Just Say Hi - Virgin Media Shorts 2013 Shortlist (Ella)

This short story portrays the story of two teenagers who meet at a bus stop but are too nervous to actually speak to each other. During the length of the film they continually glance at each other and catch each others eyes. Finally they both pluck up the courage to talk to each other as the film ends. This is evidently linked to the title ‘Just Say Hi’.

Media Language

One of the main features that stands out to me whilst comparing to others, is the deep depth of field used throughout. This gives a greater sense of realism for the audience as it is looks as if it was filmed unprofessionally, creating the impression that this could have been filmed by anyone who watched the two teenagers waiting for a bus. Furthermore implying to the audience that this could happen to them too. The setting of a bus stop is also realistic, as it is common to be waiting at a bus stop. This also suggests to the audience that you can find love anywhere potentially giving them aspirations for the future.

Long shots and two shots are used throughout to convey the characters relation of space to each other and to get an overall view on what is happening. However close ups are used in addition to show the characters facial expressions for the audience to interpret.

Throughout the film, the costumes have been changed frequently to portray that the characters are meeting over a period of time. This is a simple yet clever way to give the impression of time passing. Some wipe transitions are also used between shots to add greater significance of time passing and to show how the teenagers gradually grow closer overtime. 

Match on action however makes this film seem more professional and the cuts flow without being noticed. This is essential when making a film as it allows the audience to fully understand what is happening in the film, but it is used to give the viewer a more omniscient view on what is happening. For example when the girl sneezes.

Audience

As I previously mentioned in my other analysis’, the ideal target audiences for short films are the bigger organisations. New and up coming / aspiring directors make short films to build a portfolio to attract those organisations.

Despite this, the leisure audience I believe would watch this short film are people aged 15-25. This age group is similar to the protagonists within the film therefore I believe that similar aged audience would be able to relate to the film. Due to this age group most of the audience viewing the film will be in education, or at least have experience of it. This is because the characters in this film seem to be around 16-18 and would most likely be in college or possibly university. This is implied as they are not wearing school uniform and seem to be catching the same bus everyday to their place of education. Furthermore people who use social media are generally this age group. This is because short films are constantly being shared on different social media sites commonly used by 15-25. Therefore this is the way that most people will access the film.

I believe that middle class people is also a key audience for this film. This due to the fact they typically have leisure time to watch short films and have the technology to access them. Also as the characters are in further education, this social group is the most likely to continue onto further education as well.

Genre

The genre of this film is a 'Rom-com' (Romantic Comedy). This is evident as the short film features semantic codes of both Love and Comedy, therefore making it a sub-genre. It is not a hybrid genre, due to the fact that this genre is conveyed a lot in film, so it then becomes the product of what started off as a hybrid.

Semantic Codes

This theory was derived from Rick Altman. He suggested that film genres have typical visual codes that communicate meaning to the spectator. 

These are called semantic codes, and when the spectator sees specific semantic codes, the genre of a film can therefore be conveyed.

1) Two teenagers alone at a bus stop: The first shot displays this, therefore the audience will question their significance to each other and may possibly think of them becoming lovers.

2) The non-diegetic music: This parallel soundtrack is Celeste by Erza Vine. The song is about looking at a girl which mirrors the story line. Therefore the romantic genre is supported with this song choice.

3) The comedic events: In this short film, the male protagonists actions can be interpreted as comical. For example, he walks into a lamp post. This supports the comedic genre for this short film. 

4) The Ending: The ending of this film they both finally meet and say "Hi", hence the title. This supports the romance genre as it ends with a 'happy ending' which is typical of romantic films.