Research Task: "Eight" Stephan Daldey 1998 - Priya Ahluwalia

Q1. Identify the genre/s or style/s used:
The genre of this short film is mainly based on a true story, the Hillsbrough where hundreds of football fans died. Making sure that the boys mum does not find out that he tries to play foot where ever he can.
in the beginning we see a boy shouting out his name and age. He states this a number of times before he begins to talk.
The setting of the film is mainly based near a beach as the young boy is mainly seen on the sandy beach and playing football.

Q2.How does the film use Genre/style Conventions Uniquely?
It uses the conventions uniquely as it shows the small boy trying to complete his dreams of becoming a football player, however his mother does not like that he plays football as she has lost her husband to the tragedy that took place.
in one of the scene in the film we see the boy and his friend carrying a net with bit of random things on it. The audience is confused with why he is carrying the net, at the end we find that he created a football pitch with all the bits and bobs.

Q3. How does the film use the short film format?
The film starts with the boy telling his story and taking the audience through his life .
It uses the short film format by attracting the audiences attention through the boys life and how he wants his dad. It creates the audience to wanting to give the boy a hug as he misses his dad.

Q4.What do you find interesting about the use of sound?
The film uses diegetic and non diegetic sound to create the right effect for the film.It enables the film to be realistic through the different uses of the sound.
One of the use of sound that I found very interesting was when the boy and his friend go to the seaside and they both make a football pitch, they then have a radio or piece of device were it plays sound of people cheering. This was unique as it showed that the boys ambition is to be a football player and he will achieve that one day.


Q5.Themes and Issue representation:
The film deals with the true story of the Hillsbourgh tragedy that took place in 1989. I feel that it shows how hard family members are finding it to come to terms with the tragedy, as the boy tries to imagine what his father might of been before he died and is also a fan of football but his mother does not like it.