Film Evaluation

Film studies evaluation

It’s A Long Goodbye is a short film which shows the effect of the dementia in the perspective of a loved one who has lost her husband. My film is based around the idea of flowers being prearranged to be sent to a lady on certain dates. The flowers are sent from a loved one who is seemingly not to be around anymore. As my short film progresses it becomes clear that the loved one is still alive but in a care home, hinting that some aspects of the loved one has become to fade. My film includes a poem about Alzheimer’s and voice clips of both my actors. I wanted my film to show dementia in a different light, with happiness around the idea of the flowers being pre-arranged. Throughout the planning, recording and editing of my film I was inspired by different elements of film form which helped me create a successful outcome.

Through representation, I created a short film which is clearly identified as showing age and dementia. I was able to do this through the micro elements of film form. I was mainly inspired by the Ellington Kid and Arrival from the exam board films. My film is similar the Ellington kid with the memory sequences and similar In style of the monologue in Arrival with the voice recordings in my film. As a volunteer in a dementia care home I have been able to see dementia in a different light and been able to talk to residents but also careers who have expressed different views on Alzheimer's. I have been able to see how a resident has changed character dramatically when a loved one is near, and when talking about past positive memories. This affected my short film as I was able to work from firsthand experiences which I fed into my own work. It allowed me to create a true and accurate representation. My film focuses on the older generation. In my film there is little modern technology no mobile phones nor smart devices I wanted my film to conform the ideas around the social group I am representing. My film includes old photos of the true couple in my film (photo to the right), this again added another level of mise-en-scene to my film and kept the film true to life through the characters I used. Many of the other exam board films such as Echo, Slap and Tight Jeans represent young teenagers, this is a clear contrast to my work due to the different age groups we are representing.

The genre of my short film is constructed as social realism, my film does this by expressing the main characters (the lady) perspective of her life, and it is her who gets the flowers sent to her and her voice reading the poem.  The male’s voice is also heard but he is not seen until the memory sequences and also the ending. My film reflects a sense of reality. The reminder of reality continues throughout my film, showing natural  ‘everyday” settings, this is key in mise-en-scene, my settings were a local restaurant “Pasta Gusto”, my house, Ragged Robin Florist, Windmill Care Home and also around Wymondham for the memory walk sequence. This allowed me to reinforce my genre as it conformed to the norms social realism. My film also follows the conventions of this genre by other micro elements of film form, such as Character expression and costume, my film included two older individuals who are a couple in real life, and this allowed me to keep the acting unforced, naturalistic and of course, believable. Their costume also followed the everyday idea of real life which reinforced the genre of my film. Another element of mise-en-scene that I have used in my film is the use of props, the flowers and notes provide key to the story line and developing the film. Other professional films I have studied such as the Ellington kid use sound too narrate their film, the use diegetic and non-diegetic in their sequences. Ellington Kid is a social realism film despite its comedy elements, and  it is non-linear and cuts between present and the past when the story was taking place. In my film I use non diegetic sound of the voice clips and backing music to my piece. There is no overlapping of sound in the present of the film (diegetic) to the sound being layered as I felt this wasn’t necessary in my piece. My monologue of the poem Is broken up and intertwined with the voice clips of the gentlemen reading the cards.

My film links with the professional films I have studied through its nonlinear narrative. My film includes memory scenes after each note is read in the film, where the footage changes and has dates on it in the bottom corner. It is similar to Ellington kid in the way it is edited with a scenario happening and flash backs while talking. It differs from Over where there is a reverse order which is extremely unique. My film doesn’t include the Kulshov effect as I wanted the audience to generate their own reaction to my piece. The narrative is driven through the binary opposites of her being of good health and him suffering from dementia. Also in the flash backs there is the contrast of males and females and the love and bond they share. Another aspect of mise-en-scene that I have used is lighting. In the majority of my film there is natural lighting, again hinting to the norm. However, the last clip in the care home, I focused my camera on the window the light slowly fades, and the room becomes darker, hinting about what is to come in the future for the couple. Lighting is used successfully in Arrival and is used to shows the ladies character changing her mind, the use of shadows and dramatic sounds and changes adds to the intensity of the film and her ultimate decision. The light in this scene is also shown through the window and reflecting on the lady. This is something similar to my scene in my film, shown below.

  When creating my film, I didn’t have a target audience in mind, however I feel my film can be consumed by many. Many short films are often made to be seen by talent seekers and other companies to express skill and talent; I did not have this in mind when completing mine. Short films are often platforms for film makers to look at, however when completing my film, I wanted the film that was personal to me and my family. My family find the film has sentimental value due to it being based on my nan and grandad and have all felt the film will be a keepsake. The audience have all reacted differently many individuals and family members have cried, felt joy and shared the video. They have said how it has a bittersweet feeling and they feel this awareness around dementia they haven’t felt before. As this is my first short film I am very proud with the outcome and feel happy with how it has been received and the comments made. The film has several purposes, to entertain, educate and produce an emotive feeling. From my short film my preferred meaning was that I want individuals to treasure every moment with their loved ones and see the happiness in situations. Whilst future A-Level students may watch for inspiration, perhaps an older audience may consume through sharing the product. I want the audience to take away the message in the poem, that things can change but to focus on the good. Some individuals have read into my film being about death and felt the film “It’s A Long Goodbye” was the lady holding onto memories of her and husband after his death and therefore many have found the last clip in the care home as unexpected. This is something I was hoping to create, leaving my piece on a cliff hanger and adding suspense but in a joyful sense. If through spectatorship it results in even a slight raise in awareness of dementia in society and loneliness/isolation of the elderly then I feel that the film has been entertaining, informative and thought-provoking.

Overall my film both conforms and challenges the conventions of a student made short film. It is unique and personal to me and is interesting to the audience who view it. The piece is clearly a short film, and does not fall into the trap of becoming almost a trailer, or an extended scene which should be within a feature film.