NEA COURSEWORK PLANNING

 NEA SHORT FILM COURSE WORK

Introduction

My idea for my short film is based on the more nostalgic and whimsical direction I wanted to go in, following conventions of the indie genre. There is a focus on two protagonists so I can make sure the audience builds an emotional connection to the two characters to increase the sense of heartfelt I am looking to achieve, especially due to the relatability of the plot to my target audience of teenagers.

Themes

The two key themes I have chosen to focus on are nostalgia and sisterly love. I wanted to include flashback scenes as this helps to build a larger timeline within the 4-5 minutes available aswell as building the connection between characters and audience. Furthermore, I am really interested with how films explore sweet stories of ‘coming of age’ such as ‘little miss sunshine’ and wanted to be able to capture that within mine. Additionally, I wanted to look at the theme of place and how memories are retained within them showing how certain locations can act almost like characters themselves, holding the emotional weight of past experiences.

Links to other films

I really liked the way the French dispatch manages to build on the story of Simone and the prisoner using flashbacks creating a deeper story within a shorter time frame whilst making everything feel very connected. Additionally, I was inspired by ‘the taste of tea’ and how it tells a warming coming of age story through mostly body language and editing with more limited dialogue. After watching the short film ‘the arrival’ I was also intrigued by how physical performance through subtle body language conveys emotions and supports the dialogue greatly. Furthermore, themes within ‘the Ellington kid’ such as the closeness between friends and casual experiences they share together have helped to inspire the atmosphere of togetherness I plan to portray within my short film.

Brief plot summary

Act 1

The film opens by establishing the close bond between the two sisters, Annie and Naomi, on Naomi's last day before she leaves for university abroad. The initial setting is the kitchen, where Annie prepares two cups of tea for Naomi. The action transitions to them walking along the riverside where they are talking and laughing. As they walk, Annie playfully tries to convince Naomi to reveal the important place they are going, but Naomi keeps it a secret, lightly teasing Annie. They arrive at the Suzette cafe, where they sit outside and eat crepes. A small moment of affectionate humour occurs as Annie attempts to steal a bite of Naomi’s lemon sugar crepe, highlighting their easy familiarity. This act establishes their relationship and the attempt to keep the day feeling ordinary, despite the looming separation.

Act 2

The scene shifts to them sitting on the sofa at night. They are curled up under a blanket in matching pyjamas, watching a film. This ritual feels fleeting, like the last time they will share it. The underlying tension surfaces when Annie as admits how she doesn’t want her sister to leave. Naomi shifts uncomfortably and tries to reassure her, saying she will visit often, and Annie won't notice her absence, but Annie definitively contradicts her. Naomi finally lets her emotional guard down, reaching out to squeeze Annie's hand and confesses how she will miss her aswell. The film continues, and Annie rests her head on Naomi's shoulder, seeking closeness. The light flickers gently, visually reflecting the internal, unspoken conflict or discomfort. Later, Annie quietly moves around the room, finishing Naomi's packing whilst Naomi is asleep in her bed. Annie pauses at a framed photo of them as kids, takes it, and slips it into her bag. She stops by the window and looks out. The low city hum sound is emphasized beneath her movement, making the domestic space feel isolated. The act culminates in a fade to black.

Act 3

The final act begins in the morning whilst Annie is asleep, sunlight streaming through the blinds. She is awakened by sounds of movement, including a suitcase rolling. Annie runs into the hall where Naomi is ready to leave, and Naomi explains that their parents have already taken her other belongings. Annie accepts the reality of the moment, and they share a tight hug. Naomi looks back and smiles at Annie before opening the door. The closing door sound is designed to be sharp and definitive, leaving a sudden silence that emphasizes Annie standing alone in the hall. The conclusion returns to Annie in the kitchen, where she habitually reaches for the cupboard to grab two cups, but then puts one back, making herself a single cup of tea. The film ends with a reflective voice-over layered on top of childhood photos and videos with a final shot of Annie standing alone in the kitchen, taking a sip of her drink.

RESEARCH INTO TARGET AUDIENCE

The coming-of-age genre is an evergreen theme in film for young audiences, centred around the themes of youth, growing up, and maturation with a strong focus on a central character arc. Coming-of-age films are designed to reflect the hardships and triumphs of youth and adolescence, so young adults relate closely to the journeys depicted especially themes of identity, relationships, and life changes. Research suggests young audiences connect deeply with character-driven stories that explore themes like self-discovery, first romance, friendship, and family because they mirror real-life experiences and dilemmas common at this age. The common themes and pacing of coming-of-age films lend themselves well to slice of life narratives and to highly personal stories, this enables young viewers to see themselves reflected on screen, supporting identity formation and offering comfort or inspiration during periods of change. I read reviews of movies that had inspired me such as little miss sunshine and many people commented on the spectrum of emotions they felt when watching this genre

 

 

 

 

LOCATION PLANS

-        

 

-     Living room at home

o   Living room

o   My room

o   Phebe’s room

-          Battersea Park

-          Suzette

RECCEE SOUND/ LIGHTING

-          (testing sound and lighting)

Lighting	Act II Sofa Scene: Document the specific use of TV light glow and how the flickering light will be used to reflect the characters' internal "unspoken conflict or discomfort".	Shows understanding of lighting as a micro-element.
Sound	Act I Park: Detail the use of "Birdsong" that is initially "crisp and high," but dips for the voice-over.	Demonstrates planning for sound design.
Sound	Act II Packing: Note the intended background level of the "city hum" as being "low beneath the sound of ANNIE quietly moving" to create an isolated atmosphere.	Specific use of diegetic sound.
Sound	Act III Farewell: Note that the closing door must be recorded as "sharp and definitive," emphasizing the sudden silence that follows.	Specific sound design choice to reinforce thematic closure.
Editing/Montage	Act III Voice Over: Plan for the Pace of cutting between childhood photos/videos to be slow and reflective, mirroring the quiet rhythm of Annie’s voice-over.	Planning for rhythm and structure.

 

ACTORS CAST/ COSTUMES/ PROPS

Cast- Ada Pinch, Phebe Bonning-Snook

Costumes-

-          Jeans, jumper, scarf, uggs, cute autumn vibes, matching piece of jewellery, Pyjamas + slippers

-          Matching pyjamas/ comfy clothes

-          Leaving travel outfit

Props- matching necklaces, crepes

SHOT LIST AND SCREENPLAY

-          Add pictures of shots that inspired you into the blog

STORY BOARD AND ANAMATIC

-          Include 5 key moments and draw the shots

	ACT 1 START   Standing in kitchen making tea
	ACT TWO START   Watching movie together- head on shoulder, TV light illuminates
	ACT THREE START   Match shot sun coming through the blinds- centred
	FINAL SHOT   Standing alone medium shot- mirrors the first shot

 

PLAN FOR TITLES

SHOOTING SCHEDULE

-          Times put into diary

 

PLAN FOR SOUND/ SOUNDTRACK

Inspo- Sufjan Stephens, Mac DeMarco,

Beach House

-          Synths etc. Tokyo witch

 

 

 

 

 

 

#INSPO SHOTS + AESTHETIC

 

MICRO ELEMENTS

ACT 1   Sound   The act utilizes an Annie voice-over which states, "They always say time moves fast...". In the park scene, sounds of nature can be heard, and there is planning for the "Birdsong" to be "crisp and high," but dipping when the voice-over occurs. As the sisters walk, distant chattering sounds are heard through the trees.   Cinematography   Cinematography The opening kitchen scene features a Medium shot and a Tracking shot from behind the counter to the chair, which turns into a medium two shot. In the park, a MEDIUM SHOT, Steadicam tracking behind them is used, emphasizing the matching necklaces and showing them moving forward. At the cafe, the action uses Wide establishing shots and a Two shot medium focusing on expressions during their dialogue about crepes. Shot reverse shot is used for the playful exchange when Naomi pulls the crepe away. Mise en scene   Mise en scene The settings are established in the kitchen, EXT. Battersea Park, and EXT. Suzette cafe outside. The sisters are dressed in cozy clothes and wear matching necklaces, which reinforce their bond. The scene at the cafe features them eating crepes. The overall aesthetic is naturalistic.   Editing   Editing The Title fades in and appears on screen then fades off early in the sequence. The use of a tracking shot combined with Annie's voice-over creates an emphasis on them "moving forward" despite her desire to 'hold onto' time. Performance The performance starts with Annie making two cups of tea. They are seen talking to each other and laughing while walking. At the cafe, their exchanges are playful: Naomi pulls the crepe away smiling and laughing, and Annie is peering over and tries to grab it again. Performance relies on body language to convey the story, emphasizing their playful energy despite the impending separation.

ACT 2   Sound   Sound The film (Casablanca) continues to play during the sofa scene. Later, when Annie is packing, the "city hum" continues low beneath the sound of Annie quietly moving around the room. This specific use of diegetic sound is intended to make the domestic space feel isolated. Cinematography   Cinematography The sofa conversation uses a Two shot medium close and a close up when Naomi squeezes Annie’s hand. Annie resting her head on Naomi’s shoulder is captured in a Two shot close up, which lingers before the inevitable separation. In the packing scene, there is a medium shot of Naomi asleep, and a Close up of sad eyes glimmering in the glow of the outside city. A tracking shot shows Annie moving quietly, pausing to look at a Close up pov of the photo frame. Mise en scene   Mise en scene the setting is INT. sitting on the sofa at night. The sisters are curled up under a blanket in matching pyjamas. The lighting is crucial: the glow from the tv warms their faces, and the light flickers gently, intended to reflect the internal, unspoken conflict or discomfort. When Annie is packing, the lights are dim. Annie handles a photo of them as kids in a frame. Performance   Naomi shifts, uncomfortable, when Annie expresses her feelings. Naomi initially tries to keep her "front", maintaining light dialogue, but finally allows her front drop. Naomi conveys emotion through subtle body language when she purposefully squeezes Annie’s hand tightly beneath the blanket in a close up. Annie looks at Naomi, and later rests her head back on Naomi’s shoulder, seeking closeness. When packing, Annie is quietly moving around the room and is shown with sad eyes glimmering while looking out the window.   Editing   Editing Tightening scene transitions is suggested, and a match cut between night and morning is planned to strengthen the rhythm. The shot is planned to hold for a beat of silence after Annie’s line "But I will," allowing the sound of the film to underscore her isolation.

ACT 3   Sound   Sound The act begins with the sound of movement in the other room (suitcase rolling and distant voices) waking Annie. The most significant sound design choice is that the sound of the closing door is sharp and definitive, which reinforces the thematic closure and leaves a sudden silence. The final sequence uses a Voice over, layered on top of childhood photos and videos. Cinematography   Cinematography The opening uses a match cut of Annie in bed with sunlight coming through the blinds. The farewell features a close up of each of their faces during the tight hug, showing them teary but holding it together. The scene shifts to a pov shot of the hall and pans to Annie's face. The final shot is a Medium shot of Annie standing alone in the kitchen taking a sip of her drink. Mise en scene   Mise en scene The setting is Annie's room/hallway in the morning and the kitchen during the daytime. Sunlight coming through blinds is used for the morning scene. Naomi is wearing travelling clothes. In the final kitchen scene, Annie almost grabs two cups but puts one back, visually symbolizing her isolation. Performance   Annie is shown stirring confused as the sound wakes her and then runs into the hall. Naomi laughs when she jokes about Annie being scary in the morning. During the farewell, they hug tightly, both appearing teary but holding it together. Naomi looks around once more before closing the door, smiling at Annie. Annie smiles back sadly. The final key action is Annie standing alone in the kitchen and the gesture of putting one cup back.   Editing   Editing A crucial editing choice is the match cut of Annie in bed. The ending utilizes an Insert montage of childhood photos and videos, where the pace of the cutting is planned to be slow and reflective, mirroring the quiet rhythm of Annie’s voice-over. The final shot of Annie alone mirrors the first shot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shot	Type	Angle	Description
ACT 1- 1	Medium	Infront	Still of Annie making two cups of tea
2	Close up	High	Pouring milk into tea and picking up the two cups
3	Medium	Infront	Tracking shot from behind the counter to the chair at the table turns into a medium two shot
4	Wide		Shot of the river and view
5	Medium	Behind	Tracking shot from behind of them walking
6	Medium	Infront	As they’re laughing and talking under the music
7	Over the shoulder shot	More sideways	Switching between who’s talking
8	Medium close up	Infront	As she says you’re seriously bad at bluffing
9	Medium wide	behind	Tracking shot as they walk away (mumbling and asking to tell her)
10	Wide		More nature footage/place
11	Wide establishing	Eye- level	Showing them walking into the café
12	Wide establishing	Eye-level	Walking out holding crepes and grabbing a table to sit down
13	Two shot medium	Eye-level	Dialogue about crepes focusing on expressions
14	Shot reverse shot	Eye-level	Naomi pulling crepe away as annie peers over
15	Shot reverse shot	Eye-level	Annie asking for a bite ‘sharing is caring’
16	Medium wide	Eye-level	They continue eating annie tries to reach for it and Naomi passes it over
ACT 2-	Medium shot	behind	Showing whats playing on the TV
17	Two shot medium close	Eye level	Showing the glow on their faces as they start the dialogue
18	Close up	Eye level, slightly higher	Annie says, ‘but I will’ Hold for a beat of silence, allowing the sound of the film to underscore her isolation
19	Medium close up	Reverse shot	Naomi shifts, slightly uncomfortable. A brief, subtle moment where she tries to maintain her "front" before she finally softens, giving a small, weary smile before delivering her line: "I’ll miss you too"
20	Extreme close up	Low angle	Naomi’s hand reaches out beneath the blanket and purposefully squeezes Annie's hand tightly
21	Two shot close up	Eye level	Annie immediately rests her head back on Naomi’s shoulder, seeking closeness. They sit in comfortable, heavy silence, watching the movie. The shot lingers before the inevitable separation.
22	Medim shot	behind	As they continue watching the film
23	Medium close	POV shot	Naomi sleeping in bed under covers- dim light
24	Medium close up	Low angle	Annie looking back at her
25	Tracking shot	Eye level	Annie moving quietly around the room and pauses on a picture
26	Medium wide	behind	Pick it up and looks at it for a moment
27	Close up	Over the shoulder	The photo of them as kids in the frame
28	Close up POV of frame	Low angle	Annie looking at the picture then turns to look out the window
ACT 3- 29	Match shot	Eye-level	Sunlight coming through blinds
30	Medium close up	Eye-level	Annie asleep in bed, stirring confused as sound of movement wakes her
31	Close up	Low	Annies legs jumping out of bed- sound can still be heard
32	Tracking shot	Eye-level	Annie running into the hall and Naomi speaks
33	Medium two shot	Eye-level	Oppositional framing dialogue exchange Naomi by door and annie by wall
34	Close up	Eye- level	Close up of Naomi’s face as they hug
35	Close up	Eye-level	Close up of Annie’s face as they hug
36	Medium shot	Eye-level	Oppositional framing of them breaking hug and annie picks up her bag and hands it to her and door opens
37	Close up	Low angle	Naomi smiling at annie in doorway
38	Close up	High angle	Annie smiling back until door closes
39	Medium	behind	Annie stood looking at blank door
40	Medium	Eye-level	Annie back in kitchen almost grabs two cups but puts one back, voice over starts
41	Insert montage	Various	Childhood photos and videos cutting reflectively during Annie's voice-over
42	Medium shot	Eye-level	Final shot of Annie standing alone in the kitchen taking a sip of her drink