Catalogue examples:

The festival programme is very diverse and students managed to watch short films entered into the International Competition, films in the National Competition as well as seeing some of the very popular Mouches et autres bestioles programme. Almost all of the screenings had English subtitles or a simultaneous translation however the first screening of shorts funded by INSAS/Bruxelles was in Flemish with French subtitles which made for an interesting 90 minutes.

Students also got to meet and talk to directors like Isabel Prahl who had bought her MA graduation film Ausreichend about a young teacher who wants to be good and liked; yet, his ideals are challenged everyday and Hoshigaki by Dean Yamada which is the story of Tamotsu who is drying a persimmon that for mysterious reasons will not dry. As he cares for a dying man who will not eat, Tamotsu must learn that some things cannot be controlled.

Overall it was a great trip and made a nice change from previous Film trips to New York and the students had a great time. They also got to watch some amazing films.

“It engages with Japanese culture and focuses on one hay tradition which is the drying of the Persimmon fruit. I really liked this because the fruit was a symbol of the celebration of the dead, and this meaning was brought out powerfully for me.” Harrison talking about ‘Hoshigaki’

“It was such an amazing to be able to attend an actual film festival, and get the chance to experience a wider range of short films & documentary, things I would not normally watch. It was also such an experience to talk to directors about their films.” Kora

“I thought the trip was great, it was the best trip I have ever been on, and watching films really inspired me to keep making films.” Bradley

” The trip was an amazing idea. It helped develop my knowledge of film and made it more clear how I should enter the industry.” Daisy

It needs to be 750 words and should be a reflective analysis of your individual contribution to the project.

You need to select the key features of your micro element and demonstrate how they make meaning(s) and aim to provoke response(s) in audiences.

For example if you were the cinematographer how do your shots create meaning for the spectator? Why did you shoot things in a certain way? If you directed the sequence what type of performance were you hoping to get from the actors? How does their performance help create meaning? Why are certain props used? Why are these significant?

You need to make references to other films that have influenced your work and include screen grabs to help illustrate your points.

Here are some questions that might help you

• How has the genre/sub genre that you have been working in influenced the decisions you have made?
• How have you developed the narrative through you specific area of micro responsibility?
• How did you work with other group members to develop the narrative, character and genre in your sequence?
• In what way did you adapt and change your plans as you went?
• How did you want the audience to respond to your micro aspect within the sequence you created?
• What has the feedback you received told you about the successes and or problems with the decisions you made?
• Have your technical skill enabled or hindered you making the creative choices you wanted to?

Links

Use the following links are good examples from previous students.

Example one – Very good with clear links to how sound links to the chosen genre.

Example two – Good use of other films to back up their points and to illustrate how their extract fitted into the genre

Example three – Good use of screen grabs to help back up points about the film extract

Example four – Clear explanation of how and why certain shot types were included and the desired impact on the audience

It is best to think of this as being closer to a micro analysis of the kind submitted for FM1 than it is some kind of broadly based production report. You should apply your Film Studies knowledge in order to evaluate aspects of their own work, for example, in terms of what you were trying to achieve and whether the creative decisions made proved to be appropriate ones. Certainly some reflection on creative intention within their chosen role, and an understanding of potential affect is advisable.

It is strongly recommended that you focus on precise moments, and particular key decisions made.

To help you write your script you can use the following questions as a guide:

• What were your overall aims of your project?
• What other short films influenced your work? Give an example of how and which film?
• Pick 3-5 significant parts of your short film and discuss what impact you wanted to have on the audience, how did you do this?
• What technical devices did you use in the construction of your short film?

You need to complete your evaluation/commentary by Friday 27th April

A2 Short Film Commentary handout

Examples of student commentary

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http://famousobjectsfromclassicmovies.com/

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http://www.youtube.com/wjecstudentspace

Click the link to access the BBC Radio 4 Film Archives which feature interviews with a host of stars as well as a documentary discussing how cinema going has altered in Britain in the past 100 years. Fantastic!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/features/film-season/