1. ‘Muscle’ and ‘Dream off’

3. Muscle: Representation The two characters in this short film are presented as being a bit ‘geekish’. This is due to their exchange of dialogue talking about girls and ‘fantasies’ which seems like a stereotypical virgin that is seen in films such as ‘American pie’. The clothing is similar to most American boys with just shorts and a t-shirt which suggests the audience may be for the same age group. Also the dialogue between the two is like many teenage Americans with casual swearing and words like ‘dude’ and ‘sweet’. Props such as the glass of water suggest that it is hot and hard work to achieve their dream. The comedy is mainly provided by the boy in the yellow, such as when he takes a ‘pee’ in the front garden bush, his ignorance to his friend is shown when he says a ‘your mom’ joke which is typical of teenagers. Once they have started the car we believe they have achieved their dream but like most comedies we laugh at their expense, as the car breaks down within 10 yards of leaving.

4. Muscle: Title/ Institution The titles in the opening sequence are edited at a fast pace that suggest speed which connects to the car and the characters wanting to leave as soon as possible. The colour in the title above for example, looks slightly like the freeway in America as the black suggests a road and the orange implies the sun. The font of ‘muscle’ and the titles are in bold white writing which is strong and masculine like the muscle car which relates well. The institution is ‘state productions film’ which is not very well known but suggests an American institution because of the word ‘state’.

5. Dream Off: Genre ‘Dream off’ is directed by Carlos Baez. First of all the genre of this short film is comedy because narrative which revolves around a man’s dream. The genre of this short is easy to understand because the music is quite raunchy and sexual; also his dream keeps getting interrupted by his alarm clock which changes the dream each time which provides some entertaining viewing such as his dream woman turning into a man.

6. Dream Off: Media Language This short film is filmed from a slightly lower angle which seems more romantic. The positioning of the characters are central as they are they take up the whole shot. The medium shot is used mainly to show the growing sexual tension between the two, this is achieved through seeing both characters body language which establishes an attraction between the couple. The setting is in a living room for the dream sequences which seems cosy and romantic; this is suggested through subtle lighting to set a romantic mood. Throughout this short film there is no dialogue only music which is keeps changing as the person in the dream changes, for example when the attractive woman is in the dream the music is more sexual and intense but changes when the man is in shot which creates comedy. The alarm is the only use of digetic sound which interrupts the dream as well as the music, this creates comedy because it changes the elements of his dream which frustrate the main character, this is shown when he swears but it is bleeped out.

7. Dream Off: Representation The character is represented as a good looking Spanish male (due to the director), the tall slim physique and dark swept back hair present him as a dominant male. Although, the fact he is dreaming about a nice evening with a woman may suggest he is unlucky in love and still single. The Spanish woman is presented at first very attractive, which she slowly takes off to tease the male, she is trying to seduce by eating a strawberry, a familiar prop that is used in a romantic film, this creates the sexual tension that would eventually build to him presumably having sex. However as the alarm clock intervenes, the dream gets worse, first the woman’s teeth are unclean and crooked which are highlighted with a close up which makes her unattractive. At the end of the short there is a man who enters the dream (picture above), he is little and ugly, with diminished features. We laugh at the male’s misfortune as his dream has been ruined and progressively turns worst.