Short Film Research: Bulb

"Bulb" 2009 BAFTA award winning film for New Talent award for innovation



* Bulb is a combination of sci-fi and animation to create a parallel universe or future projection whee our dependence on technology has been severely dangerous to the earth.

Use of low key lighting helps to depict the darkness in the society this films presents.

* The use of dark, low key lighting depicts the sinister mood for the piece instantly and the severity of their dependence on technology and the sinister effects it may have brought upon society.

*This video is another example of low key lighting used in film to create a sinister or creepy mood.

* Another interesting area of mise en scene would be the decor of the laboratory, littered with work and objects helps to depict how secret her work is. It seems the room is almost hidden in darkness, as if her work was to be kept from anyone seeing it. It reflects the clutter of a heaving urban setting.

The use of shots much like a CCTV camera reinforce how society maybe watching it's own citizens.

* Camera work is also interesting as there are various high angle shots, much like a CCTV camera, of the laboratory. This is used to show a subjective view of how society is watching it's own citizens which could also show background to the story (a government where we are watched constantly) The high angles also suggest the inferiority of the population in comparison to society and the shot angle makes them look small.

* The film deals with issues of the environment and what would happen if in the future we are entirely dependant upon technology. The film represents the sinister activity of this subject via the dark lighting and high angle camera work.

* In terms of editing some of the transitions are post production to make them look like computers or cameras malfunctioning. This interesting use of transitions helps reinforce the themes and issues in the film.

* Also in terms of editing in the editing process the use of desaturated film also displays the bleak atmosphere of the film a technique we could experiment with if the back stories of our characters are as well bleak or miserable.

* Other post production effects such as the electricity surging across the screen in examples (displayed right) also pose the idea of our film using post production special effects if our stories require them

by George Smale