FILM A-LEVEL WORK
1 Minute Short Film
Set Film Analysis's
Slap
In slap they use the micro elements to help convey multiple messages to the audiences. Within the mise-en-scene the setting, make-up, costume and make-up all go hand in hand together. The contrast between the different settings like, boxing gym and Connor's bedroom, helps convey the personality trait Conner has to present. The boxing gym offers a more traditional stereotype on men, and creates a more aggressive front, while Connor's bedroom allows him to be free and more vulnerable within himself. The same could be said for the costumes, because when Connor wears his clothes to train at the gym, they serve as a literal costume for him as he has to present himself as someone else, compared to when he wears a dress that is Connor's way of being able to visually express himself. Connor's costume allows him to express his femininity. Additionally make-up is significant to the mise en scene because this is what enables Connor to feel true to himself. Makeup further reinforces his divide, it is Connors way of expressing himself. In performance, Connor’s body language shifts dramatically, confident and aggressive in the ring, but hesitant and vulnerable when alone. His facial expressions, posture, and eye contact convey a wide range of emotions, emphasising his struggle between public aggression and private vulnerability. The sound design plays an important role, with the gym’s ambient noise representing the chaos of his public life, the life he chooses to show, while moments of quiet in his personal space symbolises inner peace. The editing mirrors this conflict, with fast-paced cuts in the ring and slower, more contemplative edits during scenes of self-discovery, maintaining a balance between his two worlds. The cinematography is also vital in this short film, the boxing gym consists of a more low key, harsh lighting and fast paced camera movements, to show the heightened sense of aggression between everyone there. While the scenes in Connor’s bedroom include more softer, natural lighting reflecting he is mostly himself when alone. Additionally the over the shoulder shots of Connor applying make-up in the mirror, where the audience can see his reflection, shows how he is reflecting his vulnerability, and is lot in his own world as he reflects on himself during this time.
The setting takes place within a confined, high-pressure environment of a 999 emergency call centre. From the beginning, it sets the tone of how their job is isolating and presents how the small pressures build up easily in this job. The mise en scene is realistic, with props like headsets and multiple computer screens. The headset in particular acts as a lifeline between the operator and the outside world, while the small personal items scattered around the desk humanise the otherwise tense environment. Where the film is set in one place, and no change in setting, this emphasises the call operator's lack of control and ability to leave her emotions and who she is at the door, and how she carries this heavy-weighted emotional baggage with her at all times, due to not being able to ‘drop’ it anywhere. The cinematography relies on using close-ups and medium shots to put focus on the operator's face and catch any subtle changes in facial and body language as she processes the unfolding emergency. The slow trucking/tracking shots convey the slow rising tension as the film goes on, this camera movement shows how the pressure is constantly rising but the operator must remain calm to help the person on the other end of the phone. Then the static shots create a sense of confinement, mirroring her inability to act beyond her words. The lighting used is low-key, with the use of artificial lighting on the computer screens and one desk lamp. The low-key lighting is used to increase the tension of the film and evoke mystery within the plot. It actively shapes the film's emotional depth, guiding viewers on how to interpret the narrative and the characters. The sound is crucial, with the on-screen dialogue of the operator and the off-screen dialogue of the caller, forming an emotional core of the film. Along with this dialogue, the ambient sounds of typing, phones ringing, and background chatter create a more immersive environment, making it more realistic. The fast-paced dialogue paired with the slow pace of the editing, shows the stress of the situation, but the calmness needed to get the caller (Gemma) and her son (Jamie) to safety from the fire. The quick cuts between the operator’s reactions and her screen highlight the urgency of the situation, while the steady pacing reflects the real-time unfolding of the emergency.
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NEA Production tasks
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