AICE Media Studies

Elle Mills short film “ Reply” follows the conventions of the short film genre by telling an intimate, emotional story within a concise timeframe. The film focuses on a single, relatable conflict: the protagonists struggle with vulnerability, connection, and communication, making it easy for viewers to empathize. The sound design enhances the emotional depth, featuring soft, reflective music during introspective moments and diegetic sounds, like typing or phone notifications, to ground the story in realism. The mise-en-scene further emphasizes the characters internal struggle, with everyday props such as a laptop, phone, and familiar personal spaces like bedrooms or small interiors, creating a setting that feels personal and relatable. Lighting plays a crucial role, with soft, warm tones during moments of hope and dimmer, cooler tones reflecting isolation or emotional distance. The editing style is seamless, using smooth transitions to move between thoughts and actions while keeping th...

  Key Information: 1. Story Idea: Start with a solid and unique concept that engages your audience. 2. Script/Setup: Develop a script that outlines the dialogue, scenes, and narrative flow. Also, plan for props, costumes, and set locations. 3. Cast: Find actors or participants who can bring your characters to life, whether it’s friends, classmates, or local talent. 4. Shooting Schedule: Create a timeline that outlines which scenes will be shot on specific days, factoring in availability, location, and lighting. 5. Editing: Use software to piece together your film, add music, sound effects, transitions, and polish it for a professional look. 6. Upload Plan: Decide where to showcase your film, like YouTube, Vimeo, or a film competition platform. How This Helps: This process ensures you stay organized and focus on each step without being overwhelmed. Breaking it down into these stages keeps your project manageable, especially for planning deadlines and ensuring quality. For your sho...

  Part 1: Insights from the Video on 12 Monkeys and La Jetée Key Takeaways: The video compares Chris Marker’s La Jetée (1962) and Terry Gilliam’s 12 Monkeys (1995), focusing on their storytelling methods and themes. Here are some main points: • Storytelling Methods: La Jetée uses a series of still photos to tell its story, giving it a unique and memorable feel. On the other hand, 12 Monkeys uses regular movie techniques, which allows for more action and character development. • Themes: Both films explore time travel, memory, and human experiences. They look at how time can be a repeating cycle and how people deal with their past and future, raising questions about fate and free will. • Visual Style: La Jetée has black-and-white images that create a stark and thought-provoking atmosphere. 12 Monkeys presents a gritty, dystopian world, adding depth to its story. Applying This to Your Short Film: Learning from these films can help in several ways: •...

Short Film: Initial Impressions • Plot : The short film is brief, focusing on a small moment of survival in a post-apocalyptic world. Its minimalistic story allows for an immediate and intense connection to the stakes. • Character Development : Limited but effective. The short film introduces 9 as a resourceful and courageous character, but there’s little time for deeper exploration. • Special Effects : The animation is visually appealing , especially considering its independent origins. The dark aesthetic establishes a unique and immersive atmosphere. • Directorial Style : Shane Acker’s direction prioritizes mood. There’s a heavy emphasis on visuals, symbolism, and sound design to tell the story without a lot of dialogue. • Conventions : The short uses conventions of dystopian storytelling, such as little dialogue, ambiguous settings, and a focus on survival and danger. It leans heavily on suspense and visual storytelling. Full-Length Film: Initial Impress...

             I chose coming of age as my genre for my short film. This decision was due to my love for coming of age films. I am also coming to a point where I’m getting ready to start my actual life. I am almost done with high school and I am going to be in a completely different environment than the one I am in now. It would be able to draw from how I am actually feeling now for the final task.  I would raw inspiration from films like books art and ladybird.

 Pitch A: A high school junior struggles with coming to terms with parting with friends in the  early future. Pitch B: A high school junior struggles with overload of work and burns themself out. As they continue working they prioritize their mental health instead of work. I I would be interested in making pitch b because it would allow me to have a cast of only myself. I would let my friends help me film the short film but it would fix any scheduling conflicts. I would have full creative freedom and the choice to create my own changes. I would not be interested in pitch A because I would have to include my friends in the cast. We all have school work and some of us have jobs. It would be hard to find a time for all of us to film and complete the film. Pitch B would be a more efficient path. I I chose pitch B for my final task.