Short film research: Jet by Jordan Chesney (2012)

 For "The Jet" by Jordan Chesney (2012), which is a short film with thriller and mystery elements, here's an analysis of its genre using the CAMS framework:

a. Common Sound in Your Genre

• Diegetic sounds: The sound of footsteps, doors creaking, or muffled dialogue creates a sense of realism and immediacy.
• Non-diegetic sounds: Intense background scores heighten suspense, often using droning or high-pitched notes to build tension. Silence is also strategically used to amplify unease.
• Examples in The Jet: The use of minimal sound design helps focus attention on key moments, enhancing the mystery and atmosphere.

b. Common Mis-En-Scene (CLAMPS)

• Costume: Characters are dressed in everyday, modern clothing, which grounds the story in reality.
• Lighting: Often low-key and shadowy to create suspense and mystery.
• Acting style: Subdued and realistic, emphasizing subtle expressions over dramatic gestures.
• Makeup and Hair: Minimal, naturalistic, staying true to the grounded tone of the genre.
• Props: Significant objects, such as the jet or other key items, are central to the narrative.
• Setting: Usually confined spaces or isolated locations that evoke tension and focus attention on the characters. In The Jet, the use of intimate, enclosed environments helps create a claustrophobic atmosphere.

c. Common Editing in Your Genre

• Pacing: Tight editing keeps the audience on edge.
• Transitions: Sudden cuts and fades to black can heighten suspense or indicate shifts in tone.
• Continuity: Maintained to keep viewers immersed, though some intentional disorientation might occur to enhance the mystery.
• In The Jet: The editing uses sharp cuts and careful timing to build suspense and focus on crucial details, like reactions or significant objects.

d. Example Films of Your Genre

• The Gift (2015) – A psychological thriller with minimalist mis-en-scène and sound design.
• Enemy (2013) – A mystery/thriller with similar tones of tension and ambiguity.
• Prisoners (2013) – Explores suspense and intense emotional stakes in a realistic setting.

e. What Elements of the Genre Do You Like?

• The genre’s ability to engage viewers by focusing on atmosphere and suspense.
• The clever use of minimalism to tell a compelling story, as seen in The Jet.
• The emotional and intellectual engagement, keeping you guessing until the end.

f. What Elements of the Genre Do Not Appeal to You?

• The potential for overuse of ambiguity, leaving too much unresolved.
• Sometimes, the subdued pacing can feel slow if not carefully managed.
• The reliance on a limited setting might feel repetitive in less creative executions.