T1 | W2 | Wed + Thurs - Conventions of short films (incl. Narrative conventions)

 Use the links below to do some research on  conventions (specifically but not exclusively, narrative conventions - essentially HOW a story is told).

Create a slide-show (or any blog tool for presentation) that summarises and presents your findings. 

You should have a minimum of 10 conventions that you've found AND include relevant examples from movies or TV series that demonstrate or use these effectively. 

(this task will lead into what we will do tomorrow)

Resource 1 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zqdhrdm/revision/4

Resource 2 (slightly broader than just narrative but also effective research for HOW to tell a story in a short film)

https://raindance.org/3-elements-of-short-film-structure-you-need-to-know/

https://coggle.it/diagram/Wd6YvWgXiQABSh5g/t/short-film-conventions

https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/codes-and-conventions-of-a-short-film/9389267

T1 | Wk 3 | Mon - Micro-narrative representation exercise

To make a good short film you have to be a good storyteller. 

Knowing what you know already of narrative conventions for a short film, pick a theme from the list below;

1. Guilt

2. Identity

3. Isolation

4. Redemption 

You must pitch a 1–2 minute story with:

• Beginning / middle / end

• One main character

• One turning point

  
  

• No dialogue allowed ('Show don't tell')

• Present your story pitch as a voice over, with a creative background video (this is fairly easy to create w/ AI)

You must use the conventions available to you to plan to convey your story. 

This will be out of 10 marks and will be assessed based on your ability to understand narrative conventions and construct a short film story, effectively. 

Representation in short film

 Activity;

You are being employed to write an article for the local newspaper. As a journalist you are going to base your piece on research.

You are going to 

1. Choose one of the core areas of society that we studied last year 

2. Find at least 2 films or TV series where we can examine this representation

3. Do a short study on how those characters are represented

4. Use your knowledge on Stuart Hall's reception theory to write a research piece on representation of this particular group in modern film or television 

T1 | Wk 1 Homework - Genre Study

 

You are going to choose 3 short films to analyse with the grid below;

Concept	Questions
Genre	How is genre signalled quickly? (conventions used)
Narrative	Linear? Open ending? Restricted?
Media Language	Camera, editing, sound choices
Representation	Who is shown? How? Why?
Audience	Who is this for? How do we know?

Actions: 

1. embed the short films into your blog, with correct title

2. draw up your table using a blog tool and use this as research for your major task

3. Publish to your blog 

Some examples below;

Thriller 

Dark Comedy