Post 23: Final Products

Here is my completed short film Behind Blue Eyes which was created using Premier Pro.

Here is the poster my group and I created for Behind Blue Eyes which was created using Photoshop. The initial photograph was done by the group however I changed the font and added a QR Code - which goes straight to my blog, as I believe it makes the poster look more professional. I also changed the hue and saturation to make the skin tones blend well together.

Here is my film review for Behind Blue Eyes I created using Photoshop. 

Below is what was written in the review.

Easily mislead teenager Sophie is left lonely and screaming for help, her saviour isn't as innocent as first thought and soon captures her in a web of mistrust and confusion. Can you really trust those closest to you?

Instantly hypnotizing, Behind Blue Eyes takes its audience’s hands and leads them through a sinister and realistic storyline of mistrust and lost innocence. Sophie – played by up and coming British talent Sammi Lovell, is struggling to find clarity in the life she has been dealt. Pressures coming from various aspects of her life, it is no wonder that at the first sign of compassion and kindness she receives she is unwillingly to let that person slip away. 

Behind Blue Eyes writer Alexandra Mullins known for short film comedy ‘The Interview’ has worked closely with the director to produce a realistic and spine chilling short film that leaves the audience questioning their own lives.  Behind Blue Eyes follows in the footsteps of “Lolita” (1962) directed by Stanley Kubrick, a story about sexual grooming and “Hard Candy” (2005) directed by David Slade, where a teenage girl tries to expose a paedophile  British director Katie-Mai Taylor was said to have used such films as inspiration when it comes to the relationship between the groomer and victim, throughout the film you appear to be questioning if the groomer is even in the wrong. Hard Candy and Lolita have a similar plot line to Behind Blue Eyes with all three focusing on the subject of child abuse however all of them are focusing on various points of view and ways of looking and dealing with the abuse. Hard Candy is full of twists which have the audience questioning if the groomer is really a groomer, Lolita however is told from the groomer’s point of view which adds to the discomfort of the audience as they start to believe he is right. Behind Blue Eyes, like Lolita, is told from the groomer’s point of view receiving sympathy from the audience against their will, yet like Hard Candy it is also full of surprises for the audience as they internally question Alan’s innocence.

Sammi Lovell is a new talent to British films, yet from her performance in Behind Blue Eyes it is clear that she has a long career ahead of her. She is able to capture the innocence of Sophie yet portray a femme fatale when it comes to being Alan’s downfall; she is able to appear as both the weak victim as Sophie is groomed, as well as a powerful weapon when Alan is arrested. Connor Janes, no stranger to short films, once again delivers an impressive performance that captures the audience’s attention that both entrances and terrifies them. Connor Janes takes a step back from his usual heartthrob role and plays the groomer a transformation that he does remarkably well.  Sarah Roberts plays the role of Paige, though a new talent to the screen she is definitely able to steal some of the limelight from her co-stars, appearing as a naive and helpful best friend to Sophie she grabs the attention from audiences with her childlike innocence and impressive acting.

Behind Blue Eyes is rumoured to have been named after English Rock band The Who’s Behind Blue Eyes lyrics from 1971. “No one knows what it’s like, to be the bad man, to be the sad man. Behind blue eyes.” However the lyrics were just a happy coincidence due to the fact that they fit into the story. The reason for the title was later confirmed by producer Bobbi Rhodes who admitted that they were constantly changing the titles name anything from; Trapped, Forgotten, and Alone. Yet after casting it was noted how all the actors had blue eyes which influenced the final decision for the title.

Lolita uses lighting to enhance the atmosphere due to it being film noir which helps show Lolita as a femme fatale. Taylor has clearly used the same style as Stanley Kubrick to enhance the character Sophie’s personality and add to the already impressive acting talent of Sammi Lovell. Lighting was also shown to be a powerful tool when it came to making Alan appear secretive and mysterious, by using casting and attached shadows she was able to create an eerie feel for audiences. The editing of the film changes as it features montages; the montage usually appears with a backing track to enhance the mood further.

The montages in Behind Blue Eyes show the relationship between Alan and Sophie form and explain to the audience exactly how long the grooming has been going on for, with a sinister violin being played as the images appear on screen, the audience are left shocked by the sudden revelation of how short a time it takes to groom someone. The opening title sequence instantly pulls the attention of the audience by hinting at the realistic and somewhat eerie undertone of the film, it is not only the instruments that create this feel, like the violin and piano, but the lyrics using certain lines such as “I was your best friend, when we were all alone.” There is also a piece of loud muffled rock music coming through the walls of Paige’s room whilst Sophie and Alan are in the office together, this lets the audience see a teenage and rebellious streak from Paige.

Behind Blue Eyes plot line focuses around sexual grooming and the effects that this can have on the people involved. Can you really trust those closest to you? Behind Blue Eyes do an extremely good job on keeping the storyline realistic, not glamorising the abuse or being distasteful for audience members. It is a heartbreaking and spine chilling story that will leave you searching for answers and questioning your own lives.