As we start our new course, and start exploring short films, as a class we watched "High Maintenance": Phillip Van- director, Simon Biggs- Writer.
This film managed to create an interesting and original storyline, which generates enigma and a plot twist in the space of just 9 minutes, a main quality of a short film which is important to deliver successfully.
The film is set in the near-future, a woman whose robotic husband fails to meet her standards is returned and upgradedfor a better version with standards that she now fails to meet and so he ends up switching her off. I found that the film used clever techniques in this film, such as in the beginning the sound of the couple chewing was amplified making it the most noticeable sound. This exaggerated the awkwardness and uncomfortableness of the scene. As well as building up enigma, suggesting something will happen soon.
This film was good as when we initially see her turn off her robotic husband we assume that all the males are robots and that women are in charge but then the plot twist shows her new husband turn her off, showing thatthey are all robots. This allows the film to not lose it audience's interest and to be able to finish the story properly in such a short space of time.
It also was not to complex for a film set in the future and did not seem over the top or especially unrealistic. This meant it was appealing for the audience as well as having an interesting storyline.
I feel this was an important beginning stage of the year, as has given me important features to recognise when I start planning my short film.
Extreme close-up shot.
Close up.
