Reminiscent | Short Film

This short film is about a young boy (Adam) and his journey through the hills of the country side with his dog. I did all the filming using my phone.

​One of my main aims when shooting the film is to present Adam as a developing contrast to the common representation of youth. He begins by running through the fields with a smile on his face which initially shows parallels to boys of his age. However, I included a close-up of him looking out to almost foreshadow his deeper appreciation for the countryside that is later shown and which children don't commonly show.

​He continues to run, distilling a sense of joy, only amplified by the bond that is shown with his dog. On the other hand, when his pace slows, I tried to include shots that present him with a deeper, in-depth state of mind. For example, the 'Gladiator' influenced shot of his hand running through the grass and the medium shot of him leaning against the gate (suggesting a physical barrier between him and having a peaceful mind)

​ I knew that I didn't want to have Adam return home because I like the sense of independence that follows him throughout, therefore I ended with him sat at a tree. This also gives the impression that he's at home in the countryside and gains mental (and literal) support from nature.

I wanted to continue the slight melancholic narrative flow so I showed the dog being let off the leash. Yet, I wanted to leave this scene quite subjective, whether the dog is let off as the boy is saying goodbye or maybe he doesn't want to restrict the dog from a good experience etc.

Furthermore, I ended the film on static landscape shots to elevate the sense of isolation, as if the boy is lost in the landscape. I like the similar effect that this technique created in 'No Country For Old Men' so I attempted to try and create the same aura with my own camera work. This is emphasised with the continuous score (and children laughing) which completed the theme of memory/ the act of 'reminiscing'.