Existing Example 2: Nowhere Avenue

This A grade short film, while low on action and any movement whatsoever, is a good example of the use of dialogue and the importance of writing in the production of a short film.

Plot:

Two men prepare to kill a hostage but the executioner is indecisive and the two argue, resulting in the death of both the hostage and one of the men.

Production Quality:

While the camerawork is rather basic, it does have a nice enough variety of shots to keep the short fluid and well paced. The costuming works well, the two men faithfully recreate their inspiration with their outfits. The use of props works well in this short, bagging the head of the hostage places emphasis on the ruthlessness of the killers and works well to juxtapose the incompetence of them showcased later on, the prop pistol is also made to seem quite real unlike in many student shorts in which obvious toy guns aren't covered up or alter to seem real. The real quality of this short comes from the writing, the interaction between the two men seems honest and believable to that of two work colleagues and it is well written enough that despite some bad delivery the lines come off as being a good quality and sometimes humorous, as was intentioned. The interaction between the hostage also seems believable and is well written and humorous and the power dynamic is well realised and is portrayed well by the lead actor.

Lessons Learnt:

While the small scale of the product and it's use of a single location isn't something I want to replicate there are elements of this short I do want to take pointers from, most obviously the writing and how to pace it. Dialogue is going to be a vital part of my short and this short gives a good example of how pacing and writing can be used to take a rather plain concept and make it something more, elevating it to that A level.