BBC Film Network

The BBC film network publishes short films from people around the UK on their website, this is promoting the production of short films for people to watch online. The BBC's website shows not only their main feature films that are most recent to the company but also a list of new short films that have been uploaded by them.

The photo shows the front webpage which is promoting the new feature film they have produced but underneath there is a list of new and recommended short films. They are promoting these films by genre grouping them making it easier for people to watch them on the internet, which is why they have been uploaded in the first place.

The BBC are the most well known television company in Britain and with its other company focusing on film it is about helping independent writers and producers to create the short films they want, with competitions and helping schools around Britain. It gives the opportunity for people to watch videos of the production process, different case studies on producers and
directors and even a how-to guide on working in different aspects of the film industry. You are able to submit your own short films and create a profile, this shows that the BBC a
re dedicated to giving every opportunity to people interested in the business.

The BBC not only promote the up and coming directors and writers of short films and feature length films however they are also promoting and creating their own for example The Nativity and The Men Who Stare at Goats, however they also co-produce with Warner Brothers and other large film companies, the BBC's film base has been growing for years focusing on dramatic film to comedy and historic. The films that they produce are typically English locations and actors. The Film branch of BBC was created in 1994 however didn't take off until 2000 when they began making more than a few films a year, also the company isn't run by the public instead is owned by a private company but is controlled by the BBC.

Film Four Network

Film Four which is a branch from Channel 4 which also focus on the different aspects of film, even though the first glance at their main web page is generally focusing on their new up and coming productions and their movies which are being shown on television now, which are generally more feature films than short. Film Four have made it possible for people to watch films for free from any television in Britain which is helping the industries popularity as well as new writers and directors get noticed. As well as show older films to a new generation.

However if you click on the short films tab bar you will see that there is a lot of different variety within the films that they have produced and uploaded by others. People are again able to create profiles and upload their own footage and then share it with everyone, it gives people a chance to experience the industry more than they would have been able to before. They are also able to then gather feedback from other viewers and improve on their skills and techniques.

Having a large company under the branch such as Channel 4 meant they were able to advertise on television at different times. In 1998 they began to show small independent films which have now turned in to a feature film and short film epidemic. When FilmFour was first launched it was a paid channel through sky or satellite television however in 2006 the subscription ended and the service became free for people to use and watch.

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Audience Questionnaire

I created a questionnaire that helped me understand how people feel towards short films as well as a added question linking with the theme of our short film.

Have you ever seen a short film before?

Yes No


Would you consider watching a short film?

Yes No


Were would you rather watch a short film?

Cinema Internet Television


What genre of film do you prefer?

Romantic Sci-Fi Horror Drama


Do you think that domestic violence is an important issue now-a-days?

Yes No

I found that 70% of the people that I had asked had seen a short film however 80% would actually consider watching one, this shows that 10 % were wanting to watch short films but hadn't. This could be because of many reasons, they don't know where to see them or they haven't been subject to the short film genre before. There was a tie of 40% between 5minutes and 30 minutes for how long people would like the movie to be, because we are doing a 5 minute short film its nice to see that there are a variety of people who would want to watch it due to its short length.

100% of people agree that Short Films are important to the industry and the development through film making, this shows that many people appreciate the importance that short films bring for directors, actors and writers as well as the industry itself. Companies like the BBC and Channel 4 are helping promote them as well as give the public greater chance of watching them. The information that I gathered relating to our short film genre/theme shows me how people feel about this sensitive subject we want to address. 100% of people agreed that abusive relationships are an important issue now-a-days, which I expected to happen, the question about genre also showed me that 40% liked Romance and 40% liked Drama which was a good sign as the genre we are aiming for is a Romantic Drama.

The information that I found showed that people believe that short films are important to the industry and would consider watching them either on the Internet or television. It also helped me to see that the theme we have chosen would be a popular one with the audience we are targeting. Overall the audience questionnaires gave me an insight in to how a range of people perceive the short film genre and what we need to do in order to attract our target audience.

Audience Research

After reviewing the other short films I decided to film my audience research towards the industry and my ideas. I came up with a few questions that I asked three people involving the industry and out main ideas and I wanted to know about there thoughts towards the short film market and what they think to out idea.

From my research I have learnt that many people haven't seen a short film because of its availability for us, as well as wanting to see a short film people also have different tastes in genre which means that short films should aim to be diverse as well as broadly produced.

As for our idea, its definitely a serious topic in society and therefore many people believe its a good idea that we show the way in which it can happen especially without us knowing. (Which is what we are trying to show!) I think that our idea will give a detailed account of what its like to be in a abusive relationship and show a positive ending from it.

Because the audience we are aiming to look at is the similar age of our characters it will generally be the E - C2 demographic. This is because these people will be able to relate better with the story as well as the characters that we are trying to create. Another factor about our audience is that they will be within the age of 15-25, so they will be from students to working class people. I think that this target audience is a good group of people to have because they are the usual audience that use the Internet, that go to the cinema and that are open to new suggestions within the film market. Our story would appeal more to them as the message we are trying to portray what would be a more important message to them as it focuses on their age range.

The psychographics that we are aiming towards would be strugglers and mainstreamers. This is because the people would be seeking escape through watching the movie as they are hoping to be taken on a journey through the story, this would usually be the students who want to watch something entertaining. The mainstream people target more the C2 demographic who are watching the film to seek security as well as to learn something, which is what we would be trying to create. We want our film to portray a large meaning as well as have a message of escape for the young girl.

Because short films aren't shown in the cinemas but instead the Internet and television program's, its not generally the most known television programs such as BBC 1 or ITV because they have such as large audience and on going programs that they need to play footage that would be targeting all the people watching. However BBC and Channel 4 both promote the production of short films within the community with Channel 4 showing them between popular TV shows and BBC showing them on different channels for example BBC which also target a young and imaginative audience.

Young Love

Iconography (key visual symbols)

The most clearly used symbol has to be the camera which connotes the way in which the couple have memories because they record them. Although it also denotes their playful side of their relationship because they are posing and messing about with it. Another visual would be the setting in which the main story takes place, on the bridge at the beach as it connotes a peaceful and romantic day but the denotations of it can be danger or calmness. The one scene of her walking away then changes to black and white and the 'old' her running towards him, it shows that she is ready to move away from him in the present but he still remembers their past. This a very effective bit of the film because it gives the viewers an understanding of their relationship and what happened.

Mise en Scene (props, lighting, setting, weather, clothing)

The setting of the film is very iconic of a romantic drama because it takes place in typical places such as the bed room and out on the bridge, the setting is romantic and typical of a young relationship. The bedroom is typically youthful with clutter and books and jewellery everywhere. Their clothing is very casual although the girl is covered up in man clothes which could connote she isn't a very confident within her appearance. The lighting is all natural however the black and white filming shows a unnatural light on the characters.

Narrative (key features of story)

The black and white footage suggests it is in the past which is later conformed from the way they are talking to each other on the bridge. The female is seen as innocent alone in the bed but then when the boy comes in to the bed she becomes violent and aggressive which is unexpected. Because we have seen the boy watching her on the bridge at the start (not in black and white). We watch different clips from the past showing the development in their relationship which goes from happy and close to the present day when they are finding it hard to be next to each other.

Sound (diegetic and non-diegetic)

The non diegetic classical music playing at the start is very soft and emotional which is fitting with the genre however its a bit dramatic because the viewer doesn't understand how it relates to the sad story. The camera snapping as well gives a very sharp noise which attracts the audience. The diegetic sound is the background such as the sea and strangers adds to the realism of short films, the voices of the characters is very stereotypical because he is very loud and nasty which suits his personality as well as her being quite. The panting of the woman's voice connotes her desperation within the relationship and her weakness against him.

Camera (movement and composition)

A lot of the time the camera movement was hand held which created a realism to the film, it also used a variety of angles during the film. Because the effect of 'the real camera' is flashing images it looks as if we are looking through the camera which is effective because we are watching the relationship. When the couple seems to be at their happiest the camera is close up on their faces for example as they kiss, this could connote their closeness and 'being as one'. The tracking along the beach shows the distance between them with the girl being the main focus and closer to the camera and the male further away.

Message (hidden meanings)

The hidden message through this film is that things change and although everything seems happy that usually isn’t the case and even though you might not want it you have to accept change and carry on.

My Thoughts

I liked the idea of the camera being a central part of the film because it was an interest with both of the characters but also played a significant part in showing the viewer their relationship. I also thought that the story line was well thought out and the little hints that there were towards their relationship were cleverly put in to it. I didn't like the black and white tint on the past footage, i think that they could have done that differently. But overall I enjoyed this one because its plot was more interesting and its characters had more depth.

A Thousand Words

Iconography

The Photograph on the fridge is extremely important because it sparks off all the action that follows and it has importance to the plot as well.


Mise en Scene

The kitchen is a typical student small kitchen which is ideal for the setting of the film because its cosy and snug. The males first outfit was very relaxed and dark but when we see him in the past he is smartly dressed and more fashionable, which suits his character. The girl has dark make-up and a lip piercing which suggests she is edgy and dangerous, but her clothing is very relaxed. The dark restaurant is very romantic and with the candles gives it a dark feeling which connotes that they are on their own but are happy to be alone. The camera is used as a prop but it also connotes that they have memories of each other that haven't faded.


Narrative

We see a male come in to the house and talk to his girlfriend however we then see him asking questions which suggests that he isn't that close to her. This also shows when he is in the fridge and he is disgusted by the things he sees which also connotes that he doesn't know her very well. The flashback then shows him meeting a girl and falling in love with her over a date, but he then becomes possessive and she leaves him even though they are in love and we then see her in the background of the photo of his new girlfriend.


Sound

We watch him place the tape in to the recorder which then turns in to upbeat non-diegetic sound, its in keeping with the style of the film which is currently light and upbeat. The second scene there is a shot of a guy playing the guitar which is diegetic and the song he is singing is again in keeping with the genre of romance. Which turns in to non-diegetic sound when we turn to the main male character at the lake. The non-diegetic sound is also very upbeat and light which fits with the first date. However the girls voice becomes very harsh when the boy is firm with her which connotes conflict within their personalities.


Camera

Hand held is just following the males moves and watching him. When he is looking in the fridge we are watching him at a close up angle, his facial expressions are clear here. The close up of the males face when he is looking at the photograph is very important because it helps us understand that the next scenes are something he is remembering. The hand held panning of the characters at the lake is very dodgy because its moving fast. The high angle of them in bed and the way they are facing each other connotes their closeness and attraction to each other. The zoom on the photo at the end is also very effective because it rounds up all the stories information.


Message

The message in the film is that even though something might end you can't forget it because it will always be there to haunt you.


My Thoughts

I enjoyed this film because I liked the twist it had on the story. I also enjoyed the way that music and camera angles fitted well together the only part I felt let it down was the last scene in the bedroom between the main characters, because it wasn't very powerful which it should have been.

Complicated Love

Iconography

The sepia footage is a clear flashback and the split second shot before it shows the girl is thinking what we are watching. The teddy bear shows the relevance to her baby and how she is feeling extremely scared in the life she has.


Mise en Scene

The film starting in the dark connotes that the relationship is in a dark place at the moment that we meet the couple suggesting difficulty between them. The clothing is very boring and there isn't much to it, the girl isn't dressed in feminine clothes and she seems a boring character. The setting of the old, dirty house connotes the ruins of their relationship and the desperation they are in.


Narrative

The first time we are introduced to the characters we instantly find out that something happened that was unexpected. The second scene starts with them facing towards a house which can show us that they are very serious about their relationship. There are parts of the film that show their relationship isn't a very steady one as we watch the boy buy drugs and the girl take a pregnancy test. Although towards the end I don't quite understand what happens to the story as it slows right down, but we do see the couple solve their problems which is the ending to their story.


Sound

The non diegetic sound that begins the film is similar to the last one with slow and acoustic music becoming louder which sounds very romantic, and then the voices singing 'Its complicated, its just love' is very stereotypical of a romantic drama as well as being male and female.


Camera

Once again its a hand help camera which is used for tracking as well as still filming, this is because it makes the film look real, which is a big part of the genre. The fade to the second scene is effective and calm which relates to the next scene of them standing together which connotes their united as a couple. The cameras placement at the end of the table with the mother and daughter is a clear indication of their relationship being very distant. The cameras pan around the streets is another way of us knowing we are looking at what the characters has just seen, which gives it another sense of realism.


Message

The deeper message to the film is that at a young age love can be a challenging thing and we watch the couple overcome a few of the issues that can be raised in teens life's for example pregnancy and drugs.

My thoughts.

The film wasn't very captivating and I feel that they didn't think of their story very in depth, they could have played with their characters emotions a lot more to provoke a reaction from the audience. The camera work was a bit shuffle and the scene in the shop was complicated because you couldn't hear much however I thought the flash back ideas were good along with adding the history of the relationship.