Notes: Soft in Relation to Marilyn Milgrom's 'The Script'

These notes explore Simon Ellis' Soft, and applies theory from Marilyn Milgrom's 'The Script'.

Unity

Milgrom states that each new scene should reveal something to the audience that they didn't know before.

Causality

If each new scene moves the narrative forwards, then the filmmaker can ensure that the end couldn't have happened any earlier.

Soft (2006)

Written and Directed by Simon Ellis 

Issues: Gangs, Bullying, Crime/Violence, Anti Social Behaviour,  Youth Rivalry/Influence, Lack of things to do/ Boredom, Neglect, Poverty, Masculinity- Pride and Communication, Example/ Role modelling, Power (shifts and coming of age)  

Themes: 'Fight or flight', 'Nature/Nurture', 'Apperance vs Reality', 'Violence/ Peace'

Unity and Causality

First scene: running/ from a camera's POV

Second scene: Car pulling into parking space outside of home - street does not suggest poverty and contrasts in nature from previous scene

Third scene: Links previous two scenes together, as the man is coming into the house in which the boy is playing loud music. The boy is withdrawn, and having issues communicating with his father.

Crosscutting between the man's journey and the people outside the corner shop: First visible sign of intimidation after the initial phone footage, this time on the public.

Scene with father and son: 'Do as I say not what I do'- dilemma for son and father

Next scene: Power of father is diminishing whilst the gang outside are becoming more powerful.

By the end of the film, the power has been shifted from the father to the son.

Want/Need/ Obligation

Fathers POV

Want: pride and power over his house/son etc

Need: to eradicate teen gang from his area

Obligation: to bring up his son and keep him safe

In the media in 2006, a long standing focus on young people and violence began circulating the UK. This includes anti social behaviour, youth attire and the creation of stereotypes.