AICE Media Studies

"The Subject" is a ten minute long short film encapsulating freedom and sorrow. It is a very touching short film, in which a man dissects his own body and extracts his memories, emotions, and fears. As he is cutting into his skin with a scalpel, many symbolic objects from his past are seen. However, the man is unable to reach his heart. No matter the amount of tools he uses, he is not able to take hold of his heart, possibly alluding that he does not have one. Eventually, the man decides to try and pry his skin open with his hands. As he does this, the skin on his chest begins to rip apart. In the place where one would usually find a heart rest an anvil. He tosses the anvil to the side which results in the man tumbling over and falling, meeting face to face with his unconscious body.  A very frequent shot used in this film was a cutaway. The camera would show the man trying to fix something with tools or his hands. It would then switch to show what the man is trying to fix or...

"original skin" is a twelve minute short film encapsulating acceptance and discrimination. It is a very touching short film that takes place in an alternate universe where being intimate means swapping bodies with the other person. In the process of doing so, a young woman struggles to be herself in this new body she is in. She faces discrimination from her mother, urging her to swap for her body back or else she would be disowned. Although fictional, this film represented something that many teenagers and young adults struggle with: finding who they truly are. It was a deeply intimate portrait of finding one's identity through a rough transitional period, which is something many people are able to relate to no matter the circumstance.  A very frequent shot used in this film was an over the shoulder shot. Since there was a lot going on in the woman's environment, over the shoulder shots were used to show the woman's surroundings while also including the woman and ...

Writing & Story:  Write to match what you have (actors, locations, props). Add setups (visual/emotional/story) that lead to strong endings. Surprise the audience—avoid predictable stories. Stick to the theme; it guides characters and plot. Gear & Camera: Use gear creatively, but know their limits. Pick cameras, lenses, and lighting to match the tone. Planning: Use storyboards, shot lists, and animatics to prepare. Stay flexible—things might change on set. Tone: Keep the same vibe across everything (camera, lighting, clothes). Casting: Choose actors that fit the story and tone. Write characters based on your actors’ strengths. Team Effort: Everyone gives 100%—believable acting + crew focus = great film. Sound: If sound resources are tight, use visuals instead of too much talking. Post-Production: Take breaks to see your work with fresh eyes. Cut scenes to keep pacing tight, then polish. Use tools for feedback with the team. Skip bad effects—find creative ways to solve proble...

Short Film The short film "9" by Shane Acker is an excellent example of concise and visually-driven storytelling. It follows 9, as they navigate a post apocalyptic world that is dominated by deadly machines. The story is minimalist, relying on actions rather than words to convey 9’s bravery and resourcefulness. The film utilizes rusted machinery, in addition to decaying landscapes to create an eerie, atmospheric setting. Acker uses tight framing and muted colors to build tension and immerse the viewer in this desolate world. The short film’s conventions lean on non-verbal storytelling, atmosphere, and prioritizing visual artistry over narrative depth. Full-Length Film The full-length adaptation of 9 builds on the original’s premise, expanding its world and developing the backstory of the ragdoll characters. It introduces new themes, like humanity’s downfall, sacrifice, and the power of unity. The extended runtime allows for more complex storytelling, more visually appealing a...

Part 1: Takeaway from the Video The video comparison explains how 12 Monkeys builds on La Jetee while keeping its main ideas. Both films explore time travel, memory, and fate, but 12 Monkeys goes deeper with a more detailed story that includes multiple timelines and stronger character arcs. La Jetee uses still photographs to create a nostalgic and inevitable tone, while 12 Monkeys uses live action and dynamic camera work to connect with a modern audience. This showed me how important it is to adjust a story to fit the medium, whether it’s a short film that’s experimental or a feature-length movie with more space for complexity. Part 2: Takeaway from the Article The article focuses on the differences in philosophy and storytelling between the two films. La Jetee is more reflective, showing memory as fragile and fleeting, while 12 Monkeys highlights the unpredictability and chaos of time travel. The article also talks about how the simplicity of La Jetee helps its themes stand out, which...

 For our short film, we came to the conclusion that we will be focusing around the dramatic genre. We agreed that this would be the best option for our genre based on the storyline. The dramatic genre is one of the most versatile genres that focuses around storytelling, character development, and emotional depth. We plan for our film to evoke emotion in the viewers and keep them hooked. There are also plenty of subgenres within the dramatic genre that we plan to include in our film. Some of these subgenres include comedy and romance.