Over (Threlfall, 2015) - Short Film 1

Over (Threlfall, 2015)

Narrative:

A short film based on true events that happend on 9th September 2012, a crime scene unravels through the use of reverse chronological story telling of a mysterious death in a quiet suburb in England. The film starts with the end, from when the body was cleared up to when the body first got there, we are slowly fed information as the film progresses. Static shots are spliced together to create an interesting minimalist form of storytelling through the use of very simple slow-paced shots which makes the film stand out. The short film gives us context of when we have just witnessed through the use of plain text on screen describing the true events that took place on 9th September 2012. 

Representation:

The film is meant to highlight the lengths that Immigrants would go through to get away from countries in wars or in poverty, and wanting a better life in places like England. Through this mans death we can establish the life threatening risks these people would go through, leave the audience with a powerful and impactful message.

Micro Elements:

Cinematography:

• Static shots are spliced together to create an interesting minimalist form of storytelling through the use of very simple slow-paced shots which draws in the audience due to the uncertainty of what is happening on screen making the finale shot of the man falling a lot more impactful.
• The static shots focus primarily on one area, though often changing location/angle of the shot. Long shots a mostly used but cut in between those shots are Contextual clues for the audience such as; the man washing up the blood, the mysterious bodies items. We can establish hat these items belonged to the dead body to their bloodied state and being set up as police evidence photos, adding to the mystery, pulling the audience in, to further make the ending more impactful 

Sound:

• The film mainly uses diegetic sound, the film hasn't got much dialogue. The dialogue that we are given doesn't give us any crucial information, adding to the films vagueness and drawing the audience. The vagueness reflects the public's uncertainty, not knowing anything about this mysterious death.
• Every day sounds, that make the film more realistic making the short film more believable especially towards the end of the film.
• The car alarm the plays after the man has died plays for an uncomfortable amount of time, adding to the audiences shock. The sound of the car alarm is often associates with danger. 
• As the sound of the plain gets louder we finally get the reveal of how this man has died.
• non-diegetic music is used at the end of the film, after we see the mans death. The music is deep and ominous, with repeating breathing like sounds, leading into the credits. The film is meant to show that reality is often horrific and terrifying, which is why this music was probably chosen as it would most likely be found in a horror film. 

Mise en scene:

• The film being set in a wealthy looking working class town contrasts with the unfortunate circumstance of this dead person who was so desperate to get away from their previous life. The man coming out of his house drinking his coffee represents their comfort and security.
• In between the key long shots of the street, spliced in are shots of items that can be assumed be found with the mans body. Gives us some context of who this man is.
• A balaclava and gloves are some of the first items shown, I believe that this was done intentional to make the audience think that this was some ordinary criminal.
• His clothes that are shown, and some of the guys items found on him seem very ordinary, which makes us feel sympathetic for this man as he's just like us any ordinary person. 

Performance:

• The actors just seem like every day people going about their day, further grounding in the film in reality reinforcing to the audience that this did in fact happen.
• Actors don't interact with the camera.

Editing:

• Minimal cuts are used in the film, slow-paced long shots are used a lot, giving us fragments of the story, having the audience piece together what might happend and keeping them enticed with every new bit of information.
• The bloody and rough looking items in bags are cut in between the long shots which makes the audience automatically relate it to the dead body.
• The simple black background and white text is able to give the audience more context and answers any unanswered questions. Context of the short film. 

Meaning & Messages:

The film is a serious statement on the state of immigration, the film hits you in the face with how desperate these people are to get into safer countries like Britain and away from their own countries. This makes the intended middle-class audience aware of the fact that some people aren’t as privileged. 

Influence:

• Adding a deeper political meaning to my films narrative to inspire change into my audience
• The use of minimal dialogue to tell a narrative 
• Minimalist cinematography
• The non-linear narrative. The film has a more impactful ending that leaves the audience shocked by ending the film with the start