Q2: What Codes And Conventions Identified In The TA Were Used In

Your Film?

Nusuri Bibi

In my film, I have tried to use the codes and conventions from a drama romance film in these 4 areas of the micro features; Cinematography, Mise-en-scene, Sound and Editing. However my narrative wasn’t about death it was more about how the two people met and how they became friends. Therefore I was limited with conventions that I had researched but overall I knew that the conventional cinematography was mid close ups to demonstrate feelings and long shots to demonstrate distance between them. Mise-en-scene; costumes according to the characters background, religion, regional identity…etc. Weather; phatic fallacy-bright when they’re happy and raining when they’re upset. Sound;- soft and gentle when they’re together and loud and fast when they’re heart broken. Editing; pace and transitions depending on the mood and situation.

Cinematography

Close ups were used inspired by both films. This was to express facial expressions of the characters. In One Day and The Fault In Our Stars it was used to demonstrate the sad expressions whilst I used it to show their happy faces. This angle connotes the strength of someone's emotions. This shot type also allows the audience to feel the same as the characters emotion so that they can connect and relate to the characters.

One Day TFIOS Her Eyes And I

Long shot was used when the female actress was seen walking away as well as the male actor at the end. This shot was inspired by One Day when Emma was biking off and the camera had stopped tracking her. This angle almost demonstrates how the characters are distancing themselves from happiness.

TFIOS

In the TFIOS there was a slow zoom which I also used when the my two characters were at the bench. During this time Hazel was telling the audience a story through a voice over whilst my one was just dialogue. This shot movement however connotes the same meaning in the sense that this camera movement is getting closer to the character allowing the audience to understand the characters emotion whether it’s sadness or happiness. This camera movement could also connote the closure and connection between the audience and the characters.

Mise-En-Scene The costume in my film was very basic and according to my narrative. This is because the audience will understand the context through the costume of my female character and why the dialogue and location has been constructed in the way I have. In my research, I know that there aren't any specific dress codes but in my textual analysis I demonstrated how costumes have developed and how they are worn appropriately according to their social class. In my costume I demonstrated the religion and social class by the female’s burka and the male’s simple shirt and jeans. The females costume also demonstrates modesty, which will make the audience predict the narrative according to the stereotypes the audience know of. This sort of costume relaxes the audience’s mood which would also make the audience feel comfortable. I challenged the conventions to an extent with the make up as usually neutral make up connotes simplicity and comfort where as heavy make up connotes an evil personality. I did heavy make up on the female character because that’s the conventional Arab look.

Although my lighting was quite bluish because it was 6pm when I filmed my aim was to get high key lighting to express their happiness as the opposite of happiness was sadness expressed through low key lighting and phatic fallacy of rain in One Day and TFIOS as they were both upset about their late partners. This lighting technique helps create set the mood of an emotion.

I didn't use conventional props such as roses, letters, chocolates etc. The key prop in both films were phones and didn't have that because waiting for someone is more romantic than phone calls moreover the phones in both films were used to announce the death of their late partners. Although, I could have challenged the form because in modern days people easily share contacts.

Location; I didn't have a location change like seen in One Day and TFIOS but did change the area within that location as I had issues. However a park and a bench are quite commonly seen in any drama romance films as this sets the mood of relaxation for both characters and audiences. In my location I was hoping to have flowers around as if it's spring but I filmed earlier than spring started. However in my textual analysis locations such as a bedroom, hospital, cafe and a club were used and both films were based in urban areas, which I met the convention of. The common and the most obvious location was that One day and my short film is based in England.

Sound

• Voice over influenced by TFIOS, it's been a convention since a long time, it expresses feelings out loud for the audience to understand and hear. I made sure I used this technique because without it the audience would not connect or understand the characters properly.

• Soundtrack was heard throughout my film. It was an instrumental of a piano playing to set the mood of relaxation and not create awkwardness between the audience and the characters.

• I didn't have different locations to use a sound bridge otherwise sound bridges are very conventional to demonstrate feelings of sadness or happiness to suggest that feelings don’t change.

• Dialogue was also heard so that the audience understand the narrative and characters a little bit more. Because it was a drama romance it was important for my characters voices to be soft and not aggressive simply because it’s not romantic.

Editing

In the editing I used transitions such as cross dissolve and overlays to smoothen out the film. This technique also relaxes the audiences where as in One day there weren’t any transitions used this makes the clip appear faster at the speed of an heart beat almost. In TFIOS the same technique was also used like One day but used a flashback to create a memory. I challenged the conventions by using a filter that looks like bubbles to give that extra effect of romance and comfort. I also used a slow motion when the my female character was walking as there was a voice over. This also challenges the convention but also meets the convention as in my research I know that the speed and pace of editing gets faster when the characters are upset and slow and natural when everything is okay.