Narrative Thirteen Reasons Why (2017)

Our short’s film narrative followed the typical convention of including a troubled protagonist who would fight her demons throughout
the short film. The plot would revolve around the main protagonist hardship and how they deal with the problem. Many films we
researched into had the common themes of involving teen drama and social aspects of their life as the source of the problem or
instigation of discussion in the short film. The situation we chose was dealing with the protagonist struggle with physical and mental
bullying. As this was a prevalent issue in today’s society, with social media network sites such as snapchat and twitter cyber bullying had
never been more easy. The success of Thirteen reasons why demonstrated to us as a production team that the issue was still dominant
in todays society. We explored social issues through Ava’s (protagonist) struggle with suicide and depression due to bullying she
endured during her time in high school. This situation helped to contribute to the emotional situation of the film, this was exemplified
through the use of a voice over which allowed audiences to directly connect to Ava as they heard her most intimate thoughts and
feelings. Ultimately the films narrative concludes with Ava committing suicide due the severe bullying she endured, thus showing the
audience how bullying could end someone's life.
 Character Representation
Kidulthood (2006)

Drama films which explore themes of bullying, typically represent the bully as superior and dominant over the victim, to convey to the
audience the vulnerability of the victim. Therefore to include the stereotypical abusive bully, we chose an older actress to play the role, as
the actress would be bigger than our protagonist it would make appear more vulnerable and scared to the audience. The dialogue given to
the bully was demeaning and derogatory towards the victim which empathizes her superiority over Ava during the confrontation scene
making Ava feel insecure. However the character of Ava’s bully could be perceived to challenge typical conventions as usually within
drama films, violence inflicted on the victim is usually associated with male characters. Females are usually represented as passive and
weak. This therefore could show how our character is a countertype. Drama films usually follow the protagonist on an emotional journey
of some kind. Traditionally females are portrayed as being more emotional, thus female protagonist being utilised to convey to the
audience the emotion of the short film. Codes and conventions are applied by portraying the character as troubles therefore turning to
vices such as self harm. This is evident in the scene where Ava self harms in her bedroom.
Location

Locations within a drama film are used in order to convey or foreshadow the emotion of the scene. The location of the high school
was significant to the films narrative as a school connotes protection, education and friendship all things Ava lacked in her life. This
contributes to the tone of the film as it serves as a constant reminder of what Ava does not have. Ultimately she chooses to end
her life the only place she ever felt those things; comfort and protection. This conforms to the codes and conventions of drama
films as the very places Ava felt the safest is the very place Ava chose to end her life, the only place where those who drove her to
edge and in the brink of suicide would not be able to reach her.

The school setting also conforms to the convention of teen dramas generically taking place in a school environment and setting.
This was to reflect how the school would be where her pain started and where her pain would eventually end.
Lighting and colour

Lighting and colours used are significant within a drama film as they help create the tone of the film and therefore enhance the
overall emotional impact of the film. Many serious drama films tend to use low-key lighting and dark grey tones to connote themes of
sadness and loneliness. Also in order to create enigma and convey sadness and the serious tone of the short film. We decided to go
for neutral and low-key lighting within our film to convey to the audience the serious themes within the short film. During the
bathroom scenes, we especially ensured our lighting was low-key in some areas. E.g. during a close up of Ava’s eyes we payed heavy
attention in ensuring Ava’s eyes were shot in low-key lighting this was to convey to the audience that the hope in Ava’s eyes had
disappeared as she become consumed in the darkness that engulfed her. However we chose to use high-key lighting as Ava exited the
bathroom as she had taken the pills but we ensured the background was dimly lit. This was to represent to the audience that Ava had
taken her the pills in a bid to escape her misery and believed she would leave the pain behind, thus the white representing hope.
However the dimly lit room foreshadowed to the audience that Ava had taken the pills and the dark colours represented the pain
which had left her and would now consume her family as they mourned her loss.
Camera Work and Editing

Both camera work and editing are important within drama films as it helps to exaggerate the emotional impact that the
narrative creates. E.g. the use of close ups helps to exemplify the emotion which the actor is trying to convey to the audience
in order to make the narrative clearer. Handheld camera shots were used during the physical bullying scene, this was so that
the audience could follow the action and could understand how this continuous abuse led the deteriorating mental and
physical health of Ava. This was used in order to convey the distressed nature of the character.

For majority of drama films continuity editing is used in order for the film to flow and the narrative to be clear for the audience.
As our film was a series of flashbacks depicting the years of physical and mental bullying Ava endured we had to ensure the
film as a whole flowed and the narrative was clear.