Critical Reflection short film

 1.How do your products represent social groups or issues?

My product was meant to represent an issue that may happen to people, usually teenagers would experience this. It represents the themes of friendship, trust, and inequality. Each teenager comes from a different background and has had different experiences which shape their goals and decisions. Each character in the friend group has other issues which can include financial status, family problems, and more. The story also touches on issues of privilege and social hierarchy. Some clues require access to knowledge or resources that only certain characters possess, highlighting disparities in education and opportunity. The film subtly critiques how social status can impact decision-making and influence group dynamics.

As the teenagers grow closer to their goal, their journey reveals the dangers of curiosity and obsession. The treasure hunt, once an exciting challenge, turns into a test of moral boundaries as they face betrayal and risk losing sight of what truly matters to their relationships and values. By blending adventure with social commentary, the film not only captivates the audience with suspense and mystery but also encourages reflection on social issues like inequality, loyalty, and the consequences of unchecked ambition. The character that I played was of a different race  and different  financial status as the rest of the group so I had different thoughts and also different levels of education as I took my studies more seriously since I would rely on them. The family background is also very different from the rest of the friend group which is the reason why my character is the way he is. It shows the issues between friend groups as most have a variety of different types of people who all come together to build bonds and memories together, although sharing different experiences and beliefs.

2. How do the elements of your production work together to create a sense of

‘Branding’?

In this thrilling and mysterious short film, the production elements work together to establish a strong sense of branding that defines it’s identity. All of the aspects such as the music to the visual style, character design and dialogue reinforces the film’s tones and themes, creating an experience that the audience is sure to remember after watching.

The visual style plays a key role in the branding. The film has a dark yet vibrant vibe, blending shadowy secrets with bursts of warmth with the bright lighting to symbolize the allure of the treasure. The use of camera held shots during suspenseful moments immerses the viewer into the teenager’s frantic search for the treasure, creating a sense of realism

The sound also contributes to the branding of the film as the haunting but energetic tone mixes upbeat sounds with eerie undertones, reflecting the excitement of discovery with the growing sense of dread. Character design also strengthens the branding of the film. Each character’s outfits from vintage jackets to modern fashion, reflects their personality and background while also hinting at the film’s theme of youthful curiosity and unsettling experiences. The dialogue is natural and relatable to really showcase a teenager conversation and blends humor with moments of fear and uncomfortability, ensuring the audience feels connected to the characters and film.

The film’s marketing materials, such as the posters, social media content and website also help the branding of the film. The designs on the website help give off the vibe of the film as it includes bright pictures including enjoyable moments that the teenagers had, followed up by a dark theme to show the other side of the film which reveals a darker side to the story. By aligning visual choices, sound design and character dynamics these elements work together to represent the branding of the film

3.How do your products engage with the audience?

My product engages with the audience by keeping them interested and focused on what is to come. In my film there is a clear beginning where the story begins and the friend group is getting ready to go out together and just have fun. The overall mood in the beginning is very upbeat and happy which helps the audience settle in. It gives the audience some sort of comfort while they settle into the film. Those who are younger may also find themselves very engaged as they may do similar things that the characters in the movie are doing.  As the movie progresses the characters are now exploring a pathway they found while on the beach and are seeing what they can find. This helps add a little bit of excitement to the audience as there may be something interesting going on. The characters find a mysterious and kind of shady clue that adds a bit of an eerie mood to the film and creates the climax of it, keeping the audience around to see what will happen. The teenager’s thrill soon turns into dread as they realize there is a someone who is onto the same clue as them, encouraging the audience to stay tuned for what is to come. The film engages the audience by balancing young curiosity with mounting tension. The scenes of carefree exploration are met with unsettling encounters, making the film a thrilling but mysterious experience for the audience. The climax strikes hard when the teenagers discover who is also trying to find the treasure along with them. By weaving suspense with emotional stakes the film keeps the viewers entertained and invested as they watch along. They audience wonders what the outcome of the film will be as teenagers discover the consequences that follow their curiosity

4.How did your research inform your products and the way they use or

challenge conventions?

The researched conducted for the short film “X Marks the Spot” deeply informed the approach taken for both the story of the film and it’s execution, specifically in how I used and challenged conventions of the mystery and adventure genres. By analyzing a series of classics and modern films centered on treasure hunts, me and my group identified a consistent use of tropes such as cryptic clues, the presence of a villain or rival, and the dramatic hunt. However I wanted to add layers to these similar events, taken from psychological thrillers and coming of age narratives to create a fresh and more grounded experience.

Our characters, a group of teenagers , were made to defy the typical image of young adventures instead of being seen as heroes. They are flawed relatable, and driven by their personal life and struggles such as the want and need to prove themselves and escape their everyday troubles. This move away from traditional people challenges the norm of teenagers are depicted in this genre. In terms of structure, we played with nonlinear storytelling and fragmented clues, making the audience feel the same sense of confusion, mystery and tension as the characters. We also blurred the line between the treasure hunt and the internal emotional journeys of the protagonists, creating tension not just through physical obstacles but through internal conflicts and self-doubt.

Visually, we broke from conventional approaches by using natural lighting and handheld camera work to create a sense of intimacy and urgency. The setting itself, a mix of urban and natural landscape, allowed us to challenge the typical, isolated locations that are common in treasure hunting films, emphasizing the extent of ordinary settings turned mysterious. Ultimately, this research driven approach enabled us to both honor genre conventions and push boundaries.