The document provides a detailed analysis of the short film "Smashed" applying technical film terms to understand how elements like camera work, lighting, sound, and editing are used to tell the story and create meaning. It analyzes scenes and props, examining things like camera focus, lighting, music, and sound design. Through these techniques, the film conveys the influence of alcohol on the characters and the "dangers of excessive drinking and the consequences from doing so."

1. Charlie Woollard
Week 1: Task 1: MEDIA LANGUAGE
Analyse the short film ‘Smashed’ applying technical terms
‘Smashed‘ is a short film written and directed by Peter Snelling in 2009. There are
two male and two female characters in which are both friends, yet we learn that one
of the female characters had a one night stand with one of the male characters
when drunk and finds that she is pregnant. Despite this, she feels that alcohol helps
her to cope with the situation, however, any mature woman would know this is not
an apt way to manage the circumstances. The film is heavily revolved around the
influence alcohol and each character has their own dilemma in which various
technical terms are used to describe these - without a lot of dialogue used. I am
going to analyse this short film by applying these technical terms, in order to
understand how camera, sound, lighting etc. are used to create a successful film.
The environment is an important part in setting the scene in any television
programme or film. In 'Smashed', the beginning shows an egg on the ground, which
could represent pregnancy, or perhaps fragility. The egg is trodden on without any
thought and therefore shows it is a waste product - perhaps supporting the fact that
pregnancy is delicate. We understand that the film starts in the early hours of the
morning as we do not see any one in the streets and we would expect it to be busy
in an urban environment. We understand this because blocks of flats are shown
against the sky in a built-up area.
The dark grey sky looks miserable and could already connote the lives of the
characters we are soon to meet. We then see two men walk down a road drinking
with a full rubbish bin behind them. This supports the fact that it is the morning and
we find it unusual how both characters are drinking at this particular hour. Next we
see a reflection of a shop sign saying 'ENJOY DRINK‘. This could portray the 'need'
for alcohol in this particular town and how easy it is to access it.
The first character we are shown is a girl looking at herself in the mirror. This could
connote that she could be going through an identity crisis. In television programmes
or films, mirrors are a good way of showing a character reflecting on their life or -
perhaps - reflecting on something they have done, and, we can tell by the
characters' facial expressions, the type of instance that has occurred - in this case,
the girl is looking solemn and in anguish. The second character we meet is also

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reflecting on something as he looks through a box of letters and photographs. We
learn that these are from an ex-girlfriend as the photograph of himself and her is
contrasted with the expression he has on his face at this point in time. The third
character appears in a separate location, talking on the phone. We can immediately
tell what sort of character she is, as she is the first character to speak - perhaps
trying to portray she is a loud and egoistic character. The fourth character is the
one who treads on the egg - this could signify that despite him not reflecting on
himself like the other two characters - his life could be worst off out of all the
characters. We then learn that the two male characters are connected as they are
walking down the street drinking. They are both casually dressed for their age -
perhaps portraying that they are not very mature, and drinking at that time in the
morning could support this as they are not commuting to work in which we would
expect for men of their age. The two female characters are also connected, and
they are also both drinking at this time - additionally signifying immaturity. The first
character we saw looking in the mirror is dressed all in black and covered, whereas
the other girl looks as if she has made more of an effort and is more glamourous.
The way characters are dressed and presented has a strong significance on how the
particular character's personality is portrayed. We can also understand by
character's expressions on what the character is supposed to represent. For
example, the girl dressed in black first speaks at 4:21 - reinforcing the fact that she
is a shy character and has a lot on her mind. The other female character uses the
phrase 'Let's get slaughtered', meaning drunk, and seems an extremely confident
character, yet the only time she looks anxious is when she is in someone's car, in
which she thinks is a cab.
General props are used in films and television programmes to set a scene or to show
something of importance. The most common - and probably most important - use of
prop in 'Smashed' is alcohol. Camera shots show alcohol frequently, emphasising
the importance of alcohol in this short film. Another 'prop', as to speak, is a bare
tree which could possibly connote death or danger - making us think whether alcohol
is the cause of death, and therefore why it is so frequently shown in the film.
The first prop that appears in a character's hands is a crumpled brown package,
belonging to the first girl that looks in the mirror. It is evidently causing her anguish
as she picks it up and places it back down again, without opening it. The character
then drinks wine, showing us that she is not coping well as to what is contained in

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this package. As previously mentioned, the male character opens a box with letters
and photos. He holds these in his hands whilst reflecting. It is evident that he is
also not coping well as he looks deep in thought. The girl talking on the phone is
also holding a bottle of wine, yet she does not look upset despite having an
argument whilst on the phone.
When the two female characters are in the Fast Food shop, the second female we
were presented shows a sign of maturity when picking up a cab card with a number
on it. This card is significant, as later in the film - when she is drunk - she loses this
maturity and gets in to a man's car thinking it is a cab.
The egg is in focus in the very first scene. Focusing on a particular object shows the
importance of it and attracts the audience's attention to the item. The camera then
focuses on a package - which has no significance at the start of the film, and we are
intrigued to see what is contained inside as the camera zooms in on this package
when the girl is about to take it out of her bag to show her friend. There are several
quick 'over the shoulder' shots in conversation to see the expression and reaction on
the characters faces when talking. As previously mentioned, the camera focuses on
alcohol frequently and also the quick exchange of money and alcohol signifying how
alcohol is easy to access. Despite the reaction we would expect from friends talking
to one another, the girl dressed in black looks vacant and upset and not reacting to
her friend at all.
We notice that the camera becomes more fluid throughout the film to add
excitement or perhaps to show 'letting go of yourself‘ when drunk. The camera uses
extreme close ups when filming in the night club to signify the lack of space and how
strangers are forced so closely together. We also get to see the character's
expressions from a different perspective as we are now much closer, as if we are in
the club ourselves. Contrasted to this, the girl is then isolated in toilet – yet there is
still a lack of space. The idea of the girl in a single cubicle could signify how alone
she feels as she is the only one who knows she is pregnant. The camera then
focuses on an extreme close up of her eyes looking down. Eyes are an important
feature to show expression and Peter Snelling uses this for us to understand how the
character feels. Another example of this is when the girl is in the car as she looks
startled and upset.
Throughout the film, the camera becomes more fluid, particularly when it we are
focused on the man who is on the phone to his ex-girlfriend when drunk. Using a

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steady cam helps us to show the disorientation of him being drunk.
The editing is fairly straightforward as there are straight cuts at the beginning to set
the scene and there are no unnecessary transitions. The title is shown with the egg
smashed on the floor. I think this is effective as it shows the image as well as text
and makes the film more interesting.
Red toilets are also shown when the girl is in the night club. This could connote
danger or even prostitution due to the fact she slept with a stranger when she was
under the influence of alcohol.
In the first scene, the egg is in clear focus and it is well lit on the ground. This
signifies the objects' importance to the story and how things can break easily.
Throughout the beginning of the film, light signifies it is the morning or day time as
it is obvious it is natural light. For example, when the girl is looking at the package,
it is nicely lit from one side of her face - where the window would be. In the night
club there are colourful flashing lights which could portray all the emotions. At first,
all of the lights are on the girl's face and not on the boy, then vice versa. This could
be trying to signify the transfer of emotions as she feels confused yet he admits to
starting to like her.
After the girl gets out of the cab, the street light is lit on her back whilst she holds
her arms. This connotes her vulnerability and makes her look extremely fragile.
The film begins with calm instrumental music and no diegetic sound from the
surroundings. This helps us to understand how early and silent it is in the morning
and could signify the 'calm before the storm.' Shortly after diegetic sound is played
as we start to hear cars and more sounds from the atmosphere - connoting the
busier time of the day in this urban environment. We are then transferred to non-
diegetic music in the night club and a sudden change of atmosphere. The music is
loud and the characters have to talk louder to hear each other. We understand this
when the characters are struggling to understand what each other are saying. I
think it is particularly effective when the sound is reduced to just the bass when in
the toilets, as this music has been edited on after filming. Heavier music is played
later throughout the evening – perhaps portraying an indication of time. The music
then becomes more intense with a heavier bass - connoting feelings of panic.
After leaving the club, the music gradually returns to instrumental music to the start

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again when the girl is in the man's car. This could be a sense of realisation to the
character and it could be a 'return' to her sober state.
Overall, the elements of camera, lighting, sound etc. work together to create an
effective film and promote meaning to the audience. The film 'Smashed' in particular
signifies the dangers of excessive drinking and the consequences from doing so.