Extended Project - Inspiration and looking at the 'short film'.

For the Extended Project I will be working in a team to hopefully create a 'short' film. I have therefore started looking at films that I have enjoyed and the reasons why. These films have a strong but relatively simple 'what if' premise that makes the short film memomrable and interesting. They have potential to depict people/problems etc. in an illustrative way that's different from reality - without having to explain fully how these 'impossible' ideas came about. It also gives potential for strong imagery that links solidly with the story. This is what I'd like to achieve in our film, visuals that are believable to the story but also interesting and a aesthetically pleasing.

For example 'The Half Light''s use of lighting and colour links directly with the main concept of the narrative, and allows some beautiful imagery, such as a room full of bulbs. This helps create a world in which the concept is accepted and allowing the performance and story to be believed.



This next short is heavier in dialogue, something we are planning to avoid in our short film. However I feel it illustrates a strong and interesting concept executed well. The 'fantastical' element is still believable and accepted in the context of the short film.


Another short film with an interesting 'what if' concept is this film I mentioned last year here: http://lj-dfga.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/room-8-bombay-sapphire.html . This film illustrates the potential of creating a piece in a single room, which is something we could consider due to limited budget etc. and how this can be effective in creating isolation or claustrophobia.


A possible theme we have been discussing for our short film is of isolation in a slightly dystopian environment. A concern I have with this is it could become a little drab if we don't have an interesting hooking concept to illustrate this. However, thematically I feel this trailer for the short film 'Chasing Cotards' is relevant, as it seems to take a quite dark concept and treat it in a considered and captivating way. This film seems to illustrate a sense of isolation and loneliness, highlighting the importance of strong imagery and acting.


Chasing Cotards Teaser Trailer from Chasing Cotards on Vimeo.


Making The Biggest Short Film Of All Time from Chasing Cotards on Vimeo.

The documentary shows the importance of the set, the design and look of the short film. This is something I'm interested in, and feel should be incorporated in our film. Pre-production and design is incredibly important and by creating an environment that is believable to the story, as well as visually interesting in it's own right, a short film can be incredibly captivating. This documentary also illustrates the care and consideration that was taken into account when working with a potentially upsetting subject. This is something we should consider if deciding to opt for a more 'serious' subject for our film. We should take into consideration budget and other limitations, as there is a potential for it to seem 'hackneyed' or insincere if we didn't execute the film well, for example acting would need to be at a high standard.