Wednesday, 11 December 2013

Order of titles/credits

Skyfall:

















The credits start as the theme song begins, and start with the production companies. Then the actors and actresses names are conveyed in order of importance; hence Daniel Craig first as he is James Bond. Yet after Daniel Craig is introduced as James Bond, the title of the film is smoothly follows before the rest of the actors/actresses. This signifies the importance of Daniel Craig's character. Also Judy Dench is introduced as "M", this also conveys her importance in the film. The co-producers follow, along with the sound recordists and the script writers. More behind the scenes staff follow this, such as the costume designers and editors. Nearer the end the theme song is introduced and the singer and songwriter are also introduced. Moreover the writers and more importantly the director, Sam Mendes, feature last. The meaning of the titles, can convey the idea of purity and innocence, of which the colour of the titles (white) suggests. The font size is medium size, yet is bold. The use of the colour white makes the font stand out against a fairly bleak, dark background. The credits are fairly frequent throughout, and the continuity of the font remains throughout. The graphics in the background depict the genre and suggests what the films storyline may contain. The audience will be attracted to what is happening in the background, yet due to colour of the titles, it enables them to stand out and grab the audience's attention. I would like to use the boldness of the font, to make sure I grab the audience's attention.


Superbad:
















The opening credits start with the production companies, Columbia Pictures and Apatow. This is quickly followed by the title of the film 'Superbad'. This occurs before the names of the actors and actresses, unlike the Skyfall opening. Jonah Hill and Michael Cera are the first names to appear, as they play the two main characters in the film. The other actors such as Seth Rogan and Bill Hader, then follow as they play less important roles, than Jonah Hill and Michael Cera. At the end of the names of actors and actresses, Christopher Mintz-Plasse is introduced, as he is making his film debut. Casting, Costume Designer, Co-producer and Music then follow. More behind the scenes staff follow, such as the Editor, Production-designer, Director of Photography, Executive Producers and Producers. Last of all, the writers and directors are introduced; this is also done in Skyfall.  The text also signifies the genre, as the yellow font has connotations of happiness and fun; depicting the genre as comedy. The colour of the font changes throughout, as to stand-out against the ever changing colour of the background. The size, though, is consistent throughout, apart from the title of the film. They are also fairly frequent. The graphics are entertaining, and create humour; depicting the genre as comedy. The meaning of each title is to create fun and entertain the audience. The audience's attention is grabbed through the colours and graphics of the titles. The audience should find this humorous, as the genre is comedy. I would like to use the pace of the titles, and the idea of changing colours to keep the audience's attention, and convey genre. Also it will enable us to give a persona to our film, and to our characters, if we use different colour fonts.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo:


The opening credits start with the production companies, Columbia Pictures, Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures and Scott Rudin Yellow Bird production. Then the directors name appears, yet he is not formally introduced as the director. Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara are introduced first as they play the two main protagonists. The rest of the actors and actresses follow. Yet before, they appear, the title of the film appears, breaking up the more important cast members, and the rest of the cast. The first behind the scenes staff to be introduced are the casting staff, costume designers, co-producers and sound producers. This is very similar, if not the same order, to the 'Superbad' film. More behind the scenes staff follow on, such as, the editors, production designer, director of photography, executive producers and the producers. This is exactly the same as with the 'Superbad' film, which reinforces that this may be the correct order to do it in. As the film follows a book, a title appears making reference to the book and its author and publishers. Next up it's the screenplay writes and finally David Fincher, whom is now formally introduced as the director of the film. The credits are done in a iconic style that can be linked to the genre of thriller and horror, of which the film's genre is. This is done by through the use of an unusual font, that can be related to the genre of the film, horror. The title of the film is in a bold font, as to be recognised as the main title. The titles are very frequent, and quick paced;creating tension. The graphics relate to the films genre and help to convey the film's genre. The graphics add tension and happen at great pace. The colour is dark, again depicting the genre of the film. The meaning of each title, is to add tension and create mystery. The audience will respond to the pace of the titles, font and colour and recognise that the genre is horror. I would like to use a unique font to help depict my films genre. I would also like my title to be bold in order for it to stand-out.

Camera angles

Long shot: Shot of the full body and the image is "life" size.  Conveys the real distance between the audience and the screen.

Medium shot: Contains a figure from the waist or knees upward.

Close-up: Contains very little background, and concentrates on either a face, or a specific detail of mise-en-scène.














Here is a video to explain:



Sunday, 8 December 2013

Opening Sequence linked to my film

Snatch:












Narrative function: Montage sequence that introduces each character.
Conventions displayed: Bold font, conveying the characters; there is also a continuity with the font, yet not with the coloured background. Title displayed fairly quickly, upon a diamond; which the audience know has been stolen, suggests genre.
Characters introduced: All main protagonists are introduced and the type of character they are; also their character name.
Cinematography: Colours used suggests genre as they are fairly basic, yet bold.
Camera/editing: Camera tracks the diamond as it is passed around, then the money, etc... . Ends back with the diamond in the mans hand; where it started. Editing is tight and cuts between each character smoothly. The meaning of each cut is to introduce each character and clearly outline the genre of the film. It tracks the diamond, to show that the characters have stolen it and are interested in the money it will bring them; highlighting the genre.
How the audience is attracted?: The audience is attracted by the quick tempo of the opening sequence, which helps convey the genre (action/thriller) of the film. The image of the main protagonists also draws the audiences attention, as they are able to convey their personas through their actions in the opening minutes of the film. The audience are then able to understand that character more.
Audience response: Some will respond to the quick pace of the film's opening with enthusiasm, and will understand this specific genre. Others will react negatively towards this, as a lot is happening in such a short space of time.
What have I learn't?/Will I use anything in my film?: I would like to use the idea of cutting to each character, allowing for each character to be introduced. I would like a fairly quick tempo, between each cut, so it creates tension, of which our genre needs.


Sunday, 1 December 2013

Opening Sequences - homework

Examples of opening sequences:

Pleasantville:














Narrative function: Starts with a voice from an advert, promoting 'pleasantville'.
Conventions displayed: Cartoon sequence becomes an advert. Then from advert to real life.
Characters introduced: A brother and his sister are introduced. They are both very different characters, the brother is an outsider/cast away, while his sister is popular and has a boyfriend. We are also introduced to the 'Pleasntville' family.
Cinematography: Use of black and white, conveys that this is in the past. Colour is used to replicate mood.
Cameras/Editing: Trick conversation between the brother and a girl he likes. The framing hides the information that he is talking to himself, and the girl is in the distance. A voice over is also used.

Constantine:













Narrative function: Title conveyed tells the audience that it is set in Angel City, Los Angeles. The genre is quickly introduced through the demon on the ceiling.
Conventions displayed: Warner Brothers picture. The title for the film is shown quickly, there is continuity with the font.
Cinematography: Orangey HUE, conveys the atmosphere and the genre of the film.
Cameras/Editing: Orangey HUE, trail shot, sound-bridge to orange light from a warm kitchen and women on the ceiling conveys iconography.

Legally Blonde:










Narrative function: Montage sequence to tell story, set scene and compress time. Narrative without dialogue, only music/sound.
Conventions displayed: Childish, stereotypical pink colour. Childish pink font and title, matches genre.
Characters introduced: Blonde girl riding bicycle, passing around a card for the other students to sign. The audience gathers that they are students, when she rides past several boys outside their student home. The card is for Elle, who is about to go on a date with a boy called Warner. This is gathered through dialogue and the image of Warner in Elle's bedroom.
Cinematography: Pink colour signifies genre. Bright colours signify happiness and also the genre.
Cameras/Editing: High energy soundtrack. Music - "perfect day" - matches the "perfect" world they are in. Tracking of card, vary of shots and a montage.