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DramaComedyDocumentaryAnimationExperimentalMusic
Tea Leaves
Matthew Grinter
average rating from 6 members 
       
experimental | 2006 | West Midlands | non-dialogue | 3 min
Published 14 Jul 08
A man is destined to receive a cup of tea.
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synopsis
Doing the rounds of the tables in a crowded cafe, the camera glides slowly past the assembled clientele. At the start of the circumnavigation of the room, a customer spills his tea, setting up a domino-effect of interconnected events, which builds to a conclusion as the piece completes its circuit. An illustration of the principle that what goes around comes around, you can read 'Tea Leaves' as a set of random actions or as a reminder of the inescapable role of fate.
short fact
The film is taken in a single shot, was shot on one roll of 16mm film at 72 frames per second (the best of 4 takes) and involved 18 focus pulls. We only had the actors and location for one day so had to spend the weeks beforehand mapping our every single piece of action that would occur and then figuring out 'to the second' when it would happen. This also gave each character detail, which I think gives the film it's charm. At any one moment there are five or six story microcosms existing at any one time. My favorite bit is the flower lady stood outside that gets framed for a moment just before she disappears out of shot.
crew
  • designer: Theo White
    		•
    festivals, awards and screenings include:
    • Single Shot Collection , (touring collection), 2006
    format
    digital

    comments
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    comment by Nic  Wistreich
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    posted Nov 13, 2008

    Mesmerising and meticulously made. Found myself holding my breath.
    Nic  Wistreich is Co-founder of Netribution and editor of How To Fund Your Film and a member of Film Network's Industry Panel.
    comment by colin  ridgeway
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    posted Oct 22, 2008

    Really good...sucked me in..I was there! Loads of stories in there.......
    comment by Moderated Comment

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    caroline  bottomley is Company Director, Radar Music Videos and a member of Film Network's Industry Panel.
    comment by caroline  bottomley
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    posted Jul 6, 2008

    excellent film, I loved it went back to the beginning again which was unexpectedly satisfying. The soundtrack seemed odd though, didn't sit quite right.
    caroline  bottomley is Company Director, Radar Music Videos and a member of Film Network's Industry Panel.
    comment by Gareth  Crook
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    posted Jul 4, 2008

    I thought this was/is great. Simple, stylish and impossible to look away.
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    useful links
    Funded by:
    We were awarded post production completion funding for Single Shot by Maya Vision International on behalf of the UK Film Council's New Cinema Fund and Arts Council England.


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