Focus - Ailsa

Focus

Media language and narrative

This short film starts with an establishing shot of a boy sitting alone on a beach, this is accompanied by a voiceover that we presume to be the boy sitting on the beach. Subtitles write what he is speaking, but this has been done for the purpose of making it seem like a journal or diary - this is made obvious by the font that has been used. By the shot used and the dialogue ("There was little left",) we get a suggestion that the boy is lonely and feels hopeless and empty. The dull weather and lighting is also an example of pathetic fallacy as it reflects his state of mind.

Again, a LS of the boy is shown. This time he is walking under a bridge which appears to be deserted as well. LSs are used often in this short film to make the audience engage less in the character - making him seem more lonely. It makes us witness him without actually getting involved. The writing/ subtitles also carry on: this time it has "I felt the heaviness in my body as I flew away" which gives the effect of making the audience think he is leaving somewhere, escaping and is somewhat regretful about this. The setting is dark which also adds to the mood, alongside eerie non- diegetic sound. 

We see a CU of his hands which, with his body language of fiddling with them, makes us think he is feeling anxious. The subtitles and dialogue say "it was impossible to shake the sense" - this makes us think he wants to escape his feelings and emphasises the idea anxiety. The dark setting once again surrounds him.

As the dialogue and subtitles tell us that he was "determined to hold back the panic", we hear a light non- diegetic sound of a piano being played - this could suggest hope. The light background also emphasises an idea of hope.

We are suddenly shown an establishing shot of a bright and colourful looking beach. It is the same beach as shown at the beginning, but through the colour and lighting it looks much more exotic. 

There are various LSs of the character looking over beautiful settings alongside more dialogue - it gives the effect of reflection.

There is another shot from under the bridge, from the same distance as last time. He is now sitting down. The dialogue says "like death itself", which instantly seems extremely sinister and depressing - this is emphasised by a slight distortion when this is being said.

Non- diegetic sound of a piano carries on playing throughout, which carries on creating sympathy for the character.

 Through the dialogue it is then revealed that there has been an apocalypse, that is why everywhere is so deserted and is why the boy is alone. Throughout the short film we witness his feeling because of what has happened. There is a high angle CU looking down at a book from the ground, which shows that it is significant.

The narrative is not very clear whether it is linear or non- linear as it has clips of different places, but we don't see him going to these. It is mainly linear for the reason that his costume stays the same throughout though, and it is not evident of any flashbacks or future clips.

Representation

The boy is presented as being vulnerable and alone due to the situation he's in. The world is shown to be calm, peaceful and picturesque, being post- apocolypse.  

  

Genre

The genre of this is a reflective drama.

 From this short film, it has made me think that it's effective to use different, natural settings as they can convey many emotions.