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Pitch Blog

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 After carefully considering two potential short film ideas, our group decided to pursue an action-packed story about a boy who dreams of becoming a professional racer. The narrative follows his journey from a young gamer obsessed with racing video games to a skilled adult competing in real-life races. This story highlights themes of perseverance, personal growth, and the power of chasing one’s dreams. We want to showcase his passion for speed and competition while emphasizing the time and effort it takes to turn a dream into reality. The second idea we considered was a heartfelt coming-of-age drama centered on a group of high school seniors navigating personal challenges and forming unexpected friendships as they prepare for graduation. This story would explore themes of self-discovery, resilience, and the power of connection. It would include moments of humor, emotional breakthroughs, and relatable struggles, making it a touching and universal tale. While the coming-of-age drama ...

Genre Blog

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 We’ve chosen the action genre for our opening sequence, focusing on the journey of a boy who dreams of becoming a racer. The story begins with him playing racing video games, showing his love for speed and competition. These scenes highlight his talent and passion, even in the virtual world. As time passes, he grows older and starts chasing his dream of racing in real life. The transition from video games to real cars is a key turning point in the story. The action genre fits perfectly because it allows us to create fast-paced, exciting scenes full of energy. We plan to show his early days of gaming with colorful visuals and fast movements. These moments will be paired with sounds like the clicking of controllers and the roar of virtual engines. As he steps into the world of real racing, the visuals will shift to high-speed tracks and the roar of real engines. Time passing will be an important theme, shown through changes in his environment and his growth as a person. We’ll use mo...

Short film research: (within the shadows/urban thriller)

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  For our short film, we're exploring the urban thriller genre, and after watching Within the Shadows, a great example of this style, I've noticed several conventions we can incorporate into our own work. Within the Shadows uses tight close-up shots, dynamic camera movements, and handheld cameras to create a sense of tension and urgency. Low angles and quick zoom-ins are also common to emphasize drama and character emotions. Sound plays a crucial role, with ambient city noises like traffic and sirens grounding the film in its urban setting, while a minimalistic, eerie soundtrack heightens the suspense. The mise-en-scène features characters in practical, urban attire, often in gritty settings such as alleyways or dark streets, with low-key lighting casting heavy shadows to create mystery. Editing in Within the Shadows is fast-paced with jump cuts, cross-cutting between different characters’ perspectives, and occasional slow motion to emphasize critical momen...

Short film research: (nightcrawler/urban thriller)

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   For our short film, we're diving into the urban thriller genre, and after watching  Nightcrawler , I’ve found a lot of valuable insights that can shape our project. The film uses intense close-up shots and quick camera movements, often following the protagonist with a sense of urgency and disorientation. This technique creates a feeling of unease, which is heightened by the ambient city sounds blending with a minimalistic, eerie soundtrack that amplifies the tension. The mise-en-scène is filled with dark urban environments, such as neon-lit streets and empty buildings, giving the sense that the city itself is both a character and a dangerous place. The lighting contrasts sharply, with bright neon against dark shadows, which adds to the ominous feel. Editing in  Nightcrawler  is crisp, with rapid cuts during tense moments and the occasional slow-motion shot to highlight critical, morally ambiguous decisions. What I enjoy about the genre, as shown in  Nigh...

Short film research: (The silent house/urban thriller)

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 For our short film, we're focusing on the urban thriller genre, and after watching The Silent House (2010), I gained new perspectives that will help shape our project. The film makes excellent use of long, unbroken shots to create a sense of real-time tension, keeping the audience on edge as they follow the protagonist through the dark and isolated house. The minimal soundtrack is effective in building suspense, relying more on the ambient sounds—creaking floors, wind, and distant noises—to unsettle the viewer. The mise-en-scène in The Silent House features dim lighting, with shadows and limited light sources, creating an oppressive atmosphere that reflects the protagonist’s growing sense of fear. The editing is sparse, with few cuts, which heightens the feeling of immersion and increases the tension as events unfold. What I love most about this genre, as shown in The Silent House, is its ability to evoke deep fear and suspense from the environment and the...

Research: How to make a short film

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 My main takeaway from the video is the importance of planning and creativity in making a short film. The video breaks down the steps, from writing the script to editing, stressing the need for a clear vision and careful preparation. One key point is having a strong, short script. Even a brief story needs to be engaging. The video also highlights the importance of planning, like making storyboards and shot lists, which helps ensure smooth filming. Another helpful tip is to focus on practical things like budgeting and managing resources well. It suggests prioritizing key elements like good sound and lighting, which can greatly improve the film's quality. The video also emphasizes working with a team to bring your vision to life. Basic knowledge of camera techniques, editing, and sound design is also essential for a polished final product. This information helps me see my short film process more clearly. By focusing on writing a strong script and planning carefully, I can ensure smoo...

Comparing Le Jetee, the short, and 12 Monkeys, the full-length movie

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  Watching the video about "12 Monkeys" and "La Jetée" gave me good ideas about telling stories. "La Jetée" uses still pictures and a narrator to tell its story, showing that you don't need fancy visuals or lots of talking to be effective. Each frame is carefully made to show emotions and move the story forward, which is a great technique for short films. "12 Monkeys" builds on this by adding more detail to the characters and the plot. The video's look at how "12 Monkeys" takes the ideas from "La Jetée" shows the importance of adapting and expanding stories. Focusing on visual composition and using minimal resources to tell a story can inspire a creative approach in my short film. Understanding the themes of time travel and memory in both films helps guide the story and characters in my own film. These elements are crucial for making a memorable narrative. The video also highlights the need to balance visuals with char...