A Level Film Studies: Coursework Blog

- Feature Films have much more complex narratives than short films. - Characters are given more development and arcs in feature films. - Feature films tend to tell a story / journey whereas short films tell of a singular event. - Short films have a smaller budget and cast etc. - Short films can rely more on performance than some feature films. - Short films have limited setting compared to feature films. - Short films rarely use extras.  - The way in which short films and feature films tell singular events is different, in short films it is a lot more drawn out as it is the central event of the film whereas in a feature film much less time will be spent on them as they are part of a much bigger story. - Short films use lesser known actors often. - Short films tend to lack SFX and CGI etc. (Relates back to smaller budget)

Before we watched 'The Fly' we watched three clips from Edgar Wright's  'Baby Driver'. Baby Driver is also about a getaway driver, but unlike Blue Song and The Fly, Baby Driver is a full length feature so we can compare the differences in narrative and character development. The Opening: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XMuUVw7TOM Unlike Blue Song and The Fly, the opening to Baby Driver also includes the driving, wheras the other two only show the driver's progression as they wait. Here we see Baby (Ansel Elgort) waiting outside the bank for his cohort, dancing enthusiastically to the song he's listening to. When they return, they jump in the car and he accelerates backwards before going on to cleverly outsmart the police and safely complete the mission. From this opening scene there is already more character and narrative development. For character development we can deduce that Baby loves his music, has a cheeky streak, is clever, and is an incredibly...

Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfrcZsKcVxU The music video shows a getaway driver (Noel Fielding) waiting in his car while waiting for his cohort who are robbing a bank. While waiting he dances enthusiastically to 'Blue Song'. Character Development: In this, there is minimal character development. We can infer that he likes his music, is an energetic character, and is very precise (from his dialogue asking exactly how long the robbers will be and critiquing them afterwards). Other than that, we do not know much about him. We never learn his name, his backstory, why he's doing this job etc. Narrative: There is also a lack or narrative development. We don't learn who they are, why they're there  (I know they're there to rob a bank but why are they robbing a bank). etc.

On YouTube, there is a channel called 'Crypt TV' which has made many short horror films, most having their own uniquely designed monster for it. I like the majority of them, favourite being 'The Birch' due to it's creative character design for the monster. Crypt TV

Zero by Christopher Kezelos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOMbySJTKpg The Life Of Death: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofnCdC8P70g Paperman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRl2OlyNMuc

The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2016/02/are-short-films-still-relevant/470856/ Little White Lies: http://lwlies.com/articles/why-its-time-to-start-taking-short-films-seriously/ Teaching English: https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/short-sweet-using-short-films-promote-creativity-communication The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/film-life/7593291/The-long-history-of-short-films.html The New Yorker: https://www.newyorker.com/culture/richard-brody/does-the-cinema-need-short-films

Short Film is good for new film makers as it gives room to tell one event without getting distracted by all the other elements that come with writing and making a feature film. In a feature film, the writing is much more complex and for a new film maker with a lack of experience, it can be hard to create a compelling story with interesting story arcs first time. Short film allows for one event to be told successfully without the need for excessive writing, a large budget, a large crew, many locations etc. It is also good for practicing using the camera, sound equipment, and lighting equipment as it can be good for experimenting with shots and angles etc. It gives experience in all the areas needed to move on to more complex things, and is like a stepping stone/foundation to create more complex films and in-depth screenplays.

' A short film is any motion picture not long enough to be considered a feature film. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences defines a short film as "an original motion picture that has a running time of 40 minutes or less, including all credits".' Although short films are only defined by runtime, they also have common elements they give them a certain feel when viewing. They tend to show one event where the characters may make no personal progress, rather only experiencing the event. There is also a heavy reliance on performance and creating emotion through other micro elements, usually not including dialogue (from ones I've seen). This is mainly as there may be not be enough time to take a character on a personal progression arc without it feeling rushed or having unjustifiable actions. From watching a mixture of animated and live action short films, I've observed that animated short film are much more successful at taking a character on an arc ...

This blog is for documenting my A Level Film coursework. Our task is to either make a 10 page screenplay (equivalent to 10 minutes screen time) with an accompanying storyboard (made of digital photographs), or make and produce our own short film. To aid this process we will be researching multiple short films, including 'The Ellington Kid (2012, Dan Sully' and 'The Fly (2014, Olly Williams)'. This is to further develop knowledge of how narrative is created in short films.