Operator (2015) is written and directed by Caroline Bartleet and stars Kate Dickie and Vicky McClure. The film follows an emergency services operator as she takes a call from a woman whose house in on fire. The film won the BAFTA in 2016 for Best Short Film.
Operator from Yann Heckmann on Vimeo.
Overall, I liked Operator. Although I would not describe it as a 'suspense' film exactly, the film is incredibly gripping and suspenseful, especially through its use of sound. We often struggle to hear exactly what is being said and the dialogue comes fast, forcing us to pay close attention. The camerawork and mise-en-scene are also very simple and effective, placing a greater emphasis the sound. The film definitely has a lasting impact and very effectively shows how emergency services operators have to go through dozens of calls a day which could result in life or death. I did think that the film may have been a little more impactful if the woman on the other end of the phone had ended up being killed or if the ending had at least been a little more ambiguous, as the film almost comes off as an advert for how great emergency service operators are. However, this would have been a more obvious ending and was what I was expecting, so I admire the film for subverting my expectations.
For my coursework, I think that I would like to make a horror film and a big part of creating a successful horror film is effectively building suspense. I think that my biggest takeaway from Operator is its use of sound and how much that adds to the tension.
Operator from Yann Heckmann on Vimeo.
Overall, I liked Operator. Although I would not describe it as a 'suspense' film exactly, the film is incredibly gripping and suspenseful, especially through its use of sound. We often struggle to hear exactly what is being said and the dialogue comes fast, forcing us to pay close attention. The camerawork and mise-en-scene are also very simple and effective, placing a greater emphasis the sound. The film definitely has a lasting impact and very effectively shows how emergency services operators have to go through dozens of calls a day which could result in life or death. I did think that the film may have been a little more impactful if the woman on the other end of the phone had ended up being killed or if the ending had at least been a little more ambiguous, as the film almost comes off as an advert for how great emergency service operators are. However, this would have been a more obvious ending and was what I was expecting, so I admire the film for subverting my expectations.
For my coursework, I think that I would like to make a horror film and a big part of creating a successful horror film is effectively building suspense. I think that my biggest takeaway from Operator is its use of sound and how much that adds to the tension.
Comments
Post a Comment