suggest a connection or emphasise a contrast, and these both have a complete opposite effect on the target audience so it is important to keep the meaning behind each shot in mind. It can reveal who motivates the edit. Screen time also links to this as the order of shots can also show more of a particular character and give us clearer perspectives of their motives. It also indicates the importance of each character in the scene.

Continuity- in regards to editing continuity is the cutting of shots in order to tell a story with narrative continuity. It helps the viewer make sense of the action by implying spatial relationships and ensuring smooth flow from shot to shot. Continuity creates realism especially when the edit on screen is invisible so that the action appears less constructed. There are certain camera movements that make continuity much more effective.
This includes:

• Establishing shot- establishes space within which the action is taking place.
• Shot/reverse shot- highlights conversation or emotions in reactions, facing one another.
• The 180° rule- ensures that the same space is being described in each shot and to do so the shots must remain within the horizontal axis.
• Eyeline match- when a character looks off screen and the next shot shows the audience what they were looking at.
• Action match- character begins to move in one shot and we see this movement continued in the next shot.
• Graphic match- compositional elements match.
• Parallel editing or cross-cutting- when doing these shots between locations coveys the impression that two or more events are occurring simultaneously. Typically done to build tension.

Non-continuity- this is when the continuity is broken and construction of action is more apparent. This is generally done through juxtaposition and metaphor inserts. The techniques that are used to emphasise non-continuity are:

• Cut away- an interruption of the action through the insertion of a view of something else.
• Jump cuts- these shots create a lack of continuity by leaving out parts of the on-screen action. This is most effective when showing the passing of time.

Transitions- the process of cutting from one shot to another is usually done through the use of a straight cut, however there are other means of transition including:

• Fade in/out- most commonly used to establish a new setting or element of narrative and is frequently used in death or endings. It is done when the preceding shot fades into black from which the following shot emerges and vice versa.
• Dissolve/cross fade- this is when the preceding shot merges into the following shot resulting in the two shots being superimposed. The longer the dissolve is, the more noticeable the superimposition becomes.
• Superimposition- placing one shot over another shot to show characters longing or in a supernatural narrative.
• Wipe- when one shot replaces another by travelling from one side of the frame to another with a special shape. There are different types of wipe shots but the one most frequently used is the 'invisible wipe'. They are used to show a change in location or viewpoint.

The purpose of transitions is to imply the passing of time, imply a change in action, or emphasise a connection, what a character is thinking, remembering or dreaming about.

Shot duration/pace rhythm- the duration of the shot will usually reflect the narrative content. For example a short shot conveys action and urgency, whilst a long shot would create a slower pace and conveys intensity and intimacy within the narrative. Long shots allow us to focus upon facial expressions and other aspects of mise en scene which would otherwise be missed.

Post production/visual effects- visual effects are applied in the post-production process to further manipulate the mise en scene of a sequence. Here are just a few elements of short films that can be altered after filming:

• Speed- slow or fast
• Colour- exposure and composition
• Split screen- the frame is split into sections so that we can see different events occurring at once
• CG- computer generated graphics
• Elipsis- presents action in less time on screen than it does in the story
• Expansion of time- opposite of ellipses. When action presented consumes more time on screen than it does in the story e.g. slow-motion
• Inserts- a method of editing where the editor freely moves shots and clips around as they please
• Sound levels- the value and the effects applied e.g. the Doppler effect when something is moving further away
• Silence- no noise for atmosphere

When analysing a lip it is important to consider how editing techniques are used to control what information is revealed/hidden from the characters and the audience. If the audience know more than what the characters do this can provoke an emotional reaction. An example of this would be cross cutting in a film between shots of a character and shots that suggest impending danger. The character does not see this but the audience do so this may cause them to feel anxiety and tension in the anticipation of something horrible happening. Editing is vital in terms of the factors of creating a short film because the clips, actors and mise en scene could all be perfect but if the editing was not done effectively or with care, this would have a significant impact on the quality of the short film.

Camera Movements

After the research of the different camera shots and angles and I can understand why each one is used in context, I am moving on to camera movement which is another significant aspect of film. There are different methods that directors have the option to implement in creating short films. Here are some examples I have found:

Pan

This is where you move your camera horizontally, either left to right or right to left. Whilst the camera is being moved horizontally it is fixed to a base which gives a slicker effect on screen. This can be used to follow the action or get a sense of location in the story. The view seems to 'pass by'. It is short for a panorama, suggesting there is an expansive view that exceeds the gaze. 

Tilt

This is similar to the pan except it rotates up and down in a vertical plane. The camera is in a fixed position once again and it replicates someone turning their head to look up and down. This technique is generally used to establish an object or character and their importance or important aspects. Typically a tripod is used to keep the camera stationary and move to the angle it is pointing to. 

Tracking

This is similar to a panning shot going from left to right or right to left and the camera also moves vertically/horizontally along with the action. Tracking shots are used to establish action, create tension and show the enormity of the task or the heroic status of the characters.

Dolly

This camera movement is done using a camera dolly which is a wheeled cart or similar device that creates a smooth horizontal shot. When creating this, the camera is mounted to the dolly and the operator and focus puller are used when the dolly is being pushed back and forth.

Crane

This is a camera movement performed by a camera on a crane or a jib. It is used to view the actors fro above or to move up and away from them. A crane shot is extremely popular in terms of film endings.

Steadicam
This is when a camera is mounted to a stabiliser to establish a smooth shot even when moving quickly over uneven surfaces. It combines the steadiness of a tripod shot with the fluid motion of a dolly.

Hand-held
This shot is taken when the camera is held by hand as opposed to being mounted. It gives a shakier effect and the 'shaky camera' can also be emphasised by the operator during filming. The hand-held shot gives a make-shift feel whilst providing a sense of dynamics, immersion, instability and nervousness. This is the sort of camera movement I would like to feature a lot of in my short film as I feel it will be very fitting to the tension and atmosphere of the action.





Zoom
This is rather self explanatory but this is when the focal length of the lens is either increased or decreased. It can be a tracking zoom or static. Typically it's used to emphasise a particular moment, reaction or item. The speed of the zoom can vary from slow to fast depending on the effect the director intends to have on the audience.





Reverse zoom
This is when the camera is moving towards the background while zooming out or, vice versa, when the camera moves away from the background whilst the camera zooms in. It was first used by Hitchcock in Vertigo. It has a unique effect of the background's size increasing or decreasing while the subject stays around the same size. This is often used for realisation.

Camera Shots and Angles

Different camera angles and shots will be chosen to emphasise various elements on the screen. For example, if an airplane flying overhead is of importance to the story, filmmakers may choose to use a low-angle shot to show the significance of the plane in the sky. Needless to say, cinematographers will choose different angles for different scenes within the same movie depending of the scene goal or purpose.

Here are some of the shots I researched:

Low angle

This is a shot of an object of person from below looking up and it is sometimes referred to as a "worm shot". It is used to increase the height of an object to make it seem more powerful or threatening, likewise to apply dominance to a person in a scene. Typically, the background is the sky or a ceiling which creates a sense of disorientation within the viewer through the lack of setting.


Canted angle
In this shot the camera is set on an angle on its roll ax so that the shot is composed of vertical lines at an angle to the side of the frame. This viewpoint makes you tilt your head to the side and is often used to portray psychological uneasiness or tension in the subject being. A handheld camera is normally used for this effect.





High angle 

A high angle shot is looking down upon a subject or an object. This shot is used to make the subject seem vulnerable or "chicken" when applied with the correct mood, setting and effects. It can be used to make people seem less significant and the audience more dominant simultaneously.





Eye level
This is a rather neutral and generic shot in terms of camera angles and this is most common within film. Typically the camera is positioned as if the audience is observing a scene among the characters present on screen. This shows a levelled focus with someone else's head and the camera is placed about six feet from ground level.




Bird's-Eye View
This angle is similar to what a bird would see whilst flying above. Sometimes this is used as an establishing shot to show where the character is or where it is that they are travelling to. To use this in a film footage, it is typically shot from a helicopter.







Extreme long shot 
This is taken very far away from the focus of the shot and this distance is usually about a quarter of a mile. Often this is used for the beginning of a film or to set the scene when characters arrive in a new setting. There is not a lot of detail in shot, just enough for the audience to create an impression of the scenario itself. Generally it is just the location or buildings in these shots. An example would be if there was one character on their own in an extreme long shot, it would give the impression to  the audience that this character is particularly isolated.

Long shot
 In film production, a long shot (sometimes referred to as a full shot or, to remove ambiguity, wide shot) typically shows the entire object or human figure and is usually intended to place it in some relation to its surroundings. These are typically shot using wide angle cameras.





Establishing shot
This shot establishes the context of the scene showing where the programme/film is set. Typically it is the first shot of a new scene and producers usually use a long or extreme long shot to do so.






Master shot

This is a shot when all of the actors are kept in view on screen for the duration of the entire scene. Usually this is a long shot to ensure that all of the action can be observed. This can sometimes perform as a double function as an establishing shot.






Mid-shot
In a mid shot, the figure is generally viewed from the knees or waist up. An example of this would be used is when there is little to no dialogue in the scene. The background would have minimal detail as this would have been established earlier on in the scene. This image would be a good example because the scene appears to feature more action than it does dialogue; it is creating tension.



Close-up
This shot tightly frames an object or a person with little background featuring. It is used to highlight the significance of a moment, thing or reaction. Generally everything on screen, besides the face and the mise en scene, is blurred or kept simple to magnify the importance of the action taking place. If there is a character in this shot, it has usually been done so the audience can see their expression and empathise with their emotion.

Extreme close-up
This shot is even more zoomed in than the close-up and it is done for further emphasis and effect. More often than not, it magnifies beyond what the human eye can see and experience in reality. Generally it is used on an area of the face, such as the eyes, and there is no background so that all focus is on one feature. It is used to show deeper emotion within a character for further sympathy, and it gives a dramatic effect. This shot can also be used on objects e.g. a ring to show the significance of that particular symbol.

Shot reverse shot

This is a continuity editing technique used in conversations or simply characters looking to one another or at an object. It shows what the character is looking at followed by a reverse angle shot of the character themselves looking at it, or of the other character in the scene. This often ties in with the 180° rule to retain continuity and not distort the audience's sense of location of the characters in the shot.


Over the shoulder
This is a shot of someone or something taken from the perspective of over the shoulder of another person. To emphasise this, the back of the head and shoulder of the person is usually kept in shot and used to frame the image. It is a common shot if two people are having a discussion and it can often follow an establishing shot so the audience can place the characters.

Two shot

This shot includes two people, although these people do not have to be next to each other. It is useful to display the emotional reactions between the subject and because they have more focus on them, it gives the characters more importance. When the characters are not in the same frame, the two shot is when there are two people caught within the same camera movement.

Point of View (POV)
This is a shot from a first person or subjective camera that shows the audience exactly what the character is looking at, represented through the camera. It is usually established by being positioned between a shot of a character looking at something, and a shot showing the character's reaction. The technique of POV is one of the foundations of film editing.






Using the research  I have done and by analysing what looks best for particular scenes in a short film, I think the exploration of these camera techniques has benefitted me; I can now ensure that in my short film I make each shot fulfill its potential and make sure that all camera movements have a reason behind them. This will encourage me to think much more carefully about each shot I take and hopefully mean I am more successful in keeping my target audience engaged throughout.