Evaluation question 1

Throughout the production the 180 degree line was stuck to closely as a breach in the line would distort the view of the viewer and ruin their immersion in the film. Here's an example of the 180 degree line being observed during a shot reverse shot conversation. 

A demo of the 180 degree line rule.

Shot-reverse-shot.

Due to the short nature of the film several montages like sequences, time lapses and fade to blacks were used to connote a passage of time. This helps keeps the viewers interest in our film as it cuts out boring and mundane sequences that would not be add any value to the film, entertain the viewer or further the plot line. 

Time lapse.

Jump cut sequence of Laura making a cup of tea. 

 Match on actions are a great way to progress through a film's setting. They allow for continous action with 2 shots that wouldn't otherwise be possible in a single shot, such as transferring rooms or a far shot and a close up. 

 Warm lighting was used in our film to connote happiness and love. 

The editing was done in Adobe Premiere Pro which is an industry standard piece of software. Being industry standard there was a wealth of information and tips and tricks on the internet that was utilised in our film. As the film was independently created the internet was a good free platform to learn how to use the software outside class hours. The software allowed for easy joining of clips together, separate editing of sound clips that was useful for both the film  and radio trailer and lots of pre-sets within the software that allowed for easy application of effects such as rolling credits and dip to blacks. 

Adobe has their own forum based on-line help, that's free of any cost, to help anyone struggling with the software or encountering errors within the software. At one point we lost the data to our radio trailer but a quick internet search, and useful feature with Premiere, we were able to track the file down which was saved in a automatic "autosave" folder within Adobe's program files on windows. This also made us enforce more care and caution when saving our project and made us make back ups more frequently. 

Our film fulfils the expectations of a domestic comedy film as it is set in a similar setting, a house, and features a relationship at the forefront of the plot. From the first establishing shot the setting is apparent. 

Opening shot from Edward Scissor Hands which is similar to ours.

The shot from Edward Scissor hands is said to come from the famous film "Citizen Kane".

As mentioned in our Pre-filming questionnaire our film fits loosely within Todorovs theory of narrative which is split into 5 stages. 

1. A state of equilibrium
2. A disruption of that order by an event "disequilibrium"
3. A recognition of that event. 
4. An attempt at restoration of that order. 
5. Return of a new equilibrium. 

As our film fits loosely within this criteria we have certain aspects omitted such as the original state of equilibrium as we begin the film mid argument as well as a return of a new equilibrium, although it is implied. 

The disruption of our equilibrium is Matt and Laura falling out and the recognition of the fallout is both of their retrospective phone calls to their friends in the film. An attempt at restoration of the equilibrium is Matt handing Laura a note telling her to wake him up but this forms our final joke. 


 A happy tone is used throughout the film which is reflective to the genre as it's a "comedy" film. The film doesn't conform to Douglas Pye's theory of genre which states "Films have to conform to audiences expectations of narrative." The film subverts this theory as a plot twist, as shown in our film with no visible resolution, which would be typical of a domestic comedy, is not common within the genre itself.


Our film was in part inspired by multiple short films found on Youtube and an full length film coming in 2016. Sticky notes are a good medium to experiment in for a short film as the they leave out dialogue which helps the audience interpret the meaning of each note. 

The genre of our film was a domestic comedy which is a sub-genre of comedy and is commonly found in sitcom situations such as "Modern family", "Friends" and "The Simpsons". The conventions of the sub-genre usually involve roles for each of the characters and revolve around a close family or friends environment. Our characters can be divided into easily distinguishable roles with Laura being the girlfriend and Matt the boyfriend as well ass Matt being the catalyst for problems and Laura being the restorer of order. Irony is popular in domestic comedy style films and we have it in our production where they say they are never speaking again but Matt is unable to be woken up due to the lack of speaking and the post it note left to wake him.  
The aim was to produce a modern and relate-able film to our target audience. To achieve the small humour part a small physical joke was used at the end of the film; throughout the film the tone is happy which is set by our music. The aim was to provide the audience with a sense of pleasure from giving them an insight into a fictional characters life. This can provide them with things they are missing in their lives as Richard Dyer's theory of entertainment theorised. 

Richard Dyer's theory of entertainment theorised that people will get a sense of pleasure seeing things they lack in their life and these are categorised into; energy, intensity, abundance, transparency and community. Our film fits well into the transparency and intensity elements included in the theory.

Here Laura's inner emotions can be seen through her gesture, this fits the "intensity" section of the theory because the emotions are so strong. 

Transparency is the development of a characters' emotions known by another character. Matt being unaware of Laura's feelings as he left the room but Paige (on the phone with Laura)  knowing them and as well as the audience helps develop their roles and emotions within the film. 

Laura on the phone

While Laura is on the phone the dialogue continues into the short montage like sequence of Matt packing the bag, this helped keep our film under the time constraint as well as furthering the plot line. 

Our film fits in with Steve Neale's theory of representation of gender within film. Matt fits on with many common sterotypes that are associated with people his age. He's going out with friends, his outfit and his persona. This makes Matt a relateable character that the audience will either feel like or possibly know someone similar. 

 The sticky notes act as a set up in the film as they are a slow method of talking to someone which enabled the final joke. I'm confident that the audience pleasure was achieved as our surveys conducted pre and post production were positive. After showing the film to peers they commented that the twist was "surprising" and "unexpected".