Evaluation

Final Film - MALEFACTION

ANCILLARY- DPS Final

ANCILLARY- Poster Final

ANCILLARY- DPS Editing Evidence

Using the grid to move the title letters around

Put in faint lines to place the article

Again using the grid to accurately line up my article so it also fits on one side

ANCILLARY- DPS Article Copy

Director Katie Price has most definitely redeemed herself from her most recent train wreck, Surf School, with a new cinematic piece she created with up and coming editor Samuel Scott. Taking a new twist on the traditional crime drama, Malefaction gives audiences a shocking and enticing insight into the story of a serial killer murder. This unexpected team up of two underrated and talented industry professionals was a blessing to us all, as their passion for their work is clearly reflected in the beauty of their film. 

The incredibly thrilling short follows the story of a typical Jane Doe murder, but the way in which the story is portrayed through the cinematography, sound, editing and mise-en-scene is unseen in modern British cinema. It almost feels like a sin to give too much away. It begins with a morgue scene, slowly revealing the story behind the murder. The acting from Luke Howe will send cold shivers down your spine as you impatiently wait upon the edge of your seat, desperate to see what happens next. He plays an interesting yet frighteningly mysterious pathologist, performing a horrifically graphic and realistic autopsy within the first minute of the film, making you torn between struggling to watch, but also being unable to peel your eyes away. Although most comments about films are solely down to a person’s own opinion, it appears undeniable that the choice of Luke Howe was the perfect casting decision. Not only does he fully become involved with the character, but his overall look and aura is totally unforgettable.

Despite being a short film with a mere 5 minutes in which to entice audiences, it includes the excitement and thrill expected of a crime drama. With blood, weapons and an atmosphere of pure mystery, it does not fail to tick all of the boxes for fans of the genre. It shows us the murder of a typical loving and innocent mother by an unsympathetic serial killer, whilst also giving us an insight into the hustle and bustle of a typical UK crime scene. 

Samuel Scott shows us how experience in the industry does not necessarily equate to the production of higher quality cinema. His fresh creative outlook brings a new take on the classic editing of crime drama short films, effectively creating a dark and troubling atmosphere. This is also created through Price’s decision to use a blue gel during the morgue scene, cleverly creating the sense of a cold temperature and tense mood just through a simple piece of plastic. 

In short, this is a ‘cut’ above the rest and should not be missed. 

ANCILLARY- DPS Photoshoot Reflection

Unlike my poster, with my double page spread I wanted screenshots from my film rather than photos that were taken separately. This is because with double page spreads, their images are either behind the scenes or previews from the movie- screenshots.

When choosing photos for my DPS I knew I wanted the main image to be from the morgue, primarily due to the fact it is our best scene in terms of cinematography and general aesthetic. The blue gel used over the lens also creates the perfect mood for the film- cold and dark, hence why it is also effective as a main image. The mise-en-scene and mood created also connotes the genre very clearly. I didn't want the image to be full or have a character in it as it's used as the background of the DPS.

I took inspiration from a few other double page spreads by the fact they used cartoon film reels to display more images from the film. I took a template of this from the internet and then watched back all of the footage, taking screenshots of some of my favourite shots. In the end I chose these as they ensured all of the characters/actors were shown off on the double page spread, and I also chose the photo of the detective holding the card as it's the serial killer's signature.