SHORT FILM RESEARCH SHEET

Collate in here and then paste on Weebly with embedded videos / images

Try to do 3 short films initially (aim to find some under 10 minutes)

Film title: Stop

Running time: 9 minutes
Director: Reinaldo Green

(Then answer these questions, or just write your own critique – it’s up to you)

What was it about? A black man is on his way home after playing baseball with his friend. He
is then stopped by the police and is searched by them but they find nothing of suspicion on
him. They let him go and he makes his way back home.
How was the story structured? Beginning to a Potential Dilemma but then all is resolved
Discuss the technical aspects (camera, lighting, sound etc.) The camera movements very
quite shaky and was handheld. They were also close up to the characters for the most part.
What did you like? I liked the use of racial stereotypes and how the police usually detain
African Americans but things were different in this case. The tension in the scene when they
stop and search him is pretty intense as the audience is unaware as to if he has anything on
him that may be deemed suspicious by the police. Also, I liked how the main characters
mood changed as soon as the police were introduced and the mood stayed even after they
let him go.
What didn’t you like? The scene where he was at home was, in my opinion, a bit useless and
anticlimactic.
Is there anything that has inspired an idea of your own? There wasn’t really anything that I
saw that inspired me.