2. I have selected a range of short movies for inspiration and a point of
reference for when I produce my own film. The movies I have
selected range from experimental films to Sci-Fi. I feel that it is
important to explore different genres as it gives me more of an
insight on how can tell a story through many different ways.
I recently found a film on the movie sharing website ‘Short of the
Week’ titled Thomas Bennet by Nathan Honnold. I feel that this has
really helped me to find the subject I want to base my film on social
issues, including homelessness, and focusing on certain individuals
and their personal problems.
I feel that I can also take some aspects from the other films that I
have researched and include them in my final production.
I will be talking about the following short movies: Numbers, Change
For A Dollar, Wall, and Topboy.
4. Thomas Bennet is an intimate documentary
with an universal message about how we
approach life. Nathan Honnold’s charismatic
short Thomas Bennett is a touching portrayal
of a man whom society is undoubtedly more
used to ignoring. Providing an understanding
into Thomas’ life and mind, we take a trip
through his upbringing, his collections, his
home and his state of health. The
heartwarming relationship between the
protagonist and Honnald is refreshing as
Honnald does not poke fun at Thomas‘
eccentricities, but treats him as an equal. The
handheld shots give the short film a raw
feeling, as if we too were trailing along with
Thomas. I found this film thought-provoking
as most people would disregard somebody
like Thomas at the first sight. I feel that
Nathan Honnald turned something society
seems as a burden into a work of art which is
what I aim to do with my own production.
5. Before we get a glimpse of Thomas Bennett’s face, we are greeted by the sound
of his voice, softly singing a hymn. At exactly 10 seconds, the black screen cuts
to Thomas’ face. The close up allows us to see the clear details of his facial
features and expression. At 28 seconds, he stops singing and welcomes us with a
smile. We immediately build a friendship with him and become more intrigued
to find out who this man is.
6. Thomas Bennet is a biographical short film with
an open structure, meaning that there is no final
conclusion or ending to the story. This defies the
conventional narratives in three acts as defined
by Tzvetan Todorov. Todorov stated that
traditional narratives are structured in three
stages: equilibrium, disequilibrium
(disruption/recognition) and new equilibrium
(attempt to restore equilibrium and
reinstatement)
The narrative is not organised by plot or by time
sequence, but simply through a conversation
between two people. At the start of the film
right after Thomas’ singing, the director Nathan
Honnald is heard through a voiceover describing
how he met Thomas. Throughout the short film,
we can only hear Nathan a few times asking
Thomas questions to spark conversation.
In Thomas Bennet, Nathan Honnald manages to
depict Thomas as a hero. In Vladimir Propp’s as a
Russian structuralist scholar who analysed the
basic plot components of Russian folk tales to
identify the basic narrative elements which are
still common in most stories today.
7. Although, there is no structured plot, the viewers
soon realise that the whole point of the film is not
only to learn more about this man, but to be
considerate to everyone despite aspects such as race,
attire or religion. The protagonist starts to open up
about his personal life throughout the film, making
the audience more curious as to who he really is.
Roland Barthes stated in his analysis S/Z that the
hermeneutic narrative code is the one which uses
problems and their complications create enigmas for
the audience. One of Barthes theories noted that
conventional narrative offers gratifications for
audience and particular emotions are generated by
the narrative. For example, someone watching a
horror film may start to feel scared. Often people feel
excited while watching an action narrative or even feel
empathetic towards characters while watching a soap
opera. These emotional responses draw the audience
into a story which then encourages them to keep
watching.
The climax provides the audience with an emotional
‘high spot’. This is usually the most exciting, thrilling,
scary or funny moment in the text depending on the
genre. The resolution is the reward the audience
receives at the end of the emotional journey the
narrative has taken them on. The satisfaction also
provides comfort and reassurance as closure is
achieved.
8. Representation of race in the media can consist of the same sort of severe
stereotypes that create gender portrayal. Thomas Bennet (the protagonist) is a
black male roughly around his late 40’s to mid 50’s (age not specified.) At first he
is represented as a strange character people would not associate themselves
with. His grey beard makes him stand out along with his random choice of
clothing which include a sailors hat and a tiara. Thomas’ teeth is ruined partly
due to gum disease as he suffers from HIV/AIDS. All of these traits contribute into
the first impression people get from just looking at Thomas.
There are many negative representations of black people especially in film. For
example, in non-fictional films, often the black male is a criminal or one in the
making due to where he lives, his type of clothing and upbringing. The difference
with Thomas Bennet is that although he appears to be homeless and not 100%
mentally stable, he has a place to live and has fought during war. Although
Thomas has had a rough childhood as well as adulthood, he still remains happy
and content with his life at the moment. This also ties into the representation of
social class.
Stuart Hall is a cultural theorist who has been particularly influential in
influencing racial thinking in the UK. Hall argues that the representation of the
black subject has been through two phases. The first was a challenge of the racist
stereotype and asserting a positive black identity. This was typically through
recovery of a lost African history in which an essential core is found. In the second
phase, the black subject is considered to be produced inside 'regimes of
representation. Hall stated that “there is something radically wrong with the way
black immigrants - West Indians, Asians, Africans-are handled by and presented
on the mass media”. He also noted how blacks appeared on TV often in racially
stereotyping positions, despite liberal assumptions and discussions by
broadcasters.
9. Thomas Bennet touches on some very personal happenings
that have occurred during his lifetime with a smile on his
face. Nathan asks Thomas personal questions such as ‘why did
your mum put you in foster care?’ and ‘do people ever think
you’re homeless?’ this may contribute to the structure of the
narrative as the constant use of these open question give the
impression that it is almost like an interview. The simplistic
narrative is effective as so much information was conveyed
through the film.
Claude Levi-Sttrauss was a French anthropologist and
ethnologist, and has been called the "father of modern
anthropology". Claude applied the structural linguistics of
Ferdinand de Saussure to anthology. This was the birth of the
structuralist movemnt in France. This triggered the Marxist
structuralisation of Louis Althusser or the work the
psychoanalysis Jaques Lacan amongst many others. Levi –
Sttrauss recognized that culture is a system of symbolic
communication to be investigated with methods that others
have used more narrowly. Particularly in the discussion of
novels, political speeches, sports, and movies.
Levi-Strauss identified that narratives work well as they are
often based around the conflict between binary oppositions.
There is an essential opposition between a hero and a villain,
between imprisonment and freedom and between lies and the
truth. The problems in a narrative derive from the conflict
between one force and an opposing force. Because of these,
conflicts in a narrative can move forward. Although there is no
conflict in Thomas Bennet, we can see that between the
director and protagonist, that they are two very different
people emotionally and physically. Despite this, the narrative
is still able to move forward.
