Research 9: The Feature Film

 After much success at film festivals, Shane Acker had the opportunity to turn his short film into a feature film with the help of producers (Tim Burton, Timur Bekmambetov, Dana Ginsberg, and Jim Lemley) and Focus Features. The story begins with a narrator talking while a human is creating 9. When 9 comes to life, he doesn't speak and the audience only hears diegetic sound (footsteps, metal crashing).The audience is also able to hear the beast before it shows up (metal scratching and growling). Closeups and extreme close ups are used to show the expression in his eyes before (and when) he's able to talk. Close ups were also used to show the detail the human put into creating 9. During the rest of the film, these close ups and diegetic sound remain, however there is dialogue. When 9 meets 2 (another rag doll) he finds a voice box from a doll and gives it to 9 so he can also speak. As well as close ups, the film features many establishing shots, point of view shots, and pans. The establishing shots are used to show the audience the setting which switches from the outside into different hidings inhabited by the rag dolls or the antagonist. The pov shots were used to see the world from the perspective of the rag dolls. This way, the audience feels just as small as them. The pan movements were used to raise the level of tension by moving the camera fast from character to character or setting. The music also contributed to the emotions in the moment. In the beginning, it was very ominous and somewhat slow, but when the characters are running it intensified. The music also lightened when the characters were content or when 9 met 3 and 4. The dark lighting also makes the post-apocalyptic setting recognizable.

The introduction of 2 starts the slow introduction of the ret of the rag dolls (1-8) and all of their personalities. Two common traits in them are curiosity or kindness. These traits are seen in 9 , 2, 3, 4, and 5. Others have bravery, intelligence or are even timid or controlling. The characters' traits develop and change as they face new challenges.

Plot: When 2 is taken by the post-apocalyptic "beast", 9 is determined to save him with the help of the other rag dolls he meets on his journey. On this adventure, he and his partners learn new secrets of what caused the ending of humanity and how they can save it.