Tight Jeans (Ekaragha, 2008) - Short Film 4

Tight Jeans (Ekaragha, 2008)

Narrative:

The Narrative follows three black teenagers as they become frustrated with their friend who they're waiting for. As they're waiting a white man wearing skinny jeans walks past, the boys look at him as he walks past until one of them asks the question "How can a man wear jeans that tight?" This question sparks a comedic back and forth between the three boys and launches them into the reason that some men wear tight jeans is based around race and culture they're surrounded with.

Representation:

The representation of Black teenage Londoners, during the time the short film would have been released the film follows a group of people often overlooked in society. The representation of working class people living in what seems to be in an impoverished neighborhood judging from the council estate in the background of where the three boys are sitting. 

Micro Elements:

Cinematography:

• The film starts off with a verity of shots of what seems to be a local high street and communal areas from presumably near where the three boys are. We establish the setting of the film to be in an average working class area.
• A slow zoom into Marcus's face as he talks about how it started with slavery. The camera moves further in which makes his explanation sound much seem much more serious than it actually is because it makes the audience focus on what he is saying until his story gets more convoluted  and unbelievable the camera pans out to show Theo & Joseph's surprised facial expressions.
• The camera is constantly moving either towards Theo & Joseph which makes the film feel more energetic and lively than the conversation actually is.   

Sound:

• At the beginning of the film a type of techno music is playing, popular in the late 2000, we usually associate this sort of music with rap artist with its rhythmic beats which is derived from black communities from urban areas in which this film is set in. The straight away sets up an urban city feeling, combined with the establishing shots of the streets and music, creating a city atmosphere for the audience.
• The majority of the film we only hear the diegetic dialogue from the three men, but we can faintly hear in the background dietetic sounds of cars and other noises found in busy city's. We as an audience focus n the dialogue because its more prominent through the short film but the film still sounds more interesting during those moments of silents between the characters because of the background noises.
• The film starts of with music ends with music which signifies the beginning of the end of the film to the audience.

Mise en scene:

• The film is set within a rougher neighborhood within the city, this can be inferred because of the films location, being next to a council estate, this is commonly associated with poorer area's, we can tell this isn't the best kept place due to the graffiti. The filmmaker purposefully did this to highlight the lack of education these people have because of government overlooking the needs of lower class citizens.
• Marcus, Theo and Joseph were similar styles of outfits with different colored hoodies/jackets which fits with the films 'street' style. Joseph wearing a red jacket, Theo blue and Marcus orange. This signifies all three of them are the main characters standing out from the dull, concrete estate.
• their colored hoodies are also signifies what kind of characters they're like. Joseph (red) being more hot headed and frustrated with their friend they're waiting for and also igniting the argument, Theo (blue) being the more levelheaded and voice of reason in the group. Where as Marcus (Orange) having a color  closer to  red (Joseph) and opposite of blue (Theo) shows that Joseph is more willing to believe in what Marcus tells him where as Theo is against Marcus's theory   

Performance:

• The three actors don't really do much physical movement, with the film being set on the wall that they are sitting on.
• We can see the discomfort they are in with them constantly fidgeting around. This shows how frustrated they are with they're friend their waiting for.
• They deliver they're dialogue very quickly which can highlight their impatiences. In Marcus's case when he talks quickly we can see that he truly believes every word he's saying which makes his dialogue even more comedic.   

Editing:

• The film uses a wide verity of long shots, close ups of the characters faces and mid shots which makes the short film feel more lively than it actually is. Because the camera is constantly moving, it keeps the viewer engaged.
• The camera cuts from a mid shot of guy wearing tight jeans which leads to Joseph asking why men wear tight jeans. This also happens with the man wearing the tight shirt. 

Meaning & Messages:

Destiny the director of this film uses influence from her own real life conversation she had with her brother on tight jeans which influenced the creation of the film. In turn, the film explores the interaction between young male's and how they interact with each other in a comedic way. The film highlights how men talk about women only talking about them in a sexual way.

The film also touches on the ignorance that modern attitudes on other cultures, without acknowledging it. This highlights the importance of discussing race with one another and the importance of educating yourself on other peoples cultures and heritage. It also highlights the lack of education provided to them as working class men as seen with how each of the men talk about their own culture.

Influence:

• The interesting exploration into how men discuss women.
• Minimal physical movement. 'Tight Jeans' creates a interesting narrative without having the three charterers move different locations. This makes the audience focus more on what the characters are saying than what their doing.