Research into Opening Sequences

As well as looking into opening sequences of horror films, since our opening sequence includes a book that will allow us to incorporate and show our titles, I found that clips from Harry Potter also help to show the effect we hope to achieve or have had inspiration from in our own sequence.

At 57 seconds on the clip, the scene changes into a newpaper format, we hope to achieve something like that where the audience is within the book and emerced in what is written, this could hope to connect the audience to the storyline and help to make it more impactful and creepy as the audience is involved. I like this style of filimg as it is inventive but is also effective at getting across emotions to the audience with the pace and sharpness of the camera shots, we hope to use slow shots that get increasingly faster to show a dramatic sense as something is getting closer and coming towards the main character in our opening sequence. 

Opening Sequences - Horror Films

While we are filming for our opening sequence, I have completed more research into other opening sequences in the horror genre to help develop my understanding of typical conventions of a horror film.

The first sequence I looked at was 'The Conjuring', what I found was:

• Voice Over- at the beginning, this is effective as it gives the reader ncssary information to understand what is going on in the scene, in this case it helps to involve the audience into the event and allow them to feel involved within the meeting. This sense of involvement helps to capture the audiences attention and heighten the creepy goings on with the doll.
• The close up of the eye suggests that the audience are also being watched by Annabelle and shows that there is a constant ghostly presence.
• The soundtrack is fast and sharp which helps to create tension, music being a fast pace gives the sense that something is coming or getting closer, which helps to introduce fear to the audience.

The second sequence I looked at was 'Sinister', what i ofund was:

• The long shot of the tree and the four people and the slow movement of them being pulled up the tree empathises their death and their cruel death, it also suggests that something isnt quite right as they're being hanged, it gives a sense of suffering which therefore makes the sequence more dramatic.
• There is eerie and slow paced, quiet music presents a more relaxed theme which contasts with the actions happening on screen. The quiet music implies that they are alone but as they are being raised it gives the impression that something is there with them, making it seem more creepy and eerie.

The final sequence I looked at was 'The Woman in Black', what I found was:

• Close ups of the girls faces and their toys give the impression that something is in the room with them, watching them.
• The use of childlike, innocent music gives a sweet and normal sense but does imply a eerie atmosphere, as the girls walk towards the window it gets faster and more intense, making the girls actions even more impactful.
• Props- the dolls, teapot and cups in the girls room shows them as being normal girls, which makes the audience question their intentions for their actions.
• The slow cutting rate as the girls walk up to window, could imply their reluctance to go to the window, suggesting that something is pulling them or forcing them do go there.
• finally, the over the shoulder and the establishing shot where the audience can see the whole room, a shadow is in the bottom right hand corner, showing that something isnt right and something was actually in the room with them, creating tension for the audience and asking questions as to what actually happened. The use of shadows is effective as the audiences imagination will take over and due to the unknown they will fill in what they think is the being, making the sequence seem more scary. 

Opening Sequences

As a class we looked on the website Art of the Title which lets you watch various different types of opening sequences.

For my main task product research, I have been researching different types of opening sequences and compared the similarities and differences within opening sequences.

In class we looked at three different opening sequences Dinner for Schmucks, Coraline and Catch me if You Can. 

1. Dinner for Schmucks

Uses innocent looking titles that matches the soundtrack and the lyrics of the background music, this links to the sweet and innocent titles that blend in with the theme of the film. This opening scene gives an insight into the story line and the characters but doesn't give anything away, all of the actors and producers and the directors names are spread out across the shot and at the end of the sequence the directors name is the biggest and in the centre of the shot highlighting their importance.

         2. Coraline

Titles are shown before the animation properly starts, this opening scene creates a mysterious and creepy atmosphere and sense for the audience, the titles fit similarly to Dinner for Schmucks as they link directly to the theme of the scene. The background music also adds to the eerie sense for the scene and this helps link the titles as they fit in with the animation of a doll being sown and turned inside out. This already gives the audience the feeling that something isn't quite right which will help to draw in the audiences attention to the rest of the film.

          3.  Catch me if You Can

The titles during this sequence seems as if it is a part of the sequence and is integrated into the theme of the film. This helps to draw attention to the names being shown, making them stand out which differs from what was seen in dinner for schmucks. The animation hints at the story line of the film but is still mysterious and leaves the audience wanting to know what is going to happen. This opening sequence is intriguing and when the audience finishing watching the scene they will understand that the beginning shows the plot before the film begins.

To Conclude, similarities within opening sequences are:

• Has a set theme or style which links into the context of the film
• Has a soundtrack that is appropriate
• Includes the name of the film, with the use of titles
• Titles are incorporated into the theme and the cast names are stated at the beginning, with different fonts and sizes showing importance

These are the main conventions of an opening sequence and are aspects that I will need to include when doing my own opening sequence. This research was useful as it helps build up a picture of how similar conventions can be used to show contrasting themes and ideas and helps to show how all the aspects fit together to flow as an opening sequence.

Editing: Ronin First Car Chase

As we have started looking at editing, we watched an example and analysed how editing was used in a video clip and therefore what the effects were:

• A slow cutting rate was used during the car chase which helped to build up tension and also anticipation about what might happen and how the chase will turn out.
• A matched cut was also used, it showed the relationship between specific characters, highlighting to the audience which characters were enemies with each other, but also which characters were in alliance with each other.
• Buffer's were used links characters together and with the use of a jump cut it further develops the audiences understanding as to which characters are communicating with each other.
• A motivated cut shows the man tracking the enemy cars and also shows that the characters are being closely watched, the motivated cut helps the audience to see what the characters have seen and adds to the drama of the scene. Another motivated cut is used when the character realises that the brief cases have been switched, helping to imply to the audience that it is too late and that the characters have been caught.
• A reaction shot helps to show the audience the characters different perspectives but also to show different view points and feelings within the scene, e.g. shows excitement during the car chases, it is fast pace highlighting the adrenaline being created
• A close up is also used on the food before the cars crash into the tables, it shows threat and danger as you know that something is about to happen and the fact that there is people walking past and around the food, worsens the danger and builds up tension as to whether or not innocent people will get hurt.
• Pauses are used in the scene which help to calm down the intensity of the scene and gives the audience time to relax and recover before the action starts again.
• A slow pace highlights the importance of the case and also what is inside, it also creates a sense of secrecy and subtly as no one knows exactly what is happening, as the camera constantly switches back to the man it shows that there is a plan and the enemies will be defeated, which also helps to calm down the intensity and will give the audience a sense of relief.

After looking at camera angle and shots, we next moved onto looking at and working with sound, both diegetic and non diegetic.
Diegetic sound is sound that directly comes from a person or object within the scene.
Non diegetic sound is should that has been added into the scene afterwards as a result of editing.

In class, we looked at an example of James Bond: Casino Royale and discussed which sounds diegetic and non diegetic were present and therefore what their effect was.

Diegetic sounds in this scene include:

• dialogue
• footsteps
• glass smashing
• gun shots
• gasps and breathing
• doors opening and closing

Non diegetic sounds in this scene include:

• the noise as the knife is revealed
• music in the lift
• the background music

These are also forms of sound effects and ambient sounds which are effective as they add to the drama and action in the scene, also making it seem dangerous but also makes the scene seem more believable and real for the audience as the sounds accurately match what they are seeing, this is synchronous.


This is the clip:

Analysis of different Camera Shots on Media Texts

In last weeks lesson, we watched and analysed two very different video clips in order to spot all of the different camera shots that were used and discussed why they were used and the effect.

The two video clips we watched were, James Bond: Casino Royale and Superman Returns.

This clip of James Bond is very fast and high action, the director has used many different camera shots and movements, highlighting the drama and intenseness of the piece. 

Camera shots used include:

• BEV: this shot was used showing an explosion rising up into the camera, this is effective as it puts the audience in the action which makes it seem more real and believeable. It also intensifies the danger as the audience will have a sense of what the main characters are experiencing. 
• ES: an establishing shot was used to set the scene and give the audience an idea as to where the film is taking place.
• EL: an eye level shot was used as one of the characters was looking over from where he was hiding, this is effective as it connects with the audience, showing a close up of his face empathsises the emotion and in this case fear and danger he is in.
• RS: a reverse shot was used after the eye level shot, in this case it showed the audience the machine driven by James Bond coming towards the other character, empathsising the danger and action both of the characters are in.
• LA and HA: both the low angle and high angle were used to highlight size,showing what is above the characters, but also how high up the crane was, creating a more dramatic sequence of action. 

The other video clip, Superman Returns contrasted to the action packed and dramatic scene of James Bond, but still used effective camera shots and movements to show a more relaxed and emotional scene. 

Camera Shots include: 

• ES: similar to James Bond, used to set the scene, except it is a more normal and comfortable setting.
• CU: a close up is used on both of characters, showing their emotions through facial expressions as they talk to eachother. 
• RS: reverse shots are used to give the audience perspective, it gives the audience a point of view, almost seeing what the character is seeing and how the other character is reacting/replying.
• As well as camera shots, camera movements are used, the camera throughout the scene zooms in on the two characters, showing their close relationship and the fact its a personal and private conversation. this would have been done on a dolly which makes the scene look more natural.

To conclude these video clips show that camera shots can be used in a range of ways in different that can change the atmosphere and tempo of different media pieces, this is effective as it can help enhance the mood of different scenes. But still making them exciting to watch for the audience.