Analysing Student Films

We watched 3 film openings created by students.


Clip one (Peephole)
Strengths - The sound was used really well and was effective, I also thought the camera angles were used well especially as there was a variety of them. When the camera was going around the tree, it kept really steady (and that was probably really hard to film).
Weaknesses - I thought that with the basic filming (mid shots) the camera was very unsteady, so when they had harder bits to film (the tree) they kept the camera steady but with easier bits to film the camera wouldn't stay still. The title appeared really early and thought it would of been better if they introduced it a bit later. Lastly I thought there was too much in the opening, it was more like a trailer because you basically see everything happen and with a film opening you just need to lead people in and not give away too much.


Clip two (Shadowing)
Strengths - I thought the camera angles were used really well! The camera was steady, and there was a variety of shots. I also thought that the editing was done to a high standard especially with jump cuts to reveal the stalker.
Weaknesses - It has the same weaknesses as clip one, it just gives to much away, its more like a trailer than an opening. They need to keep away from a closed narrative because in there opening the whole storyline is put out.


Clip three (Solitude)
Strengths - Like the two clips before, all the three clips have had a really good variety of camera angles. The reason this clip was probably the best is because it was a film opening, they didn't give to much away, it was an open narrative as there was lots more things to happen yet.
Weaknesses - I thought that the titles were used badly because it didn't fit with the genre, it was poorly made as well (made of paint). Also they need to be careful with there props as at one point the windscreen wipers were up and then the next they were down.

By looking at previous student films I know that when I create my film, I need to keep away from a film trailer, by the looks of it lots of students make the mistake of making there opening more like a trailer and making it a close narrative where as it should be an opening narrative as there is still lots more to happen in the film.