AICE Media Studies

 

Creating a short film about a race car driver’s journey to success is an exciting project. First, we decided on a compelling storyline that will showcase our protagonist’s struggles and triumphs. We held brainstorming sessions to outline key plot points, such as starting in karting, facing challenges, and ultimately competing in a major race. Next, we assigned roles and responsibilities among our group members. One of us will focus on scriptwriting, ensuring our dialogue feels authentic and engaging. Another group member is tasked with scouting locations that reflect the racing environment, including tracks and garages. We are also planning to incorporate real race footage to add authenticity to our film. We will develop a shot list to ensure we capture all necessary scenes. This includes moments of preparation, adrenaline-fueled races, and emotional breakthroughs. Storyboarding will help visualize our film's pacing and transitions. In terms of casting, we are looking for an actor ...

 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 protagonist's iso...

 For our short film, we're exploring the urban thriller genre, and after watching The Neighbor (2017), I’ve gathered valuable insights that will influence our approach. The film uses tight shots and shaky camera movements to create a feeling of unease and to immerse the audience in the protagonist’s perspective. This is accompanied by a minimalistic soundtrack that features eerie ambient sounds, like footsteps or creaking doors, which amplify the tension as the protagonist’s paranoia grows. The mise-en-scène in The Neighbor uses dim lighting, with dark rooms and limited visibility, enhancing the sense of claustrophobia and danger. The setting itself—an isolated apartment complex—becomes almost as much of a character as the people in it. Editing is quick, especially during moments of suspense, with jump cuts that make the audience feel just as disoriented as the main character. What I enjoy most about the urban thriller genre, as demonstrated in The Neighbor , is how it uses the e...

 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 Nightcrawler , is the psychologica...

 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 moments. What I like mos...

 After watching the video on how to make a short film, my main takeaway is the emphasis on pre-production planning and its critical role in shaping a successful project. The video breaks down the filmmaking process into clear, actionable steps—concept, scripting, casting, location scouting, and budgeting—that can help streamline the production process and prevent costly mistakes. One of the most useful pieces of advice from the video was the importance of developing a strong script that clearly conveys your story, as this forms the foundation for everything else. The video also stressed how important it is to plan the shots and the pacing of the film, even if you’re working with limited time or resources. This kind of meticulous planning can help ensure the narrative flows smoothly, and that you can capture all the shots you need within your time frame. Additionally, the video provides practical advice on how to maximize your resources, like utilizing friends and family for casting...

 After watching 12 Monkeys and La Jetée , my first takeaway is the stark difference in how the two stories are presented, yet how they both share core themes around time travel, memory, and the fragility of human existence. La Jetée , as a short film, relies heavily on still images to evoke emotion, and this choice creates a surreal, dreamlike atmosphere that is both captivating and haunting. The minimalistic approach allows the audience to focus on the emotional weight of the protagonist’s journey, which is communicated primarily through the narration and powerful visuals. On the other hand, 12 Monkeys , the feature-length film, uses live-action sequences to create a more dynamic and immersive experience. The full-length version builds on the foundation laid by La Jetée but adds layers of action, character development, and a more complex narrative structure. Watching the video helped me understand how both mediums use their respective tools—still images in the short versus live-...

 When I first watched the short film 9 , I was struck by its eerie and haunting atmosphere. The plot is minimalistic yet impactful, as it introduces a post-apocalyptic world where a small group of sentient dolls, created from human remnants, struggle to survive. The character development is rather subtle, but the emotions conveyed through the characters' expressions and actions are powerful. The animation style is stunning, with a dark, almost steampunk aesthetic that adds to the tension of the film. Special effects are used sparingly but effectively, contributing to the ominous tone of the piece. The directorial style is restrained, focusing on the atmosphere and visual storytelling rather than dialogue-heavy scenes. The conventions in the short are more focused on mood and visual narrative, with a clear sense of mystery that invites the audience to piece together the world and its backstory. In contrast, the full-length 9 takes a much more expansive approach to the story. The pl...

 For our opening sequence, we’ve chosen the thriller genre, specifically an urban crime thriller, as it allows for high tension, suspense, and complex characters—elements we are excited to explore. The decision to go with this genre came from our desire to create a gripping narrative that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats right from the start. We wanted to tell a story that explores deep moral dilemmas, such as the struggle between good and evil, and the fine line a detective must walk as they uncover dangerous secrets. Thrillers, especially those set in urban environments, have a unique ability to set a dark and atmospheric tone, which is perfect for building suspense from the very first scene. Additionally, thrillers provide opportunities for creative editing and sound design, which can enhance the emotional impact and intensity. After considering several genres, we felt that a thriller would allow us to challenge ourselves with pacing, character development, and...

 After carefully considering two potential short film ideas, Our group decided to pursue a gritty urban thriller centered around a detective investigating a string of mysterious disappearances tied to a dangerous criminal syndicate. This film would focus on creating a tense, fast-paced atmosphere, exploring themes of redemption and justice while revealing the detective’s internal struggle with his past. The second idea, a coming-of-age drama, would follow a group of high school seniors as they navigate personal struggles and forge unexpected friendships while preparing for their graduation day. This heartwarming film would focus on themes of self-discovery, resilience, and the power of connection, with moments of humor and deep emotional growth. While the coming-of-age story offers universal themes that could be deeply relatable, we found the thriller concept more intriguing as it allows for heightened suspense, complex character arcs, and a more intense emotional payoff. The thril...