The short film is an emotional drama that highlights the problem of bullying in schools. It shows different teenagers being bullied both face-to-face and online. At the end, someone comments on Facebook that the bullies are the actual "losers," not their victims. This sends the message that people should stand up to bullies and not let anything stop them from pursuing their goals. It also suggests that bullying can be stopped if victims unite against their tormentors.

1. By Sunraj Bolina

2. The short film is a emotional drama film , there are many messages
embedded in the short film. The film shows different types of teenagers
going through various phases. The short film lays emphasis on one of todays
main problem in schools – bullying.
The short film shows students being bullied face to face and through cyber
bullying. However at the end of the film the bullies are challenged as the
film shows someone on Facebook commenting ‘don’t be a bully. LOSER.’
This shows that the bullies victims are not the actual losers however the
bullies are in fact the losers. This sends out a message to members of the
audience who may face these dilemmas and issues, the message is that you
should never stop what you want to do no matter what/who gets in the way.
Also that by standing up to bullies and sticking together you can put a end
to bullying.

3. The first frame we see is a comment box on Facebook.
Someone types Losers. This corresponds to the title of the
short film and straight away the audience can tell that the
atmosphere seems to be sad and emotional due to the
powerful significance of the word – ‘LOSERS’.
There is the sound effects of buttons on a keyboard being
pressed (typing) as the word loser appears. This sound
could be diegetic or non –diegetic however this allows the
equilibrium to flow as the audience know that someone is
typing the word.
The screen then goes black and we hear the sound of a
click followed by music, the music seems to be either
clapping or tapping. The beat/music is engaging and makes
the audience really interested in the short film due to the
mellow rhythm it holds.

4. We then see a series of shots showing different teenagers
going through various phases. One thing that the shots all
symbolise is the isolation the characters have from other
people. The bullying victims tend to be lonely, thus
conforming to the idea that victims do not speak out
because they do not have anyone to tell, or maybe do not
trust anyone as they think that there issues may become
more severe.
The victims are portrayed as defenceless, weak and lonely
through the use of character spacing, costume and props.
The boy in the yellow shorts is struggling to lift the weighs
which shows his weakness. Through the use of
cinematography there seems to be a lot of room next to
the characters. In the first screen shot – image you can see
two girls together eating their food in contrast to the boy
in the centre having his food alone. The fast paced
editing, fast transition of shots (hard cuts) allow the
audience to see the different victims and how they have
their own way of dealing with things e.g. trying to be
different by studying, exercising and comfort eating etc.
This shows the effects of bullying as each victim wants to
change who they are just to fit in and not be bullied.

5. Non – diegetic music is being played at this point because this is the stage where
the narrative and storyline begins to develop. The music takes time to emerge
with the scenes as it starts off slow and quiet then builds up to a faster tempo
where the sound of guitars being played is introduced.
We see people failing as they try to accomplish certain
tasks. This yet again shows why the victims are associated
with the word ‘losers’ as they continuously lose, however
it takes many mistakes and attempts to try and
accomplish something to finally win. This is the message
the directors tries to portray as he shows how the
characters develop from being lonely and failing doing
things to start to become brave and confident individuals.
We then see the more popular students. The second
screen shot shows the ‘jocks’ as they celebrate in a
aggressive abnormal way by barging into each other and
chanting. Here we see the difference between the victims
and the bullies. The bullies are in a crowd and tend to
make noise whereas the victims are alone and quiet.

6. The cinematographer uses close ups and medium shots
to show the victims. In the background the bullies shout
abusive words at the victims such as ‘slut’, ‘idiot’ and
‘loser’. The medium shots and close ups allow the
audience to see how these abusive words directly affect
the victims as they look upset and some even cry. This
makes the audience feel sorry for the victims and we
begin to sympathise with them. From here we know
that the short film is an (emotional) drama.
The tempo of the film begins to build, the shots change
faster along with the diegetic sound of the abusive
words being said towards the victims. The music also
build up, this increases the suspense and tension. As the
tempo builds the audience begin to feel as if they are
one of the victims, as the characters are looking directly
in the frame which makes the audience feel more
connected to the storyline. The tempo slows down as
the abusive words stop. There is a close up of a young
girl who looks extremely upset as a result of the abusive
names she faces. As members of the audience we feel
close (connected) to the characters as we feel as though
we are also the victims by watching that specific
sequence.

7. There is a series of loud noises that occur after the
name calling. This shows the bullies in action. The
bullies are shown making life at school hard for the
victims as they punch lockers and knock the victims’
books out of their hands etc. The editor and
cinematographer focuses on the bullies, the victims
and the affect this all has on different people. The
background is blurred so only the important things
are in focus, tis brings the viewers attention close to
the bullying in a hope to make more people aware of
it and to put a stop to it.
The editor keeps the same music playing however he
adds non - diegetic sound of the bullies and other
students laughing at the victims. There is also
diegetic sound of the actions involved in the bullying
stage such as the lockers banging and a bully flicking
the victim’s ear. The use of diegetic sound makes the
short film seem more realistic, this will then increase
the awareness of this situation – bullying.

8. There is a close up of someone typing, along with this
there is diegetic sound of the buttons on the keyboard
being pressed (typing) . One of the bullies types ‘hahaha
SOO gay’. This is offensive and abusive, this is also cyber
bullying – one of the methods bullies use to still bully
innocent children outside of school. The different shots
shown of the victims still being harassed and bullied
makes the audience feel angry but yet hopeless as they
cannot do anything.
All the sound and music stops as the frame changes to
show a close up of a young female victim crying. We
assume that she is crying due to the severe
pain, embarrassment and upset she has been through
because of the bullies. The diegetic sound of the girl
crying makes the audience feel sorry for her. The choice
to remove any other sound (background sound) works
very well because the sound of only the girl crying is very
significant to the film and makes the short film more
emotional as the audience looks at the effects of
bullying.

9. The screen blacks out and then we are presented with a
close up shot showing Facebook. The clapping/tapping
sound occurs again. Someone types ‘don’t be a bully.
LOSER. An enigma is created because we do not know
who is typing this. It could be one of the victims sticking
up for themselves and other victims, or it could be a bully
who wants to change his/her ways. Or possibly it could be
neither a bully or victim but a person sticking up for the
victims as they have witnessed what is going on.
At this stage the viewers will feel a little relived because the bullies have been confronted
and this may stop the bullies. The audience also feel happy because something is being
done about the bullying. They o longer have to see the victims suffering and being upset
as this comment could change the bullies ways. The person also calls the bullies, ‘loser’.
This shows that the victims are not the losers which is what the bullies refer them to, in
fact it is the bullies who are the losers because of their selfish, inconsiderate and mean
actions.

10. By making the audience feel sorry for the victims this increases the awareness of bullying and makes the
bullies themselves want to stop and change however more importantly it teaches the victims to stand up
for their rights and face the bullying and to put a stop to the bullies. The short film also encourages other
people who may not be involved to step in and help the victims by sticking up for them and not siding with
the bullies.
The Director casts a variety of good actors who are able to play their roles excellently to a high
standard, which ultimately makes the short film more emotional and gives off a greater affect to the
audience. When watching the film I felt as though I was in the short film myself because I was paying so
much attention to detail, this was done through the use of creative shots and using a lot of close ups which
allowed viewers to see how the bullying directly affects the victims. The cinematographer used medium
shots to show the victims and also establish the scene – school. I think that this was very good because the
one shot was used for a variety of different reasons – and to show different things.
I think mise – en – scene was used very well in the short film more specifically the use of props and
costume. These indicated who the bullies and victims are in the film. The victims are shown in more formal
and neat clothing, the props included things such as exercise equipment, books and food etc. Whereas the
bullies were shown to be trendy and a bit more effortless with their dress sense and thoughts about school
as the majority were not shown studying or carrying books.
The Editor uses a lot of hard cuts and fast paced editing which I think works really well for the film at times
where it is used. The choice of music is really engaging and makes the audience pay attention to what is
happening. The diegetic sound makes the audience connect with the characters and feel as though they
are involved with the storyline.