Hana Kudryavtseva's Blog

Location 'The Crash' - Chatsworth Way/Arduli Road 'Evie's Room'

Operator (2015) http://www.operatorshortfilm.com/ What I liked/disliked... Probably the most obvious and prominent positive of the film is its ability to draw in, yet simultaneously rely entirely on the spectators' imaginations. This is complimented and heavily supported by the use of sound; by letting us listen to the action going on on the other side of the phone tension and suspense develops further, whilst the picture to go with it being different for everyone.  There isn't anything significant that could be improved in my opinion. I think that perhaps the film could've been differently scripted, so that instead of a fire the storyline would include an attempted murder or some sort of violence. Perhaps the person on the line could've been a child? There is a number of real life touching and tragic phone calls between operators and children that can be found on youtube. Aspects of Narrative This film ideally follows the pattern found in storytelling; t

Over (2015) https://www.shortoftheweek.com/2016/04/16/over/ What I liked/disliked... I really enjoyed this film. It is in the style I would really want films of my own to be made. The complete absence of dialogue added a brilliant dash of mystery to it. The occasional cuts to the victim's items built the tension really well. Most importantly and unavoidably the coolest part was the backwards storytelling; whilst not the first of its kind, this film adopts it in a way that makes it so much more interesting (whilst the true story in itself is interesting, if all the shots were placed chronologically the film would be beyond boring).  I can't determine anything I specifically dislike about the film. Aspects of Narrative  This film is the definition of 'subverting narrative style' and that's probably its main aspect. There is still a complication, in that we understand there has been a death, and are expect at the end to understand what happened. There

Tight Jeans (2008) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcPBCrUc8YI What I liked/disliked... I really like films that are set within a very short space of time, or in which nothing actually happens (sort of like all of Chekhov's plays, where everyone just sits around and talks a lot). This short film was very much like that, and a short film is typically a really good format for such plots. I liked the theme of race that was brought up, and the comic twist on it. The cinematography was also quite impressing.  I didn't find the acting to be really good. It gave an unrealistic feel, despite the very real theme and realistic conversation.  Aspects of Narrative This film isn't the type to follow a strict three part structure. The biggest complication of the plot was determining how one can wear jeans or shirts 'that tight'. I find that thats its charm though.  Genre This, despite being perhaps too short to tell, is a comedy. The three characters had a f

Slap (2015) This film is available for viewing at: https://www.shortoftheweek.com/2016/06/11/slap/ What I liked/disliked... This film involves themes relevant to today's society and confronts them in a realistic manner. I enjoyed seeing the topics of sexuality and identity being addressed in a less glamourised way - and the open and typically 'unsatisfying' ending added to the needed impression: identity is an uphill battle, that often doesn't have a happy ending. I really enjoyed the dynamic between Connor and Archie. Not often does a character like Connor have a gay best friend to rely on, as typically Connor's 'type' doesn't surround himself with those like Archie. The reveal of Connor's secret just after Connor saves Archie from the homophobic bullies was very well timed, and so was Archie's response. I enjoyed watching the relationship between them. Although I at first found it hard to believe that someone who struggled with their

TEA PARTY Written by Hana Kudryavtseva FADE IN: EXT. RESIDENTIAL ROAD - NIGHT Montage of cyclist riding down the street, before the bike crashes into the hood of a car. Camera falls and lands sideways onto the road with the cyclist. Sound of SIRENS. FADE TO BLACK . Sound FX of HEART RATE MONITOR falling flat as title screen appears. FADE IN: INT. GIRL’S BEDROOM - MIDDAY Camera is in an identical position on the floor of the room, as the legs of a little girl walk into frame and pause, as she brings down her head into frame. She is curious. NOAH sits up, holding his head, before noticing EVIE and lowering his hand. She rises.  EVIE : What’s your name? NOAH : I’m… EVIE : Mine is Evie.  NOAH : Noah. Silence. EVIE walks out of frame. Some rummaging is heard, and she comes back arms full of plastic teacups and saucers that she proceeds to set out