Research: How it informs my film

I've done lots of research and looked at different short films, of a varying choice of genres as well as specified genre films and shorts specifically relating to the sub-genre I will be focusing my own short film on. What this research has fundamentally shown me is how to go about creating and distributing my own short film so I can make it the best it can be with the resources I have. The key elements which I have explored and that have taught me how I should alter them myself for an effective film to be accomplished, includes:

• Lighting- for the right mood, I need to carefully consider what lighting would be appropriate for my film. Ideally I would use low key lighting to create a foreboding atmosphere and thus make my scenes more intense. It is after all, an apocalyptic film where society has completely changed for the worse that I plan on focusing on, and low key lighting will help to reflect the characters' dismal and weary opinion of it.
• Typography- in the apocalyptic sci-fi films I've analysed, they all use upper case lettering to reflect the violence in the narrative or at least the undertones of aggression in society. So for me to adopt this in my own film, I will show that I am conforming to the conventional presentation of sci-fi titles, providing a reading of the genre I want my audience to recognise.
• Sound- ominous, eerie music and/or melancholic music is most commonly used in the apocalyptic films I've analysed although the genre-specific ones do however use some uplifting and dramatic music in order to create different effects and to affect the audience in different ways. I want to ensure that my film uses a variety of different types of music according to the reading I want people to have from watching the film. It may also be the case that I choose to put a heavy focus on diegetic sound rather than non-diegetic sound so that the film is made more realistic and therefore the audience will be able to connect with the story and the characters on a deeper level.
• Genre Iconography- I have mentioned in previous posts how the ability to use special effects and therefore the creation of futuristic weapons is something I am unable to do simply because of the lack of resources and money to implement them. Therefore the iconography that I would intend to use would be the sort of icons we see today. For example, I will want to include a weapon in my film but this will be more like a blade rather than a glowing sword or phaser gun. Furthermore backpacks will be another icon fundamental to my story because of how essential they are in showing that the characters are in hiding and using the bags to collect resources (a powerful and conventional icon of apocalyptic films).
• Editing- I would like to explore using slow motion to dramatise scenes in my short film as well as edits to convey that a scene is going into the past so the audience may find out more about my characters' pasts. This will then hopefully enable them to connect and sympathise with them.
• Camera Shot, Angle & Movement- I would ideally choose to involve as much of these as possible to convey different things, such as what has been described in the analyses I've completed. For example, extreme close up shots could be used to enhance the intensity of my characters' emotions. A low angle shot could familiarly be used to increase the antagonists' dominance over the protagonists in my film.
• Setting/location- In the apocalyptic films I've looked at, the location is usually a rundown or derelict site which is unattractive to look at yet conveys to the audience that something has happened and that now society s disorganised and much more corrupt. I would definitely like to use a location such as this so as to ensure the audiences' reading of my film will be that this is an apocalyptic/ post-apocalyptic sci-fi film.
• Characters- Make-up, hair and costume are all very important at conveying the genre. As I have seen, some of the films present the characters as appearing dishevelled and dirty whilst in others this is subverted and we find that they have been presented according to their position of authority. I would like to explore this in my film and adapt each character to show what position in society they are. For example, I might like to present my protagonists in an unkempt state whilst the antagonists who control society, just like what we see in The Hunger Games, look professional and smart yet subtly sinister.