Notes on short film- 'Echo'

 4 Specific Sound moments Notes:

1. Sound bridge- X2- noticed that this method is used quite frequently in short films- situates the viewer directly in the action from the beginning

2. When the actress is in the car- underlying tone of the engine- creates anticipation, suspense, used frequently throughout the first section of the film- creates ambiguity about the character and her emotions/ situation.

3. Score- dissonant chords- creates a sense of reflection as well as anticipation- the lack of intense/ dramatic score forces the viewer to reflect on the character- the chords also create a sense of underlying trauma. 

4. The slow fade out of noise when the the character breaks down at the end- draws all focus and attention to the performance- the use of sound here is very effective- can see a busy environment + her crying hysterically- provides a comparison to the first time we see this scene- provides a character arc- as well as further ambiguity for the viewer on which traumatic phone call was the original call

Prompt Q answers:

- the film is longer than most other short films we have seen- we get to see more of her life- it is less episodic then 'Operator' for instance

- Themes: Isolation, disconnection, desperation- emotionally troubled/ challenged teen- from past trauma

- Original response to character- feel pity towards her, we are worried about her, later- shock/ surprise when we realise- unsure of her morals, yet we are still pitiful in a way that she feels as though she needs to keep this act up.

- Film structure- beginning- first time she performs her act- middle- when we get to see deeper into her life, her family/ her home situation- end- the final time she performs her act. Where does our knowledge come from- when she gets out the taxi + puts the money in her purse- we know that she is faking her situation to strangers.

- Viewing experience- we leave the character worried/ concerned in a different way to our original response.

- Ending- open- we don't gather how often she'll continue to do what she does, we don't even really know WHY she's doing it, and whether or not she will be discovered.