"I’m coming to London!"
Take the Challenge
You have 10 seconds
Sometimes, I just want my students to play. Here’s a quick filmmaking challenge that’s easy to set up and results in a super short sequence - 10 seconds of film, designed to explore montage, fast-paced editing, and the art of crafting a scene using eight medium or close-up shots.
I find that setting restrictions on the students, like limiting the length of a sequence, encourages them to think more critically about film language and how to communicate ideas effectively on screen. With the right approach, you can engage your audience in just 10 seconds. So here it is, a short filmmaking exercise you can run in the classroom. Keep it simple, or expand it into a longer lesson.
To be clear, I am not suggesting you screen the entire movie Snatch in class. Instead, set up the premise (with some caution about the film's language) and show the moment when Avi tells Doug, “I’m coming to London!” In this scene, Avi (New York) is on the phone talking to Doug (London). They share a mutual acquaintance, Frankie Four Fingers. Frankie has a gambling problem. As soon as Avi learns that Frankie is not with Doug, but is, instead, heading to a boxing match, he decides to fly over to sort things out. Immediately.
Guy Ritchie is known for his stylized editing, using techniques like split-screen, slow motion with voice-over, smash cuts, exaggerated sound, and playful manipulation of time and space. He creates urgency by rhythmically speeding up and slowing down time.
Obs! If using in class, view from 1:00 in and end promptly at 10 seconds before Avi starts to let the swearing rip. I was unable to set markers to restrict the clip. So, be ready!
Bringing this into the classroom
“I’m Coming to London!”
In this challenge, students will explore camera framing, editing, timing, and sound to create 10 seconds of film that depict two characters entering or leaving a conflict. We learn a lot about their personalities and their relationship in these 10 seconds.
Task Description
Objective: Create a montage sequence, no longer than 10 seconds, that depicts a character experiencing an event that would normally take several hours or days (e.g., traveling from one country to another).
Steps to Execute the Challenge
Watch the Clip from Snatch: Break down how the edit was achieved. Pay attention to timing, movement, and sound.
Brainstorm: Develop creative ideas for a story that would benefit from this type of editing.
Acting: Keep it simple. Include one or two lines to set up the premise and the character’s motivation.
Location Scouting: Again, keep it simple, you will need a starting point and an arrival point.
Insert Images: Plan your insert shots. These should relate to how your character is traveling (e.g., phone, taxi, airplane seat). You can shoot these yourself or source them from Creative Commons platforms.
Storyboard: Visualise your sequence with detailed storyboards. Annotate each frame with camera angles, actor positions, and movement.
Specifications
Film Length: The final film should not exceed 10 seconds, excluding titles and credits.
Sound: Sound plays a significant role in the edit - play with your sounds. Experiment with creating your sounds or sourcing them from Creative Commons platforms.
Editing: Use available software to cut and assemble your shots. Avoid transitions and effects, stick to straight cuts and well-placed sound only.
8 Second clip for use in the classroom