Cubs

Tom Harper

Allyssa, Samantha & Victor

Subject Matter
The Subject matter targets urban fox hunting and gang crime, including gun
crime and drugs, which at the time were very topical matters that Tom Harper
cleverly raised awareness about.
Typically fox hunting was usually done by posh upper class males with horses
and beagles in the country side. Urban fox hunting is the relocated version
carried out by youths and gangs. The fox can be seen by the viewers as a
symbol of destroyed innocence. The fox is being hunted by a gang of youths
who reject the values of upper class society and develop their own code of
behaviour.

Tone
The film is raising awareness to gang culture influences
youths and the younger generation for example in the
short film Cubs the young boy makes it very aware that
he wants to be like his brother and follow in his footsteps,
he was once in a gang but is now in prison for his
mistakes.

Change Agency

Social Class

Representations
Race
Within the film, the dominant race is white however they have a token
individual which is the leader of a gang as Karl (Ashley Walters). The race of
the individual is black. The connotations behind this was to portray that the
community is accepting to all races. It also shows that having a black leader,
suggests that all crimes started with and who follow these type of behavior
etc.
Gender & Sexuality
The film shows quite a lot of males within the gang community with a token
female within the film. The connotation behind was to show gang violence was
mostly a manly type of behavior.

Representations
Religion
Although there wasnt a clear identification to their religion,
theyre sort of practicing a faith which was fox hunting. The
connotation behind religion, fox hunting was an upper class
activity for individuals with an upper class status. What they are
trying to show is the urban culture is trying to get back at the
upper class by using their practices while its illegal fox hunt
within England.
Regional Identity
The film clearly identifies that every member was from London. The connotation
behind regional identity is it showed that the characters were from London and
how urban culture and activities they would pursue during those times.

Casting
The actors within the short film were Harry Eden (Ben), Jared
Garfield (Joe), Tara Hodge (Davis) and Ashley Walters (Karl). The
denotations behind the short film were they short film doesnt feature
any famous actors. The connotation the produces used was to show
the film isnt a high budget film because they used unknown actors
as well as choosing actors which originated within the United
Kingdom.
Also the casting member consisted of 1 black actor (Karl) and 3
white actors/actresses (Ben, Joe and Davis). The denotation behind
that was to show there is ethnicity within the short film however the
connotation behind using these actors was to show that Karl was the
token individual, being the leader of the group etc.

Budget
In terms of budget, cubs used a low budget funding to produce
the film. The denotation was to use low budget editing in terms
of cinematography, sound, mise en scene and editing to make
the short film as realistic as possible. However the connotation
behind using low budget funding was to show the realistic side
of gun/knife crime and how gang culture was a popular issue
within the United Kingdom.

Audience
The target audience for The Cubs would be teenagers which
are 13 years and above. The denotation behind this is to show
the lifestyle of teenagers within the United Kingdom which
participate in gang related activities etc. However the
connotations behind this was to awareness towards teenagers
and older about gun/knife crime and how it affects the United
Kingdom as a whole.

Director
Tom Harper is an English film and television director, writer and producer. His
breakthrough short film Cubs was released in 2006 where he wrote and
directed it.
Other projects
Misfits (2010) 4 episodes
This is England 86 (2011) 2 episodes
The Woman in Black: Angel of Death (2015)

Institutions
Production Companies and Distributors
Free Range Films
Other Companies
One Post
Soho Images
Spool Post Production

Cinematography
Mise en Scne
Props: Bats, Knives and Guns
These objects where all used, aiming to kill a fox. The objects all have connotations of violence, death and
murder. In the short film, these objects where used resulting to a fox being shot, and having its tail cut off.
Gang
All of the characters in the film are associated with the gang who participates in fox hunting. This has
connotation of violence, crime and illegal behaviour. This is because fox hunting now is illegal.
Fox Hunting
This is a crime, which is mostly participated by the upper class. The fox has represented the upper class,
and the gang represents the lower-working class. Back then it can be argued that the lower-working class
despises the upper class and sees them as cunning and sly. And so, by killing the fox, it represents the
lower-working class to back-fire the upper class.
Lighting Effect
Time: Afternoon and Evening
The timing of the narrative started in the late afternoon, and continued at night. During the afternoon
scenes, Ben is waiting for Karl (the gang leader) in the park. He is hoping that Karl will choose him to be
part of the gang, which he eventually does. The daylight in the afternoon has connotations of hope,
success and achievement all of the attributes that Ben wants. The scene, soon transitions at night time,
where the gang goes out fox hunting. The dark and gloomy atmosphere, is reinforced when they kill a fox.

Cinematography
Film Quality
The duration of the film is 10 minutes, and the quality of the video was low. This
meets all of the characteristics of what a British Social Realism short film
contains. Moreover, it is a low budget film and it one of Tom Harpers early
works but he still managed to create such fantastic content, which allowed him
to win a British Independent Film Award.
Realistic Locations
The film was set an urban area in London. This would be a realistic location as it
conforms to society back then when fox hunting was legal. Moreover, an urban
place has connotations of ghetto, part of a city which is mostly occupied by a
minority of groups. This is supported by the different ethnicities in the gang.

Sound Quality
The film uses natural sounds and sound effects of a gun
shot, and a fox crying. This shows that the films budget
was quite high compared to the typical low-budget short
films. By adding on sound effects, it creates a realistic
scene which captures the audiences interest.