Short film review - unit 24: Writing for television and video.

Vengeance - 10 minute short film.

3 Act Structure - The film begins with an establishing shot to give the audience information about where the characters are. The plot is then explained in a very fast speech exchange and the equilibrium is established, everything is very clear even though it is very fast. A teenage boy (James) is asked to watch over his aunt and uncle's house while they are away.

The second act begins with the danger setting in and the introduction of the antagonists and disequilibrium (Troy and Cain). It also contains the motive of the antagonists and what they are about to do. James is caught by the antagonists but recognises one of them as an old childhood friend (Troy). We are given more information on the back story and further motive. The antagonists complete their task but while they were focusing on that James manages to get free but is quickly attacked by Cain. as he is being beaten by Cain the, Troy changes his mind and decides to help him by attacking Cain. They both lose the fight and just as James is about to be shot Trory shoots Cain instead. The act ends with all 3 characters lying on the floor and a police officer arresting the antagonists.

Act 3 takes place 3 years after the event had taken place. The act shows James receiving a letter from Troy who is in prison saying how he is sorry about what had happened and asking for forgiveness. The final scene takes place on a beach and includes James and Troy on the beach both dressed in white to symbolize that they have started a new beginning and also to represent that they have both made peace.      

Character profiles:

James - He is the main character of the film, He is a generic teenager and doesn't have anything special about him whatsoever. He is confused about what is happening and what the motives of the other characters are. He can't understand what is happening and why these people are doing what they're doing it.

Troy - Around the same age as James has a weird appearance like he has given up on life. He used to work for James uncle but was fired and is now bitter about it happening. That is his motive for trying to steal money from james uncle's house.

Both him and james grew up together and were both very religious however he lost his way and James did not.

Cain - Looks slightly older than James and Troy and is obviously the alpha male out of the 2 antagonists. Looks like he has taken way too many steroids and is the typical tough guy. His motive for stealing the money is just the money. He does not have any relation to the other characters or the person that he is stealing from.