Short Film V. Feature Full Length Film

 Similarities: 

  The short and feature had some consistencies between them. The plot of both deeply relied on the talisman. 9’s closest friend was still 5. The concept of fighting a stronger power was still present. Even the main villain in the short was still an obstacle in the feature film. The art style was the exact same though a little cleaner in the feature film. The ending scene was almost exactly the same in both. The special effects are very similar down to the color and instances. Scene where the talisman takes over the soul of 5, the effects are the same from the short.

Differences:

   There are more characters in the feature. The opening scenes are completely different. 9 wakes up in a room hooked up to stuff oppose in feature to already awoken hammering a mechanism in short. In the feature there is deep character development with more than one character. 1 becomes selfless at the end of the feature film. While 1 isn’t a character in the short. The feature film shows the backstory of the world. While in the short the story is still mysterious. 9 first encounter was with 2 in feature film, instead of 5 like in the short.

Opinion: 

I think both are really interesting and worth a watch. However, I feel the feature film is just way better.

Research 9, the feature film

    My impression on the feature film is that it was a success. I feel that they made a great adaptation from the short. They expanded the plot. They expanded the characters. Added deeply to developing characters. Even gave backstory. There is a lot more to understand watching the feature film. I for one love the movie I used to watch it very often when I was little. Sadly I never really understood all the things that made it such a good film. Going back now makes me realize it all after being in this class. The plot of the film is more revolved around finding out the past. In order to obtain the ability to defeat a higher power. Also the plot revolves a lot around this tablet that seems to hold a lot of power. It also is one of the key props related to special affects. When it is used it hold lots of bright green colors almost looking like wavelengths and it sucks the life out of characters. Again the best part of this film are the special effects. All are executed so well and so visually different than anything I’ve seen before from animated films. I feel the visual effects were a main focus for the film directors. Which was a big pay off. In my opinion the feature film was great and a big success

Research 9, the Short

    My impressions on the shirt film are very positive. I understand why it turned into a feature film. The film is animated but it’s very different. This type of animation pops out more and I think it’s really cool. The plot makes sense after the third scene. However, you don’t understand the first two till you watch the whole short. The character development in the short exist. Though it is very slight it makes the main cause of the film. The main character (9) goes is inexperienced and very scared at start. Then because very tactical, vengeful and  fearless by the end. All due to the lost of his friend (5) by the creature. The special effects held this whole short together in my opinion. The use of visual computer design props. Getting them to glowing and Interact with another. To then also playing a big role in the story plot. The most wow scenes are the use of special effects when all the characters killed by the creature come out the prop. Also when you find out what the prop does as it sucks the life out of the friend (5) with extremely bright visual effect. Also all the uses for the eye shutters and glow and especially that flashback. I also thought the way the director choice the plot to unfold was good. He used a present, flashback, present set up and I think it worked perfectly 

My Genre Decision

    After looking through all three genres (Horror, Mystery, Drama). I decided that all three were do able. However I had to narrow it down to one specific genre. I started putting each genre through a mental test run. Seeing how each one would be done with my restricted free time and obstacles. Testing the timelines and efficiency. Mentally predicting which one would probably have the best final result. Lastly obviously checking which fit my pitch the best. First up, horror was eliminated. Out of all the three horror would be the hardest to complete a final product with. I would also need an extra helper to make it effectively scary. So that kinda already makes it a no go. Also it doesn’t entirely co-exist with my pitch. For example how can I make me losing my animal scary unless I add to it. Next was drama, which was also eliminated but was a very close second. With a drama my pitch fits with it perfectly I can focus on the emotions of the characters losing his loved animal. Also it is very easily do able with just myself. However, I did this genre last year in the ladder class and I want something fresh. So that leaves Mystery, my genre choice. This genre also is easily done with only myself and fits all my restrictions. It fits my pitch not as good as drama but still a strong fit. So I decided to do a Mystery because it’s a good overall fit and something new.

Genre Research- Mystery

 

a.      Common CAMS in your genre

-Hand Held, Low Angles, Oblique Angle, Close ups, Pans, Tracking shots, Birds Eye, High Angle

b.      Common Sound in your genre

-Diegetic, Non-Diegetic, Foley artist, Incidental Music, Score, Soundtrack

c.       Common Mis-En-Scene (CLAMPS) in your genre

-Costumes: Main characters are in casual or detective clothing

-Lighting: Usually Dark, or natural light at night. Creating shadow and highlights figures with no detail

-Actors: Range from amateurs to celebrities

-Make-up: Used on main characters to show more personality for their character

-Props: Little use but can range from weapons to common items

-Setting: Dark, mysterious locations and or modern day placements

d.      Common Editing in your genre

- Jump cut, Cutaways, Smash Cuts, Fade out, Reaction shots, shot reverse shot, cross cutting.

e.      Example films of your genre

-10 Cloverfield Lane, Gone Girl, Maze Runner

f.        What elements of the genre that you like?

- Revolution around solving a problem of the unknown. 

- Ability to branch out to other genres such as horror, thriller, and drama

g.      What elements of the genre do not appeal to you?

- The typical detective or scary movie outlooks 

Genre Research- Drama

    

a. Common CAMS in your genre

- Close-ups, long shots, high angle, bird's eye, over the shoulder, medium shot, extreme close up, pans

b. Common Sound in your genre

- Diegetic, non- diegetic, incidental music, sound track.

c. Common Mis-En-Scene (CLAMPS) in your genre

-Costumes: Usually casual fitting the time period.

-Lighting: Can range to and from dark to luminous 

-Actors: Usually very renowned celebrities or upcoming favorites 

-Make up: Camera appealing make up to cuts and injury make up

-Props: Depending on type of drama but usually reliant on props

-Setting: Can literally be anything most commonly in a modern setting

d. Common Editing in your genre

- Jump cuts, action match, eye-line match, reaction shot, graphic match, cut away, slo-mos.

e. Example films of your genre

- Creed, 8 mile, Ocean's Eleven, Karate Kid

f. What elements of the genre that you like?

- Having a main trouble to overcome even through much diversity

g. What elements of the genre do not appeal to you?

- Often too serious 

Genre Research- Horror

 

a.      Common CAMS in your genre

- Hand Held, Low Angles, Oblique Angle, Close ups, Pans, Tracking shots, Birds Eye, High Angle

b.      Common Sound in your genre

-Diegetic, Non-Diegetic, Foley artist, Incidental Music, Score, Soundtrack

c.       Common Mis-En-Scene (CLAMPS) in your genre

-Costumes: Victims and main characters are dressed casually such as a normal teenager or adult. The killer will dress in things to incite fear and mystery

-Lighting: Usually Dark, or natural light at night. Creating shadow and highlights figures with no detail

-Actors: Range from amateurs to celebrities

-Make-up: Used on main characters to show more personality for their character

-Props: Usually weapons like knifes, axes, chainsaws. Scary, violent, and gruesome weapons

-Setting: Dark, rural location or somewhere deserted where no one would be. Abandoned or isolated places and settings

d.      Common Editing in your genre

-Jump cut, Cutaways, Smash Cuts, Fade out, Reaction shots, shot reverse shot, cross cutting.

e.      Example films of your genre

-Scream, Paranormal Activity, Saw.

f.        What elements of the genre that you like?

1. Memorable but freighting menace

2. trademark weapon.

3. Plentiful of characters subject to disappear at all times

4. Surprise

5. Atmosphere

g.      What elements of the genre do not appeal to you?

1. Leaving possibility for never ending sequels 

Genres I Would Like to Research

    I have thought of three possible genres for my short film. The three being Drama, Mystery, and Horror. In the film industry I see these three being interchangeable and are doubled up in use. A lot of horror movies will also be listed as a drama or mystery. However that is in hour and a half long films (average length). Though in a situation where I was making a complete movie I probably would use all three. Luckily I only have to make a five minute film. So that means I just have to focus on one genre can't fit three complete genre uses in five minutes. In narrowing the genres down to just three I searched up the common used genre in a film like mine. My film is based around a missing loved one, so mystery was an obvious genre and personally I feel I can accomplish it with great result. Another genre was Horror and in this use I feel I could accomplish it but it could the harder of the three. Horror would be harder because I would actually have to make it scary. In the others I really just have to set tone The last to qualify was Drama, the genre is definitely the most over used genre and quite easy to meet its standards. There were a few others like Crime, Comedy, and thriller. Just knowing the general explanations... I did not feel like any were viable options. Based on my film pitch and film restrictions they would be much harder. I stuck with the ladder three because I feel with any of them I can create a decent film. However that is only with basic knowledge on the genres. I must research each one and truly figure out what will match my film best.