Strangers. | Photo Roman Film | Film 101 | Sophie Hartmann

Strangers.
After a rough falling out, two friends have a moment of reconnection on the train. Their difficult past has turned them into strangers.
2. How does your character cause effects in this film? Are there any hidden causes or effects?
In the film, Nathan is the one causing the twos falling out. He sends a text different from what he truly feels and it causes their relationship to fall apart.
3. How does a non-diegetic visual element change our understanding of the narrative?
The non-diegetic visual element in the film is the coloring. We see that in the first flashback, the characters have vibrant colorations. As the flashbacks get less happy the coloring gets less and less vibrant until it is fully black and white in the present day. It allows the viewer to differentiate the flashbacks from the present day as well as see the way their relationship has changed without directly mentioning it.
4. How did you meaningfully rearrange the plot's temporal order?
I placed the flashbacks whenever the pair looked at each other to give purpose to the flashbacks. They are both experiencing the past all over again every time they lock eyes.
5. How does your film demonstrably move from restricted to unrestricted narration? Why did you do this?
In the film, we see the character's past text messages where Nathan typed up a message to Tess but ended up sending something different. We know Nathan's thoughts when Tess doesn't. As well as Nathan looking at Tess multiple times without her knowing.
Assignment:
Using the photo-roman, a film genre that utilizes still photography rather than the moving image, students will make a short film that explores narrative form as discussed in this week's reading and lecture. We're using this genre for two reasons: it's technically simpler (perhaps), the lack of motion emphasizes the the structure and plotting of the narrative. We're using Chris Marker's La Jetée (1962) as our reference.
-An on-screen character must be understood as causing the significant effects in this narrative.
-A non-diegetic visual element must change our understanding of the narrative.
-The temporal order of the plot must not occur in story order.
-The narration must shift from restricted to unrestricted narration from the beginning until the end of the plot.
Starring | Tess Lafemina, Nathan Meyers
Directed, Written, Shot, Edited, Styled | Sophie Hartmann

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