This study guide will help you analyse the short film “Washdays” by Simon Neal. We will show you examples of elements in the short film that will be relevant for your analysis. In these notes, we will focus on summary, characterisation, themes, setting, framing, conflict, message, and help you discuss how to overcome shameful problems.
Exam question
This short film has been used for a written exam in English on B-level HF from 24th of May, 2017:
1. Write a summary of “Washdays” in about 150 words.
2. Write a short analytical essay (at least 300 words) about “Washdays”. You must focus on the main character Kyle.
Include the following analytical terms in your essay: setting, framing, conflict, message.
3. Taking your starting point in the short film, discuss how to overcome shameful problems.
Use at least two phrases from the box below:
on the one hand, on the other hand, for instance, not until, apart from, likewise, finally, in other words.
All sources must be documented.
Presentation of the short film
Title: “Washdays”
Director: Simon Neal
Genre: Short film
Year of publication: 2009
Simon Neal is a British director of TV comedy, drama, and commercials. He started his career working for the BBC. “Washdays” won several short film awards and was screened at over 20 international film festivals. The movie was also screened in 7000 schools in the UK. The movie's screenplay was written by Graham Lester-George.
Guide til skriftlig eksamen i Engelsk B på HF
I denne guide kan du få et overblik over skriftlig eksamen i Engelsk B på HF. Her kan du finde en detaljeret gennemgang af denne prøveform. Du får også gode råd til, hvordan du forbereder dig bedst muligt, samt hvad du skal være særlig opmærksom på under selve eksamen.
Uddrag
Her er et kort uddrag fra vores analysehjælp:
Framing
In “Washdays”, most of the frames follow Kyle from a medium distance. For example, the movie starts with a close-up of Kyle’s hands washing the sheets. To convey Kyle’s perspective, the mother first appears from the waist down, without showing her face. In fact, most of the frames are shot from Kyle’s height which helps suggest that the film follows Kyle and his perspective.