"The Result" - Directed by Anthony Wilcox

Storyline

I wouldn't consider The Result to maintain a significant story line as everything is set in one scene. However, the scene first shows a doctor, who sends a man in to tell him he cannot sing, or dance. Due to the insignificant setting, I am unsure of whether the story is set in a doctors surgery or a school - as the doctors dress, mans dress and layout of the room also connote an old school environment. However, the unawareness of the audience doesn't make too much difference to the idea of the plot, which surprises the audience. As the man walks in, the audience assumes that he is waiting for a serious, formal result such as tests for a specific illness. However, Doctor Sharp then states that "he cannot sing", in a way that is treated like a formal illness through both characters reactions - this makes the short film a comedy. The story follows a linear narrative and is all set in one scene.




Enigma codes

There are a number of enigma codes that may enter an audiences mind both during and after watching the short film, The Result:

• Is she a real Doctor?
• Where is this set?
• What results is he getting?
• What results is the little girl going to get?
• What happened prior to this scene?

Characters

Doctor Sharp is the first character the audience see in The Result. Although her name suggests she is a medical doctor, the comedic results she gives to her patient suggests otherwise, despite her frequent use of stereotypical "doctor terms" such as "all indications are that.." and "I'm afraid it's bad news Mr Tibbs". She is presented as an orderly and serious character in her smart clothing and hairstyle, who doesn't begin her work until it is on schedule for her to begin, it 9.00am. At this point, she then opens her book and orders for her first patient. Everything in her office is bland, tidy and very minimal suggesting her personality and how seriously she takes her job - this makes the comedic tone even more of a shock to the audience when we see he diagnose someone with the inability to sing in tune/dance.  

Mr Tibbs is Doctor Sharp's patient, who is presented as incredibly nervous walking into the room. His nervous attitude sparks an enigma code to the audience - why is he nervous, what sort of results is he going to receive? At the point, the audience may assume that he is receiving important and perhaps even life-threatening medical results, adding to the comedic effect when we discover what the results really are to do with. The fact that he is dressed in a suit with parted hair also adds seriousness to the tone of the film, connoting that a serious matter is going to be discussed and that this is a greatly-anticipated meeting that has been arranged in advance. His reaction (as though he has received news of an illness) allows for the audience to make fun of him.  

The little girl at the ending simply acts as a way for it to be suggested that there is a continuous narrative, patient after patient. The fact this character is a young girl allows the audience to see Mr Tibbs character as an over-emotional man, considering that a young girl could be about to receive the same news. After being asked to sit down, the girl gives the camera a big grin, as though to suggest that she is not scared and that this isn't a big deal for her. This adds to the comedic effect that a grown man in a suit is a nervous wreck for the news but a young, sweet girl in a little white dress and bunches doesn't think twice.

Mise-en-scene

Costume: The costume of the doctor and Mr Tibbs is pretty conservative (a plain black dress and a black suit), allowing the audiences to view them as serious people which of course, contradicts their conversation. Although the costumes itself don't add to the comedy genre of the film, combined with their discussion about Mr Tibbs inability to sing, comedic effect is added - they are dressed seriously yet a character has just been diagnosed with an absent singing and dancing talent.

Locations: There is just two locations, the stair case, and the doctors room. Both are pretty bland in colour in order to give a similar effect to the costume in relation to the topic of conversation exchanged by the two characters. The fact the doctors room is essentially just a plain room with a desk and a chair adds ambiguity to the sequence, meaning the audience are unsure as to if this is a real surgery, or if the film is set in an earlier time period (due to the rooms simplicity).

Lighting: The film presents natural lighting - the low light of the big room and the sunlight coming through the windows. Through maintaining natural lighting, the film appears as a form of realism meaning the audience can make assumptions about the theme being down-to-earth and very much "real". However, this is shown not to be the case when dialogue starts. The lighting is just another part of the mise-en-scene which teases the audience about the genre.

Props: In my opinion there are two significant props positioned in the sequence, one being the book. The book, I feel, conveys a lot about Doctor Sharps character. She doesn't open it until the clock says she can, and she closes it and re-opens upon receiving her next patient. Along with her clothing, this presents her orderliness and the seriousness of her perceived job. Again, this gives added comedic effect when she talks to her patient. The second key prop could be considered the chair. During establishing shots, the chair is shown to be placed in the centre of the room, a fair way back from the doctors desk. The simplicity of the one chair for Mr Tibbs presents him as isolated and ready for serious news. The simplicity and blandness of all the mise-en-scene was chosen purposely in order to convey seriousness, which contradicts the comedic genre, making it all the more funny for the audience.






Cinematography

Establishing shot: The first shot the audiences sees is an establishing shot of the doctors room. This shows the vast amounts of space in the room and the simplicity of it. Through giving a wide view of the location, the audience see through various mise-en-scene that this is a room whereby serious conversations will take place, this is contradictory of course with the comedy genre.

Ariel-view shot: During the first part of the sequence there is an ariel-view shot of the doctors desk, obtaining a notebook, pen, clock and speaker phone. doctor Sharp opens the book very orderly and everything is spread out evenly on the desk. Everything is presented very simplistically and in a serious manner, suggested a set tone of the film.

Right side composition: During one establishing shot, both the doctor and patient are composed onto the right side of the shot. This shows the vast amount of space in the room and the unessecary distance between the two characters. It presents the film as very conservative (no decor), making the opposing genre more successful - the location goes against the conventions of a comedy.

Pan: When Mr Tibbs arrives, there is a shot of the back of the doctor, which then pans to reveal that she is facing Mr Tibbs. This doesn't really have too much of a purpose except to look generally effective and an interesting way to use shot movement. However, it could be suggested that it presents the doctor as having significantly more power then Mr Tibbs - she is facing him, and he then comes into shot looking nervous. This could spark the enigma code that asks - "does she have more power over him, than just being his doctor?"

Editing

Focus pull: One of the most effective parts of the filming, in my opinion, is the focus pull when Mr Tibbs is told he cannot sing. The over-the-shoulder shot (Mr Tibbs), shows the doctor in focus in the background telling the news. Once the news has been told, the foreground (Mr Tibbs) becomes in focus whilst Doctor Sharp, in the background, in blurred out-of-focus. This represents the message being passed on, and Mr Tibbs sudden realisation and importance. The doctor has told of the news, so is blurred out to represent her finished job.  

Shot/Reverse shot: This editing technique is used to give a feeling of conversation with two characters. This is used extensively in The Result, through over-the-shoulder shots. This is so we can see both characters in shot whilst the conversation is being held, but we just need to see the face of the speaker.

 

Slow cuts: The main style of filming follows simplicity, and the slow cuts used simply continue this theme.

Sound

There is no musical score in this film, which through other films of the comedy genre I have seen, is unconventional. The lack of music reinforces the serious tone that trys to be set, so I feel the absense is very appropriate. Despite the lack of non-diegetic sound, there is a lot of diegetic sound in the way of dialogue. Ultimately, the dialogue is the only aspect of the film which has comedic value, although combined with other conflicting, serious mise-en-scene is reinforced. The main humour comes from the doctors use of language. Despite diagnosing her patient with "an inability to sing", she still uses medical terminology, adding to the humour - "it is beyond medical doubt" "I am so sorry Mr Tibbs".




Titles

The title of the film, The Result, appears above the doctors head as the second shot. They are overlayed in a space on the wall in a clear sans serif font. Again, this follows the theme of simplicity and gives a very serious first impression to all audience members.

The credits however, appear at the ending, white on a black screen. This, I have found, is often put at the end in order not to distract the audience during the film.

What have I taken from "The Result"?

 A few things I liked...

• I liked the way everything was simplistic, but it was still of the desired comedy genre. There was no fancy mise-en-scene and this film would have been fairly cheap to produce. Due to the limited funds I will be spending on my short film, it is good to see something that works so effectively through the use of just one location, and two (frequently shot) characters.
• There was also no music, which made it less gimmicky - everything was just pure cinematography.
• The way the "The Result" title was placed at the beginning I felt looked really effective. I like the idea of making use of big gaps on the screen - it looks neat and professional.