Film Narrative Breakdown Padlet by Jeremy Moorshead

Switch

jeremymoorshead1 — 2024-01-03 23:52:13 UTC

Switch (2010) Tyson Hesse, Savannah College of Art and Design.

What aspects of the film should I be trying to identify? Try plot, the character roles, any themes present, or metaphors explored, how does the character and environment design (visual aesthetics) influence the reading, how does the animation direction (acting decisions) enhance the film, what about action timing, the cinematic language of framing, shot timing and pacing, other cinematic aspects such as colour? Consider too what we know about the world established by the film from what we see and hear.

Environment design

jeremymoorshead1 — 2024-02-12 09:33:24 UTC

It is very sparce, with next to know detail

Plain white walls

jeremymoorshead1 — 2024-02-12 09:40:49 UTC

plain background makes it easier for viewer to focus and understand the story.

2024-02-12 09:43:02 UTC

n1208237 — 2024-02-12 09:44:41 UTC

It allows for a lot of creative freedom

Character acting

2024-02-12 09:45:49 UTC

The main character goes through an emotional progression throughout, Beginning with confusion and fear, then nervous enjoyment, then back to fear that quickly becomes frustration and annoyance as he is unable to get back the result he wanted from before.

Character wears red which is a very eye catching colour for such a plain environment.

n1172547 — 2024-02-12 09:46:43 UTC

character design

shepherdnondo — 2024-02-12 09:46:57 UTC

keeping character detail minimal makes the characters more relatable to viewer

Character Design

2024-02-12 09:47:59 UTC

Background around the character

tedster_360 — 2024-02-12 09:48:14 UTC

The emptiness of the room allows for anything to appear or happen to the character

Music

n1172547 — 2024-02-12 09:48:25 UTC

Music is diegetic with the environment, when the light is off, the music is off.

allows emphasis of the absence of creativity too

n1174596 — 2024-02-12 09:49:14 UTC

When the light is flickered and nothing appears, it contrasts greatly for when something does appears

Character design

brownshani10 — 2024-02-12 09:49:21 UTC

He is bare foot showing that he has been there a good while.

Light switch

tedster_360 — 2024-02-12 09:49:42 UTC

The use of the light switch turning the screen to complete blackness creates anticipation for what may appear in the room next.

element of expectation

shepherdnondo — 2024-02-12 09:50:38 UTC

this element was used to keep the viewer glued to the screen trying to find out what will come next after the light flick

Character acting

n1176620 — 2024-02-12 09:51:21 UTC

The characters actions are emphasised by having the only close shots be on the main characters face

Plot

n1181500 — 2024-02-12 09:51:26 UTC

Character faces circumstances outside of his control. Trying to alter these circumstances only leads to frustration and the outcome is unpredictable.

One Point Perspective

n1172547 — 2024-02-12 09:51:46 UTC

An intentional choice to make the audience feel claustrophobic. Makes the monster scenes more threatening/humorous

The 'elevator music'

tedster_360 — 2024-02-12 09:52:12 UTC

What we hear throughout he animation is swanky 'elevator style' music - this may symbolise the plain environment and light-filled box room, with absence of anything to look at or do, like an elevator.

contrasting emotions/events

n1174596 — 2024-02-12 09:53:32 UTC

contrasting events after the light flicks allows for a range of emotions

Character design

n1206306 — 2024-02-12 09:54:18 UTC

Each character has different shape, the monster is round, the tentacle is in a long oval shape. Characters are easy to be remembered

t0415952_1 — 2024-02-12 09:54:56 UTC

on each time the lights flickered, the character shows some exaggeration expressions and some movements

Sound effect

t0350105 — 2024-02-12 09:55:49 UTC

Use the sound effect with the light switch to cut the mood and capture the rhythm.

Variation of characters

tedster_360 — 2024-02-12 09:56:19 UTC

The different characters are very unique to each other, and each one that appears has a different shape, size and intention.

Humour in subversion

n1199815 — 2024-02-12 09:57:26 UTC

The continuous reappearance of the angry looking green monster culminating in the protagonist's frustration causing it to react unexpectedly in a surprised fearful way

Personality Behaviour

anthonydenis — 2024-02-12 09:57:51 UTC

The character has a different reaction and interaction which each character that shows in the room

Theme and meaning

tedster_360 — 2024-02-12 09:59:28 UTC

The room symbolises madness, alike a psychic ward, where people who may be mentally unstable and potentially dangerous need isolation. The lack of anything except the light switch emphasises his inability to have access to anything to do.

size of character

n1204545 — 2024-02-12 10:00:27 UTC

size of the character on screen is used to convey a sense of insignificance and isolation. Brings to mind the phrase of people being as "insignificant as ants"

Timing

anthonydenis — 2024-02-12 10:03:29 UTC

the timing in this animation help us highlighting the character emotions every different second when the lights goes off with different characters in the room

Timing and events

tedster_360 — 2024-02-12 10:04:13 UTC

There are parts of the short film where the light switches on, and nothing happens; the room is empty. The character looks around and it's just him. This happens after the sequence of meeting the other different characters.