Short Film Research Summary

Short Film Research Summary

Short Film Montage

Making a montage of short films will accompany me with some of the typical conventions used within short films, especially sci-fi, so that I can incorporate them into my own.

After completing this task, I have a clearer view of what the main convention are that are within sci-fi shorts, which I can incorporate into my own. Things such as bright colours and futuristic technology are common to the genre, and including these will make my short film closer to industry standard.

Short Film Timeline

This task will help me understand how short films have evolved over history, as well as understand ways in which short films can be distributed today.
Short Film Timeline

From this, I now have an understanding of how short films have evolved and changed over the years, such as the conventions. As well as this, I researched modern ways that independent producers can market and distribute short films, which I could possible use as a way of reaching my target audience.

Pearl and Dean Audience Profile

By researching Pearl and Dean's audiences, I will have a better understanding of audiences within cinema and what appeals to them. This way, I can develop a better understanding of what audience my short film would most likely appeal to.
Pearl and Dean Audiences

From this, I now have deeper knowledge of audiences within cinema and what each class is most interested in. I now know that my short film doesn't conform to one particular film style and audience, but leans more towards family. As their main audience 7 - 34, which my short film falls into, its likely that I will attract my target audience.

Camera Shots and Angles

I have done this task in order to develop my understanding of camera shots and angles, as well as their effects on an audience. This will help me include more variety in my short film and create different effects through using them.
Camera Shots and Angles

This task has helped me learn more about camera shots and their angles and their effects, which I can include in my short film. For example, I can include a low angle in order to make a character appear more powerful and intimidating, or a close up to connect the audience with a certain character.

Institutions that may produce, distribute, and exhibit my short film

I am researching various institutions who may distribute my short film in order to get a further understanding of the short film industry as well as industry standards. This way, I can see what sort of short films are distributed and take inspiration from this.

From this task, I have learned about institutions that have distributed short films, some of which are of the sci-fi genre. I can see what elements were included in some of the short films that they have distributed and take inspiration from this.

Sci-Fi Opening Titles Analysis

I am analysing an opening from a sci-fi film in order to take inspiration for my titles. This will help me to ensure that my titles are suitable to the sci-fi genre.
Sci-Fi Opening Titles Analysis

From this task, I have learnt about some of the conventions that are used within sci-fi opening titles, such a including mainly bright colours and relating the film in terms of themes and ideas. I will take inspiration from this, including some of these conventions within my titles to further ensure that they are suitable to the genre and are of professional quality.

Sci-Fi Genre Conventions

This task will be me a better understanding of the conventions of the sci-fi genre, so that I can incorporate or challenge them in my short film.

Sci-Fi Genre Conventions

This task has given me a better understanding of the conventions of the sci-fi genre. This means that I can use them in my short film to make it more true to the genre. It also means that I can identify how my short film challenges the conventions, such as taking place in modern day, and how it conforms to them, such as using high pitched music.

Stereotypical Audience Profile

This will give me more clarity as to what the audience may be like based on stereotypes. This means that I will also understand the ways in which my short film may break the stereotypes.

Stereotypical Audience Profile

I now have a clearer understanding of the audience of my genre, and the stereotypes that are applied to them. It also means that I can understand how my short film may break these stereotypes.

Research Summary

Research Summary

Questionnaire Results Analysis

I am doing this task to analyse the results from my questionnaire. This will mean that I will further understand the responses to the questions, such as specific genders picking certain options, so that I can tailor my short film to my target audience.

Questionnaire Results Analysis

From doing this task, I now have a better understanding of my target audience and what interests them in short films. Due to this, I will be able to ensure that I incorporate their responses into my short film to appeal to them.

Short Film Research

Conducting research into short film will give me more of a sound understanding of how they differ from feature films, and some of the institutions that produce them.

Short Film Research

This task has helped me get more of an understanding of short films and how they are produced, which I will take into account when producing my own, such as having a low budget and being filmed on one camera.

Narrative Theories

I am conducting research into narrative theories to give me an understanding of the ways in which many films are structured. From researching this, I can apply the narrative theories to my short film narrative.

From researching narrative theories, I can apply them to my short film to give it more of a sound structure. For example, I can apply Todorov's narrative story arc to plan key moments in my short film, and can use Propp's stock characters to identify what traits each of my characters should have.

Regulatory Bodies For Film

By researching regulatory bodies, I can have a deeper understanding of the film industry and the ways that they regulate films.

The task has given me a more in depth understanding of how films are regulated, as well as which bodies cover different areas. By researching regulation, I now know what age classifications are given based on various rules. This way, I can fit my short film into these regulations to target it at my target audience.

Short Film Analysis - Contracts

I am analysing this short film as, although not of the sci-fi genre, is produced on little to no budget, similar to what my short film will be like. This will help me get a broader overview of short film conventions, such as the shots that are used.

Short Film Analysis - Contracts

From this task, I have taken some technical inspiration and ideas. For example, different extreme close ups in succession can be used to create enigma, and a low angle can make a character seem intimidating compared to another.

Short Film Analysis - Sight

Below is an analysis the sci-fi short film sight. I am doing this as it is a short film of the same genre as mine, so I can identify some of the key conventions to include in my short film.

Short Film Analysis - Sight

From this task, I have taken some inspiration as to what I should try to include in my short film. For example, a sci-fi film can be set in the modern day, but futuristic technology included within it. The music used is usually high pitched and used synths, so I will try and find music with these traits in order to fit with the sci-fi genre. From analyzing this, I now have clearer understanding as to what conventions I should include.