Inspiration Week
What a story is, A story is a narrative with a start, middle and end. The origins of a story vary many being made up by individuals and other rooting from folk stories.
A story can be: Fictional or non fiction
Biblical
Fairytale, folktales, tribal, fables, myths and legends
Setting
Themes
Series of events
Character plot
Structure: Equilibrium/ disequilibrium
Entertainment, popular culture
Play
Education
Situations
Art, poetry, cartoons, newspaper, music, fashion
Kuleshav Effect
Stories that we tell ourselves. Reflecting people and culturally specific.
Stories give us comfort.
Friday, 12 February 2010
Friday, 5 February 2010
Very Short Films
Very Short Films
Very short film is a term that come about to account for short films less than half an hour. Very short films referees to commercials or music videos a piece of film that has a viewing time of less than thirty minutes.
Johnathan Glazer
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Glazer
Johathan Glazer named Director of the Year at the MTV 1997 awards is signed to the London based production company Academy films.
He wrote and directed three short films ‘Mad’, ‘Pool’ and ‘Commission’ but is greatly recognised for the ‘Guiness Surfer’ advert that he directed in 2000. An intresting factor of his work is his will to create and develop ideas from the start instead of the commonly know way of getting a written concept that all thats needed is knowledge in direction.
Glazer has developed a certain syle that appears constantly in his work, the commercials and music videos that he has directed contains dramtic over prowering action that draws its audience in with his outstanding use of atmospheric ideal setting.
Rabbit in your hedlight by Unckle
Directed by Jonathan Glazer
Time:
Brody Barker
KnowMore Productions
http://www.knowmorecreates.com/
Brody Barker is a writer and director. Barker runs a production company alongside his wife called KnowMoreProductions this was the company responsible for the twelve short films “T Takes”. that premiered at Sundance film festival and have strong casting of recognized actors.
Episode 1 starring Josh Hartnett
Episode 2 starring Morena Baccarin
Episode 3 starring Andre Royo
Episode 4 starring Brady Corbet
Episode 5 starring Michael Stahl-David
Episode 6 starring Saffron Burrows
Episode 7 starring Lukas Hass
Episode 8 starring Mark Webber
Episode 9 starring Jason Ritter
Episode 10 starring Josh Lucas
Episode 11 starring Michael Pitt
Historical Very Short Films.
An iconic music video thats recognized on history for breaking boundaries and setting records is the music video by Michael Jackson, exceeding all budgets of any music video the video set a different tone to music video and showed that creativity and narrative can cohabitate well.
Michael Jackson : Thriller
A 14 minute music video
Director: John Landis
Written by: John Landis and Michael Jackson
Released: 1983
Jonathan S Paul. (2008). Catching up with Brody Barker. Available: http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/03/catching-up-with-brody-baker-t-takes-director/. Last accessed 24/01/10.
IMD. (). Damien O'Donnell. Available: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damien_O'Donnell. Last accessed 26/01/10.
Armin Dressler. (). DirectorWriter . Available: http://www.yowin.com/shortfilms_1.html. Last accessed 26/01/10.
Eileen Elsey and Andrew Kelly (2002). In Short, A guide to Fil-making in the Digital Age. British Film Institute: BFI Publising. 23, 86, 102.
Stuart Jeffries. (). Creature conforms Official Website. Available: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creature_Comforts. Last accessed 20/02/10.
Captivating Short Films
This post will see me listing a number of interesting films that I've come across during the duration of my research even-though i choose two to look more in depth in, in another post I saw important to mention these as they truly display the importance of short films.
Cubs
Directed by Tom Harper and runs for ten minutes, the film starts of innocently in a park and sees Ashley Walters picking out people from an orderly line that was made gain these reflects a theme that found in childhood, and we recognize him as the leader of the pack. the short is about an new urban sport thats taking place in the streets of london, Harper film gained a BAFTA nomination in 2007 for the film.
To Have and to Hold (2000)
Directed by John Hardwick this is a 13 minute film that dwells deep into the vows 'till death do as part' a
woman who is driving but distracted by her boyfriend and then thrown off by deer in the country side gets into an accident
her boyfriend dies and she's left holding on to his hand, we see fight to let go of his decaying body finally opting to cut his hand.
This short is a perfect example of simplicity being developed to create captivating pieces of realist drama.
Kill the Day (1997)
Lynne Ramsay directs an eighteen minute short in 1997 staring James Gallagher as an ex drug addict
in and out of prison. this was Ramsays first professional short film set in Glasgow. The film is a study if inner life of a
con artist and junkie whose the ability to differentiate between reality, memory and dream is escaping him.
Ramsay cleverly manipulates sound an effect of pulling the audience deeper into the non-liner narrative dislodging the
protagonist from his own story as he lays on his bed reflecting his life. its an absorbing dark film which is achieved through
its cinematography and use of soundtrack and lack of dialogue form the main character.
Shadowscan (2000)
Director: Tinge Krisman
Duration: 12 minutes
This is Krisman's third short film won a BAFTA in 2001, its a representation of an accident and emergency department and the
experiences of a doctor who is also taking drugs. The film reflects the early work style of notable director Lars Von Trier as it uses montages,
sound and ingenious lighting effects to convey a hallucinating atmosphere of the two characters that we follow.
Thursday, 4 February 2010
Final Words
This blog has seen me explore the short film industry looking at its history and understanding how an individual can enter the industry. Looking at its history short film was the birth of cinema and with the changes of the world due to war, inequality and the fight for rights its been able to offer expression were through the british New Wave which bought forth documentaries or activism which dates back to the beginning and is still around today. Short Film industry is still a ripe industry it just not for the masses.
Analysis: Common Testify
Testify
Directed: Anthony Mandler
Time: 8:51
Country: USA
Year: 2005
Artist: common
Produced: Kanye West
Company: Cheap Thrills Productions/ Street Knowledge TV
Nomination for a best video at the BET Awards in 2006
This is a music video from the artist Common it’s a Short film running for 8 minutes and 51 seconds, telling the story of a young mother and wife who struggle in convincing a jury to let her testify of her husbands innocence, when he’s arrested and stands trial for the possession of drugs and murder. The short story devolves deep into the background of the characters before we see Common performing the song and even when this happens we know that he’s not part of the narrative. Staring Taraji P Henson, Steve Harris and Wood Harris the video is directed by Anthony Mandler who is a respected music director recognised for his cinematic productions in his work.
The short film opening credits are simple capital text displaying the artists name first and the title of the song against a black background the staring actors are listed then the director is listed with a picture of him seen also. This would have been done as he was just staring out in the year 2005 so not many people knew of who he was, also the audience that this material is targeted for are more relaxed to such unconvetional ways of displaying credits. No music is heard during the credits something that unlikely for a music video.
After the credits are listed a lound unlocking is heard then gates opening this is seen Wood Harris walks out the gate in a prisoners jump suit, camera pans gives it the effect that were seeing things through his eyes.
Looking straight ahead a security guard is heard saying the words “Your going down”
Two guards are with him one behind and he other infornt this shows that the corridor they are walikng along is small and confideded which also reflects the situation that he’s in and place prison. We then see MS of his feet that are chained together, over the shoulder shot of the first guard looking at his at the the corner of his eye, Harris is seen looking up at the flikiring lights, from this we get the idea that the cell he was in he didin’t have alot of light.
As he’s looking up at the light a flash back is seen him and his wife laughing together then flashes to him alone at a table and he sits at the table with his wife and two children, we can tell that this is his family the life that he had before being taken to prison Anthony then fades out between the flash back and flickering light.
The narrative moves on to see Tarajih P Henson sitting at a table messing around with her glasses and then the door opens and she’s fast to fix her appearance.Mrs Washington was called in for questioning on the murder of two men which her husband is accused of killing, she’s offered a cigaratte and refuces and states that she has to get back to her kids.
Flashbacks are frequently used through the start of the film, this is what sets the story and gives all the characters stability in the narrative which interlocks with the lyrics of the song. We are introduced to a woman who fully believed her husbands innocence but the evidence is strong against him and all she would love to do is testify of his kindness and love of which she is denied.
After the questioning we see Mrs Washington at the front of the court house were the trial is taking palce, she's anxious and nervers about walking in taking time to collect herself, she hesitates and then takes a look at her wedding band and starts to walk in, a sea of photogrphers and news reporters appear and bombard her with questions.
before she enters the court room for the first time we see Common the artist, a mid shot of him from the back. The jurge walks in and takes his seat and Harris and his representative are seen seating down. The beat drops and Mrs Washington walks in this enfaces her arrival and her prominence to the narrative.
A performance shot of Common at the bar that previous flash backs had seen Harris ploting with another member. this is important as it links Common to the narrative of the video it also reminds the audience that this is also a music video and performance shots are important to represent that.
This short film shows the strength of a narrative it uses editing and sound to be able to draw the audiences attention and sympathy to the character in the wrong, something that appeared in French New Wave.
Textual Analysis: Inside
Directed by Trevor Sands
Time: 5.08
Country:
Filming Location:
Company: Quality Filmed Entertainment
Inside is a short film written and directed by Trevor Sands, released in 2002 it won two awards. San Diego Film festival, Festival award in the category for Best short Film and also Film and video short Narrative at San Francisco International film festival
The short film introduces as to a young man who is later named as Daniel portrayed by Jeremy Sisto who suffers from a multiple personality disorder. We follow him as he’s escorted to see the doctor.
The film opens with slight whispers heard under and atmospheric tone that rings as the name of the film appears from the centre. Immediately this plays on the fact that the films title is 'Inside' and the title is unveiled for inside its self. After the title disappears light shines through and an out of focus shot is viewed, we then hear the sound of keys unlocking the doors and a voice delivering the line that the
“doctor is ready to see you,”
automatically a high angle shot is seen of the character this line is directed to, this angle shows him as a vulnerable character in an isolated place. From this we the audience know that he’s in a under a certain type of surveillance and needs medical attention as he has to visit a doctor. The way that this character is portrayed to us draws us to feel sympathy towards him as we are not allowed to see him on the same camera level otherwise forced to look down at him from a high angle.
In the high angle birds eye shot we see him wearing only white clothes with no shoes sited with his feet crossed and only minimum lighting is around, the light source can be clearly seen to be from above this means that the light was only able to come through when the door was open. It takes to repeats of the same statement and the guard who opens the door enters to pull Daniel to his feet.
After his lifted to his feet and walks outside the room all three walk away from the camera, the shot being positioned that all three men’s feet will be seen and as they walk further on into the distance. This is something the director to show that we the audience have no attachment to him and can't offer any assistance to him either.
As he’s being escorted down to see the doctor both guard on each side there are followed by endless whispers atmospheric sound that build also the chiming of the guards keys and flickering of lights that are unsteady about to switch off, during this time we hear a more in control voice amongst the other whispers but its hard to fully concentrate on all that said by the voice, we hear as much to know that it’s a female that confidently sates the sentence
“Suffering from condition known as multiple personality disorder”
At this point the whispers get more profound and we also notice an appearance of a young girl and as the two guards escort Daniel down the corridor more and more people appear beside them steadily walking in phase with them. The director shows the importance of these character by making sure a clear mid-shot is captured this lets the audience know that they have a significance to the character Daniel.
Sands use of pure colours and natural tones in this film brings out the vulnerability of the characters that he portrays it also shows that even though one would have the colours representing purity could completely be on the opposite side and be striving for control. Sands also leave the film to his audiences’ interpretation after watching it for the first time I was shocked by the twist at the end and spent time breaking it down to be able to find an interpretation to what happened. The nurse that Daniel meets is part of the many people who are inside him, but the nurse is the one who has control over the other personalities enough power to get him under control so that he can pass his check up so and be released from the institution.
Avant-garde
Avant-garde is a French word meaning “a head of crowd”, its experimental techniques of creating unconventional films that bring forth new ideas and forms of filming.
They are seen to be before their time using a lot of experimentation in narrative or manipulation during editing its a radical separation from norms, codes and conventions. Avant-garde is a film makers expression focus on lyrical, abstract, formal beauty it avoids conventions of narrative. Abstract films have been referred to as “absolute” film mocking conventions and traditional values film makers interest in eccentricities and extremes may shock the viewer the purpose of this art is to challenge and wake up the audience from the usual ordinary material that they view.
Meshes of the Afternoon directed by Maya Derendand Alexander Hammis
1943
17 minutes
This was the first major American avant-garde film to be created made with Alexander “Sasha” Hammid it was Mara Deren’s most successful film.
Gloria L. Floren. (25 April 1998). Avant-Garde (Experimental) Films . Available: http://www.miracosta.cc.ca.us/home/gfloren/f-avant.htm. Last accessed 29/01/2010
Eileen Elsey and Andrew Kelly (2002). In Short, A guide to Fil-making in the Digital Age. British Film Institute: BFI Publising. 18.
Short Film Directors
Short Films for a number of directors have been the starting point to the careers that they have built for themselves, they gave them the chance to showcase and develope their techniques and style ultimetly streaching their abilities as many directors are also writers of the short films that they make. Example of such directors range wide and far as a short film gives the perfect platform to create a piece of film that can be made without a budget leaving the mind to roam free on narrative and concepts that captivate and challenge the mind instead of the many feature length that are created for entertainment and profit purposes.
Martin Scoursese produced a graduation short film at
Another director who gained critical aclaim form their graduation film is, Winta Yohannes, writer and director of Cherish an award winning director who agained credit in the British cinema industry through the release of her graduation student film Cherish. Yohannes an Eritea native is also a respected photogrpher and videographer having graduated from
Cherish is a seventeen minute film about a young girl who after growing up in
The freedom that short films give a director means that they are able to create partical anything that they see fit, the hardest thing is which broadcaster accept an idea that doesn’t seem steady on it foundations. This is what Nick Park Creator of Creature Comforts 1989 had to convice channel four after joining the staff as Aardman Animations were he worked as an animator, initialy wanting to produce a show that would intrest the public and an oppotunity opended up for him and staff that he worked with to talk to channel four about as short film that they created.
Creature Comforts an animated short film about animals feeling on living in a zoo, the creative element of the animation is the voice featured, syncrinised with the animation are of the british public. For any broadcaster that would be a worring factor as how can you be sure that you will be able to get what you want, this is something that Park soon found out his intial idea of gpin to the zoo and unknowing to the public record the spectectues view this soon failed and found that when he places them in an interview sitiation he gained better material for the show. The animation five minutes was featured on a Channel 4 series called lip Synch.
Park has moved on to have an outstandning career, as believe this is due to the fact that he created a piece that captures a wider audience than most short films due. Park was able to draw from an area that relatable to but seen unfamiliar, for the public to be going to the zoo to see animals he was able to question weather the animals see human in the way human view them.
Damien O'Donnell
Damien O’Donnell an irish film director and writer, he’s best known for directing British Independednt Fim Awards East is East. After making a number of short films he moved to direct the feature film East is East.
IMD. (). Damien O'Donnell. Available: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damien_O'Donnell. Last accessed 26/01/10.
Armin Dressler. (). DirectorWriter . Available: http://www.yowin.com/shortfilms_1.html. Last accessed 26/01/10.
Eileen Elsey and Andrew Kelly (2002). In Short, A guide to Fil-making in the Digital Age. British Film Institute: BFI Publising. 23, 86, 102.
Stuart Jeffries. (). Creature conforms Official Website. Available: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creature_Comforts. Last accessed 20/02/10.
Film Festivals
Sundance Film Festival .
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sundance_Film_Festival
Sundance is the largest independednt cinema festival its held yearly in the
Sundance began in 1978 in
Raindance
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raindance_Film_Festival
Raindance is the United Kingdoms largest independent film festival it was established in 1992 by Elliot Grove as an extention of the Raindance school activities and and a way of supporitng independent filmaking. In 2009 the festival was held in central
European Short Film Festival; http://web.mit.edu/shortfilm/
Rushes
Short film corner is for inspiring independent short film makes it organised by festival de Cannes.
Exhibiting and Funding a Short Film
Once a film has been made they are a number of options open to the film-maker. In most cases promoting a product in the right way and places is what most people across the industry fail in doing, this could be for a number of reasons but one would be not being knowledgeable in dealing with public relations as an independent film maker. As a film maker having invested money and time in a product you want it to reach as wide an audience as possible. They are a number of options available, sending the film to television channels, festivals or cinemas and in this digital age the easiest to draw an audience to view your work would be by uploading the film onto an internet site, some websites specifically specialising in the exhibition of short film or others like ‘YouTube’ giving users free range.
Only a few number of shorts get cinema releases but some British cinema chains are notable for doing so an example of this is Zoo. Some regional film theatres have a history of showing shorts but opportunities as such are limited and hard to come about for un-established directors also some print cost more than production and the difficult to link a short film to a feature film. Television channels have become prominent with showing horts with eve some specializing in just them on cable networks Movieola, The Short Film Channel another rising channel aslo in
New grounds even though they are a number of options for exhibiting, films festival prove to be the best starting point to launch a short film at a cinema. They are a large of number of short film festivals and even the large film festivals recognise shorts and exhibition them during the running of the festivals were many enter competitions or are part of a showcase.
Clermont Ferrand
Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival was created on the 4th of August 1981 out of the need to have a major event around films, its organized by Sauve qui peut le court metrage translated as “Short Film: S.O.S!”
This film festival has become the worlds premier cinema event dedicated to short film and is the second film festival in France after of course Cannes this is terms of the audience that it draws in and professional industry bodies.
The festival recognizes both national and international short film and submissions can be made through their website but they are regulations that are listed for the internal competition.
Registration Deadline: October 15, 2009
Registration fee: gratuit
Requirements:
1) Films completed after: July 1, 2008
2) Maximum running time: 40 minutes
3) Origin: Worldwide, France excepted
4) Festival screening format: 35 mm, Beta SP Pal or Digital Betacam Pal
Contact: Christian Guinot
The festival can be contacted through their addresss below or email. Their official website address is http://www.clermont-filmfest.com/index.php?lang=2
Address: La Jetée 6 Place Michel-de-l'Hospital 63058 Clermont-Ferrand cedex 1 Phone: (33) 473 91 65 73 Fax: (33) 473 92 11 93 E-mail: info@clermont-filmfest.com
Its a short film festival held in Finnish town of Tampere every March, its one of the important festival in Europe together with Oberhausen and Clermont-Ferrand. It began in 1969 and since 1970 has been held in it current form. Almost five hundred films are shown including international with seminars and other activities relating to the festival.
Brief Encounters in
Rushes
Excellent Short film programmes at festivals in
Despite festivals being many the possibility of one being shown are little, films need to be of a high standard and captivating being able to impress the short list worker who has to filter hundreds of films each day before it get to the main decider, it also very important to follow all festival rules as a silly mistake can cause on missing out on a nig opportunity.
Funding
Funding is difficult to find for a director but they are opportunities available mostly due to the fact that they are people who are passionate about the art of shorts.
The launch of Short Circuit a Lottery funded partnership between London Film and Video Development Agency, Yorkshire Media Production Agency and Showroom Cinema in Sheffield aims to get short films onto cinema screens its done for the love and passion and none gets paid so its not for profit purposes but gives short films being made a greater chance of being seen. Even if it’s not for profit it is a marketing centred and linking the right short to a feature being screened it important making sure that the genres reflect and collaborate. Well now you wouldn’t want to see a short animation about violence while waiting on a screening of the latest ‘Wallace and Grommet’ feature. Other who offer funding for shorts are the like of Film 4, British council and Independent Short Films giving directors the opportunity to create good work with knowledgeable people working in the industry.
Funding can also come form companies such as 'Across the Hall' a film that was mainly distributed online released 2006 it was distributed by Samsung and sponsored by then featuring a phone release of the same year, its a 25 minutes film.
Eileen Elsey and Andrew Kelly (2002). In Short, A guide to Fil-making in the Digital Age. British Film Institute: BFI Publising. 127.
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