Wednesday 22 September 2010

Analysis of Short Film – Telling Mark

BBC Short Film - Telling Mark - http://www.bbc.co.uk/filmnetwork/films/p004ph4q


As we have decided that we are going to create a short film for our A2 coursework, I have analysed the short film: “Telling Mark”. This film is of a drama genre, which is the same genre as the film we are going to create.

In this film, Mark and Carlotta have some news to tell Mark’s workmates, which is that they are having a baby, yet they also have some news to tell Mark, which is that Carlotta is dead and Mark doesn’t realise it. I think the storyline is very effective, and although is not of a detective genre, it includes enigmas as it is not until the end of the film that we realise that Carlotta is actually dead. Therefore, no dialogue is exchanged between Carlotta and Mark’s workmates, and there is no acknowledgement from them that she is there, yet it is not obvious that they are ignoring her either. Therefore, this makes sense at the end, and is a surprise to the audience that she is dead, and Mark is the only one who believes she exists and can see her.

Regarding camera shots, this film includes the usual shot reverse shots, over the shoulder shots, and close ups. The use of high angle and low angles shots are also incorporated within this short film, to connote who the dominant characters are, and those who are not so powerful. The use of zooming in to closer shots also indicates how the storyline is getting more intense, with the fact that secrets/news is being revealed. Towards the end of the film, when Mark and Christina are discussing the events of the car accident, high angle and low angle shots are used, connoting who has the most power, yet when Christina stands up, this reflects how the proxemics between them have changed, as he realises that she is correct with what she has been saying. The use of focus is also employed to emphasise certain characters in particular, reinforcing their importance within the film.

Regarding diegetic sound, it was interesting how no dialogue was exchanged until 1 minute into this short film, so we are making our impressions on these characters by the use of shots and the actions they are carrying out on screen. For example, in the beginning, we see shots of Mark and his wife together in the kitchen, and then a shot of Mark in the living room, hence making us aware of where the action is going to be taking place in this film, and that Mark is the main character. We can tell that Mark and Carlotta have a good relationship from their proxemics. Other diegetic sounds are also included to create verisimilitude, for example the telephone ringing, the mobile phone ringing, the knock at the door and the sound of him being sick.

The use of the non-diegetic music helps to convey a sense of mystery about the film, with the fact that news is about to be revealed, which will be a surprise and a shock for the characters in the film, and also for the audience. Therefore, the use of the non-diegetic music at certain points in this short film, helps to create suspense and tension, thus definitely ensuring that the audience is interested and continues watching to see the outcome. For example, I really liked how the non-diegetic music was used effectively when Mark’s guests were gathered outside the front door, as at that point the non-diegetic music volume increases, connoting how something is going to happen, and creates apprehension, thus making us more aware of what’s happening on screen, and then when Mark opens the door, the non-diegetic music stops abruptly. This same effect is used later on, when Mark is talking about the car accident, and when he stands up and shouts “no”, the non-diegetic music stops, conveying how he did not like what he was hearing.

The lighting changes when Christina sits down in the chair that Carlotta was supposed to be sat in, and this is when Mark realises that Carlotta died in the car accident, as he can hear the voices in his head of what happened on the night of the fatal car accident. The use of the change in lighting is very effective as it conveys that what he is re-living in his head has happened in the past, yet now he has finally realised the truth. Regarding mise-en-scene, the apartment is fully furnished and equipped with what you would expect, thus creating verisimilitude.

The use of parallel action is also integrated within this short film. For example, Mark and his wife are talking about the guests’ arriving, which then cuts to a shot to show his three guests talking.

As it is a short film, we do not have time to get to know the characters well, like we do in a standard length film. So the dialogue and props within the scenes have to give us as much information as possible about the characters. Therefore, the fact that Mark has a scar on his face, helps to make the audience more intrigued into how he got that.

In my opinion, Telling Mark is a poignant and complex storyline, yet is portrayed with simplicity, due to the fact there is not too much dialogue. Moreover, it has mysterious elements to it and the use of different lighting near the end both help to keep the audiences interested.


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