Research: Non-Genre Specific Analysis of 'Bottle' - Kirsten Lepore

'Bottle' tells the story of ice and sand falling in love through sending messages and items oversea in a bottle. Ultimately, in the end, their love is fatal as when they try to cross the sea to meet one another, they dissolve into the ocean.

Narrative 

This short film has no dialogue and therefore the narrative is told completely through imagery. The story of 'Bottle' is revealed through a dual narrative, with the perspectives of sand and ice. With the use of camera and mis en scene, the landscape that each character lives in appears desolate and isolated, thus implying that both characters are lonely. This provides context as to the circumstances of both characters; they are lonely and seek companionship. Therefore making the audience root for them in their quest for love but, also, making the ending all the more tragic. Props were also used to develop the narrative as each item that was transferred between the two characters, made up a characteristic of each persona. For example the shells Ice receives are used a bikini, therefore implying that she is female. On the other hand, Sand received grass, which he used to create a hair style that would imply that he is in fact male.

Due to it's brief running time, the plot for this film is relatively simple. However, the film is made unique and interesting by it's strange character choices and distinctive filming style. The plot of this film is metaphor for a typical 'Romeo and Juliet' love story. Two characters that can never be together fall in love. An ocean separates them, but they are willing to face death if it means they can be together, and ultimately the story ends in the tragic death of both characters. Yet, this story is made unique by the fact that the characters in question are Sand and Ice, rather than human beings. 

Editing 

'Bottle' is stop motion film and therefore requires complex editing techniques. However the overall style of the film is very minimalistic and simple. This style was effective in creating a film that follows an undemanding plot line yet is still visually intriguing. The stop motion editing of this film gives the feel of a cartoon animation whilst still remaining a real life motion picture and providing a realistic image.

The story of 'Bottle' follows a dual narrative, thus there are frequent cuts between each location and character perspective. The back and forth editing style between the two locations corresponds with the back and forth communication of the characters via the bottle. In a sense, the audience is travelling along side the bottle as we witness the characters receiving and sending gifts. The audience therefore become the third party, as they witness the love between the two characters bloom.

Around the 2.00 minute mark, a graphic match is used to transition from the winter coast to the beach location. This enforces the fact that these characters are separated both literally and metaphorically by the ocean. They can not see each other as the ocean separates them (literally) yet they may also never meet because of what they are made of. Sand and Ice will never be able to survive alongside one another, thus this shot highlights the tragic nature of this love story.

Mis En Scene 

Both settings in the film appear to be rather lonely, as no other characters, people or living animals can be seen in either environment. This is also re-enforced by the items that are put in the bottle: a dead mouse, a dead crab, an abandoned glove. All of these suggest a place that is vacant and abandoned and thus indicates the lonely lifestyle both of these characters lead. The lighting and atmosphere of both these environments stays largely the same throughout the film.

However there is a significant shift in the lighting and colour in the scene in which both characters enter the water. The lighting of these shots are dim and gloomy, therefore emphasising the danger they are in and foreshadowing the fatal and tragic ending to the story.

There is a sad irony to this shot. They have finally come face to face and are no longer alone, yet, the atmosphere has become glum and dark, and they both begin to melt away.

The use of props in this film also gradually constructs the character identities for both of the inanimate elements of this film. The items they send to one another in the bottle eventually establish a gender and a general identity for each character. 

Sound 

The sound used for this film is purely diegetic. Crashing waves, rustling leaves and under water sound effects are all used to create a realistic setting. It also enforces the prominent theme of nature in this film. As the characters are sand and ice, it is important that nature and the sounds of the environment be present throughout the film, as this emphasises the fact that they are separate from humans. Also, the absence of non-diegetic background music, adds to the minimalistic style of this short film. 

Camera 
Long shots are used at the beginning of this film to establish the lonely, vacant setting in which both of the characters live. Therefore, from the very start of the film, contest is provided to establish the reasons for both characters to seek companionship. Long shots are also used to emphasis the magnitude of the ocean that separates them. Therefore adding to the tragic element of the story.

Long shots and mids shots are used in favour of close ups when either character is in frame as they are not human and therefore do not express human emotion. This eliminates the need for expressions to emphasised through the use of a close up shot.

Conclusion
This film relies heavily on visual aspects. The shots and mis en scene have been carefully chosen in order to portray a story without any dialogue. This is something I will refer back to when creating the storyboard for my film.