Research: Short Film Analysis: Proximity

Plot/ Narrative

Suddenly found captured, the protagonist of this story escapes from 2 antagonists, aware of the fact he must stay as close as possible with another man otherwise the 'sensor' on his leg will blare red and his leg will be blown off. In this film the protagonist fights to stay alive: violence is a very prominent element of the film. Finally at the end of the film we are left asking more questions than answered when we see the protagonist has now become one of the antagonists. This provides the plot twist which helps to sustain the audience's attention. Yet at the last moment the character turns out to be good again. It's very confusing and leaves the audience wondering what the plot can really be. Despite the confounding nature of this film's plot it's a very well-thought out and constructed piece of film that is conceivably realistic and therefore effective.

Characters

Some of the most prominent characters in this short consist of 1 stock character, the protagonist and 2 antagonists. In the shots on the right are the two antagonists. Both wear the same clothes: khaki trousers and a black top. This helps them to blend in with the scenery which gives us the reading that the two characters intend to stay hidden from someone/something. In both shots we can see a hunting rifle, an icon of violence and power. Paired with the knowledge that these 2 men captured several other men we can assume that the antagonists plan on hunting the stock characters and protagonist.

As for the protagonist, we can see from the deep focus middle shot that he is wearing a white top with lighter khaki-coloured trousers. The top has mud stained into it, suggesting that in the character's capture there was a struggle. Surprisingly enough, the man's hair is neat and the make-up is made to resemble unblemished skin. While this could imply the kidnap happened only recently, all of the stock characters have a beard suggesting that actually they may have been abducted for at least more than a few weeks. What's really intriguing about this short is how the director/producer has used the colour of the characters' tops to give the audience the correct reading for who are the protagonists and who are the antagonists e.g. white has connotations of innocence, purity and goodness, whilst black connotes sin, darkness and evil.

Although there are several stock characters we could comment on, one of the most significant characters is the man with the sensor that's connected to the protagonist's sensor. In this shallow focus close up shot we can already see that the stock character is wearing the same top as the protagonist, informing us that this character is a 'good' one. After a struggle from the protagonist it's clear why we might see the faint traces of mud on his face. We can also see blood running down the side of his head (giving us the reading that to be captured he had to be knocked out- implying he is a strong character and was was ready to fight when he was captured).

Camera Shot/ Angles/ Movement

The use of camera movement is exceptionally good, particularly most effective in the fight scenes. Fundamentally this film uses each movement, angle and shot to convey importance. For example, at the start you can find a close up shot of the mens' tied hands, immediately telling us that these men have been captured. Another close up shot shows the 'sensor' during the fight scene, used as a way of creating tension and suspense, when  we see the two men moving further from it; thus the quick cuts between fighting and the close up of the 'sensor' helps to engage the audience's attention instantly. 

Shot-reverse-shot

Shot-reverse-shot

Another powerful example of camera shot, angle and movement is the use of shot-reverse-shot in these 2, deep focus, middle close up shots of the protagonist and stock character. The top shot is an over-the-shoulder-shot however we can see that in the second shot the angle is lower which is used to show that at this moment in time the stock character is indomitable compared to the protagonist who tries to subdue the character's wary nature. Gradually as the two characters exchange dialogue close up shots are used to show the conversation between the characters. Eye-line match is also interjected into the scene as the protagonist points towards the 'sensor' on the stock character's leg. This creates continuity, thus developing a realistic narrative that will allow the audience to connect with the film and feel as if they are part of the chilling plot.

Extra long shot pans down

In the fighting scenes we the camera moves about the most excessively, mimicking the falls and rises of the characters bodies as they struggle to kill one another. You'll notice that lots of close up and middle shots have been used when panning and tracking the characters' movements (captured quickly enough to emphasise the violence of the fight). Not only does the camera follow the movements but it also shakes to give the impression that we are in a fight ourselves, meaning we can understand the characters' difficulty in winning the fight.

A final shot to note about is this long shot of the landscape which moves ever so slightly so the light seems to fade from our view. I think it's important to note this shot because it happens just after the main fight scene. Juxtaposed with the previous violence, this tranquil image creates the impression that peace and relief can now be achieved, after all the antagonists are dead. Right? It's with the use of shots like this towards the end of the film that confound us when we reach the final scene in which the man is now in the position of an antagonist.

Editing

The editing of this film is clean and precise and with the interchange of quick cuts the short has been able achieve the impact it deserves. Along with this we also find jump cuts such as when the protagonist goes from picking up the main stock character to suddenly running through the forest. By using so many quick cuts the film seems to be happening very fast, leaving us trying to keep up with what's happening, just as the protagonist must be feeling. This is particularly interesting since it shows me how using quick cuts will build pace for my film and hopefully get the audience to connect with my characters.

Sound

Throughout the film we hear a variety of sounds, from the use of non-diegetic, incidental music to diegetic sound effects. The score adopts an extensive range of tense, dramatic, tracks which build suspense for the audience. We find this in many scenes such as when the man is running through the forest (which is erratic and intense). You'll also find ominous and foreboding music such as when the film begins which instantly gives the reading that this film has negative ideas connected with it. A convention of fight scenes, conformed to by this short, is the use of violent music in the background, paired with the diegetic sound of punches

One of the most effectual uses of sound is when the protagonist is running through the forest (in which rapid, harsh non-diegetic music plays) which is cut to a shot of one of the antagonists at which point the music is quiet, yet low and disquieting. When the shot cuts back to the protagonist the music changes slightly, of a considerably lower volume. However much of this sound is masked by the diegetic sound of heavy breathing and footsteps. Following this, the ambient sound of an eagle flying over near-by is audible. This holds the suspense and raises unease for the audience.

The diegetic sound of the 'sensor' is noteworthy, as the plot essentially revolves around the device. It's also used to hint at what may happen next in the film e.g. when the protagonist runs after the character his 'sensor' is connected to it suddenly becomes red but reaches amber/yellow quickly, implying the character is not far away. All of a sudden the light turns green and immediately the protagonist is in a fight to the death with the stock character.

Some notes I made on the film's sound include:

• High pitched diegetic music when the stock character is about to die
• The music stops as soon as the man is knocked out dead
• When we see one of the antagonists come running, looking for the protagonist the music intensifies
• Just as we have jump cuts, the music cuts between intense incidental music and the alarming diegetic sound effect of the man hacking at the other character's leg.
• When the 'sensor' comes off the music changes to a more positive, tune, mimicking the protagonist's wonder and mild elation.

In essence, the real effect the use of sound has on our reading is to build suspense and thus grab the audiences' attention.

Lighting

To create an ominous mood/atmosphere this film has made use of a dark filter which gives the audience the reading that this is a dark film which in one way or another, involves death.

Typography

Finally, subverting the convention of films, this short has placed the title at the end with the rest of the credits. In the screenshot on the left we can see that white writing has been used on a black background. With the exception of the letter 'i' all of the letters are upper-case letters. Personally i think it connotes violence and the 'i' is a representation of the protagonist because he is the one person who is fighting back; he is seemingly the only person to have found a way to begin to conquer what's happening in the plot. Behind the text is what looks like snow or ash. The meaning and reason behind using this is just as mystifying to me as any audience member, i'm assured.

As the text seems to zoom out, music very similar to that which can be found on the scores of adventure films is used. It's got a futuristic twist to it also, dramatic and striking but with a touch of uncertainty (if music can be described in such a way).