In my Depict Production I used multiple techniques in order
to achieve an appropriate final product, examples of this include a close up
shot at 0:14 this is in order to introduce the character to the audience and to
show the character’s emotions. At 0:31 there is an example of a canted angle which
shows the piece of paper in his hand giving the audience an insight into the
narrative keeping them engaged with the production early on. At 0:10 there is a
pan down to reveal the establishing shot of the college and the main character,
this is intended to intrigue the viewer and like the last shot keep the
audience engaged at an early stage due to the short films runtime not really
allowing much build up, the aforementioned shot acts as a proxy for the longer
build ups which longer films can fit into their runtime. Going back to the shot
at 0:14, it is also an example of the rule of thirds as it has our protagonist occupying
the primary third, dominating the scene and attracting the most attention and
showing his importance.
In terms of the use of editing, our production features a
moderate amount, opening with a quick fade after the title splash in order to
ease in to the unfolding narrative and make it less choppy with the high number
of cuts present. Due to how this production is a short film, cuts become more noticeable
and in order to not make the cuts become too jarring, some are turned into
fades in order to lend a softer and more natural feel to our production. For continuity
we included the example at 0:17 seconds, the shot is a POV and gives continuity
to the narrative as it helps us see what the character is seeing, letting the
audience see his internal narrative, with the shot also being up for multiple interpretations.
The aforementioned shot is also an example of an identification device due to
how it is a POV primarily and a Continuity element only in its use.
When it came to sound our production featured mixes of both
Non diegetic and ambient sound with the cars speeding past at 0:17 being an
example of this, the music featured is discordant and is used in order to
create suspense for the final scene, giving it more pull and grabbing the audience’s
attention for the film’s final act, the films music choices could also be seen
as an insight into the protagonist’s mind, perhaps showing some form of
anxiety.
Finally, mise-en-scene is used to great effect with examples
throughout the film giving meaning to the production in a non-verbal manner,
the pieces of paper although having little outside meaning to begin with, end
up being a key part to the ending with the phrase “BECOME ONE OF US” written in
bold capitals, its meaning is up for the audience’s interpretation and leaves
them thinking about the film after the credits start rolling. Another key
element of the film is how the lighting and use of colour affect the piece, the
use of monochrome informs the audience that the protagonist is colour blind and
gives them his outlook, emphasising shadows and showing that he has a darker
side or that he sees the worlds shadows clearer than most.
