Is the film maker aware of the various interpretations and references that the film critic analyzes?

 

Outline

§         Definition and nature of short film

§         Formalist analysis

§         Semiotics

§         What do critics look for

§         Factors that influence ways of seeing

§         Conclusion

 

 

What is a short film

§         Less than 50 minutes

§         Use of symbolism

§         Underlying message

§         Requires audience to be an active viewer, interpreter

§         Rarely for entertainment and profit

 

 

Formalist Analysis

 

§         Drawing from elements in reality, putting into 2D space to assimilate reality – work of art

§         Conscious choice, conscious motive behind selection of material

§         Assumes there is a purpose and reason for various elements in misc-en-scene

 

Semiotics

§         Study of signs and symbols

§         Nature of short film, filmmakers employ use of symbols

 Film critics adopt this approach to unravel story, making meaning out of these symbols.

 

What Critics Look For

§         Story line, plot

§         Characters

§         Genre

§         Issues, ideology

§         Craft, artistry of film

§         Personal reaction, emotions

§         Message

 

 

 

 

Factors Affecting Ways of Seeing

 

§         Involuntary attention

 

What is the connection between the film's theme and the Chinese Opera.

Chen Kaige's "Farewell My Concubine" was an inspiration for my film. Both films touch on similar themes, in particular with the lead gay character. However, my film deals on a much smaller scale at a more personal contemporary level.

 

§         Voluntary attention

Is there an intentional distinction between homosexuality as a western construct as seen from the cartoons and potato chips versus the delineating of Chinese culture eroding under Western influence?

I don't quite understand this question. As an Asian growing up in Australia, my identity has always been something I have had to negotiate - dealing with being Asian in a predominantly Caucasian environment. I suppose my identity has existed in layers, and these layers overlap and affect each other. For example, I can see how homosexuality is treated from an Asian perspective as well as from a Western point of view.

 

§         Novelty

The sign on the toilet wall seems to make the audience laugh. Is that your intention?

I like the way the toilet sign makes people laugh. I feel that the gentle comic relief works, because after you laugh, you then realise the implications of this sign, and to a degree the fear that it instills in the Young Kevin.

§         Contrast

Do the colours of blue and red hues relate to therepresentation of male and female gender?

I don't think so in my film. I used a lot of blue simply because it is my favourite colour. I wasn't really conscious of using the colours specifically to
make a comment on gender.

§         Movement

slow-mo effects drawing attention onto itself
eg. Winking of the eye

§         Motivation/ camera angles

 

Why do you predominately use fades rather than other editing transitions in "Heng"?
 Why do you predominately use fades rather than other editing transitions in "Heng"?

 Our group wanted the whole film to feel like memories of the four protagonists. By using fades, it feels more like memory fragments, I think  whole film to feel like memories of the four protagonists. By using fades, it feels more like memory fragments, I think.

What is the significance in defocusing from the close up of the long beans to the bowl of pork?

The significance is that we wanted to show the "cheap food" the mother and son ate. And there was a long voiceover gap to fill up with images. So
this defocusing shot was chosen. But no deep significance other than that.

§         Frame of reference, life experience

What is the intention to include the prologue (tree scene)? What is the connection between the actual film and the prologue?

 

The tree scene is actually a smirk at typical short films. You know, most "Singapore" short films begin with a beautiful shot, then some ruminations about life and its meaning. Ha! The critical point is that the next shot is immediately the shootout scene. So while we sort of started like some pretentious short film, we abruptly twist it into a whodunit. Errrr...did we succeed? =)

 

 

Conclusion

 

Everyone interprets films differently cos of interplay of factors

Dichotomy, symbiotic relationship

What was intended may not be seen; unintended might be overly interpreted