Film Reviews - Magazine Format

Film reviews critique releases and features suggesting an opinion in which may sway a reader or audience member to believe the review of the film with certain expectations. Famous magazines especially for movie reviews such as Empire Magazine for film features such as breaking film news and releases and reviews for films or DVD releases. This type of film criticism evaluates a film either individually or collectively, formerly known as "Film Criticism", it is mostly seen in Magazines or newspapers. Journalistic criticism is defined through the evaluation of newly released films by film critics working for large broadcast media. Film reviews will suggest the overall plot and if done so negatively, a financial loss can be caused for a film. It has come however to many people's attention whether box office reviews actually do have an impact on the reception or DVD sales of a film.

Film reviews can also be found on websites on the internet such as Rotten Tomatoes, which make reviews and ratings more convenient by compiling them together to create an overall score for a film.  Many websites, simply such as the IMDB allow users to submit comments and reviews to allow a broad consensus review, and allow the spread of a films word.  Independent films for example have a higher opportunity to be recognized that way, therefore relying on social spread.

EMPIRE MAGAZINE

British Film magazine is the biggest selling in Britain and is also published in America, Australia, Turkey, Russia and Portugal, reviewing both mainstream art house features with a more populist approach.  Well known reviews include Jurassic Park, Jaws and many other so called masterpieces.  After a poll of 10k readers; Steven Spielberg was awarded the honor of being Greatest director.


SIGHT AND SOUND

Published by the British Film Institute, Sight and Sound focuses on art house, limited releases and can often be accused of snobbery in it's approaches.  Famous reviews include Roshomon and the God Father.

TOTAL FILM 

A monthly magazine posting 13 times a year, Total Film is UK based and offers cinema, DVD and Blu-ray news, reviews and features. Total Film is available both in print and interactive iPad editions.  Each issue always includes the Total Film Interview, which is a six-page in-depth chat with an actor or director, along with a critique of their body of work.

ZOO

A film review from zoo however would differ using large screenshots of photos with less review writing found on the website; the layout is also in paragraphs aside to collumns.

CONVENTIONS OF FILM REVIEWS

HEADLINE: Gives the reader the insight into the film's title and a suggestion as to what it us about; a first impression and introduction to the feature.  A release date certification may also be found as these are crucial information for a viewer as they may wish to view the film.

REVIEW:  A film review can range from a sentence to a two page essay; this is all depends on the type of magazine and film being reviewed; genre and type included.

SCREENSHOTS:  Screenshots of film footage will be a main feature of a magazine review to suggest the film and it's content, allowing the reader to enter further the world of the film and what it is about.

My Surrealist feature is an independent, art house feature which will need to be reviewed in depth in styles of  magazine's such as the Sight and Sound magazine; it is not a large, Hollywood Blockbuster requiring too much large promotion.  Therefore the review must be honest and capture the short film in it's best light, simple in it's style and font use, colours etc.    

Ancillary Task - Film Poster

The ancillary task of creating a movie poster has allowed me to challenge the use of technology and ways in which I could effectively, yet simply portray aspects of my surrealist feature for distribution terms.  I choose the aspect that less is of course more; I choose to simply show a black and white blank page with the many alarm clocks used in the making of my film as props.  After importing the images into Adobe photoshop, I used the brush tool to erase the background, softening the edges of the image to allow them to blend in the background.  A white background was most effective to create a subtle hint of these props and the denotations that they present in being very influential and key to the plot.  Due to my main character not actually developing that much in terms of his character throughout the film, I feel that placing his face would be most irrelevant; taking key Independant movie poster conventions and adapting then to present my film subject through the symbollic use of props.
 

 

 

The variety of clock types seem to suggest that we are unaware of the actual era, ironically; such as the digital alarm clock contrasts to the old fashioned, bronze hanging clock in the image.  The book displays a large clock face, the bold titling of 'Timeless Reflections' suggests how memories are most persistent, and regardless of time they are most important to us - which can be seen in the dream like state where the character is exported after he falls asleep.  My poster is in monochrome; the central clock image adds to the effect of time being almost transparent as it is thrown in the centre of the blank page.  It is clearly the most important prop and is up to the viewers interpretation; they can simply see that this concept is crucial to my film's idea.  I chose the font as it is simple; using black as it contrasts and looks sharp against the emptiness of the white background.  I used my ident logos from my AS work; the use of 'Phantasm Films' and 'Illusion Images' can be seen at the bottom of the page; with the Sundance Film logos that are usually used in the promotion of films.  I chose not to add a tagline, to create a mystery and leave the audience to interpret what the film is actually about.  I added a line however which suggests that the film is in Salvador Dali's influences, again this being a central point - simply with the fact that the title in itself is his painting's name.  The web address adds to the formality and promotion of my feature suggesting that audience members and viewers can find out more if they visit the website.  
 



Editing Process of 'The Persistence of Memory'

My short films' almost linear narrative suggests a the time element ironically portrayed in the plot; a beginning, then the middle - the 'dream' and then simply, the end.  Unknown Male drifts to sleep peacefully and wakes up in his dream state to a woman who was once a memory.  Premiere Pro was the best software to use, I was able to develop further my skill from last year on the program.  After filming, I imported the footage into the program, cropping them and using tools such as the 'Warp stabilizer' which not only stabilized shaky footage, but added a effect suitable to the surrealist approach; a bubble, warp like pulse through the images. This works very well in creating a surreal effect for my feature.  My editing pace was slow to begin with; a variety of angles focused on the clock faces; the pace quickened later in the film as tensions rose with the character in the dining room scene.  The editing was therefore effective where I could cram many scenes together, and slow them down again depending on the narrative.

AUDIO/ SOUNDTRACK

I used copyright free sounds online including a horror ambiance/ surrealist soundtrack which work very effectively in the making of my film - sounds such as insects and ticking clocks were indeed very relevant in building tension. A heartbeat in particular was very significant in the sense that it could sync well with the ticking clocks; a strong association can be made between the rhythmical beating of the two.  I feel the I effectively created tension, the use of the bending tool allowed me to create the most significant melting, distorted clock effects which I had shot with acrylic paint over; this is crucial to the scene where time no longer becomes relevant.  I feel that I was able to use the well together to create a bizarre transition in the film as soon as my character falls asleep.

After Effects Use - Melting Clocks

After Effects was a suggested option in which I could attempt to distort the clocks used in the opening scene of the film; I have used footage with acryclic paint and clock faces (out of focus) in the background of a variety of closeup shots.  The 'Liquify' tool enabled me to distort the clock faces; sub-categorized tools include 'Warp', 'Bloat' and 'Twirl'.  These effects suggest the irrelevance of time prior to the dream sequence - my film contains two different locations, therefore a stress in the contrasting environments.  Further work on After Effects would enable me to animate a sequence in terms of it's shape transformation using the timing tools to adapt the shapes, on a time scale.

 

'The Persistence of Memory' painting by Salvador Dali

'Liquify' effects on the clocks 

Filming - 'The Persistence of Memory'

PREPARATION - VINYL MELTING AND MANY CLOCKS

Take my advice, NEVER PLACE VINYL IN THE OVEN. THE FUMES ARE HORRENDOUS. After my plan to replicate melting clock shapes, it was unfortunately unsuccessful. The vinyl was left for too long and before I was aware it was very melted. Luckily, that was a last resort and my many gathered clocks collected from friends would be used in the opening scene. I have purchased cheap alarm clocks and the use of acrylic paint can be used to suggest the melting. Perfect.

The dream state scene is in the dining room, where my character will be transported. My props have been organized; using crystal glasses and bowl and candle holders. I have placed. A large clock which will not be functioning to emphasize the irrelevance of time.

The clock is not functioning in this scene, the bowl is filled with soil and the crystal glasses are empty.  The connotations of the soil in Unknown Female's palm are almost similar to Un Chien Andalou with the ants.  I will portray my ants/ insects through scuttling sound effects and some manipulation of the shots.

Location Research

1st LOCATION - BEDROOM

The first scene is in the bedroom, where the male lies and is seen asleep.  The character is mature therefore using my mother's bedroom where a large, dark leather king size bed which the male will be sleeping upon.  The cream coloured walls will also reflect the maturity, and neutral drapery across the window is a suitable setting for an adult.  Wooden bedside tables are useful as many clocks will be placed on the side, which moments later will become disfigured.  My mother's bedroom immediately is a very suitable location and will effect the mise-en-scene greatly; in contrast to other locations such as my brother's bedroom.  The setting would not be suitable for the character, the blueish wall colour would perhaps seem suitable for a male, yet it is a light shade and could be more childish.  A large, purple coloured bunk-bed will also not be suitable for the scene and may suggest a child to the audience instead of a young adult, male lead.

2nd LOCATION - DINING ROOM

The second location is the dining room where the character awakens as he is transported to his dream state.  The table holds a variety of props with symbolic meaning very suitable to the mise-en-scene, the table is wooden which implies again an adult-like, mature use of prop.  The dark brown leather chairs are also very suitable and can suggest a neutral, adult like colour. The prop use effects my mise-en-scene as they each suggest symbolic denotations which are crucial to my surrealist feature.  The candles for example portray the memory, that was once there.  The soil in the bowl for example represents life.

There is not a large difference or variety of locations; I have chosen the symbolism and surrealist aspects to be a main part which enable the characters to progress and develop with their strange encounter.  I chose to film in my house as I was confident that the design was most suitable, perhaps other houses may not have a neutral feel suitable for both genders and my characters, which would have affected the overall mise-en-scene.  The lighting in the bedroom was minimal when shooting to suggest night time and sleep - a small lamp shade was useful in creating the desired effect in the bedroom.

Prop and Costume Planning

BENDY RECORDS?

 

Creating melted clocks like in Dali's painting will be an artistic challenge; but an idea suggested by a friend was the use of vinyls which become very versatile once heated.  The central mark with the paper can have arrows attached to it in order to replicate a clock form.

 

  PLASTER CLOCKS

 

Plaster can be used to manipulate and again create a clock like figure, slightly distorted around the edges; I will have to also create it's duplicate for the before and after state.  I will paint a variety of shapes and sizes.

 

REAL CLOCKS

 

My initial idea which I think is my most preferable suggests the use of real clocks gathered from a variety of places such as shops, borrowed, charity shops etc.  These will come in the form of many shapes and sizes such as wall clocks, alarm clocks, and grandfather clocks.  This variety enhances the characters obsession with the element of time. 

 

CRYSTAL WINE GLASSES

 

Crystal wine glasses will be used in the following scene commencing in the dream state; the dining room table is another symbolic aspect of my feature where the actors are seen 'drinking' from questionable empty glasses.

 

CRYSTAL BOWLS

 

This will be the centrepiece of the dining table, filled with various again questionable elements.

 

CANDLES/ GOTHIC CANDLE HOLDERS

 

 Gothic candle holders placed in the centre will enhance an old fashioned aspect, they are usually used as a centrepiece, instead of being alight they will be dull and slightly dark where they have been blown out, smoke will arise.

 CUTLERY/ PLATES

Each character will have an empty china plate and cutlery placed in front of them.

A memory is shown through various elements and props which will decorate the dining room; such as through aspects of his childhood. 

COSTUME

Unknown Male is seen first in bed, asleep.  He wears pyjamas, striped is most preferred.  A large watch is seen on his wrist.  The scene following is in the dining room; where he is transported from his peaceful sleep into the dream state - he is still wearing his pyjamas.  Unknown Female is an element of sophistication; dressed in a large knee-length skirt and brogue like shoes, with a heel.  A blouse can be seen beneath her cardigan, further accessories suggest her seductive, glamorous role.

MAKEUP

Unknown Female is subtle in terms of eyemakeup, black liner highlights the top eyelid.  Rouge lipstick is elegant as it accentuates the lips. 

Audience Research

I asked family members on what they believed a short film is to be, and what conventions/ genres are most common in a short film.  The feedback suggests that short film as a product is reasonably new, and that they aware of the fact that a short film is vulnerable in nature and can easily suit a variety of genres and conventions - aiming to engage audience's for a short period of time.

Final Script

 

Casting and Character Development

JAKE BROWNBILL - Unknown Male

Jake is an extremely artistic character; I chose to have him portray the male in my feature with plenty of acting experience.  He will be able to add mystery to the film, and adapt to the surrealist nature of the piece.  He featured in another student's film opening sequence for AS in the previous year, and currently contributed to a friend's narration to her piece; with some theatrical experience such as local productions such as 'Basset'.  

 

ELA GÖK - Unknown Female

 

Half turkish, half English, my best friend Ela is an artistic individual studying A2 Fine Art and is very suitable for being a cast extra who appears in my Unknown Male's dream.  A love for vintage style in terms of items and clothing; her mannerisms are almost identical to those of sophistated women in the early 20th century era.

I have not developed my main character, Unknown Male as his obsession with the element of time overpowers and is the main characteristic of his persona.  Unknown Female is also a shadow shown in his memory.  We do not know who she is.

The characters are seen to communicate through the use of body language and facial expressions which create the narrative of the short feature; the use of props highlight the intentions of the characters.  Due to the film being silent; a lot of depth and emotion allow the audience to engage with the story and question the actions in the scenes.

Film Pitch Responses

Get off my Land!

Casting to find suitable characters was pleasant - using our Producer/ Location director Aimee Shingfield's father for the farmer role; luckily that is his actual job! He was therefore very suitable, being a similar age to the actor in the original clip (of course younger) - he also has a gun!  The young male and female character were portrayed by Abi Jacobs and James Softly; fellow students and also our friends at Wymondham High Sixth Form.  Abi had previously studied Drama at GCSE and was therefore able to act excellently.  Her physical appearance also supported that of the female character in the film, with reddish/ brunette, wavy hair - which is why we chose her to feature in our remake.  James has not had any acting experience per say - yet he was very successful; with a similar build and hair.

Shot of James and Abi

Our camera operator was very skilled in recreating the shots as we all attempted to create the film shot for shot - using the same camera angles and types of shots.  After organizing props and the location - Aimee's farm we were able to shoot successfully - Ben's camera being fitted with a decent recording microphone therefore we did not have to re record our dialogue.  It was a pleasant experience - especially creating a ketchup and BBQ sauce concoction to flick on our actresses face for the splattered blood effect.

Evaluation 

• The media product captures real conventions in the sense that it replicates a short film, with a quirky and unique plot.  We used professional planning methods such as creating a script and drafting a storyboard in order to create the film like the original; organising props and costumes and effective casting.  This way the recreation is well thought and organised, this is always clearly seen in the end product.  
• Audience feedback suggested that it was humorous and replicated well; framing the shots exactly like the original media product and using the same angles, timing and editing to create the narrative.
• I think that as a group we all cooperated and were able to work successfully; each group member being given a particular role we could finish the job and do as best as we were able to.  If we were to improve the recreation - we would have made sure that the storyboard/ outline wasn't simplified to match the real product as much as possible.

Film Idea Pitch

Here is a video pitch of my short film idea.

Short Film Recreation

We were given the task to recreate short film 'Get Off My Land' displayed on the BBC film network - which can be watched here.  The four minute sequence presents a young couple who clearly have a difficult relationship on a countryside walk; meeting the farmer who supposedly owns that land - and tension rises as he claims that this is NOT a public footpath.  A shocking ending to the film shows the short-tempered farmer as he shoots the couple; after the young male patronises him after confrontation about who the land actually belongs to.  It is almost comical - we see the young female with half a face of splattered blood; hysterically begin to cry at the end.  We had to recreate this film in groups of five shot for shot - using the same editing, location, character style/ costumes and relevant prop use.

Planning:

• Location

Location use has to be effective and similar to the setting used in the film - which is a countryside/ green field setting.  The area is wooded and trees can be seen in the background, the opening shot shows a wooden fence that the young male character climbs over in the first scene.  We decided to use Aimee's fields, which is very suitable and similar to the location used in the film.   The weather and lighting conditions in the film appear to be bleak and cold - slightly high key lighting and sunshine is also present.  Location wise we chose a very good spot - that mirrors the short films locations well in terms of lighting and surrounding scenery. 

•  Casting

The production uses three actors to present the characters in this short film - casting the characters should also portray these characters with suitable ages to enhance the outcome.  The male character is young, perhaps late twenties/ early thirties.  He has a slight cockney twang, with brown curly hair.  He is of medium build - a healthy figure.  His partner, the young female character has shoulder-length dark brown hair.  She is elegant looking, with a slim build and wears a concerned facial expression.  The farmer is portrayed as being intimidating - perhaps mid-fifties with grey stubble/ facial hair and is well spoken with a British accent.

• Costumes & Props

It is important to consider the use of costume and props to mirror the shots in the film effectively - the most important prop which we can luckily access - due to Aimee owning a farm was the shot gun!  This prop is effective in shocking the audience in an almost comical way as we see the character's fall to the floor.  A green 4x4 can also be seen approach the couple across the field as the farmer steps out.  This prop is also accessible so we can portray the farmer shot effectively.  This is only a short film so there are not many props to be seen.  The couple are on a countryside walk therefore are wearing waterproof jacket - the female's is purple and unzipped revealing a white vest underneath.  She wears dark colored waterproof bottoms and walking boots.  The male character similarly wears a dark colored jacket, with jeans and white muddy trainers, the farmer is seen wearing a green farmer jacket with a knitted jumper underneath and a flat  cap.

We created a storyboard of the shots and scenes in the film showing the angles and shot types so we can be aware of how to successfully shoot our version in the same way.  The location and setting, placement of characters have to be similar and inspired by the original therefore we have to study the film well.

'GET OFF MY LAND' - SCRIPT

Male:  Bit wobbly.

Female:  (Sighs)

Farmer:  I'm afraid this is private land.

Male:  (Sighs)

Female:  Sorry, I thought this was a public footpath.

Farmer:  No.

Female:  I'm sure it said this was a public footpath.

Farmer:  There are two public footpaths across my land, and I'm afraid this isn't one of them.  As I'm sure you know, the law allows you across private land.  But only on a public footpath.

Female:  Come on.

Male:  We're not harming anyone though, are we, hey?  What makes it your land anyway?

Farmer:  It, er, belonged to my father.

Male:  Who'd he get it off?

Farmer:  Been in my family for generations.

Male:  Who'd they get it off?

Farmer:  Well, they probably bought it.

Male:  Who'd they buy it off?

Farmer:  The previous owner I imagine.

Male:  And before that?  And before that?  And before that?

Farmer:  Somebody probably fought for it.

Male:  Alright.  I'll fight you for it.

Female:  What?!

Male:  I'll fight you for it.

The moral hypocracy of the land owning upper classes.  What?  What?!  (Sighs)

Farmer:  Okay!  Let's fight for it.

Female:  We're going... No we're going.

Farmer:  You know what?  I've got a feeling this is a public footpath.