The products made represent the social issue of teenage friendship. The film shows the development of two teenage girls who go on to become friends over a shared experience. They become bonded through an adventure, which is the treasure hunt. The film follows how they go from complete strangers with awkward conversation to friends who find treasure together. In our present life, teenagers are addicted to their phones and their whole lives are on them. In the film, once the characters go on the adventure they never look at their phones, they are not important. The concept of teenagers has evolved and changed significantly over time, this film shows how this change doesn't exist in every situation. Sam and Riley first meet with Riley listening to music with her headphones on. During the film, Riley's headphones stay on her neck and Sam's phone stays in her back pocket. They don't use technology which is something teenagers always do nowadays, and this film shows that making actual experiences is a good thing and leads to a positive outlook on life (with the message of the film). Teenage friendships are a complicated concept to understand and the film reflects on a simple friendship that grows naturally through the two characters going on a treasure hunt together. Developing a friendship right in front of the audience's eyes is representing teenage friendship as a social issue and shows it to them in a way that the audience can go on to truly appreciate it.
The focus of the film is the message of it. Instead of only saying "don't hesitate on life so you don't miss opportunities", the film shows it. There are two storylines of the film and the second one truly emphasizes the message and makes the audience actually think about it. Instead of the audience learning what the treasure is, the film goes back to the first scene but this time with an alternate ending. This alternate ending conveys the message of the film, and just in case the audience missed the message it is clearly stated. The film focusing on the message is what brands it as "not just another adventure movie". There are plenty of adventure movies, but not as many movies with a deep meaning. The deep meaning of the film is what brands it as something to watch and something significant. The specific elements showing this message in the film is the final shot saying the message along with the two storylines and build up to the treasure. The two storylines are what convey the message allowing for the film to be branding. The build up to the treasure during the treasure hunt leads the audience to having to question the film when the treasure is not revealed but instead the film "restarts". In reality, the film doesn't restart but it goes on to give an alternate ending. That is when the message is shown and leads to the film being branded for having a deep meaning.
The film that my group produced is meant to convey a message of don’t hesitate in life. By giving a message, it connects with the audience and makes them reflect upon their own life. The film itself has two different storylines, both starting the same but ending very differently. This difference is the theme, by not hesitating in life it sends you on adventures and leads you to fully living life. By holding back in life, you miss the opportunities. Since Sam made it on the elevator, she went on an adventure with Riley and went on a treasure hunt. However, when Sam missed the elevator, the two of them never met and the adventure never happened. This is how the message of the film is delivered and how the audience gets to fully connect with the film. After watching the film, it inspires the audience to live life by not hesitating and taking the opportunities presented to them. It's a short and simple message, but has a lasting impact. Many people live life without actually living life and the theme of the film is to live life. All of the other products connect through with the audience by attempting to attract them to the movie. They are there to advertise the movie and gather an audience to be able to see the movie and then go on to connect with it. Overall, all of the products connect with the audience by spreading the message of not hesitating on life.
The research done about genres and short films allowed for the movie to be made more effortlessly. It gave ideas for the short film and helped to understand how a short film is different than a long movie (besides the length). The film was able to utilize conventions to emphasize the buildup to the treasure during the treasure hunt. Some things utilized was shots showing distance, which established the new location and difficulty of the treasure hunt. This is something that the research had helped with, using small details in production make a large difference in the final product. Another focus of production was mis-en-scene and ensuring that it remained consistent when intended to. The research into the genre of adventure showed that mis-en-scene is important as it helps to establish the adventure along with the emotion of the audience. The research done into short films showed the difference between them and longer films, but also examples of short films and what they used in terms of camera angles/shots, mis-en-scene, sound, and editing techniques. This research went into planning for the film, deciding what camera angles/shots to use but also how the short film should be structured. It is not intended to be structured as a condensed film, but rather have a shorter story. It doesn't have many as many characters or as many storylines. There were only two characters and only two storylines. The research done at the beginning of preparation went directly into the film itself.
