This document provides a critical analysis of a short film titled "From a wish to a thank you" produced by Sadhana Shukla for her AS Level Media Studies course. The film depicts the emotional conflict a teenage girl faces from her parents' divorce as she pursues her dream of becoming a musician. Shukla provides details on the conventions used in the opening title sequence and shots. She also discusses the melancholic lighting and how the film represents issues of divorce and its impact on children. Shukla analyzes how the film would engage audiences and be distributed on various online and traditional media platforms. She reflects on developing new skills in scriptwriting, cinematography, editing, and integrating software, hardware, and online

1. Critical Analysis
SADHANA SHUKLA - AS LEVEL MEDIA STUDIES

2. How does your product use or challenge conventions and how does it
represent social groups or issues?

3. THE OPENING
The opening of my film is conventional. It starts with the introduction of the film title, however, the theme is introduced with a
voice singing a refrain ‘Here’s to the fools who dream’. This refrain has been specifically chosen to convey the reflective mood of
the protagonist. I’ve chosen to keep the opening simple with no animation thus ensuring the focus of the audience is entirely on
the tune.
The rest of my film shows the conflict in the mind of the protagonist about following her dream to become a musician.
The two main characters are established in the beginning and the flashback scene.

4. SHOTS AND ANGLES
I used a low angle shot to project a sense of strength and power, yet the protagonist’s expression
conveys a feeling of confusion.
The over the shoulder shot was to show the message that was received on the phone.

5. This is a long/wide shot to establish the time of day, area of shooting and the
protagonist in full frame.
This is a mid shot to show her expression in more detail towards the message
she just received. This shot was to show the protagonist’s expression in detail.

6. LIGHTING
I’ve chosen to keep the lighting of the film melancholic true to the emotions
experienced by the characters in the film. The lighting is set in natural lighting
for all the outdoor scenes. I’ve chosen to add a spotlight to put a greater focus
to the protagonist’s emotions while she’s deep in thought.

7. ISSUES AND REPRESENTATION
This film depicts a typical urban household where a teenage child is a victim of
a divorce between her parents. Although she seemingly has everything she
needs, like an education and a good place to live, she is emotionally torn with
having to choose between her parents who are trying to control her future.
Divorce brings with it, emotional baggage, not just for the couple going
through it but more importantly, the children. The children put up a very
strong front yet the toll taken is unmistaken, as shown by my film.

8. How does your product engage with audiences and how would it be distributed as a real media text?

9. HOW THE FILM ENGAGES AUDIENCE
- This film has a plot that is understood by almost everyone and most of the audience would be
able to relate to it. The different points of view of the family would engage the audience on a
personal level.
- The flashback sequence makes the audience understand why there is a conflict in the mind of
the protagonist. The 2 minute film ends in a cliffhanger, leaving people wanting to know more
about the protagonist’s dream.
TARGET DEMOGRAPHIC
The target demographic for my film would largely be urban teenagers. The film, however, relates to
family and music, and could attract not only teenagers, but also families and musicians.

10. DISTRIBUTION
‘From a wish, to a thank you’ would be distributed through new media as
well as traditional media as it targets a large group of audience.
● A large use of social media would be used to promote this film.
The film will have campaigns on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter
as the film targets urban teenagers.
● Before the initial release of the film, the soundtrack for the film
will be available on iTunes for purchase as the film revolves
around music.
● The film would be released worldwide as the plot is relatable by
people all over the world.
● The film would also be available for streaming on Netflix and
Amazon Prime Video.
● The film would be available for purchase on Amazon, iTunes and
YouTube.
Twitter
YouTube
Netflix
Facebook
Instagram
iTunes
Hulu
Amazon

11. How did your production skills develop throughout this project?

12. Before making this film, I had no experience in the art of filmmaking. After
independently shooting this film, I realised how much finesse and clarity was
required in the script, storyboard, planning, characters, shooting, editing and
dubbing.
Script : When I was told that I needed to write a script, I
thought it would be the easiest thing that I would have had
to do. After several do-overs is when I understood what a
script required. I understood all the technicalities involved in
setting a scene and understood how to use words like
‘CUT TO’ and ‘FADE OUT’.

13. CINEMATOGRAPHY :
I have learnt the technicalities of shooting different shots and
angles including pan shot, mid shot, wide shot, low angle shot,
close up shot, over the shoulder shot and I’ve also learnt how to
focus, zoom in and out and set up the lighting, mise en scene
and check the composition and framing.
EDITING :
I’ve learnt how to use the editing software Adobe Premiere Pro
and I’ve learnt to add transitions, filters and effects.

14. How did you integrate technologies - software, hardware, and online - in this project?

15. Software ONLINE
Adobe Premiere Pro CC Google Docs
Blog
YouTube
Hardware
Nikon D750, D5300
Tripod
Props
Costumes
LED Panel light

16. ‘From a wish to a thank you’ involved a great use of software, hardware and online
technologies.
While filming, the hardware I used included, Nikon D750 and D5300 for the camera. I
also used a tripod and an LED Panel light with yellow filters for the last scene of my
film.
Using Adobe Premiere Pro CC for my editing software has taught me a lot in terms of
editing. From the initial process to the end, this is what I created my film with.
The blog I maintained online helped me keep track of what needs to be done and what
has been done. I also used Google docs, an online software, for writing my script.
I have used software, hardware and online to create my film. All these three
components is what made my film. For example, during shooting, I would keep my
laptop open with the script and after filming, I would update my blog. Once shooting
had gotten over, I used software for editing my film.

17. The process of working on this film has been an amazing journey of learning and fun and I hope that
this film is delightful to anyone who views it. Learning all about filmmaking has gotten me hooked
onto the dream of becoming a filmmaker.