Reflective Analysis

My intention was to produce a film sequence of 2 minutes. This would conform to the
drama genre, as it contains conventions such as drug use, alcohol consumption,
teenagers and sexual assault. My target audience would be 15-20 year olds, as it
tackles adult themes. Consequently my sequence would be certified as a 15.
Although this may limit the cinema audience, I dont feel the content is appropriate
for an audience below this certification.
Conventions of drama I included were: drug taking, alcohol consumption and low-key
lighting, (implying secrecy and illegal actions). The chosen cast are also a regular
convention - being young, disreputable looking teenagers. This was contrasted with
scenes of a peaceful morning after; representing the double lives of teenagers.
The opening shot was a close up of the main character; following shots reveal that
she has spent the night in a bed with a boy, implying they had sex, which sets the
tone. The mise-en-scene of clothing for the girl reinforces this; she is wearing a shirt
over the top of a party dress, as if it belongs someone else, something the intended
audience would recognise. The following tracking shots follow her fingers, which
walk along the worktop, implying a narrative journey. At this point, we see a
flashback of the night before, where the fingers are doing exactly the same. It is
evident this is a flashback as the lighting changes to low key, featuring a strobe light,
and the diegetic sound changes to loud music and background noise, which
contrasts with the simple piano music in the other scenes. This is a continuous style
throughout, meaning the narrative is non-linear. A zoom shows a young girl
attempting to light a cigarette, this then cuts to another flashback, in which the
featured girl is kissing another girl. This is effective because it represents the
confusion experienced by young people, as well as the implied controversy.
The camera continues to track the girls feet making her way around the room, to
reflect the journey that many young people take, and the props she avoids and steps
over represent obstacles and influences faced. This time, in a flashback we see
teenagers drinking, a tracking shot shows each glass being slammed down on a
table. The mise-en-scene of drugs, womens underwear and condom wrappers
appropriately summarise the environment the characters occupy.
In the bedroom, a high angle shot shows a girl on the floor; looking weak and
vulnerable, this represents society, and how the effects of drink and drugs often
leave females in potentially dangerous situations or as victims. This shot
foreshadows the revelation of the narrative at the end, when we see a girl was raped
at the party. Also, the handheld aspect of this part of the film could represent the
instability of all the teens, and how their lifestyle isnt safe. The flashback for the
sleeping girl is of people taking illegal drugs- a regualr convention of drama. I believe
that this would be an effective use of montage editing to tell the story.

A point of view shot shows a bathroom with bright, natural light, implying hope to not
repeat the same mistakes. A low angle shot from the floor shows the girl dropping
her shoes, highlighting how careless the generation are.
An over-the-shoulder shot shows the girl removing her makeup is then juxtaposed
with another flashback of her kissing a boy. This is shot implies trying to remove the
events of the previous night. A shot from behind quickly switches to a point of view
shot, and we see a figure hunched in the corner. The high angle makes her look
weak and vulnerable. The lighting isnt as bright, implying that this girl isnt as
carefree as the others. I believe the audience would understand the intent. The girls
are seen in a two quick two shot, implying they are close, before a series of
flashbacks are shown revealing the second girl was a victim of rape. Within these
shots, a close up shows the rapist ripping open a condom with his teeth, showing
how violent rape is.
The following shot is a close up of the girls looking at each other. They share a
knowing look before a cut to the final shot, a tracking shot of drugs and shot glasses.
This implies that despite the tragic events that occurred the night before, the same
things will happen again- because the final thing we see is the cause for all the
despair.
My role in the making of this film was director, planning all shots and instructing the
actors on what to do. I did this effectively, as the montage sequence looks
professional and the actors look natural. The shots I planned were justified and
appropriate; I also managed to include appropriate mise-en-scene within my
instructed shots. I also chose the music for throughout the sequence which
reinforces the intended response.
If I were to film again, I would ensure I filmed everything on the same day, to ensure
continuity of lighting and setting. Originally the sequence didnt contain flashbacks,
but the addition of flashbacks made the sequence more effective.