Short Film Research: Sky Arts - Playhouse Presents

Sky Arts 1 host a series of short films/plays that last 30 minutes each, each episode is its own contained piece but together they make the series Playhouse Presents which I've been watching since the first series a year ago. The series includes some incredible names such as Emma Thompson, Kylie Minogue, Daniel Radcliffe, Matt Smith, Shelia Hancock, Catherine Tate, Tom Jones & Paul O'Grady. This famous list of english actors have all starred in their own individual episode of which the genre is generally social realism or comedy.

http://skyarts.sky.com/playhouse-presents

One that I'd like to focus on that has inspired me greatly is Cargese, directed by Matt Smith (current Doctor Who) not only because I think the script and filming is excellent but also because I auditioned for the short film myself and had the opportunity to meet Matt and talk to him about it. Five months later when I saw it on TV I knew that this was the kind of thing I wanted to create for my short film and having been able to work with the director I hope will aid my endeavours a lot.

http://skyarts.sky.com/playhouse-presents/cargese-video

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/10089944/Cargese-Sky-Arts-1-review.html

The short; Cargese is about two teenage boys, its set simply in a south london council estate in the cold months of winter. There is nothing around to do for them and one of the boys mother is dying from terminal cancer so life is currently pretty dismal. The telegraph article neatly summarises the short film and its style as 'experimental art house theatre' gritty locations used such as abandoned car parks or roof houses; urban locations are all places that I can get easy access to. Also the film uses a very small cast of only 5 + a few extras. The film was shot in three days and only three or four locations were used, no sets. The actors involved were all relatively unheard of and all below the age of 25 so the cast was very urban and new. The story line is also very simple, social realism at its best, the story is focused around one central character around whom a few others revolve. In the 1/2 hour short only one major event happens but is detromonious to all involved and we are left feeling moved and shocked by the piece.

The colour palette used is very cold and replicates the cold of the environment and winter which is trying to be created. The camera work is a combination of tripod and steadicam work to allow the piece to feel as realistic as possible. The style of the piece is exactly the kind of genre I want to achieve in my short film and so watching it and working with the director has been extremely helpful and inspirational to me in the creation of my film and the ideas used to make the story.