About a Girl
Director Brian Percival
Writer Julie Rutter Ford
About a girl opens to a shot of a small girls silhouette against a skyline of clouds dancing and singing. The following series of sudden cuts are close-ups of the character talking in a strong accent to the camera in a monologue fashion whilst she walks upon the backdrop of an urban industrial landscape. Her topics of interests in which she chooses to tell us about mainly include optimistic statements about how she will reach fame and stardom through singing. She also repeatedly mentions random quotes about her family and descriptions of her life up till now; her relationship with her dad, frustrations with her mum, her career desires as a singer, the group she has formed with her friends. Typically these topics would seem to be common things that any 13 year old might talk about, although her surroundings create an abstract and almost unwelcoming atmosphere. Her monologue is often interrupted with more fundamental shots of the girl specifically with her Father. She can also be seen in the perfume department testing perfumes but not purchasing them, giving a slight implication of poverty, sitting on a bench outside a pub where supposedly her father is, further implying domestic problems perhaps in parenting. Towards the end of the film, the girl who is now walking along side a canal, the girls descriptions are becoming to be that of a dark nature , her outlook seems to become most to obviously metaphorical, as she puts emphasis on her family troubles by talking about things like ice cream and famous idols, putting the audience at its most ignorant and vulnerable the girl climatically states that she has become "good at hiding things" and throws a plastic bag into the canal which after observation reveals that there was a baby inside it.
After watching this film followed with the commentary, many factors amongst this film became apparent which i missed the first time around. Throughout the film there are a series of contrasts in colour and shape, for example in the introduction lacks establishment and the almost perfectly dark silhouette dances amongst the relaxed colourful sky, for me that represents a certain freedom in this shot alone, the urbanized atmosphere and grittiness present in every other shot apart from this one gives it a certain uniqueness, perhaps showing the girls ignorance or even her optimism. It's also noticeable that the colour dulls throughout the film up until its climax where it appears quite colourless. As the girl walks along the canal, which i get the intention is a visual metaphor within itself, it can be seen that the shadowing along the canal is symmetrical as the young girl walks down the dark path whilst the canal is brightened up. The surroundings and grittiness of the film give it a real sense of realism which often audiences can relate to giving it that down to earth style, her innocence amongst the urbanized world which she walks upon creates a contrast with themes of neglect and abuse. The fast pace shots along with the detailed dialogue of the girls life do not make the audience aware of the narrative which appears completely linear, making the climax of the film seemingly to be all that more unorthodox as the pace of the film becomes more downbeat as the shots lenghten and movement ceases unlike the fast sketchy hard cuts which were involved before to make the ending that more shocking and disturbing for the audience.
In 2001 it won the BAFTA award for best short film. It also won an award at the Edinburgh International film festival for Best British Short, the TCM Classic Shorts Award prize at the London film festival, and the Jury Prize at the Raindance film festival.
Cubs
Director Tom Harper
Producer Lisa Williams
Cubs opens to a series of quick paced shots viewing a group of youths playing football in what appears to be an urban environment. After these short sequences of various titles and some long scanning shots of the youths playing football establishing the urban environment. the audience is introduced to two characters who are sitting on a wall observing the other youths playing. They are in discussion about waiting for someones arrival. After a brief wait, a few characters appear who are lead by what seems to be a hierarchy, as he enters the park a sense intimidation occurs as the people in the park scurry away and form line as a daunting slow paced music begins. The hierarchy named Karl inspects the line of people to which they are silent, and takes one of them to which the rest are displeased. One of the two characters who was previously sat on the wall expresses his feelings of his rejection to Karl urging him to take he and his friend with him and Karl allows him to come, although we as an audience are unaware of what place or event Karl is taking them to. The scene cuts to another area later on that day at night, a large group of teenagers is viewed from a high angle long shot, establishing the extremely sub urbanized area to which the group are. Quick close up shots scan the area putting many illegal activities on display such as drugs, drug dealing and drinking are seen. These quick shots also close up on many of the youths present in this area at fast pace, creating a sense of self preparation for all of them as well as us as an audience for something is about to happen. Karl appears with two rabid dogs, approaches the boy and warns him to look out for the police whilst handing him a cricket bat, further putting pressure on the already at nervous boy who has given the impression to the audience that he doesn't really belong in these surroundings. The audience is now put at a certain tension as the anxiety amongst the group arises the atmosphere, the dogs begin to bark and people ready themselves as Karl gives them the signal to move out of the area. After a brief search by the group they come across a fox and begin to chase with violent intent, a fast paced music begins to play as the camera tracks with the group chasing amongst the urban landscape. The fox becomes corned but escapes after the boy fails to attack it to which Karl is displeased. Eventually the two dogs catch up with fox and leave it half dead. Karl gives the boy a gun and states that he should "get initiated", after a brief pause of hesitation from the boy whilst the pace slows right down with a close up of the innocent fox, the boy shoots the fox. After killing the fox the group of people celebrate with the boy praising him. Karl wipes the blood of the fox on his face and states he is one of them now in initiation.
Cubs then, is a urbanized representation of fox hunting, a now illegal sport. The main contrast appears with that theme in itself as fox hunting is considered a Royalist sport of high social class, yet through cubs it is presented as a teenage dark sport manifested with urban themes. The film is presented professionally and polished, yet themes still suggest that gritty style which is represented in that of About a girl. Throughout the film there is a variety of shot being on display, its close up hand held shots add to its realism and the number of long shots capture and establish the landscape well. The themes explored also create a contrast, the central theme is fox hunting but the themes that surround it don't necessarily have anything to do with it, more to suit the establishment in that being an urban environment. Gang violence, peer pressure and seeking solidarity all are present within the film to which a large amount of audience can relate to, but to contrast it with the incongruous idea of urbanized fox hunting is this films central unique factor makes it that more original.
Cubs was a nominee for the BAFTA award for best short film in 2006.
Director Brian Percival
Writer Julie Rutter Ford
About a girl opens to a shot of a small girls silhouette against a skyline of clouds dancing and singing. The following series of sudden cuts are close-ups of the character talking in a strong accent to the camera in a monologue fashion whilst she walks upon the backdrop of an urban industrial landscape. Her topics of interests in which she chooses to tell us about mainly include optimistic statements about how she will reach fame and stardom through singing. She also repeatedly mentions random quotes about her family and descriptions of her life up till now; her relationship with her dad, frustrations with her mum, her career desires as a singer, the group she has formed with her friends. Typically these topics would seem to be common things that any 13 year old might talk about, although her surroundings create an abstract and almost unwelcoming atmosphere. Her monologue is often interrupted with more fundamental shots of the girl specifically with her Father. She can also be seen in the perfume department testing perfumes but not purchasing them, giving a slight implication of poverty, sitting on a bench outside a pub where supposedly her father is, further implying domestic problems perhaps in parenting. Towards the end of the film, the girl who is now walking along side a canal, the girls descriptions are becoming to be that of a dark nature , her outlook seems to become most to obviously metaphorical, as she puts emphasis on her family troubles by talking about things like ice cream and famous idols, putting the audience at its most ignorant and vulnerable the girl climatically states that she has become "good at hiding things" and throws a plastic bag into the canal which after observation reveals that there was a baby inside it.
After watching this film followed with the commentary, many factors amongst this film became apparent which i missed the first time around. Throughout the film there are a series of contrasts in colour and shape, for example in the introduction lacks establishment and the almost perfectly dark silhouette dances amongst the relaxed colourful sky, for me that represents a certain freedom in this shot alone, the urbanized atmosphere and grittiness present in every other shot apart from this one gives it a certain uniqueness, perhaps showing the girls ignorance or even her optimism. It's also noticeable that the colour dulls throughout the film up until its climax where it appears quite colourless. As the girl walks along the canal, which i get the intention is a visual metaphor within itself, it can be seen that the shadowing along the canal is symmetrical as the young girl walks down the dark path whilst the canal is brightened up. The surroundings and grittiness of the film give it a real sense of realism which often audiences can relate to giving it that down to earth style, her innocence amongst the urbanized world which she walks upon creates a contrast with themes of neglect and abuse. The fast pace shots along with the detailed dialogue of the girls life do not make the audience aware of the narrative which appears completely linear, making the climax of the film seemingly to be all that more unorthodox as the pace of the film becomes more downbeat as the shots lenghten and movement ceases unlike the fast sketchy hard cuts which were involved before to make the ending that more shocking and disturbing for the audience.
In 2001 it won the BAFTA award for best short film. It also won an award at the Edinburgh International film festival for Best British Short, the TCM Classic Shorts Award prize at the London film festival, and the Jury Prize at the Raindance film festival.
Cubs
Director Tom Harper
Producer Lisa Williams
Cubs opens to a series of quick paced shots viewing a group of youths playing football in what appears to be an urban environment. After these short sequences of various titles and some long scanning shots of the youths playing football establishing the urban environment. the audience is introduced to two characters who are sitting on a wall observing the other youths playing. They are in discussion about waiting for someones arrival. After a brief wait, a few characters appear who are lead by what seems to be a hierarchy, as he enters the park a sense intimidation occurs as the people in the park scurry away and form line as a daunting slow paced music begins. The hierarchy named Karl inspects the line of people to which they are silent, and takes one of them to which the rest are displeased. One of the two characters who was previously sat on the wall expresses his feelings of his rejection to Karl urging him to take he and his friend with him and Karl allows him to come, although we as an audience are unaware of what place or event Karl is taking them to. The scene cuts to another area later on that day at night, a large group of teenagers is viewed from a high angle long shot, establishing the extremely sub urbanized area to which the group are. Quick close up shots scan the area putting many illegal activities on display such as drugs, drug dealing and drinking are seen. These quick shots also close up on many of the youths present in this area at fast pace, creating a sense of self preparation for all of them as well as us as an audience for something is about to happen. Karl appears with two rabid dogs, approaches the boy and warns him to look out for the police whilst handing him a cricket bat, further putting pressure on the already at nervous boy who has given the impression to the audience that he doesn't really belong in these surroundings. The audience is now put at a certain tension as the anxiety amongst the group arises the atmosphere, the dogs begin to bark and people ready themselves as Karl gives them the signal to move out of the area. After a brief search by the group they come across a fox and begin to chase with violent intent, a fast paced music begins to play as the camera tracks with the group chasing amongst the urban landscape. The fox becomes corned but escapes after the boy fails to attack it to which Karl is displeased. Eventually the two dogs catch up with fox and leave it half dead. Karl gives the boy a gun and states that he should "get initiated", after a brief pause of hesitation from the boy whilst the pace slows right down with a close up of the innocent fox, the boy shoots the fox. After killing the fox the group of people celebrate with the boy praising him. Karl wipes the blood of the fox on his face and states he is one of them now in initiation.
Cubs then, is a urbanized representation of fox hunting, a now illegal sport. The main contrast appears with that theme in itself as fox hunting is considered a Royalist sport of high social class, yet through cubs it is presented as a teenage dark sport manifested with urban themes. The film is presented professionally and polished, yet themes still suggest that gritty style which is represented in that of About a girl. Throughout the film there is a variety of shot being on display, its close up hand held shots add to its realism and the number of long shots capture and establish the landscape well. The themes explored also create a contrast, the central theme is fox hunting but the themes that surround it don't necessarily have anything to do with it, more to suit the establishment in that being an urban environment. Gang violence, peer pressure and seeking solidarity all are present within the film to which a large amount of audience can relate to, but to contrast it with the incongruous idea of urbanized fox hunting is this films central unique factor makes it that more original.
Cubs was a nominee for the BAFTA award for best short film in 2006.
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