BIFS review competition

BIFS (British + Irish Film Season) is a short, intense blitz of quality movies you often won't get a chance to see again. With its focus on Indie productions, there are few star-studded flicks that will enjoy long runs in the multiplexes.

Alongside the screening, with films selected by the organiser Mr Thompson after he has spent weeks flying around several summer festivals (such as Galway and Edinburgh) and then negotiated for rights and some guest appearances (as well as securing multiple venues, and arranging the financing, busy man!), there are competitions aimed at a youth audience.

You have the chance to showcase your literary skills by writing a striking review of any of the films screened, OR, new for this year following some conversations we had over the summer, you can deliver your review as a video! The official guidelines are quite brief (right: a photo of the relevant brochure page).

DEADLINE is midnight at Thursday 29th - you could email the organiser if you think you'd get it in early on Friday.

Here are a few pointers for creating a video format review.



BE CLEAR ON WHAT A VODCAST IS
If you've never created a 'vodcast' before, you could try looking at some of the 2016 StG Media student vodcasts, and associated videos for their Evaluations (A2 2016; AS 2016). A vodcast will generally have a voiceover, but adds relevant (sometimes moving) imagery to the podcast format. Titles and 'chapter' headings are also common, with titles also used to identify film clips and speakers, or just to reinforce points being made (especially where using complex, technical media language).

One of the decisions you will have to make is how formal to make your vodcast: you can be informative, critical and insightful still with a little humour. Also, will you film yourself to put your face on screen; record your voice; or use titles?

NOTES FROM YOUR VIEWING
Begin to prep your video review on pen and paper. Make notes on the scenes or details that most struck you, and explain in words WHY this was so.

• Consider the general setting; costumes and make-up; props; camerawork (if handheld was it smooth enough to avoid being an annoyance?)
• Can you show industry knowledge by explaining why 'handheld' or steadicam work is typical for low budget, Indie films? Where there any camera shots that you simply thought were stunning or beautiful examples of cinematography?
• Did clothing, hair and make-up clearly signify (identify) the protagonist or antagonist (hero or villain)?
• Did the set designers make the time period/location convincing (achieve verisimilitude)? If not, what precise slip-ups did you spot?
• Did any of the performers stand out - and if so, WHY?
• Was the music appropriate, effective; was it over-powering; did it succeed in manipulating the viewer's mood and emotional response (note that sound is always either diegetic or non-diegetic)?
• Did the editing help to deliver a clear narrative, or was this confusing? 
• As you were watching, were you reminded of any existing films (or other media) that might represent an influence on this movie? Perhaps you saw elements from another genre being used in this film? Was it a highly 'generic' film simply copying all the expected elements for that genre, or was it distinctive?
• How did the audience around you respond? Were they laughing, quietly emotional, or loudly terrified at any stage? If there was a Q+A after, did the questioners seem impressed by the movie? They might have made points you could consider here.

Any successful editing project should start with substantial and ongoing written notes - such low tech will help you productively identify a structure and relevant points to raise at the right time. Once you are editing, you can use the tagging tool in Final Cut to help quickly find clips or material on a specific theme.

RESEARCH THE FILM: CAST, DIRECTOR ETC
Many festival films are looking to find a distributor, but you can still look into the production company/ies - have they a genre focus; won any awards; worked on high budgets before etc. This institutional context can help provide some useful flavour to your review.
More important is the director: what else has s/he done?
Can you find any interviews, reviews or features?
Are there any well known actors (stars?)? Perhaps some known from TV work rather than film.

tbc