"Steal Away" - Charles McDougall

Textual Analysis
- Conventional music, 'bling' on finger
- Opening shot of money
- Impression of robber taking place
- Subtle title giveaway on note with "Steal Away" written upon it, linking to the story and context
- Christian cross on wing-mirror
- Point of view shot, makes audience feel part of the story
- Shot of red telephone box, we know were in London, conventional giveaway
- Music switches from non diegetic to diegetic
- Audience is thrown straight into story, first time we see the main character
- Relationship conveyed, he took the heat off her by throwing water on windscreen
- Shot of tattoo on lower back, stereotypically known in slang as a "tramp stamp", rebel
- Focus pull of reaction, intriguing, keeps audience interested
- Shot slowed down to emphasise reaction, post production techniques
- Gun shot emphasised, the audience now know it has importance within the narrative
- Still shot, light at the end of the tunnel, 'exit' sign in shot, symbolic, relating back to christian cross
- Couple kiss, initial judgement of the characters being together is reassured
- Running sequence, music builds suspense, creates tension
- The character Michael returns, energy is immediately changed, keeping audiences interest levels high, challenging initial reactions
- They run to a secret tunnel, lighting then becomes darker, 'grimier', depressing
- Music now stops, audience get a chance to take a breather
- They are both laughing hysterically, get excitement from doing it, doing it for the thrill, childish, immature, didn't know what was in the case
- Red lighting, symbolism of death, blood money - sourced from a 'bad' environment
- Girl is turned on by the theft, aroused
- Girl is extraordinarily naive
- Water - cleansing of sins, christian symbolism is illustrated yet again
- They make out, silence, no music, audience can't relax, waiting for something to happen, tension has not been brought to a climax from the running scene as of yet
- Train pulls up, more quiet than an archetypal train, consequences and sins are creeping in, eerie
- Shot of doorstep to train, who is going to get off? suspense is building
- Challenging initial judgement of train, as when the two characters get on, it is completely full
- Climax has occurred, not what we as the audience expected
- Ironic - there is a man on the train preaching about christianity and sins
- The train could represent purgatory
- Woman offers foot washer man money, they just robbed someone, money symbolism
- Tension created, washing of feet, people acting in strange ways
- Lighting is bright again, maybe this is so all can be seen, including sins
- Drunk people bording bring the train atmosphere back to reality
- Money symbolism emphasised, they foot washer does not want it, people on train represent societies capitalist nature that "money can pay off everything", capitalist actions and attitudes
- Preacher is singing "Steal Away", references back to title, linking the narrative together, illustrating that the title has a purpose, gospel music, Bible symbolism
- Humbleness radiated by preacher, maybe he is a representation of god?
- Accompanied by non-diegetic music
- "Steal Away" starts off as a conventional 'heist' film, audiences initial judgements are proven different, judgements are being challenged yet again
- Makes the short harder to categorise, like most short films
- Referring back to subliminal message of cross on wing-mirror
- Girlfriend is holding Michael back
- Flashing lights on train, passengers did not notice, is this odd?
- Eye contact between Michael and foot washer, exchange smile, forgiveness? Michael now washes his foot, controversial
- Red dye vanishes, miracle? they are now given a chance to escape the crime, given a second chance
- Give money away, want to change lifestyle
- PLOT UNRAVELS, initial judgements challenged once again
- 'Seek Assistance', subtle messages to the narrative is animated through the mise en scene
- Judgement day - Michael is reunited with mum, in what we as the audience could consider some sort of heaven?
- Foot washer is there
- Therefore, Michael is actually deceased, girl is still alive, maybe this is a punishment? Or has she been given a second chance?
- Michael died to give girl a new start, relating back to biblical references, Jesus died for society
- Expectations repeaditly broken and challenged throughout, keeps the audience on the edge of their seats, intrigued to keep watching
- Good, well structured narrative, low production value
- Director conveyed his message within 7 minutes, could of been a feature length two hour film