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George Piggott


Analyse the short film ‘Smashed’ applying technical terms.

The film ‘Smashed’ is a 2009 short film directed and written by Peter Snelling. The film is about
‘being young, getting drunk, screwing up and trying to do the right thing’. The film was funded by
Avon and Somerset police, which can also be seen in the events and situations within the film. The
setting is in a built-up urban area, and many places within this overall area are shown throughout;
clubs, pubs, kebab shops and the streets. The four main characters are followed around the areas,
and although they are two separate groups of friends, Estelle and Sam, and George and Corey, both
of their stories are interlinked and can all be seen in the same places frequently. In this essay I plan
to analyse and discuss the short film ‘Smashed’ commenting on many different aspects such as
setting, characters, props, camera and editing and also lighting, and what these technical elements
signify to us as an audience.

Smashed is set in a built-up urban area, which is signified within the first few shots of the film. There
is a shot of a housing estate, with big lamp posts, high rise flats, and lots of windows. This is a
signifier for the class of the characters as it shows us that they are not rich, they are just ordinary
people living life, and enjoying it. Additionally the streets around the town are very messy, with food
everywhere, which looks like it is the result of someone else’s night out the night before, this creates
a sign that it is almost like a cycle for these people, and that they regularly go out and get ‘smashed’.
Bollards and metal railings can also be seen, both of these are signs that signify that they are in a
built up urban area.

Additionally, the characters can all be seen in the pub, where strong themes of drinking and
gambling come through. The theme of drinking also reappears when all the characters are in a club
in town and are all seen drinking and dancing to loud music. The loud music prevents them from
being able to hear each other so they go outside to talk. From being on the street outside the club,
they then go to the kebab shop which is nearby, as they are hungry. The theme of gambling is also
present as a slot machine is in the shot, signifying that the characters spend most of their money on
gambling and alcohol. The places all focused on are shown as being all part of the same town, as
they are all closely located, as they are seen from place to place throughout the film, creating an
overall signifier for their regular night out, signifying that they do this regularly and know these
places very well.

The characters in the film are all ordinary people, people of the streets, and all link in together. The
two females Estelle and Sam, and the two males, George and Corey all are out for the night, when
they bump into each other having previously met. One of the male characters has been dumped
George Piggott


earlier that day and is very reflective, as he is reading over letters from his ex-girlfriend, and staring
at a picture of them together, he also wants meaning to his life, which we learn from when he tells
his friend. Also, one of the female characters is pregnant, as a result of a one night stand that she
had on a night out, this also supports the idea of the characters being in a cycle, as she has already
found herself in a situation because of this, yet she is out again repeating her actions. All of the
characters seem very aware of their surroundings and sensible, however when they are drunk it
appears that they make wrong decisions and mistakes, this concept acts as a signifier for the dangers
of binge drinking. This links in to the funding from the Avon and Somerset police as this film was
used as an alcohol awareness campaign, and shows the situations that are a result of not being
careful and sensible with alcohol. The situations expressed in ‘Smashed’ all signify the Avon and
Somerset police’s message, which is to drink carefully and know your limits.

All three of the characters are seen drinking regularly throughout, from the shot of one of the
female characters downing what appears to be leftover wine, to the male characters being seen
walking through the streets drinking in the early hours of the morning. The alcohol shown is all of
different types of drink, which signifies the amount they drink, as drinking the same drink could be
seen as carrying on a drink from earlier, yet they have finished this and started another. Other
people can be seen in the clubs, pubs, streets and also at the end when they are seen mucking
around, one man can be seen with a cone on his head, showing typical drunk, immature and
irresponsible behaviour, which acts as a signifier, signifying that is it not just them who follow this
lifestyle, that it is a majority of people, expressing why this is such a serious issue that it has received
police attention and funding.

Props also play a very important part in connoting meaning throughout the film. The title clip shows
the word ‘Smashed’ which is beside a smashed egg, which has been trod on. The title of Smashed
can act as a signifier to both the egg and the condition of the characters on their night out. The
female character who is pregnant stares into the mirror, which can act as a signifier of an analysis of
herself, and also a crisis of her identity. She is holding a crinkly paper bag, which is a signifier, as it
signifies she has been holding it for a long time due to the crinkles, we later learn that this bag
contains a pregnancy test and the character is pregnant, and has mixed emotions about this, again
acting as a signifier showing how she has been thinking over her situation. The man who was being
reflective is looking at letters, and a photo of himself with his girlfriend who dumps him later in the
film. A lot of drink and slot machines can be seen throughout, and there is Close Up (CU) shot which
puts great focus on the transaction of buying a drink, this puts emphasis on the themes within this
George Piggott


film, and signifies the amount of money that they waste on alcohol and gambling, showing how
serious an issue this is.

There is also another CU shot of the other female character taking the card for a cab in the kebab
shop, which sets up her story for later on, and also signifies the influence of alcohol on people, as
she was being sensible, and then got into a unlicensed cab that she didn’t call for when drunk, this
signifies that when she was sober she thought things through. When she gets into the unlicensed
taxi, she sobers up as she is aware that he is driving the wrong way, and that there is bleach, toilet
roll and string on the seat next to her, all of which can act as signifiers that she is in danger, so she
threatens to call the police.

As the film is majorly based on the emotions of these characters, there are a lot of Close Up (CU)
shots of the characters faces and also two shots of the male friends and the female friends together.
The first shot of alcohol can be seen just 36 seconds into the film, when the pregnant female
character downs a glass of wine, this can act as a signifier to show the importance of alcohol in their
lives as she can be seen drinking in what appears to be the early hours of the morning. A pan shot is
used from the male friends to the female friends, to show that they are in the same place, although
they haven’t bumped into each other yet, signifying how they are going to meet later as they are
always in the same places. Additionally, when the two female characters are talking there is a CU
shot on the bag with the pregnancy test in, which signifies how the character is contemplating
whether to tell her friend that she is pregnant. The editing speeds up to pick up the pace and
excitement when the characters go into the club and also more CU shots are used on their faces to
show expressions, we rely mainly on facial expression as loud music is playing over the characters
talking. A lot of point of view shots are also used to put us in the position of the character, for
example the wobbly shots on the stairs signifyingthe mans’ struggle to walk from being drunk.

Along with camera and editing, lighting is also used to connote meaning. A lot of side lighting is used
where there is light from only one side, which signifies that the characters are in a dark situation as
behind them it is just dark and only their face is lit up, again putting emphasis on emotions.
Additionally in the club the lights change colour and flash, which signify that they are partying and
having fun, as they are not plainly lit, and change colour.

Sound used throughout helps to portray meaning and strengthen the film. Instrumental Guitar
Music that is non-diagetic is used both at the beginning and end of the film, which could signify the
calm before and after the storm, and also signify the cycle they are in. A buzz track is used when the
people are in the club, although it is meant to appear as if it is diagetic sound, although it is non-
George Piggott


diagetic to allow the characters to be heard. A transition is used from the music in the club, to the
music that can be heard downstairs in the toilet, and the two characters phone calls are linked into
one another, again linking their stories.

Overall, all the elements work together to create an overall world within the film, as they are all
seen as living in this cycle where they get drunk, have problems happen, get drunk to forget about
their problems, and then have more problems happen. These elements help to enforce the idea put
across by the Avon and Somerset Police who funded the film about sensible drinking and how the
audience would be put off by binge drinking after seeing the situations the characters end up in, as
they themselves would not want to be dumped, pregnant with someone they had a one night stand
with, and trapped in an unlicensed taxi. The film has been constructed in a very clever way as it
signifies the fun that can be had from going out with your friends, and doesn’t discourage away from
this, however it does signify how too much alcohol can ruin your night, and potential your light. The
signifiers in this film encourage the audience to be more careful and know their limits.

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Media Language Essay - Smashed

  • 1. George Piggott Analyse the short film ‘Smashed’ applying technical terms. The film ‘Smashed’ is a 2009 short film directed and written by Peter Snelling. The film is about ‘being young, getting drunk, screwing up and trying to do the right thing’. The film was funded by Avon and Somerset police, which can also be seen in the events and situations within the film. The setting is in a built-up urban area, and many places within this overall area are shown throughout; clubs, pubs, kebab shops and the streets. The four main characters are followed around the areas, and although they are two separate groups of friends, Estelle and Sam, and George and Corey, both of their stories are interlinked and can all be seen in the same places frequently. In this essay I plan to analyse and discuss the short film ‘Smashed’ commenting on many different aspects such as setting, characters, props, camera and editing and also lighting, and what these technical elements signify to us as an audience. Smashed is set in a built-up urban area, which is signified within the first few shots of the film. There is a shot of a housing estate, with big lamp posts, high rise flats, and lots of windows. This is a signifier for the class of the characters as it shows us that they are not rich, they are just ordinary people living life, and enjoying it. Additionally the streets around the town are very messy, with food everywhere, which looks like it is the result of someone else’s night out the night before, this creates a sign that it is almost like a cycle for these people, and that they regularly go out and get ‘smashed’. Bollards and metal railings can also be seen, both of these are signs that signify that they are in a built up urban area. Additionally, the characters can all be seen in the pub, where strong themes of drinking and gambling come through. The theme of drinking also reappears when all the characters are in a club in town and are all seen drinking and dancing to loud music. The loud music prevents them from being able to hear each other so they go outside to talk. From being on the street outside the club, they then go to the kebab shop which is nearby, as they are hungry. The theme of gambling is also present as a slot machine is in the shot, signifying that the characters spend most of their money on gambling and alcohol. The places all focused on are shown as being all part of the same town, as they are all closely located, as they are seen from place to place throughout the film, creating an overall signifier for their regular night out, signifying that they do this regularly and know these places very well. The characters in the film are all ordinary people, people of the streets, and all link in together. The two females Estelle and Sam, and the two males, George and Corey all are out for the night, when they bump into each other having previously met. One of the male characters has been dumped
  • 2. George Piggott earlier that day and is very reflective, as he is reading over letters from his ex-girlfriend, and staring at a picture of them together, he also wants meaning to his life, which we learn from when he tells his friend. Also, one of the female characters is pregnant, as a result of a one night stand that she had on a night out, this also supports the idea of the characters being in a cycle, as she has already found herself in a situation because of this, yet she is out again repeating her actions. All of the characters seem very aware of their surroundings and sensible, however when they are drunk it appears that they make wrong decisions and mistakes, this concept acts as a signifier for the dangers of binge drinking. This links in to the funding from the Avon and Somerset police as this film was used as an alcohol awareness campaign, and shows the situations that are a result of not being careful and sensible with alcohol. The situations expressed in ‘Smashed’ all signify the Avon and Somerset police’s message, which is to drink carefully and know your limits. All three of the characters are seen drinking regularly throughout, from the shot of one of the female characters downing what appears to be leftover wine, to the male characters being seen walking through the streets drinking in the early hours of the morning. The alcohol shown is all of different types of drink, which signifies the amount they drink, as drinking the same drink could be seen as carrying on a drink from earlier, yet they have finished this and started another. Other people can be seen in the clubs, pubs, streets and also at the end when they are seen mucking around, one man can be seen with a cone on his head, showing typical drunk, immature and irresponsible behaviour, which acts as a signifier, signifying that is it not just them who follow this lifestyle, that it is a majority of people, expressing why this is such a serious issue that it has received police attention and funding. Props also play a very important part in connoting meaning throughout the film. The title clip shows the word ‘Smashed’ which is beside a smashed egg, which has been trod on. The title of Smashed can act as a signifier to both the egg and the condition of the characters on their night out. The female character who is pregnant stares into the mirror, which can act as a signifier of an analysis of herself, and also a crisis of her identity. She is holding a crinkly paper bag, which is a signifier, as it signifies she has been holding it for a long time due to the crinkles, we later learn that this bag contains a pregnancy test and the character is pregnant, and has mixed emotions about this, again acting as a signifier showing how she has been thinking over her situation. The man who was being reflective is looking at letters, and a photo of himself with his girlfriend who dumps him later in the film. A lot of drink and slot machines can be seen throughout, and there is Close Up (CU) shot which puts great focus on the transaction of buying a drink, this puts emphasis on the themes within this
  • 3. George Piggott film, and signifies the amount of money that they waste on alcohol and gambling, showing how serious an issue this is. There is also another CU shot of the other female character taking the card for a cab in the kebab shop, which sets up her story for later on, and also signifies the influence of alcohol on people, as she was being sensible, and then got into a unlicensed cab that she didn’t call for when drunk, this signifies that when she was sober she thought things through. When she gets into the unlicensed taxi, she sobers up as she is aware that he is driving the wrong way, and that there is bleach, toilet roll and string on the seat next to her, all of which can act as signifiers that she is in danger, so she threatens to call the police. As the film is majorly based on the emotions of these characters, there are a lot of Close Up (CU) shots of the characters faces and also two shots of the male friends and the female friends together. The first shot of alcohol can be seen just 36 seconds into the film, when the pregnant female character downs a glass of wine, this can act as a signifier to show the importance of alcohol in their lives as she can be seen drinking in what appears to be the early hours of the morning. A pan shot is used from the male friends to the female friends, to show that they are in the same place, although they haven’t bumped into each other yet, signifying how they are going to meet later as they are always in the same places. Additionally, when the two female characters are talking there is a CU shot on the bag with the pregnancy test in, which signifies how the character is contemplating whether to tell her friend that she is pregnant. The editing speeds up to pick up the pace and excitement when the characters go into the club and also more CU shots are used on their faces to show expressions, we rely mainly on facial expression as loud music is playing over the characters talking. A lot of point of view shots are also used to put us in the position of the character, for example the wobbly shots on the stairs signifyingthe mans’ struggle to walk from being drunk. Along with camera and editing, lighting is also used to connote meaning. A lot of side lighting is used where there is light from only one side, which signifies that the characters are in a dark situation as behind them it is just dark and only their face is lit up, again putting emphasis on emotions. Additionally in the club the lights change colour and flash, which signify that they are partying and having fun, as they are not plainly lit, and change colour. Sound used throughout helps to portray meaning and strengthen the film. Instrumental Guitar Music that is non-diagetic is used both at the beginning and end of the film, which could signify the calm before and after the storm, and also signify the cycle they are in. A buzz track is used when the people are in the club, although it is meant to appear as if it is diagetic sound, although it is non-
  • 4. George Piggott diagetic to allow the characters to be heard. A transition is used from the music in the club, to the music that can be heard downstairs in the toilet, and the two characters phone calls are linked into one another, again linking their stories. Overall, all the elements work together to create an overall world within the film, as they are all seen as living in this cycle where they get drunk, have problems happen, get drunk to forget about their problems, and then have more problems happen. These elements help to enforce the idea put across by the Avon and Somerset Police who funded the film about sensible drinking and how the audience would be put off by binge drinking after seeing the situations the characters end up in, as they themselves would not want to be dumped, pregnant with someone they had a one night stand with, and trapped in an unlicensed taxi. The film has been constructed in a very clever way as it signifies the fun that can be had from going out with your friends, and doesn’t discourage away from this, however it does signify how too much alcohol can ruin your night, and potential your light. The signifiers in this film encourage the audience to be more careful and know their limits.