'Shane Meadows is a self-taught, British Film-maker who hails from the Midlands in the UK. He was born in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, UK ON 26TH December 1972.' He started one of the first film festivals called flip side which allows anyone to view others work as well as their own . Before this film festival came about he decided that he was tiered of there being no where to showcase work. So him and a group of his Friends set up an event called 'six of the Best' and as a result of this event growing this lead to the creation of an international video festival. His short films are based and inspired by true life events and issues that him and others can relate to. In his interview he speaks about his passion and beliefs and states that short film allows him to experiment. Despite him making well established films such as 'This is England' he will never stop creating short film as this is what inspires him and feeds him ideas and allows him to experiment with them. As a result of his success he has now released some of his own work on DVD which means alot of his work is restricted and you will not find much of it on websites such as YouTube.
'The Stairwell' is one of his short films and is based on a narrative that everyone can relate to however makes it seem much more dramatic. In a way hes experimenting with the ordinary but in a different way. He draws the audience in by the use of the different camera angles and builds up an anti climax. He experiments with different sound however the use of non digetic sound has a strong impact. The messages we get from this short film is never knowing whats round the corner and not loosing site of people around you. The constant flickering of the light relates to the thriller genre and the use of the fast pace shots, dividing line relates to collision and division.
Tuesday, 2 February 2010
Free Cinema & Protest
In 1950's a protest to the dominance of mainstream is The British Free cinema movement of the 50's. Free cinema was black and white, documentary and had a fly on the wall type of style. Most films in free cinema were short, had unpaid crew, shoe string budgets and were usually filmed on a 16mm Bolex camera. The difference between the cameras is that a 35mm one is the industry standard, 16mm & 18mm are for home movies and 52mm is IMAX. So from this information in order to achieve a film in the style of a documentary, they would make it look like a home movie which in turn would make it look more realistic however meant that it was no where near to the industry's standard. These films had an experimental approach to sound and had a clear style and attitude and were funded by the BFI . BFI featured w/c people at work in society. Saturday Night was British New Wave along with We are The Lambeth Boys which was inspired by angry young men. Michael More would follow peoples lives and was interested in the way in which the working class lived. He wanted people to send videos in to him based on what people hated about society as he felt it had great appeal.
Little Film studies work has been done on the role of short film as an agent of social change.
-Video activism has symbolic relationship with short film.Meaning the relationship between the two is like the one between a mother and child.
-"Witness video" is a common strategy used by protest groups i.e hunting.
Little Film studies work has been done on the role of short film as an agent of social change.
-Video activism has symbolic relationship with short film.Meaning the relationship between the two is like the one between a mother and child.
-"Witness video" is a common strategy used by protest groups i.e hunting.
Experimental on art house & Avant-Garde
Short Film relaised they couldn't compete with Hollywood/ mainstream so it found it's own home as art. Avant-Garde films is a french term and means "ahead of the crowd" and is used to describe "cutting edge" films. These films experiment with a wide range of things such as ideas, forms, techniques, and expressions. They are very artistic and are almost like a trend setter as it's a head of it's time. "Avant-Garde films are characterized by a high degree of experimentation--whether it be in manipulation in narrative materials, in highly stylized visual representation, or in radical departures from the norms or conventions current at the time, Avant-Garde film is always a vehicle for the filmmaker’s expression." They tend to focus on the beauty of the film rather then having a clear narrative. Their random and often nothing seems to make sense going from one extreme to another. The propose of them is often to shock audiences, it wants you to fear the unexpected. Maya Deron's experimental films in the 1940's- 1961 displayed a highly individualistic sensibility towards short film. " Meshes of the afternoon" set the tone for USA Avant Garde film making. She takes an anti- mainstream stance in her "artistic license and creative freedom."
Meshes of The Afternoon was made in 1943 by Maya Derenda and Alexander Hammid. The duration of this Avant- Garde film is seventeen minutes. In the 1940's-50's she was the first major American experimental filmmaker. Meshes of The Afternoon is a feminist film about a women trying to find her role in a male dominated society. It really makes the audience feel engaged through it's dream like sequences and effects the way in which the audience think, through film art. Maya Derenda own personal experiences and feelings inspired her and is who the film is actually about. She wanted to bring out the multiple layers of meaning of everything that went into her films. This was shown through her dream sequences and being experimental with time and space. As an audience you begin to understand and can relate to the dreams because often in dreams everything seems much slower and you can never catch up to anything. When she is dreaming its connoting that perhaps subconsciously she wants to be at the same level as her husband or boyfriend but can never reach it. Dreams often are about the way in which we feel and what we fear which this film explores.
Referencing
Gloria L. Floren. (25 April 1998). Avant-Garde (Experimental) Films . Available: http://www.miracosta.cc.ca.us/home/gfloren/f-avant.htm. Last accessed 2nd February 2010.
Monday, 1 February 2010
The Big Shave
The big shave was made in 1967 and was directed and written by Martin Scorsese and is a six minute short film. It shows a man shaving away hair which looks all so normal until he begins to shave away his skin. The message behind this short film is almost like a metaphor, as it's based around the concept of the United States in the Vietnam War. The unites States destroyed another country for no reason and caused harm. This idea is shown through the bloody bathroom and the man repeatedly shaving despite him knowing he is causing harm. This reflects what America done, suggesting they don't have to do get involved but they chose to do so needlessly.
Referencing
Wikapedia. (7 January 2010 at 11:20.). The Big Shave. Available: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Big_Shave. Last accessed 1st February 2010 .
Referencing
Wikapedia. (7 January 2010 at 11:20.). The Big Shave. Available: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Big_Shave. Last accessed 1st February 2010 .
History of Short Film and Hollywood
In 1895 some of the first short films were made such as Sortie a 'l'usine also known as workers leaving the factory which was made by the lumier brothers. In those days short films were the only films that could be viewn in the local cinema and despite thinking now why would people go to watch a film for a couple of seconds/ minutes. The answer to that would be because it was all new then. It was the first of it's kind and many found it interesting and was a form of entertainment for them. These short films were so short because of technical restrictions which is why short film can now be longer because technology has enabled us to do so.
Short film in Hollywood eclipsed by the dominant mode of film production and "classical narrative". Hollywood created genres which meant all types of different people with different interests could go and watch what ever it is they wanted which made going to the cinema more appealing. Cinema experts required films to be longer then 90 minutes so that this would allow two hour blocks for food, advertising and trailers which are all ways for them to make more money and make the cinema experience more pleasurable. All these different things eventually made short film come out of the limelight as there was now more to offer to it's once target audience. As now the target audience were more interested and fascinated by mainstream films.
Currently Hollywood no longer follows the studio system and in 1930's short film production was a marginal activity and meant that Hollywood could take over and began to steal ideas from the short film. They saw short film as a cut price and as an laboratory experimental innovation. They would steal the ideas and add more to them eventually creating a feature length film out of them. They new they could get away with it as these were huge company's with loads of money where as allot these short filmmakers didn't have the power to fight for their rights.
Short film in Hollywood eclipsed by the dominant mode of film production and "classical narrative". Hollywood created genres which meant all types of different people with different interests could go and watch what ever it is they wanted which made going to the cinema more appealing. Cinema experts required films to be longer then 90 minutes so that this would allow two hour blocks for food, advertising and trailers which are all ways for them to make more money and make the cinema experience more pleasurable. All these different things eventually made short film come out of the limelight as there was now more to offer to it's once target audience. As now the target audience were more interested and fascinated by mainstream films.
Currently Hollywood no longer follows the studio system and in 1930's short film production was a marginal activity and meant that Hollywood could take over and began to steal ideas from the short film. They saw short film as a cut price and as an laboratory experimental innovation. They would steal the ideas and add more to them eventually creating a feature length film out of them. They new they could get away with it as these were huge company's with loads of money where as allot these short filmmakers didn't have the power to fight for their rights.
Distribution
A majority of short films do not receive distribution deals however there are many online ways of showing your work such as YouTube and Vimeo. Despite all of this there has been an increase in DVD compilation market which usually contains 10 films however this is only for a small amount of short films that achieve this success such as Rubber Johny and Scummy man.
Rubber Johny is a six minute short film as well as a music video and was directed back in 2005 by Chris Cunningham and the music was composed by Aphex Twin . It has a definite shock factor and is very much trippy. The music used is usually associated with drugs as it has a very fast beat. The whole concept around this short film is about a deformed man living in a basement with his dog. Johny feels isolated and imagines himself doing things that he can only imagine doing despite not being able to do so. It's almost like hes hallucinating he does it as a way of entertaining himself . The music is cut to the beat which is a convention for music videos. This was done as originally this short film was intended to be a thirty second advert for Aphex Twin album drukqs, using the track "afx237 v7" but due to the director liking the concept so much he decided to extend this idea. This was a positive thing as it meant synergy could be used to promote the bands single through this short film.
Referencing
vortex3d. (2007). Rubber Johnny. Available: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9TbdheS3Sg. Last accessed 1st February 2010.
Scummy Man is a short film which has a gritty and realist style and was written and directed by Paul Fraser and produced by Mark Herbert and Diarmid Scrimshaw, based on the song "When the Sun Goes Down" by the Arctic Monkeys, and released on DVD on 10 April 2006 by Domino Records. It is based on prostitution in Sheffield and uses the same actors and actress as the ones seen in the music video. This short film also uses synergy like Rubber Johnny as it's a way of promoting the bands single and also allows the audience to find out how it is for the fictional character Nina as we experience what night life is like for.In order to achieve this documentary style it was filmed on a 16mm film which is like being filmed with a home movie camera.
This short film captures the audience in the first six minutes and wants you to have emotion towards the character Nina. It uses well known actor Stephen Graham who has done similar roles in other films and may have been casted as a away of attracting it's target audience as they are familiar with him. We are then introduced to the cab driver who we very much feel sorry for as he's made to listen to other peoples problems when he has enough of his own. It's almost as though he knows something bad is going to happen but cant do anything about it as he has no control. He doesn't sleep with his wife and just watches life pass him by. On the DVD release it also features another short film "Just Another Day" which allows the audience to see Scummy man from the cab drivers perspective and later find out that Nina reminds him of his daughter who died young and would have been the same age as her.The film won an award for "Best Music DVD" at the 2007 NME Awards on 1 March 2007.
Referencing
Wikipedia. (13 November 2009 at 07:04). Scummy Man. Available: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scummy_Man. Last accessed 4 February 2010.
Rubber Johny is a six minute short film as well as a music video and was directed back in 2005 by Chris Cunningham and the music was composed by Aphex Twin . It has a definite shock factor and is very much trippy. The music used is usually associated with drugs as it has a very fast beat. The whole concept around this short film is about a deformed man living in a basement with his dog. Johny feels isolated and imagines himself doing things that he can only imagine doing despite not being able to do so. It's almost like hes hallucinating he does it as a way of entertaining himself . The music is cut to the beat which is a convention for music videos. This was done as originally this short film was intended to be a thirty second advert for Aphex Twin album drukqs, using the track "afx237 v7" but due to the director liking the concept so much he decided to extend this idea. This was a positive thing as it meant synergy could be used to promote the bands single through this short film.
Referencing
vortex3d. (2007). Rubber Johnny. Available: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9TbdheS3Sg. Last accessed 1st February 2010.
Scummy Man is a short film which has a gritty and realist style and was written and directed by Paul Fraser and produced by Mark Herbert and Diarmid Scrimshaw, based on the song "When the Sun Goes Down" by the Arctic Monkeys, and released on DVD on 10 April 2006 by Domino Records. It is based on prostitution in Sheffield and uses the same actors and actress as the ones seen in the music video. This short film also uses synergy like Rubber Johnny as it's a way of promoting the bands single and also allows the audience to find out how it is for the fictional character Nina as we experience what night life is like for.In order to achieve this documentary style it was filmed on a 16mm film which is like being filmed with a home movie camera.
This short film captures the audience in the first six minutes and wants you to have emotion towards the character Nina. It uses well known actor Stephen Graham who has done similar roles in other films and may have been casted as a away of attracting it's target audience as they are familiar with him. We are then introduced to the cab driver who we very much feel sorry for as he's made to listen to other peoples problems when he has enough of his own. It's almost as though he knows something bad is going to happen but cant do anything about it as he has no control. He doesn't sleep with his wife and just watches life pass him by. On the DVD release it also features another short film "Just Another Day" which allows the audience to see Scummy man from the cab drivers perspective and later find out that Nina reminds him of his daughter who died young and would have been the same age as her.The film won an award for "Best Music DVD" at the 2007 NME Awards on 1 March 2007.
Referencing
Wikipedia. (13 November 2009 at 07:04). Scummy Man. Available: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scummy_Man. Last accessed 4 February 2010.
BBC Film Network
The BBC Film Network is a film network showcasing new British film making and allows you to watch over 300 short films. Sixty two of these are animation, twenty eight are artist's moving image, thirty two are music, hundred and three are drama, sixty six are comedy and forty are documentary. It targets newer and younger audiences by allowing them to access information and video fast. The website is engaging and allows you to do many things such as watching film that has recently been added. As well as allowing audiences to see how many views the different films have had which will enable the target audience to see the most popular ones. Tells you the titles from A-Z which makes it easier when looking for specific films and the date the film was made along with the region and duration of the film. It also has links to other websites and allows you to create your own profile where you can add your own videos however there is a submission process.
Not only does it offer all of the above it also has a film making guide which is useful if you want to make it in the industry or need some guidance getting your work noticed. On this there is an introduction, before you start which allows you you to find out about training rights and clearances, writing, funding and competitions. Then there is moving into production and exibiton and distribution and further readings. As well as all these other things you can see how film makers have made it in the industry which are in the form of case studies.
There is a Network page which offers information on different festivals such as Birds eye view festival 2010 and Glasgow film festival 2010. It then goes on to tell you about the industry panel and the people directory where you can find other like minded people that share the same talent as you.
Referencing
BBC. Film Network. Available: http://www.live.bbc.co.uk/filmnetwork/. Last accessed 1st February 2010.
Not only does it offer all of the above it also has a film making guide which is useful if you want to make it in the industry or need some guidance getting your work noticed. On this there is an introduction, before you start which allows you you to find out about training rights and clearances, writing, funding and competitions. Then there is moving into production and exibiton and distribution and further readings. As well as all these other things you can see how film makers have made it in the industry which are in the form of case studies.
There is a Network page which offers information on different festivals such as Birds eye view festival 2010 and Glasgow film festival 2010. It then goes on to tell you about the industry panel and the people directory where you can find other like minded people that share the same talent as you.
Referencing
BBC. Film Network. Available: http://www.live.bbc.co.uk/filmnetwork/. Last accessed 1st February 2010.
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