Short film ("My Mate Stanley") Analysis

Pre-Production:

• We used some props for the short film such as the packet of crisps, the mug and the jacket.
• We chose different settings for the scenes. We used the staff room in the LRC but then cut the scene to the media studies office to make it look as if that's the interior of the staff room.
• We had are actors and camera-man set up.
• We had prepared a short script for some scenes.

Production:

• We used a lot of natural lighting as it was bright enough for most of the scenes.
• The cinematography was used in many different ways. For example, we pointed it at the mirror of the toilets without the actual camera being scene. We also put the camera on a tripod for still movement.

Post-Production:

• We edited are short film on "Final Cut Pro".
• we imported and took all of the scenes that we made and put them together.
• we cut some of the scenes as it was too long and the short film could only be 1 minute long. We cut some parts of the toilet scene, staff room scene and the scene of opening the doors.
• we added some filters for the final scene such as a bright filter since the final scene was too dark due to the light in the background.
• We also added some smooth transitions for the staff room to the media studies office. Also wee added it for the media studies office to the toilets. this was to make the film look more fluent and smooth.
• We included a thriller soundtrack in the background and we made it louder for the first two scenes but then made it slightly quieter so we could still hear the dialogue.

What Went Well:

• The acting was top notch
• The soundtrack of the short film made the whole thing look like a thriller
• The short film looked fluent. There was no problems with a scene cutting to a totally irrelevant scene
• Camera was well used. Very still and good use of using the mirror's reflection as a shot.

Even Better If:

• improve the lighting in the last scene as it was too dark for the audience to see.

What have I learnt?:

• I learnt about how to plan for a short film. We have to create a storyboard and a script before filming.
• How the camera is used. (Putting the strap around the neck when it's not on a tripod. Putting the camera on the tripod)
• How to edit a film on "Final Cut Pro"(importing scenes and cutting them together. Adding soundtrack. Using filters.)
• Natural lighting can sometimes severely affect a scene in the film. 
• Short films are only allowed to be a maximum of one minute long

Final Reflection:

• I think that the short film was a success because it appeared to like an actual short film and there was only small amount of minor problems (Lighting) but overall, the short film was running smoothly which therefore was a success

Audience Feedback:

• "There was a good choice of setting"
• "The soundtrack was great"
• "The acting in the film was very well done. It fitted the genre of Comedy/Thriller"
• "The lighting could have been improved in the last scene"