Research into Similar Products - London Heat

For our research, Dave decided to analyse 'London Heat'. To get a better understanding of films and shows that are a similar genre and theme to the one that we plan to make, we began watching some clips and analysing techniques that we think are effective and relavent to our film. We have also been watching out for typical conventions. Here is a link to SB.TV's short film, London Heat

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDmcOJUejE8

London Heat is about Malcolm, "a street smart kid with lots of ambition. His biggest goal is Jasmine, the girl literally next door, but when it's evident that her loyalties are split between him and the 'Man', the heat begins to burn in the London estate. What unfolds are a series of events that changes the average perception of young urban life", a bit like what we are trying to portray in our short film.


I really like the first few establishing shots shown on the left. They are very still and quiet and set the feeling for the estate it is set on. The tall metal fence gives a representation of being 'trapped. Maybe not physically but maybe trapped in a cycle of crime or other struggles a youth might face in an urban area. This is enhanced by the shot of the security camera which suggests an always over looking power that the people on the estate cant escape, adding to the trapped feeling. The stillness and calmness is contrasted with the diegetic sound of the radio talking about the London riots, where the audience would picture carnage. I would like to incorporate these still opening shots into our production as it gives a sense of calm before the storm or could be interpreted deeper to suggest death or struggles of youth culture.

Another technique that I thought was effective was the use of blur on the character Malcolm seen at 15:11 on the video. This give a surreal atmosphere to the scene as it blurs in and out of focus before focusing in on the character. I think this is effective because it is a good transition into the next scene