2. ‘Missed’
Missed is a 5 minute single drama based in London, made by Guy Ducker. (genre)
Missed is a linear drama as all the events take place in chronological order, is a realist drama as it is naturally lit
giving it a normal and realistic feel to it, and it contains long scenes with few cuts so the audience can able to focus
on the dialogue easier. The ending is closed as the story is brought together when we discover Emma isn’t actually
alive.
This drama appeals to all as the realistic feel can reach everyone as it’s about the loss of a loved one and how easily
they can disappear. However I would say its aimed more at adults of either sex about 30-40 as this is similar to the
actors age and it’s based around business/office workers, who have their own jobs and problems helping audiences
relate and sympathise with them.
3. Technical structures
Camera techniques
Lots of different techniques are used within ‘Missed’ this helps keep audiences entertained and keeps them from
loosing interest. The beginning establishing shot allows the audiences to gather where the story is set and the type
of people involved. We can see its work related as everyone within the first scene is wearing a suit, busy street is
shown and a train passes which is typical of London.
Mid-shots are used to show the main character and give some detail into his life, we see he wears a suit, has a
laptop so we know he’ll most likely work in this area as he looks very relaxed and at home doing work in this
environment. Once his colleague (Greg) enters the café another mid-shot is used to show similarities between the
two men, as they both wear suits. Throughout their convocation a range of camera shots are used; eye level shots
are used so we the audience feel as if we’re watching and involved in the story, which helps us to sympathise with
the characters. Point of view shots are used, again to help us sympathise and get a feel of the story from the main
character’s (Will) eyes. No close ups/extreme close ups are used which I feel would be a good idea for this drama as
emotions play a heavy part. However only close mid-shots are used to portray the characters emotions. The 180
degree rule is used through all the time we see Will and Emma talking which makes sure the audiences attention
isn't thrown and it kept on the convocation, however these long shots are kept interesting by the use of camera
panning around the characters to create an idea of unsteadiness with the characters and the relationship between
the two, it also bring focus to their convocation as they’re at the centre of the shot. Towards the end of their
convocation the characters are shown in frame by themselves creating a distance between them. After these shots
a wide shot is used to show Will sat by him self, facing an empty chair portraying that he’s still coming to terms with
the loss of Emma and the chair left out from the table could symbolise he’s waiting for her to come back.
4. Mise en scene
The mise en scene within the frames relates to the work/business man story, making the main characters look
average and normal so audiences find it easier to relate to them. All the shots are somewhere were audiences
will be easy to associate with such as city environment and the café.
The three main characters all show visual relations such as they all wear very similar clothing (suits black and
white) However the next day (when we see Emma) Will wears all black which has connotations of death and
loss.
Emma is shown to have bought a drink from the café making her seem more realistic and believable. The 2 nd
picture of the ‘two shot’ shows how the window frame creates a barrier between the characters, perhaps
showing a living/dead difference.
5. Lighting
The beginning establishing shot uses ambient lighting, meaning the light that is all ready present before filming
took place. This creates a sense of realism, the scene is dim showing its going to be a realism drama, for
example the shot hasn’t been edited to look brighter and happier as that would not fit with the conventions of
realist films.
The lighting within this drama stays rather steady and similar throughout (due to it being natural lighting again
creating this feel of realism). When we see the shot of Will and Emma sat together Will appears to have more
of a shadow cast on his face this has connotations of sadness and perhaps deeper feelings like regret as Will
learns its too late. This the scene also uses slightly lower key lighting, showing a subtle change which not all
audiences will pick up on, making it more mysterious for those who don’t. This low-key lighting remains after
Emma has gone showing that there has been a change and the story has taken a new closing direction, whilst
other (background) characters are shown to be happily continuing their lives while Will struggles to do so with
his.
6. Sound
The opening establishing shot opens with the noise of a train and café noises (stirring drinks and coffee
machine) which easily allows the audience to grasp where the following events will take place.
Interruptions within the first few lines of dialogue help show that the story, the characters lives and the lives of
the audiences will all have interruptions which we have to deal with. When the news of Emma’s death reaches
Will sad/sympathetic music is played (non-diegetic) this helps us understand how the main character is feeling
and how he felt about Emma.
There is a fade which contains a ‘sound bridge’ into the next scene helping to link the two. This scene opens
with similar train and café noises to the original opening of the drama.
Mysterious music is played when Will sees Emma, showing this isn’t reality and something is wrong. When we
see the two characters out side together the mysterious music is still being played and we don’t hear all of
their dialogue, we hear key words such as “What?” and “Died?” showing the story is mainly based on disbelief
and death.
The ambient sounds of traffic and café noises are heard throughout this drama, they’re left in rather than being
edited out to help reinforce the dramas realistic feel. Audiences will without knowing, expect these noises to
be present, so they feel more comfortable and can easily relate.
7. Editing
Continuity editing is used in ‘Missed’ to almost seamlessly move from one scene to other without the story
being interrupted, this is difficult for short films like ‘Missed’ as it set in a location that has lots of ambient
sounds to take into consideration (traffic a few meters away and café noises)
Shot Reverse Shot (SRS) is one of the most common editing techniques used in ‘Missed’ since there is a lot of
dialogue and SRS is the best way to portray it, as we are able to see characters faces as they’re speaking and
being spoke to which allows the audience to capture their emotions, helping with the storyline.
The 180 degree rule is stuck to during the whole short film, as whenever we see Will /Will and Emma the
camera never leaves the 180 radius. However when we see Greg the camera is on the other side of the 180
degrees but Greg has his own individual shots so it still works when he has a convocation with Will as the 180
line is pushed back.
Fades to Black is used multiple times in ‘missed’ it has connotations of loss, death or something coming to an
end. It’s used after Will finds out about Emma’s death, helping the audience to realise she’s gone.
