Post 1: Researching Short Films

'Gas man' by Lynne Ramsay

 

   

I have researched into the Scottish film director, writer and producer Lynne Ramsay, who created the short film 'Gas Man' and many others such as 'Kill the Day' and 'Small Deaths'.

Here is a link to IMDB website which goes into more depth about Gasman and Lynne Ramsay specifically.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0122498/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

I have focused in particular on the award winning short film 'Gas Man' which was written and directed by Lynne Ramsay. After  researching this short film, I found out that it is about a family situation based around a brother and sister going to a Christmas party with their dad, who come across another two children who are familiar with their father.

I textually analysed the film by exploring the use of camera, sound editing and mise en scene to help understand the conventions used, which I have explored and expanded on below.

The main setting/Location is Scotland. There are then three main location within the short film, the home at the beginning, the rail way tracks and the bar/hall where the Christmas party is held.

Camera - At the beginning of the piece, close ups and extreme close ups have been used to build the atmosphere and capture the secretive mood of the piece, not showing faces just close ups of their actions and movements, also by having their faces hidden away it brings an intensity to the piece and dramatizes the opening of the short film. The camera angle and positioning throughout the piece is eye line with the two little girls, which could be seen that the piece is presented from their memory. It also adds emphasis that the main focus of the piece is on the two sisters, cropping out the adults only showing aspects of their bodies portraying them with less importance. A montage effect is used throughout the Christmas scene to allow the audience to see a lot of things happening at once.

The camera effect used around the edges here, creates
 the sense that the piece is a memory.

Editing - Slow motion has been used to connote the memory of our main protagonist who is the young girl first seen at the beginning of the film and emphasise on the memory which is being portrayed throughout the film. This contrasts to the slower paced images used when the adult figures are shown. This contrast helps to establish that this story is being told from a child's perspective. Quick edited cuts are used in the party scene to fit the action that's going on and emphasis the chaos that the children are creating. Which in comparison to the editing when the tired male adults are on the camera the editing changes and is no longer as fast pase.

Sound - Digetic sound "Let it Snow" is used consistently throughout to reveal the time of year this film is set in. The Dialogue has been carefully selected and used effectively to link and add an effect to fore coming events within the piece such as a Wizard of Oz reference is made 'No Place like home' which contradicts the piece as is not stable home for the family as is built on lies which is revealed as the short film progresses.

Mise-en-Scene - The mise-en- scene plays a big part in this short film as the costumes are an extension of the characters and the little girls memory. The Christmas Santa costume links to the overall atmosphere of the film. Close up shots of clothes have been used to represent the social classes of the characters and set up their identity's in comparison to one another.  The film is set in the 70's this is apparent from the costumes and furnishings and decorations seen throughout the film. This era was chosen possibly because the young girl, whose story we are following, would have been the same age as the Director during this decade. This film also helps the audience understand the deprivation Glasgow suffered post industrialisation. The body language of the main male character is very secretive, nervous and portrayed as being quite silent not a very stereotypical father figure, braking the norm going against the stereotype. Low key lighting is used throughout (shown in the photo above) making the piece more mystical and dream like as gives a sense that the characters are unsure of what is happening. The lighting used is also very neutral, full of earthy colours.