Student film opening

Angeldust

I really enjoyed this trailer and thought it used very celever and imaginative ideas to make the opening easy to film. The lighiutng used within the opening is dark that also conveys the sincerity of the film alomg with the music. In my opinion the downfall in this opening is the lack locations used although this is made up by the acting and the editing. I would give this top band and 58 out of 60 with very fluid and proffesional credits.

Film Inspiration: Mercedes Advert

Mercedes Advert

I realise that this is an advert and therefore will be different to any film opening however the way that the individual screens push one another out ws previously suggested to us by our teacher but I found it difficult to picture how that would work in our opening. After seeing this advert I think that it is a very unique way to edit and would work well in our film.

Visual Moodboard

Target Audience

Target audience from maxgrids

Represenation

Representation from maxgrids

Risk Assesment: first day

Recce shots

Film Pitch: Final draft

Film Pitch

This film pitch shows the ideas and narrative of our film opening and has a description of the characters. The presentation also shows the target audience and the film institution.

Juno Task

 

The task was to copy the introduction of the film Juno. This meant that we had to storyboard the original and copy it to the best of our ability. This task was also the second time I had used premiere pro so it was difficult to edit. Furthermore I have learnt from this task that I should blog my finished work straight away otherwise the danger of losing the material is very apparent. I thought that the task as a whole went well although it took our group a little longer to film I thought the accuracy and timing was better than other examples and therefore worthwhile.

Narrative

Aristotle

He was a Greek philosopher who can up with the idea that all narrative's may have 

1. A beginning 

2. A middle

3. An end

Vladimir Propp

He concluded after studying fairytales and folk stories that narratives are shaped upon characters and different actions. He proposed that there a 8 characters and 31 situations in all stories ever written.

These characters were hero who seeks something, villain who opposes, the donor who helps, dispatcher who sends, false hero who is mistaken for the hero, helper gives support, princess who is the reward but also needs protecting and the father.

Levi-Strauss

After studying myths and legends he proposed that all stories were based upon opposites and the conflict between these opposites. For example this could be good and evil or old and young or wealthy and poor. 

Todorov

He concluded that all narratives have five stages.

1. Equilibrium which is a state I normality.

2. Disruption of this equilibrium.

3. Protagonist realises this equilibrium has changed.

4. Restoration where the protagonist restores equilibrium.

5. New equilibrium same as the starts but there are slight differences from the original.

Roland Barthe

His ideas show us that a narrative of a story can be seen in hundreds of different ways and that different people's perspectives would introduce new ways of seeing the story. He said 'it has no beginning; it is reversible; we gain access through several entrances none of which can authoritatively declare to be the main one.'

He suggested that texts may be open or closed which means they have one or many different interpretations. He also had five codes.

Enigma code

Codes of mystery which intrigue the audience and make them want to know more. It leaves the audience annoyed when these questions aren't answered.

Action code

This contains an order of elements of the action within text. It is also used to add effect.

Semantic code

This refers to an additional meaning in the text. It has a connotative meaning along with the literal meaning.

Symbolic code

Symbols within the text which create greater meant or tension, it can also develop a character.

Referential code

Any sort of external knowledge such as scientific or historical knowledge.

Mise en Scene

Mise en Scene

Mise en scene by definition is the arrangement of scenery and stage properties in a frame or shot.

 

This is made up of 5 key things.

1. Settings and Props: This is not just the background it can be very effective in conveying a genre for example and car chase through a city would be more exciting than on a country road. Settings can portray genre's before the film starts for instance a shot of the World form outerspace is most likely to be a Sci-fi film.

2. Costume, Hair and Make up: These important elements make a person's character exaggerated and emphasised. This is important as it gives the audience direction. THe costume also gives an idea of where the film is set and what era.

3.Facial expressions and body language: This factor links to hair, costume and make up as it provides an enhancement of the characters in the films. The body languuage of an actor can give off how he is feeling. An example of this is how someone can be looking down nd cry and the audince will know this person is upset however if they are walking confidently and smiling the audience will be aware of there happiness. However this element of Mise en Scene can be used ironically for example a villain in a horror film looking happy. The audience will think he is joyful and is the protaganist however when they see his wrongdoing's they will only be disgusted even further.

4. Lighting and colour: There are two main types of lighting used in film. High and low key lighting. Low key lighting will create a sense of darkness around the shot as if something sinister is about to happen. This is used mainly in horror films or to show an antagonist. On the other hand high key lighting makes the shot look brighter and the character within happier and more absorbing. A lack of shadow in these frames mean that the audience becomes more comfortable and therefore prefer this type of shot. others.

5. Positioning of characters and objects within a frame: The last element is hugely important as it gives an idea of the relationship between characters, because if they are close to one another it will shpw to the audience that they are comfortable and that they are friendlt towards each other. The positioning also concentrates your focus as the centre of the screen is where the audience's eyes are drawn. The size of the characters shows to the audience how powerful they are. For instance if they are taller and bigger than the other people it will give them more power before the actors are even introduced. This is widely used in superhero films to give the heroes strength above other people.

Synopsis Planning

Planning

Actors

Tony: He is a successful wealthy businessman who has got a good job and is well payed. Although wealthy Tony has not achieved all in live, he is unhappy and lonely. In our opening he will look tired and annoyed but more so than anything else he should be spiteful so that the audience see him as the antaganist. Tony should be wearing a suit to show that he is upper class and wealthy. This character will be played by a 40 year old man which will show to the audience how he is accomplished, wise and gives him authority. He's been living his life thinking that money is the only goal and that nothing should come before it. This attitude has made him cold and selfish, he has no time for friends and family and spends all his time at work.  
Chris: This character should be happy and enjoy life, the activities he does throughout the opening he should enjoy. The audience should warm to him due to his good nature and caring attitude. He should be wearing smart-casual clothes such as jeans and a shirt and this will make the audience comfortable and familiar with him. He will be played by a teenager because we can't get a second adult to play the other part. We will make the character look as old as possible so it is convincing that he works in a pub and has many friends. This character will be the protaganist and will be the charatcer that the audience warms to.

Location

Pub: The pub is the Swan inn that is loacted in Hatfield Peveral. The recce shots show that it is old and has character. This will be the place that Chris works were an older person enters and Chris acts caring towards them.

My individual Film Pitch

Film Pitch

First Draft

The first draft of the film pitch was not successful due to the latyout of the pitch. The narrative and the context was not clear and it was difficult to follow. However the presentation does have strong points such as clear indications of the target audience and our inspirations.

Institution task

I found theis task difficult because I struggled to come up with ideas. I had taken inspiration from another example and therefore developed this idea. I have taken a clip form the opening scenes of Pulp Fiction. I have also used a different name for the production title as I thought that everyone else had used there own names and so I attempt to stand out from other examples.

Genre tasks

The Guest

Describe in detail: The guest is an action film that is made around the death of a soldier. The film begins with the soldiers friend visiting the family on dying request of the fallen soldier.
Setting: The setting is in a regualar home however we sense that the the action lies with the visiter. Some of the shots are taken outside and looks like the desert or the deep south of America. The desert is a place of lonliness and panic although could be used for action due to the fact that theres no one there.
Themes: The general theme seams realistic although we get the impression that the action and violence to follow in the film will not actually be real. Friendship is also a theme in this film as the man is comnpleting a favour.
Icon: the film has obvious violence and therefore guns. This has connatations of death and fear although could be seen as safety and protection.
Narrative: The overall plot of the storyline is unclear due to the mixed order of narrative and truncated pace of the trailer. Hoever it looks like Dan stevens and some members of the family are involved in violent situations and action.
Characters: From the trailer the main character looks to be the friend of the soldier Dan Stevens although other character such as the members of the family will have big supporting roles in this film.
Textial Analysis: Constant cutting between shots gives the trailer action and excited and mixed lighting gives signs of danger and protection and different parts of the film. Throughout the trailer a non diegetic bass guitar is playing which and to the genre and craetes anticipation for the violence. There is also a voice over as the conversatiuon that is happening at the start of the trailer runs throughout regardless or the violent scenes being shown. This contrapetal sounds take the audience's mind's away from the action and concentrate on the plot.

Genre tasks

The Vow

Describe in detail: The film the vow satrs Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams. The displays some of the experiences they have shared as a couple for example in an art gallery. The trailer also shows how they're involved in a car accident and forces the two characters to rekindle their love for each other.
Setting: The film is set in a city which has connatations of business and danger. Although a city can be dangerous it also offer some protection as it is not a harch environment. The film is set a variety of times and jumps about to show an overview of their relationship. The film does have scenes shot during Winter which is meant to heighten the romace.
Theme: The film of the film is love and romance although it shows shows hints of drama and comedy. I would say this film is a romantic comedy although there are elements of drama within it.
Icon: The icons of love and romance feature in the trailer for example flowers and choclates which have connatations of love and romace.
Narrative:The brief storyline is that the two character fall in love but are interrupted when they're involved in a car accident. This causes Channing Tatum to compete for his wifes love once again.
Characters:The charcters are Channing Tataum and Rachel McAdams. As shown in the trailer both have played major roles in Rom-Com's before and Channing Tatum offers sex appeal which may draw some viewers to it. I beleive that the main role is the woman in the accident as she is the one both boys are trying to win over.
Textial analysis: The repition of fading transition between shots makes the audience imminently comfortable. The non diegetic parallel music adds to the soothing nature of the trailer.The clever 360 degree shots add passion and excitement to the trailer and the zooming shows the actors emotions and feelings. The bright lighting conveys safety and comfort to the audience whilst the well presented actors and actresses make the empathy greater.

Genre tasks

Guardians of the Galaxy

Describe in detail: the trailer displays 'starlord' being caught stealing a mysterious object. Straight away we get the that the genre is superhero due to the alien creatures and the supernatural background. The trailer gives a brief description of each character stating there name and power. This helps us get and understanding of the hero and the villain due to the language and behaviour of the regular humans.
Settting: As previously mentioned the setting is supernatural with wide pan shots of the galaxy and spaceships. This outerspace setting has connatations of danger and mystery as is perfect for adventure.
Theme: The plot of the film isn't clear from the trailer but we sense that the 'guardians' are the heroes and must achieve some sort of goal. This may be due to revenge in some cases for example Drax the destroyer.
Icon: The icons of the trailer are the guns and the inside of the spaceship. The guns represent aliens and danger whilst the metal gates show how the heores are imprisoned.
Narrative: The trailer doesn't give much away however does highlight how the character described in the trailer are the ones who will feature most in the film.
Characters: The five characters in the film- Drax, Starlord, Gamora, Rocket and Groot. We get the impression that these characters unite to become a great team in the film and destroy the enemy as in most superhero film. This film is a real hybrid of genre as it offers ideas of a superhero genre which includes action and adventure whilst also showing si-fi and comedy.
Textial Analysis: The trailer uses non diegetic dramatic music in the opening shot to convey adventure and action, whilst also using close up ahot and many cuts between cameras. The background lighting used in the next scene is bery clever as it shows how the humans are evil however it shows how the safety is near due to the light. The more comfortable music allows the audience to fell more relaxed. The humour used by the villains also makes the audience more rleaxed with the character and makes them look like the heroes.

Genre Photos



Thriller

The thriller genre is very difficult to convey as it requires good editing. The best thriller posters are very simple and powerful and just give an outline of one character. In our picture we displayed the character as already being dead although that would have been easier if we had fake blood of some sort. The lighting for this picture is good because it's a mix of sunlight and shade which creates a sense of fear. The narrative has fear and death and violence and uses action and horror to create thriller. 


Genre Photos



Superhero

Our second image was taken on a hill in our school field although this isn't shown in the picture as only the grass is showing. The location could have been improved so that the photo is taken in a more dangerous environment. The bright light helps with the genre of superheroes as it shows that these characters are good. In contrast the villain behind the central character is in dark clothes and has a creepy posture which suggests he is the villain. The character stance is clever as it shows there supposed powers, for example the central hero has super strength and the right has a super shot. Although extra props such as a gun would have been useful to display the powers better. The themes of the photo are violence and action due to the fact that they look like they're preparing for a fight. Also the shot shows villains and heroes. The large shadow effect shows that the heroes are powerful which is helpful for displaying the genre

Student film openings

Growing Pains

The second film is called Growing pains, this had a more proffessional opening with better credits. The first shot on the skateboard is original and clever and makes the opening seem different to others.
The location of the film is good as it looks like an actual place people live furthermore the dialogue is very real and is actually how people speak so makes the audience feel comfprtable. The material is correct for the target audience and they have also taken consideration into the background of each shot. This makes this film hish scoring and I would give it a level 5 and a score of 50 to 55.

Student film openings

Qauntum

I liked this film opening as it was exciting and had a good storyline. However I felt that the credits were not long enough, only featuring three titles at the start. I felt that the credits weren't animated well and were very simple. On the other hand the shots themselves were good and a wide variety was used. These shot including tracking shots and they paid attention to what was in the shot which is criteria for levels three and four. The sound is appropriate and exciting which adds to the video. In my opinion the script is good although the location doesn't change which could hold the marks back as a variety of locations would add to the action however if the chase was through woods then it would stay in that location. I would give this a 45 to 50 so therefore would just get into level 4. To improve the grade I would have enhanced the credits and put more effects on them.