The Conventions of Drama

Alfred Hitchcock

Job Titles Within The Film Industry

Coming of Age Review

By Shima Begum

A short but gritting story of a boy who is deprived and in the midst of danger.  Despite being afraid, the young boy seems to face his fears by confronting two bandits, in hoping to protect his own. The short story tells a tale of an unfortunate and underprivileged future that we live in, known as an apocalypse. The idea that society has collapsed, thus leaving people to cope with the hardships of it.

Written, produced and edited by Ben and Charlie Goodger. The dynamic duo stunned audiences with their unique perspective of capturing the grotesque life of 2030. By illustrating the difficulties and sufferings, society faces due to an apocalyptic future. The cast consist of a young actor Toby Goodger who plays the young boy. The actor, (the youngest brother of the three) managed to stun audiences with his immaculate yet faultless performance. The young actor managed to evoke emotion towards the audience that left them feeling quite on edge.

Set in an abandoned chalk quarry in Hampshire, England. The director, Ben Goodger had a budget of just £150 and a crew of only four to produce his Drama based film. The short film starts with a chase. The use of rapid jump cuts and the effect wipe was used throughout the opening scene, the editing shot really enhanced the feeling of fear, panic and terror. The idea that the constant use of jump cuts represented danger, that something inevitable was going to happen. The shaky camera or handheld shot also contributed towards the threat of danger in the first scene. A good technique to use as it managed to keep audiences hooked. As the scene progresses, there are a flow of feathers that slowly start to fizzle out. This effect gave the audience just a glimpse of what the short film will be about. The burning of feathers was a spectacular way to help symbolise many factors such as violence, danger, blood but most importantly death. Hence, the young boy burying a loved one follows up the burning of feathers. A clear, innovative start for the film.

 The audience are enlightened by the type of lifestyle the young child lives. There is an old abandoned shed/stable, in which they live. The use of a long shot defines the boys living conditions, and they are not great. The stable is poorly structured. The boy has no facilities, no clean water or a bed where we see his sister (played by Tilly Carter) lay on the floor. The lack of things illustrates the rundown and underprivileged life they both live. The contribution of low-key lighting in this scene and throughout the short film gives the film an element of flavour and a sense of realism. The use of low key lighting demonstrates not only the fear the  boy has but also emotes his vulnerability, as throughout the film he has to take responsibility of his loved ones but being a child himself it is more of a challenge. The use of sound and music was cleverly used. The use of sound had given the audience a cringe-worthy effect whilst watching. Sound was best used when the boy was having a flashback of an older male (another loved one) being hit by a pole. Also in other scenes where the boy was confronted by the two bandits during the chase scene, played by Luke Montgomery and Tom Railton. This scene was heart clenching and filled with adrenaline as there was a fear that the boy will be caught and eventually the boy will no longer live.

The narrative of the story illustrated many things. The idea of vulnerability, an apocalyptic society, which has had an effect on the young boy’s life. As he lives in a poorly assembled home with his sister. The idea that there are vast amounts of people underprivileged because of the effects of society. There was no initial dialect. Simply the use of facial expressions, body language and music used. There was no need for dialect as the film was self-explanatory.  Just like a picture depicts a thousand words. There were a few representations, but what stood out was social class. The film clearly illustrates the hardships of life in the year 2035 and how the poor have been widely affected. The film helped conform this stereotype of the poor. The idea that the broken house, poor clothing and lack basic materials shown in the film conforms that society has collapsed and the poor have been severely affected . The ideologies as mentioned earlier is the emphasise on society and how it has collapsed which could coincide the concept of capitalism.

The audience or specific target group can range from 12 and over. As there is no dialect, people from abroad can understand and watch this film. The audience for this film is widespread and not limited to a particular group. Overall, the short film was a massive success. The director clearly honed in the gritty lifestyle of the boy, featured in this film. In addition, the acting was commendable as it gave the film a sense of realism. The film was spectacular and receives a 5/5 for its remarkable beginning middle and end. A great joy but fear to watch.