A-Level Coursework feedback 2019

NEA FEEDBACK 2019                                                                                                                                                                  

·         When making a short film remember this: less is typically more. Do not attempt to compress a feature length plot into a short film of 5 minutes.

·         Think about a subject that you care about: is there something in your local community?

·         Think of a genre that might allow you to shape a story around just one or two characters

·         A page of script roughly equates to one minute of screen time.

·         Emphasise action over dialogue

·         Do not use dialogue to explain a plot point: for these short film projects, it might be productive for any ‘exposition’ or background information to be given as text at the very beginning of the film.

·         Consider a visual motif for your film: a prop, a place, etc that symbolises the entire idea of the story and that you can then bring to life through visuals: placing it within the frame as part of the mise-en-scene. Eg- microphone in Singin’ in the Rain

·         What does your protagonist want: what is their goal and also: consider this: what is their key defining trait: that is to say: how do they react to circumstances? Really think about what they do rather than what they say.

·         When developing your initial idea you might focus on a character as your starting point for developing a script. But, there could be lots of creative potential in developing a storyline that is prompted by a place, or a theme (which would connect to genre) or perhaps even just an image. Sometimes, gathering a range of ‘random’ images from various sources can help stimulate ideas at the earliest phase. Remember, a short film is primarily a visual medium and not a literary one.

·         Keep dialogue in the script very succinct. Even within the short 5 minute format some students may feel the ambition to explore the use of voice over. If so, this might make for a slightly more ‘involved’ production and post-production process as they would need to record clean usable sound separate to their time allocated for filming. In the edit process, combing the voice over with the images may require a little more of a defined idea of time allocation. All of this said, such creative choices and their practical ramifications make excellent learning opportunities.

·         Remember: the script doesn’t only tell the story, it also tells you everything you need to know in terms of what you will need to actually make the short film project happen: number of cast, locations, potentially how involved the edit process might be.

·         With your storyboard think about showing characters in your foreground and background as this will help develop the visual interest of your short film.

·         Remember: to vary the height at which your camera is placed. Try not to film everything at head height.

·         Pay attention to appropriate titling.