Post 17: Ancillary Task 2 - Film Reviews Part 1

Following the professional industry we have been asked to create a film review analyzing our short films. To get a good idea of what conventions are present in a film review, I have looked at many different examples. Traditionally film reviews are used as a way to assess or criticize new releases, which in turn helps the public, decided whether they want to go and see the film.


Industrial magazines

The first industrial magazine I have looked at it called Sight and Sound; this is a British film magazine that is released monthly. Typically you would find reviews analyzing long feature films and not short film such as the ones we have created, however you can find reviews on short films as part of special selection dedicated to short films. After looking through the magazine I have come across an article review called Frozen directed by Juliet McKoen. After reading and evaluating the article I have noticed many conventions, for example the structure

• Introduction
• Introduce the characters
• Location of where filming took place
• Over view of the film
• How they filmed and what type of equipment they used
• Comparing the film to previous work by the Actors and Director
• What the generalist doesn’t like about the film but then moves on to good points

Over all the layout of the review is also very important, they have used a picture of Juliet McKoen to draw in the audience. They have used very formal professional language which is reflected throughout the whole review. The choice of language is also important to think about and try to promote the film for example; they have mentioned the film is prize winning reinforcing to the audience that the film is worth seeing. They have also mentioned the use of state of the art high definition equipment which reinforces the quality of the film is very high.

This is an example of a film review taken from Empire Magazine. That is designed more for the general public rather than individuals in the professional industry. 

Newspapers

As well as industrial magazines we can also look at reviews from newspapers such as The Independent and Guardian. I have noticed that both newspapers have recently reviewed ‘The Kings Speech’; this has been very helpful as I can compare and contrast both newspapers against each other. In contrast to Sight and Sound the Independent takes a completely different spin on it, the language they have used is much more relaxed and they don’t use as much technical language which in turn makes its much easier to read. This works well with the type of audience that will be reading the article for example, readers of Sight and Sound are most likely to be in the professional industry and will have a better understanding of the technical language used in the review. On the other hand readers of The Independent and Guardian are more interested in the story and plot rather than what goes into making the film and equipment used.

Looking at The Independent review I have again noticed many conventions such as

• They focus on how the film reflects British culture.
• They give an over all positive feel of the film.
• Reinforces heritage which is represented in the film.
• Plays upon the story line.
• Rather than looking at parts of the story line it tells the reader the whole story.
• Picks up on the good quality acting and how they should be awarded.
• Use of picture taken from the film.

The Independant Film Review

However looking at The Guardian review, even though still coming from a newspaper it again looks at the film from another angle and uses a different style to analyze. The conventions that I have picked up on are

• The uses of modern language much makes it much easier to read for the audience.
• Use of picture taken from the film.
• Focuses on the good plot and praise it.
• Has a comical light hearted feel when reading the review.
• Again focuses on how good the film was and how it should be rewarded with awards.
• It has a small element of technical analyze however isn’t in a much depth as Sight and Sound so does intimidates the reader

Online Review

We can also look at film reviews from online websites such as those from Filmguru. Net. These are short online reviews that get straight to the point and use relaxed language of any audience. The conventions I have noticed are

• Outline of plot and storyline
• Camera work they have used
• Acting being inspirational
• How the director planned the locations for rating certificate

http://www.filmguru.net/shorts/2008/080601.html Here is the link to have a look at the online review by Filmguru.net.

Short Film Reviews

After looking at film reviews for long feature films it was interesting to see the difference for short films. Even though my own film review could feature in an Industry magazine such as Sight and Sound and be part of a ‘Short film Special’ I was interested in seeing if short film reviews followed the same conventions as film reviews for feature films. This lead to me doing research on the internet and I came across the website FIlmGuru here they have a range of different reviews from a range of years and all from different genres. I have noticed from looking at a range of reviews that they have the following conventions. They quickly introduce the film and the Director and give a short synopsis of features actors and the genre. In addition they mention work previously produced by the Director and how it compares to their previous works. Finally they explore any effects that have been used as well as lighting and camera work. After looking at these reviews it has helped me to gain a better understanding of the different conventions that I will have to use when writing my own film review and how they differ from feature to short films.

Example of Short film review from FilmGuru
Another example of a Short film Review

My film Review
After looking at many different type of review and the different conventions they have used I have decided that I would like to follow in the footsteps of Sight and Sounds. I would like my film review to follow the same conventions and consist of a Synopsis and a short film over view, who is playing the main character, who directed and produced the film, the positive and negatives of certain scene that could have been improved.  As well I would also like to include a cast list, lighting, camera and creative director.  I would like the language to be professional and have some technical elements which would appeal to both those in the professional industry but also the general public, I would also like a picture either taken from the film or an additional photo which will help draw in the audience.

My Film Review:

Karma, being the first show case film of Director Emily Downer, consistently reflects the time, dedication and creativeness that went into producing this short film. Shot in and around Kings Langley, a small friendly village in Hertfordshire ‘Karma’ explores the daily routine of LucieAnne , a mischievous and troubled teenager. From first impressions it appears LucieAnne gets pleasure and reward from causing pain and unhappiness to others, but it soon becomes apparent it is not all as it seems.  During an interview with Emily, she explained how she hoped the film would explore what happens behind closed doors and the true reasons behind LucieAnne’s hard exterior.  After production it is clear that this is not represented as clearly as Emily had hoped.  From the first scene we get a small insight into LucieAnne’s home life of living with her verbally abusive father however, this issue is not further explored or developed throughout  the film.

Emily wastes no time in getting straight to the plot.  It is clear from the beginning that living conditions for LucieAnne are far from normal, which instantly creates a sense of empathy towards her character.  But, it soon becomes obvious that it is not as simple as you are first led to believe as Emily’s twisting story lines soon brings you to the wrong conclusion.  Your first impressions of the sad, lonely and unhappy LucieAnne are soon changed to a more suitable and stereotypical image.  This leads me to ask is the age and costume of the main character LucieAnne appropriate?  From a director and production designer’s point of view I would have preferred to have seen LucieAnne as a younger student dressed in school uniform which would help to reflect the stereotypical bullying that tends to occur at a younger age.  

Frequent clips of a more brutal, intimidating and spiteful LucieAnne raises questions as to the reasons behind her disruptive and unpleasant behaviour.  Could it be her home life?  Damaging past events that have shaped her as she grows up? Her personality? Or just nature versus nurture?   It soon becomes apparent that the only form of escape for LucieAnne is the director’s clever use of the music which represents the changing genres of the film along with her changing moods and emotions.  This is cleverly developed through the sound design and the choice of music in the opening scenes where this motif has been created.

Her loneliness is intensified through the location of the alleyway.  `the long and narrow alleyway shown when LucieAnne is walking to and from school could be implying and reinforcing her loneliness and lack of companionship.  Throughout the film we see quick sharp camera work with a good range of frames and movement.  However, l feel the film the third scene located in a science classroom could be improved letting the film down the third scene. This scene does not flow with the rest of the film.  The use of close ups on LucieAnne and her classmates could have easily enhanced and recovered this scene. 

Even though filmed on a low budget and with some amateur skills, Emily has successfully created an attention grabbing and motivating plot that leaves the audience asking many questions.  The overall final message behind the plot, depending upon your point of view, is open to many interpretations.  Could it be suggesting ,‘Do unto others as they do unto you!’ or more simply, ‘What goes around comes around!” and therefore, we all get what we deserve in life!

Audience Feedback 

After completing my film review I wanted to receive Audience Feedback to see if i had followed convention and to ask for their opinion on positive and negative. For this audience back I used Alice, she isn’t a media student however we had a discussion and I informed her of what are typical conventions you would expect to see in a postcard. Even though she is part of the school environment and isn’t my target audience, she has an interest in short films and her views are still appreciated.  To make her feel more comfortable she has written down her ideas previously to being filmed.