The Ellington Kid - Dan Sully

Narrative structure: The structure of this short film includes multiple flashbacks. There is a story within a story which therefore, makes it possible to find two three act structures within the film. In the story with the two boys eating in the kebab shop, the inciting incident is when the boy takes a bite of the burger, the second act and rising action is when the boy says the burger is the gang member and the climax is when the kebab shop worker is sharpening his knife. In the story with the boy being stabbed, the inciting incident is when the boy is stabbed, the rising action is when the kid goes into the kebab shop and is followed and the climax is when the shop owners lock the doors and grab the knives. Film is left with an open ending; we are left to wonder if there is some truth to the story the boy was telling.

Representation: The representation in the movie varies but fulfils our expectations. The characters fit into a certain range of stereotypes. In some ways this could be challenged but at the same time it is a short film and is an easy way of introducing us to the characters. We do not have time to learn a lot about the characters and know their backstories so keeping to a few basic tropes makes it understandable. The characters are very readable and portrayed in different ways to the audience. Nathan is portrayed as a joker while Beefy is portrayed as more gullible and serious. The kebab shop workers seem violent and the gang members seem aggressive. We immediately understand each of their roles in the film. 

Genre: The film could be classed as a few genres; in some ways it is a drama and intense during the stabbing and the potential fight between the kebab shop workers and the gang. However, it also could be classed as a comedy due to the jokes between Nathan and Beefy. 

Spectatorship: We watch Nathan and Beefy's conversation as if we are part of the friendship; with the camera at eyeline and from over the shoulder shots of the characters. We also see the stabbing from the gang members point of view which means that we are focussed on him and connect to him by seeing the look on his face. We also are constantly on the side of those who possess a threat and power. When we see the stabbing, we are the gang members, but when we are in the kebab shop, we have a POV shot from the workers. 

Micro-elements

Cinematography: The film starts with a mid shot of both the boys at eyelevel. This makes it feel as though we are part of the conversation. We once again feel part of the story when we have a POV shot from the gang member as they stab the Ellington kid. This provokes sympathy from us. He is shown running away from behind which creates the sense he is being followed. We see the Ellington kid from the POV of the shop worker as he lays on the ground. We watch him from above and this portrays him as weak and vulnerable.

Lighting: The lighting in the kebab shop is naturalistic which places us in an everyday environment in London. For example, there is a blueish light from the window and a warm artificial light from above the boys. When the Ellington kid gets stabbed, there is a cold, blue tone. This creates a bleak atmosphere but also shows the colour draining from the boy.

Editing: The editing is relatively fast paced which builds the tension in the scene and keeps the film snappy and short. However, sometimes the scenes set in the past last long before returning to the future which allows us to get swept up in the story of the Ellington kid.

Sound: There is a narration by Nathan while we watch the story set in the past. This means that, because it is a short film, we can quickly and easily understand who each character is and what is happening without any additional information. It also reminds us that we are hearing the story from a young boy and it may not all be reliable.

Mis En Scene: The film begins with one of the shop workers sharpening his knives. This foreshadows the story we are about to here and creates a sense of the genre of the film. The boys are wearing a leather jacket and a tracksuit with a cap. The style could be described as 'street wear' and situates us in London and an everyday environment. When the Ellington kid lays on the floor of the kebab shop, he becomes sickly and pale which contrasts with the bright red blood.