Operator

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Operator is a short film about a gripping 999 emergency call. The dispatcher takes a fire emergency call from a distressed mother pleading for her and her 3 year old son to be saved from her burning house. There is a strong emphasis on offscreen sound and space, which engages the viewer to imagine the anxiety aroused in the unseen situation. 

The use of minimal camera positions focuses on the intensity of the situation, but also directly highlights the operator's face. With this, the audience are able to read her emotions and build strong tension and distress. The use of a shallow depth of field, with warmer lighting accentuate the binary opposition with the other end of the phone. This juxtaposition is showcased with the way in which the situation is dealt with. The dispatchers natural form of comforting compared to the distressed seeking of aid creates an emotional experience for the audience. 


The use overlapping the sound of the off-screen situation helps indicate the busy and immersive situation. The interrupting and overlapping of both ends of the phone puts an emphasis on the juxtaposition mentioned previously, creating a contrast between the two characters. Their differences in energy produces an uncertainty projected onto the viewer. There is an inner displacement of the emotion as we are on edge as the film progresses. We are able to hub their focus on the dialogue exchanged which allows the film to be more substantial and a reflection of real life situations. 


As the film closes, the phone call ends which gives the audience a moment of relief. However, the silence triggers a circular emotion for the dispatcher. The sound disappears and everything silent. The loudness of this silence is produced with the performance of the operator. They heavy breathing is claustrophobic and presents the aftermath of feelings of this job. 



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