24. Half-term 'individual Ideas' Homework

The genre I have decided to create is Thriller as I feel it is a very creative and inventive genre.

Treatment: What might happen in the rest of the film?
A killer is on the loose who has previously escaped from a mental asylum. He joins a college and makes friends with three other people who have no idea what his intentions are. Soon enough one of his new friends notices something odd about him and tries to find out more about his history. This does not end too well for one of the characters and the rest learn that he is not who he says he is.

Locations: Woods, Hospital, Lab, college, etc...

Props/costumes:
Props: weapons
Costumes: wrecked clothes, blood

Characters: 1st character/ the villain (the mental guy who is a killer)
the hero's and witnesses

Titles - what would they look like and how will they be intergrated with your film?
The characters are normal teenagers who come across a new kid in their school who they have become friends with. He is very odd and creepy and has bad intentions. The new guy is a killer on the loose that has escaped from a mental asylum.

soundscape: Mysterious music, tapping, screaming, crying, etc...

Half - term 'individual ideas' homework

The film genre that I have chosen is going to be Thriller. This is because it is a popular type of film and can be really interesting to watch as a viewer as the way it is shot, as well as the sound effects can keep them engaged with what is going on.

Treatment: A group of teenagers (5 characters) who go camping in the woods, but are not prepared for what they will be put through whilst they are on this trip. As the genre is Thriller, we as the viewer understand that something deadly is around the corner, and not all of these five main characters will survive.

Location: The film could be set in the woods, a hospital, a science lab or someones house.

Props: Knives, hammers, baseball bat

Costumes: Fake blood, ripped clothes, special effects makeup to ensure the people who play the victims in the film look as realistic as possible.

Characters: The villain(s), the hero(s), as well as the main characters who are part of the story too.

Titles: The characters could be a group of teenagers who go camping one weekend, and as they arrive to the woods, tense and sharp music begins to play to increase the suspense of what is about to happen. The titles will then appear in a bright red onto a black background. This gives the viewer a brief but clear idea about what the genre of the film is and what events may take place throughout the rest of the film.

Soundscape: Mysterious and very sinister music to grab the viewers attention and keep them engaged as the sound effects would flow nicely to indicate that something bad and deadly is about to happen. The sinister music is a key factor for a title sequence especially as it highlights the genre and says a lot about the film itself.

Blogging Health Check 1

From reading this feedback that I have received, I have now got a clearer understanding that so far I have some good work but should make some improvements and it would be beneficial to go over and read my work again.

One thing that I could include for next time are videos and more pictures too to make the presentation of my blogs more appealing to read and understand.

I will try and make every blog that I post as detailed as possible and meaningful to the reader in order to get the best possible grade when it comes to it being marked.

As I really want to get the highest grade possible I will attempt to complete all tasks as well as extensions too!

23. Blogging Health Check 1

From reading all this feedback, what I will take from this is to complete all my blog posts at the set time and I also need to complete my preliminary task as it is an important factor to my grade. I will also try to attend the lunch time workshops to boost my work and to also complete any work that I haven't yet completed.

Evidence of filming 'gone girl remake'

(pictures taken by Leila while filming)

9. Pick your favourite film

My favourite film: 22 Jump street

I chose to analyse one of my favourite sequel film to 21 jump street as i thought  the title sequence was engaging, informative and successfully done. The plot idea of the title sequence was for the boss to pitch ideas for sequels to this movie to the two main characters. There were 20 full scale movie posters (photoshopped) shown, continuing the trilogy of "21 jump street", as well as making fun of the two sequels that were actually made. The two main characters are perceived in many different ways as many different characters.
Throughout the title sequence a soundtrack is used exclusive to the film, but as well dialogue over the soundtrack. As well sound effects such as explosions are used to make some scenes more dramatic. However most of it is meant to make the audience laugh as it is a comedy and is successful in doing so.
The full size poster is shown in one shot but then is zoomed in so we can see the characters in more details and credits are aligned with the moving image. The movement of each shot with each poster is fast but some scenes require slow motion. Main characters are incorporated in nearly all scenes and each scene with a different movie plot uses codes and conventions of the genre they are based on but as well making fun of them too. There are clear, bright lighting on each poster but the colours and settings for each are based on the genre they are based on. With each scene there is a different location accept one where they keep cutting back to the main characters in the office. This all engages the audience to stay till the end of the movie and see the credits of the movie. It also gets the audience thinking on what plot they want the most and interact with the movie. Lastly, it lets teh audience see who the actors, crew and distributers are.
Moreover, credits are shown throughout the title sequence. They are included in the moving images and aligned with the sound.

The order of the credits:
- Directers
- screen play/ story writers
- creator of the television series
- exclusive/ executive producers
- Director of photography
- production designers
- editors
- actors/ actresses
- casting crew
- costume designers
- music producer/ music superviser
- co-producer
- Ident
- Associates
- production companies

16. Why is sound so important in a film?

http://prezi.com/xu8c8r06ujya/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy

12. BFI Statistic Yearbook Analyses

BFI Statistic Yearbook Analyses from leila a

Remake of Gone Girl (Editing in progress)

BFI Film Forever: Statistics Yearbook

Why is sound so important in a film?

What is sound? Sound is the noise or vibrations that travel through the air or another medium and can be heard when they reach someone’s ear.

What is a soundscape? A piece of music considered in terms of its component sounds.

What is sound design? The process of specifying, acquiring, manipulating or generating audio elements and is mainly used in film making and television production.

What is suspending disbelief? Is the willingness to suspend one's critical faculties and believe the unbelievable.

I believe that sound is very key in the making of a film and allows the film to become more watchable to the viewer and I would strongly argue that sound makes up 50% of any film. Sound helps to keep them engaged with what is happening. Without sound being used, the likelihood is that the viewer will quickly become bored and distracted, when in fact they should be really keen to want to keep watching more.

Music is especially helpful in films with a genre of horror because it adds a great amount of suspense and tension to what is happening, and usually the pace of the music being played speeds up when something bad is about to happen, which is useful in keeping the viewer entertained throughout because it adds a sense of drama and uncertainty.

My favourite film:

I chose to analyse the title sequence of ‘Nerve’ as I thought that it incorporated lots of interesting features. Throughout the Title Sequence non-diegetic music plays in the background which has a very digital and minimal sound, although this does not represent the genre of the film which is a psychological drama, through researching the film I have found that it is actually based around a social media game which puts this background music into context and makes it more relevant to the film.

The title sequence lists the credits throughout the whole sequence and cleverly incorporates ‘social media’ and the theme of gaming and computers by listing the credits in a slideshow fashion, using stylised text and different fonts which are similar to those used on computers, it also shows text being typed, scrolling through social media pages, apps and pop ups which all represent the theme of the film.

The camera angle is focused and does not move throughout the sequence, although some of the credits zoom in or zoom out the angle remains the same. This gives the viewer the sense of watching through a computer screen and incorporates the viewer almost like they are moving the text and clicking on the icons which fits in with the ‘social media’ theme as well as the ‘psychological theme’ as it engages the viewer making them feel like they are part of the film.

The credits and the order they go in:

1. Screenplay  by Jessica Sharzer

2. Based on the online novel by Jeanne Ryan

3. Producers

4. Executive producer

5. Director of photography

6. Production designer

7. Editors

8. Costume designer 

9. Music by Rob Simonsen

10. Music supervisors

11. Co-producers

12. Cast members

13.  Film title: Nerve

19. practical remake activity

Story board for Gone Girl

10. What are the 4 different types of film openings?

Titles on a blank screen

       Main conventions and reason for use:

• Titles on a blank screen is the most common type of title sequence
• It involves different kinds of typeface on a black background to create a high contrast between the colours
• Many studios use them as they are low budget
• It can offer uncomplicated, simple way to include institutional information at the beginning of a film

       Film examples:

• Psycho - has a blank screen title sequence
• Pulp Fiction has a simple title sequence described as blank screen with both white and yellow typeface

Titles on still images

• this category of title sequence is more elaborate than titles n a blank screen. Historically title cards developed to include hand drawn borders and other images
• This category indicated a move past just text but a way to incorporate text with a visual image to hint at the tone of your film

      Film examples:

• Wimbledon - This is a still image title sequence as here they have used still images as the background as well as as white type face

Titles over moving images

• Category incorporates the credit titles with moving images behind the titles, sound usually no dialogue.
• moving image serves to offer : 1. metaphor, 2. narrative to help introduce the story line or tone of the film to audience.

      Film examples:

• Rear Window - This is a moving image title sequence as i  the background they have used moving images and sound.

Titles using Animation or Motion

• Became popular in 1990s
• The titles themselves become part of the moving image and are integrated together with the images we see.
• This category requires a lot of digital technology and stylised editing.

      Film example:

• James Bond and Catch me if you can - The titles are part of the moving images

Chosen films:

Taken:

Spy:

These are the two films that I used for my analysis of their opening title sequences. I chose them because they are films with completely different genres, target audiences and ideas. Taken having the theme of action, violence and adventure, which is taking the viewer through a journey of what is going on in the characters lives.

Spy is a film based around comedy to entertain the viewer as it is not a storyline that is too serious and instead, is made more funny and watchable by the main character.

14. Analyse title sequences

14. Analysing title sequences

10. 4 different types of film openings

Types of Film openings from leila a

Analysing title sequences - 2/2

Analysing title sequences - 1/2

7. Analyse 2 film title sequences

I've chosen to analyse the opening sequence of "Sucker Punch" because it successful as it gives away the genre of the movie; action (the main genre) and fantasy (sub-genre). It only shows the distributor of the film and no credits while the title of the movie is not shown till 4 minutes in, but the title has been embedded into the scene. within the first few minutes, 1 person dead and 1 person gets shot, with this the main character is already introduced but gives the audience anticipation for what happens next for them. The graphic, set and costumes all indicate what type of movie it is. However it gives mystery as to who stars in the movie (if the audience has not seen promotion) as well as to what lays ahead for the main character.

I've also chosen to analyse the opening sequence of "Scott Pilgrim vs The World". As well as being a successful movie, it also has a successful opening sequence where the main characters, setting, soundtrack and theme are introduced. It's also give the audience obvious signs of what the genre of the film is. Moreover, some things are mysterious like who the main character meets along the way and what happens when he meets people, but things like him being in a band gives indication on what the movie will include. There are credits incorporated into the scene such as the distributor and the cast. But it also is embedded into the theme of the scene and the movie as a whole.

Categorising title sequences

There are FOUR main types of title sequences:

Titles on a blank screen:
This was the most common type of title sequence. It involves different kinds of typeface (usually in white) on a black background to create a high contrast. It was used a lot because it was cheap to make and was simple to include information on.


Titles on still images:
This is more elaborate rather than simple. Title cards are developed to include hand drawn borders and images and the credits are longer as more than just the name of film makers are included. This type combines different media in order to make the background.


Titles over moving images:
Incorporates credit titles with a moving image behind them with sound but generally no dialogue. This type offers either a metaphor, story line and narrative thread for films to help introduce the tone.


Titles using animation or motion:
This type grew popular in the late 1990s. Titles became part of the moving images and integrated with the images we see. However, it requires a lot of digital technology and stylized editing in order for it to be successful.

Analyse two film title sequences

First film title sequence:

Taken -

The film presents itself with the '20^th Century Fox' logo which is made clear at the start as it is a well-known company to many people. At the beginning the mood of the characters which are father and daughter seems happy and the bond between them is shown as she shouts his name and runs towards him just before they hug each other. The music in the background is similar to a choir which could be seen as quite scary and mysterious but also sad and upsetting as we know something bad is going to happen somewhere in the film.

The mood of the film quickly changes once the dad takes the photo which takes the viewer down a far more sinister path as soon as the girls get to Paris because the music becomes more sharp and daunting and the camera shots are much quicker and the effect becomes darker and disturbing.

The phone call just before the girl gets kidnapped displays a split screen to point out both the father and daughters reactions to what happens next as things take a turn for the worst, then the music speeds up to a faster pace to symbolise panic and stress from characters in the film.  Throughout the film there are no title credits shown to point out who the film makers are and who helped make Taken.

Second film title sequence:

Spy -

                                                      

Spy introduces the film company '20^th century fox' to present and open the title sequence as well as 'Chernin entertainment' too. This is my second title sequence and unlike Taken, this does include title credits when a change of music takes place half way through, as it starts off quite serious due to the rapid music to highlight that the genre of this film being action but also elements of comedy within it too. The title credits are stylised title sequences.

Most of the title credits come at the end, which include the main characters in the film, along with the film title ‘Spy’. All title credits are the same colour and font, however, some are smaller than others whereas the ones that come towards the end are a lot bigger than previous title credits as they refer to the main characters in the film and not the people who helped make it.

Favourite previous student work

My analysis: This is the work that I chose which I thought was very interesting because the people who made it built up the tension and suspense throughout by using music, sound effects and different camera shots which fitted well with the genre. This short film or trailer started off with the shot of the news reporter telling the viewer the story of the missing 15 year old girl. This gives the audience an insight into what the story might be about and catches their attention because they are still unaware of what is happening and why this girl has been missing for days.

Credits also gave this title sequence more context, for example, when the news reporter was informing people of this missing person, it really made it feel real from the information he was giving out, such as what she looks like, her age, where and when she was last seen and what she was wearing on the day she went missing.

I really think this group as a whole worked well on this because the outcome has been really impressive as they have all contributed into the making of this film. For example, how they have used what materials they had, such as using the green screen and turning it into a news station, and using the colleges space and then turning it into something really dark and sinister through their use of camera angles, lighting, sound and editing.


The range of camera angles stood out because there was a wide range that was used to make it more relevant to the setting and what was happening in every scene.
The young girl who we believe to be the one who is the main focus of the film because she is missing makes her appearance at the end, and is shown running away from a group of boys who are chasing after her. The woods really sets the scene as it suggest loneliness and isolation that she can’t even cry for help because no one will be able to hear her. At this point it really adds a lot of suspense as to what will happen next and whether she will make it out unharmed. This worked well along with all the camera angles such as long shots and close-ups that were used, to point out to the viewer what the film makers want us to focus our attention on.

What makes a good title sequence.

11.What is genre?

A genre is a way of categorising films by their themes such as horror, comedy, action etc.
There are also sub-genres which are subdivisions for a films genre, such as combining two genres such as the main genre, romance, and the sub genre, comedy. Then there are hybrid genres which are a combination of two main genres in a film.

A Nightmare on Elm Street is a extremely popular horror film which came out in 1984. It has an original story line with the character of Freddy Kruger who haunts the dreams of teenagers, killing them in their dreams. The reason I really enjoy this particular type of genre is due to the fact that it's very suspenseful and the way it makes you feel.

Mean Girls: Teen film/Comedy

Mean Girls is a classic chick flick with the sub-genre of comedy that came out in 2004, which is one of my favourite genres as it is describes the fantasy life of a teenager in a typical american high school. 

Shutter Island: Thriller/Drama

I believe that Shutter island is a hybrid of both thriller and drama, which came out in 2010. The reason I chose Shutter Island is because the film has a clever and unexpected ending. The reason i really enjoy the genres of Thriller and Drama is because they are very mysterious. suspenseful and interesting.   

11. What is a genre?

Genre: a style or category of art, music or literature.
Films can also have sub-genres ( a subdivision of a genre) or hybrid genre (a genre that blends themes and elements from two or more genres) such as a rom-com; mixing romance and comedy themes together. Within a genre there will be codes and conventions that are signs which create meaning within the genre to make i recognisable.

Deadpool: Action/ Adventure, Superhero

Deadpool is defined as a superhero, action/adventure movie but has elements of comedy in it (sub-genre). I like superhero movies because of the action and the conventional happy ending where everyone is saved. However i like the sub-genre of comedy in the movie as it gives the character a better, more realistic personality.

Mean Girls: Comedy

Mean Girls are defined as a comedy (my favourite genre) but as well it is like a high school drama/ chick-flick. The movie gives so much laughter but as well a fantasy of what it would be like in an american high school.

What is Genre?

Genre is a style or category of art, music, and literature and is a way of grouping films in terms of their themes such as horror, comedy and action. There are also Sub-Genres which are subdivisions of a genre of either literature, music or film. There is also something known as a Hybrid Genre which is the way in which two or more themes from different genres are blended together. Codes and Conventions are indicators or systems of signs which create meaning to the viewer as to what genre the film is. Genre Tropes are a specific type of music, film, or writing.

This is the very iconic image and poster that was used for the 1975 film Jaws. The picture that the makers of this film used immediately sends out the message to the viewers what type of genre this film relates to and an insight into what the story is going to be about; as the message is made quite clear and a lot of information can be taken from this photo. I really like the genre of this film, which is horror, and the well-known music that goes with it which is used throughout the film and when the great white shark is present.

6. What makes a good title sequence according to Kyle Cooper?

9. Pick your favourite film

7. Analyse 2 film title sequences

I chose to analyse the title sequence of The Conjuring as it meets the requirement of a successful title sequence. For example they chose to give away the genre of their film through the choice of dramatic and haunting music as well as the video itself. The title sequence can also been seen as engaging as the film is based on a true event and during the beginning they introduce the real family that was effected by this event. They did this by showing multiple family images throughout the video.

The title sequence for The Conjuring also follows the codes and conventions by including the names of the people that contributed towards the film,such as; the producer,actors and actresses etc...
It also promote and introduces the idents that produced the film.

I decided to analyse the title sequence for Insidious as it also follows the codes and conventions of a typical title sequence. For example, the genre is easily identified through the choice of eerie and spooky music. The genre can also be identified through the video itself as it gives off a ominous and mysterious vibe, which can also be seen as a successful way of engaging the audience by making them feel a certain way. This title sequence also introduces the cast and the people who contributed to the making of the film and it also promotes and introduces the idents that produced the film. Lastly, the intro introduces most of the main characters in the video without giving away too much but enough to have some insight of what is to come.

6. What makes a good title sequence according to Kyle Cooper?

What makes a good title sequence according to Kyle Cooper?