Task 17 - Genre Shortlist

 

Genre Short-list

1. Drama
2. Horror
3. Action

Task 14

Genre Conventions 

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Task 15 - Importance of sound

Sound

What is sound?

Sound is the noise used in the background to contribute to something, also it is the effect where this could be anything you hear

What is a sound-scape?

Sand-scape is the overall sound used in a movie or film

What is sound design?

This is the planning of sound and the design of sound

What is 'suspending disbelief'?

Essentially creating a realistic based sound effects, so the audience believes that it is real.

 George Lukas (director of star wars) argues that sound is 50%, where he meant that without sound you will be missing 50% of everything in a film, as this will completely become a terrible film. 

Sound is very important because it helps us spot the genre of a film, also it establishes tone and atmosphere in films.

Task 13 - Macro & Micro Analaysis

Micro & Macro Analysis

Micro Analysis - Whilst Micro Analysing, we observe the small features. 

The Stepfather - Micro Analysis

Camera: 

• Low establishing shot of the house, this type of shot is known for the classic horror movie shots.
• Close-up shots of the characters actions, for example, whilst shaving, whilst using the toaster etc.
• The camera gets down on a angle as it moves (tilted angle) 
• Close-up shots of the family pictures, this may connote that the person is a family man as there's no sign of proof that his a serial killer yet in the beginning scene.
• Close-up shot of the man cutting himself whilst shaving. Also close-up shot of the blood, this connotes death.
• Wide shots
• Over shoulder shots

Editing:

• Edited from the characters perspective 
• Match-cuts
• Flashback of a girl screaming, this connotes violence 
• slow paste 

Mise-en-scene:

• Normal everyday scene at the suburbs, and a ordinary white, middle-classed family life
• Props: Contact lens, Scissors, Gillette, Gloves and Hair dye 
• Blue and White lightning 
• Christmas 
• Dressed casually 

Sound:

• Mysterious music
• Sound effects on characters actions, for example, rubbing his hands, whilst shaving and more
• As the character cuts himself whilst shaving, the tone of music changes as the blood appears. This may mean that more blood can be seen during the movie
• Minor Up-pitched key
• Sound bridges 
• As the character gets down the stairs, the tone of music changes as it becomes more high-pitched 
• Dog barking connotes danger 
• Change of music as the character leaves the house
• Christmas Music

Macro Analysis: Whilst Macro Analysing, we observe the bigger pictures and issues.

The Stepfather - Macro Analysis

What is the key plot idea introduced in the title sequence?

The key idea which is introduced in the title sequence is that the family man (stepfather) kills his family and I believe his heading out to kill more families as he is a serial killer

In what order is the storyline introduced?

The storyline is introduced in the chronological order 

What characters introduced? When and how?

We are introduced with the stepfather and his family, and this was through him

What social groups are represented? 

We come along with a middle-class family, they're typical white American Suburban family  

Title credits in order:

1. Screen Gems
2. Screen Gems presents
3. Maverick films
4. The Stepfather 
5. Dylan Walsh 
6. Sela Ward 
7. Other important characters 
8. Casting by
9. Costume designer 
10. Music supervisor
11. Music by
12. Edited by
13. Production designer
14. Director of photography
15. Executive Producers
16. Salt Lake City Police Department 

SE7EN Micro Analysis:

Camera Analysis:

• Most scenes are close-up shots 
• Close-up shots gives an clear view and allows audience to understand what's going on
• No characters seen due to the close-up shots, this creates tension because audience has not seen anyone yet.
• Some close-up shots was blurry, the purpose of this may be because the director may have wanted the audience to come along with certain parts yet, as this creates more tension because the audience cant really tell what's going on
• Haven't come across of other shots during the title sequence 

Editing:

• Straight cuts
•  Black lightning and fade used, this connotes darkness
• Some shots are in slow pace
• White lightning used when a next shot appears 

Mise-en-scene

• No setting included as shots were close-up, but it looks like a office or a house because we come along with basic props which can be found in both places. Not knowing the location may create tension because we do not know where exactly this movie is set
• Props: Books,Photos,Files,Pens,Paper,Blade, and Needle 
• Dark lightning used with shadows, this connotes danger

Sound:

• Slow pace music in the beginning but eventually gets faster towards the end
• Creepy music and sounds very mysterious
• non-diegetic sound
• Squeaky noises occurred during the title sequence, this creates suspense and may be signified to a horror genre.

SE7EN Macro Analysis:

What is the key plot idea introduced in the title sequence?

The key plot idea introduced in the title sequence is not yet shown but from my perspective I think the key plot in this title sequence is investigations and detective work.

In what order is the storyline introduced?

The storyline is introduced in the chronological order

What characters are introduced?

There was no characters introduced yet in the title sequence

What social groups are represented?

According to this title sequence, I do not get a clear view on what social groups are represented. However it seems like a negative aspect because we come along with a blade, where the character is cutting of his skin as if he is destroying fingerprints. In essence, it seems like a working class social group.

Title credits in order:

1. New Line Cinema Presents
2. An Arnold Kopelson Production
3. A Film By David Fincher
4. Brad Pitt
5. Morgan Freeman
6. SE7EN
7. Other Characters
8. Casting by
9. Music by
10. Costumes designed by
11. Edited by
12. Production designed by
13. Director of photography
14. Co-Producers
15. Co-executive producers
16. Executive producers
17. Written by
18. Produced by
19. Directed by

 

Task 12 - Audience Research Activity

 

Task 1 - What is a Target Audience

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Task 10 - What is Genre?

Definitions:
Genre: Type or category of a specific film/book/music etc. e.g. Horror, Thriller, Comedy etc.
Sub-Genre: Genre within a genre e.g Action & Adventure
Hybrid Genre: Two or more genres combined in one e.g RomCom
Codes & Conventions: Types of features used and expected for a specific category/genre e.g c&c's for horror would consist of; jumpscares, screams, blood etc.
Genre Tropes: Signifiers about the genre, more to do with the mise-en-scene e.g tropes for an action film would consist of fast cars, mid-air flyers

Class discussion:
As a class we looked analysed the types of genres and the genre tropes. We also looked at the codes and conventions of a specific genre and how it would look. For example an action movies codes and conventions would be dispute and combat. The genre tropes would be stuff life fast cars, mid air flyers and so on.

My very own preferred genres:

• Genre: Action
• Codes and Conventions of genre: High speed cars, drugs, guns, combat (binary opposition theory; good vs evil) 
• Films of this genre: The Avengers; Age of Ultron, The Dark Knight Rises

• Genre: Horror
• Codes and Conventions of genre: Scary figures, shadows, darkness, blood, intimidating angle shots i,e high angle and low angle shots, fire, blood, screaming
• Films of this genre: A Nightmare On Elm Street, The Cabin In The Woods

 

• Genre: Adventure
• Codes and Conventions of genre: Dramatic non-diagetic sound, quest, protagonists and antagonists,  
• Films of this genre: Lord Of The Rings trilogy, Harry Potter series

Task 9 - The four different types of film openings

Titles on black screen:
- This is the most common type of title sequence.
- Usually a white type face on a black background, creating a high contrast
- Studios use this type of film opening because it is very cheap
- It offers a simple, uncomplicated way to include institutional information at the beginning of a film

Psycho - In my opinion, this type of opening is really boring and

it doesn't offer to much really, to grasp the audiences attention.

Titles on still images:
- This category of title sequences is more elaborate title cards, developed to include hand drawn borders and other images
- It incorporates text with a visual image to hint at the tone or genre of the film

SE7EN- I think this type of title sequence is more creative and
gives the audience something to think about and it also adds purpose
to the whole film.

Titles over moving images:
- Incorporates the credit titles with moving images behind the titles
- Sound and usually no dialogue
- There is an element of metaphors and a narrative thread to help introduce the tone

City Of God- As there is an 

enhancement in technology,

studios are able to make more 

visually appealing title openings.

Titles using animation or motion:

- Became popular in 1990

- Titles themselves became part of the main image and are integrated together with the images we see

- However, it requires a lot of digital technology and stylized editing

Casino Royale- This is an interesting way to start a movie. 

It is animated which makes it visually appealing for the 

audience. There is in fact a bit of drama included which drops

hints to the audience which the audience have to pick up 

and convert to satisfaction.

1. Narrative Title Sequences:

Include moving images and begin as the film begins

They have title sequences with moving images

2. Discrete Title Sequences:

The titles are integrated in moving images - not clear about the storyline

Sets the tone; insight of later scenes in movies

3. Stylised Title Sequences:

Mixture of Narrative and Discrete - moving images and title credits

I personally think that a narrative title sequence is more appropriate for a film because nearly 50% of the film is about the plot it self. However, it can be argued that it has to also be visually appealing. That's why I would say a stylised title sequence would be more convenient. The audience need to know what's happening, the genre and so on.

Task 8 - Analysis of my favourite film

WORLD WAR Z.

WORLD WAR Z is my favourite film and the film opening is actually quite interesting. To begin with, it uses three title sequences; 

- Titles on black screen; as you can see from the gif, titles on black screen are widely used through out the whole title sequence. Not only is it used alone but it is used with some of the visuals. I think this is intentional because it allows the audience to be both informed and entertained. It allows the audience to make a link with the visual material and the title. For example we see Brad Pitts name on a black screen and at the same time a snippet of the movie location. (urban) almost like a split screen.

- Titles over moving images; this allows the tone to be set. We see many natural material i.e trees, farm lands, animal habitats and in a sense connotes freedom and purity. However, it seems to present many animals having combat and this is when the audience start thinking deeply about what the actual genre is

- Titles on still images; the visual material in world war Z definitely shows us what kind of genre its going to be - action, adventure horror. This is obviously illustrated by the animals and how they are in combat, trying to survive and how people are in dispute. This type of opening sequence is almost foreshadowing what might occur in the later stages of the movie. 

-Order of credits; 

• Production Institution 
• Actors
• Casters
• Visual effects supervisor 
• Music by
• Costume designer 
• Editor
• Production designer
• Director of photography
• Executive producers
• Producers
• Screen story by
• Screen play by
• Director 

Task 11 - BFI Statistics Yearbook

BFI Statistics Yearbook

 

 

Chapter 4: Genre

- According to the UK box office, Animation (Despicable 2), Action (Iron Man 3) and Comedy (The Hangover Part 3)  was the 3 most successful genre's. On the other hand, War (Lore), Documentary (One Direction: This is us) and Romance (Give it a year) was the least popular at the UK box office

 

- During 2013/14 Comedy had the most films released which was 153 releases.

- During this period 33 Animated films were made.

- During this period 47 Action films were made.

 

Chapter 15: Audiences

- In the UK 15-24 year olds made up the largest proportion of cinema admissions in the UK.

- The Hangover Part 3 was the most successful with the 15-24 year olds age group.

- Sunshine on Leith (Musical Film) was the most popular for the 50 + age group.

- For men Captain Philips ( Thriller, Drama and Biography) was the most popular film and genre.

- For woman One Direction: This is us ( Documentary) was the most popular film and genre.

- UK films mostly appealed to the male audience aged between 15-24.

- One Direction: This is us, Wreck-It Ralph and Despicable Me 2 was the 3 most popular films for the 7-14 year old. This tells me that kids from 7-14 years old prefer animation and documentary genre.

- Frozen, The Croods and Jack & The Giant Slayer was the 3 most popular films within the 34-44 age group. The reason being for this is because all three of these are animation genres, this tells me that the ages between 34-44 is the ages which parents mainly have kids and the reason being for these films to be popular for that age group could be the fact that they take their kids cinema.

- Django Unchained, Fast and Furious 6 and Rush was the 3 most popular films for the 25-34 age group.

- For C1 audience (middle class audience): Rush, Captain Phillips and Gravity was the most popular films for the C1 middle class audience.

- For C2 audience (middle class audience): O2 the great and powerful, Fast and Furious 6 and Despicable Me 2 was the most popular films for the C2 middle class audience.

- The differences I came up with the popular films in London and Scotland is that the audience at London mainly enjoyed, Thriller and Western genre. Whereas the audience at Scotland mainly enjoyed Comedy and Action genres. This shows me that there are always difference in audience at different areas.

 

BFI STATISTICAL YEARBOOK



 

 

 



Task 7 - What conclusions can I make about the titles used in title sequences?

Gone Girl (2012)

The order we see the title credits in;

• Producer
• Actors
• Film title
• Casters
• Sound design
• Music by
• Costume designer
• Film editor
• Production designer
• Director of photography
• Executive producers
• Producers
• Based on the novel of...
• Screen play
• Directors
• Date

What I can conclude about this title opening is that title credits are organised deliberately. Its in the order of importance - producers first, actors second, sound designers and so and so.  The title credits here are mostly divided proportionally meaning that each of them are aired the exact same duration. However, the actors, producers and the title all have more time. This is because of recognition. They want to be more visually appealed and want to be concentrated into it, giving them more credit. I can also add that this title sequence uses titles on a black screen. The main characters and producer are in the font white with a black background. This makes them look bolder and makes them stand out more. The typography is pretty basic; Arial white. It was used in service of the movie. (Kyle Cooper belief) It helps integrate the content and title credits. The idea that it it white signifies purity and innocence as mentioned before and it creates a flow to the movie- consistency.

Task 6 - Analyse two film title sequences

Gone Girl (2014)

Firstly, the movie Gone Girl starts with the process of a 'a favourite trick of film Noir.' This is where the film starts with the ending and the rest of the movie is a build up to that. In this case, this type of opening is very effective because the audience start second guessing on how it came to end up like that. Also, the music was dominated throughout the whole title sequence (as well as voices). The 20th Century Fox sound is not played however replaced by a very spooky and mysterious sound that made the audience feel already like there in the movie. The picture below shows a lady looking up to a camera. This connotes that women in this movie don't hold any power as the camera is dominating her in terms of position. Since the camera is above her, it illustrates that we as an audience have a greater power and dominance. However, the sound behind and the graphics don't interlock. We hear a mysterious song which makes everything we see questionable. Like is she really demoralized?

The title of this movie is introduced in the 59th second. And when it is introduced, we come to see a sea/lake and a boat moving (the place seems very quiet) The title Gone Girl is then blended with the blue sky which makes it a play on words in a sense; the title is going- blending into nature. This is backed up through some of the screen shots of the setting. It seems very quite and serene. This make the setting seem calm and peacefully. Whilst this is going on, the cast, producers and actors are presented in white - which also connotes purity, serenity, innocence which further signifies the idea of peacefulness. We are then introduced to the protagonist where he is emptying the bin, looking miserable.

21 Jump Street (2012)
21 Jump street follows the codes and conventions of a action movie title sequence. It includes fire, money, drugs, explosions, guns and all the other stuff. The first 8 seconds show you a lot of things actually. It has sounds of police which is also signified by the blue and red colours. This suggests that there will be a lot of violence and misconduct. We already know the setting as illustrated by the statue of liberty and the US flag. The audience acknowledges that it will be set in an urban area. It shows you to directors and producers at the same time of the graphics which is very conventional.

Task 10 - Genres

What is Genre?

definitions:

• Genre:  'type' or 'category'  used in movies, for example: horror, comedy, thriller, action
• Sub-Genre:  a subdivision of a genre of literature, music, film, etc.
• Hybrid genre: 2 genres combined together, for example rom-com (romance/comedy)
• Codes & Conventions: this is the system of sign which creates a meaning, for example in a horror movie you will be expected to be scared or expect murder.
• Genre Tropes: this is what signifies about the genre, for example during a horror movie, you will always expect an slight low angle of the haunted house.

Discussion about genre:

During the discussion in our class we talked about genre tropes and what type of features signifies a typical genre, for example in a gangster genre the typical items which signifies the genre is weapons, alcohol, or the way they are dressed, which is mainly smart.

This is an example of the movie we discussed in class. Looking at this image i can tell you about the different features of genre tropes which signifies that this is a gangster genre, for example: there is a gun, alcohol, cigarets, actors dressed very smartly etc.

    

3 Favorite Genres:

1.  Gangster 
2. Action 
3. Comedy

Gangster:

Looking into a gangster movie, i have selected American Gangster as my favorite gangster genre. This movie, just like Goodfellas signifies genre tropes such as a gun, dressed very smartly and more to show that this is a gangster genre.

This is a still image in one of the scenes which  signifies  genre trope that show that this movie is a gangster genre. I know this because the main character is dressed very smartly just like a gangster, we can tell that his the leader as his sitting  alone with people surrounding him and listening to what he is saying.

Action: 

Looking into a action movie, i have selected Fast and Furious 7 as my favorite action movie. This movie signifies genre tropes such as fast cars, men jumping from one car into another, weapons and more to represent that this is a action genre.




This is a still image at a scene of Fast & Furious 7. I can tell you that this image signifies a genre of Action because I can see fast cars and men jumping from one car into another. Also there is a tank, these are all the genre tropes,

Comedy:

Finally, as my favorite comedy movie i have selected Ted. From my perspective the genre trope is the teddy bear itself as this signifies that this is a comedy genre.

This is a still image of a scene of Ted. I can tell you that this is a comedy genre as i can observe laughter from the 3 character females, the laughter is due to Ted's inappropriate action which also signifies that this is a comedy genre. 

Task 9 - 4 different types of film openings

Film Openings

• Titles on a blank screen:

- Historically, this is the most common type of title sequence 
- Studios used them because they are low budget 
- Involves different kinds of typeface on a black background 
- Usually a white typeface is used on a black background to create a high contrast 
- They can offer a simple, uncomplicated way to include institutional information at the beginning of a film

 This is an example of titles on a blank screen (Psycho)

Another example of titles on a blank screen (Pulp Fiction)

Titles on still images:

- Titles on still images are more elaborate than simple white text on a black background

- Historically, it was developed to include hand drawn borders and other images 

- This title sequence indicated a more past just text but a way to incorporate text with a visual image to hint the tone or genre of the film

- Studios were beginning to support the development of more elaborate title sequences and recognized their contribution to the film as a whole 

- Requires combing different media to make the background

- Use of music and still images accompany the credits to introduce the tone of the film and hint to what the genre and themes in the film might be

This is Kyle Cooper's version of titles over still images. In the title sequence for Wimbledon, he has used both moving and still images to give the effect of a tennis match.

Titles over Moving Images:

- Titles over moving images incorporates the credit titles with moving image behind the titles, sound and usually no dialogue 

- Moving images serves to offer either a Metaphor or Narrative Thread. This is to help introduce tone or story lines of the film to the audience 

City of gods is a example of titles over moving images

Rear Window is another example of titles over moving images.

Titles using Animation or Motion:

- In the late 1990's the use of animated text in title sequence became more popular

- Titles themselves became the part of the moving image and are integrated together with the images we see

- Titles using Animation or Motion requires a lot of digital technology and stylized editing

Casino Royale is an example of titles using Animation or Motion

Catch me if you can is another example of titles using Animation or Motion    

 

Task 5 - What makes a good title sequence according to Kyle Cooper?

Kyle Cooper is known to be a very talented man when it comes to title designing. He has designed some very popular movie title openings and amongst them are; SE7EN, Spider-man and Superman. He is mainly known for revitalising the credited main title sequence as an art form. He believes that this is a good build up to the film as it adds interest to the audience, in their own perspective. In 1995, the title sequence for SE7EN was such a popularity that it was hailed by the New York Times Magazine as "one of the most important title innovations of the 1990s." 

Hes work involves over 100 film title openings. Another memorable title sequence is Dawn of the dead. He believes that a good title sequence is only good if it makes the audience worry and ask questions, set an expectation - a form of escapism, forgetting everything else and focus on that very moment. This will make the audience excited. He also believes the process of dovetailing where the credit sequence and movie are somehow connected/joint.

In the movie SE7EN, he helped use the type to add to the overall tone or the overall impression you are trying to set. Such as the typography. The typography was used to integrate the content and credits. The idea that it was handwritten font made it seem as if the main character is a serial killer and he is keeping hes journal to take notes. The typography here was used intentionally in service to the story.

To kill a mocking bird was hes favourite because the credits were used to portray the main characters obsession. He also believed that it was beautifully photographed. These are the types of things that made a film opening worthy of watching. The Dawn of the Dead was also worthy of watching according to Kyle Cooper; the prologue was used to set up information. The use of this advanced the plot in a way and puts the audience where they need to be / puts you ahead of the film.

Task 8 - Analysing a favorite film

SKYFALL

SKYFALL order of credits :

• Albert R.Broccoli's Eon Productions LTD. Presents
• Daniel Craig
• Ian Fieming's James Bond 007
• Skyfall
• Staring Javier Borden
• Other important characters  
• Co-producers 
• Script supervisor/Sand recordist/Electrical supervisor/Second unit assistant director 
• Makeup designer/Hair designer/Mr.Craig's makeup/Wardrobe supervisor/Publicity&Marketing
• Supervising art director/Set decorator/Property master/Construction manager/Skills Photographer
• Production supervisor/Location production managers/Second unit production manager/Post production supervisor
• Visual effects and Miniature supervisor/Associate producer
• Unit production managers/First assistant director 
• Casting
• Special effects and Miniature effects supervisor/Start-coordinator 
• Second unit director
• Costume designer
• Editors
• Director of Photography 
• Production designer
• Music by
• Produced by
• Executive producer
• Written by
• Produced by
• Directed by

Analysis Of Favorite Film

Skyfall title sequence

 

At the beginning of the film we come along with a low angle shot of a character drowning, this creates suspense because the audience does not know why the person is drowning, therefore they wonder why this has happened.  At this moment the music is non-diegetic and its very smooth and calm.

 

 





 

After the character drowns, the screen turns completely black, this creates more suspense because the audience cant see anything and as a result they do not know what is going on.

 

At this scene, we come along with a hand dragging James Bond down, from my perspective this hand symbolises rescuing and supporting the character.

 

 



 

After James Bond was dragged down it changed locations and we come along with a target shooting with blood around it. This is a sign of violence and danger as we may experience violence in this movie due to this. This may have an impact that the film genre may be action

 

 

This scene is a close up shot of knives and guns dropping, this connotes deaths and enemies. The interesting part of this scene is after the knives land on the ground, they turn into a grave as this clearly implies that there's going to be many deaths in this movie.

 

 

Fire was seen during the title sequence, fire signifies rage and danger and the fact that James Bond's target shooting statue's in fire gives the audience a hint that James Bond could face some danger during the movie.

 

During the title sequence, we come across with these creatures, this then foreshadows to a scene where James Bond is in a boat heading to an event with the same creatures facing at him, as it was designed in the events front entrance.

 

Example of the creature.


 

 

 

 

 

 





  

 

Task 7 - Conclusion on titles

 The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

 

 

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Task 6 - Analysing 2 title sequence.

Analysis of 2 title sequence

21 Jump Street Title Sequence.

I have decided to analyse 21 jump street as my first favorite title sequence. Looking into this movie, I can state that the background music played is non-diegetic and it seems like a dancing style music, this signifies that the movie is comedy because the music is at a fast pace which seems like the music played at teenagers parties, also the lyrics "jump" is occasionally repeated where this makes the audience feel excited as the music grabs their attention. The font used at this title sequence is in capital letters and the colour of the font is white, the colour white normally signifies innocence and purity. The fact that the colour white is used at this film is simple and smart, this is because this film is about two policemen and a polices job is mainly to find criminals, as a result these two policemen may have be dealing with the innocent victims. From my perspective, the font may be a small hint which shows this to me. Furthermore, at times bright colours were used in the title sequence, this creates a sense of excitement because it is not like a horror genre with dark colours used at the background. Often the colours red and blue appear from sirens, this tells me that this matches with the two main characters as both of them are police's.

My second title analysis is on the girl with the dragon tattoo, I have chosen this because it is a interesting title sequence. In my opinion this is a technology based film because during the title sequence I came along with a keyboard and wires as they were covered in ink. The fact that they are covered in dark might show me that technology can be a negative impact on our society. Also there was people covered in black and the colour black connotes danger and depression and the fact that the person is surrounded with black ink may represent that the person may be stressed and depressed who is suffering. Moreover, during this title sequence I came along with chained up persons where this simply show me that the film can be violent because chaining up a person is harming someone and this is extremely violent. This title sequence does not just represent violence, it also represents danger and death as there was a scene of a skeleton inside the fire. The burning image of skeleton  shows that someone in the film can come along with the same situation. We have come along with mainly the dark side of the film as this shows that this is a horror/thriller genre. Looking into the font it is white bold writing which stands out, the fact that it is white may reflect on the innocence of characters. The rock music used in this title sequence is non-diegetic, it is extremely loud with very fast pace which grabs the audience's attention. Furthermore, the fact that ink is used a lot may be linked with the films title as its The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo and tattoo is mainly ink where this is a hint. Finally we do not come along a main character in the title sequence, as every character is covered in ink, this creates suspense because the audience does not know who is in the film and what the movie could be about.

Task 5 - What makes a good title sequence according to Kyle Cooper?

What makes a good title sequence according to Kyle Cooper?



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Task 4 - How can a film opening attract an audience?

During my Media lessons me and my class looked at the purposes of film openings and how they can be used to attract an audience. Based on what I've found out, there are a variety of ways to start a film opening and I also found out the effects of each. After watching the documentary, 'Watching' some directors and presenters gave us an insight on how to create an effective film opening and here is a summary of some of them...

What does Thomas Sutcliffe mean when he says "Films need to seduce their audience into long term commitment. While there are many types of seduction, the temptation to go for instant arousal is almost irresistible"
What Thomas Sutcliffe meant was that in the opening of a film, there has to be something to draw the audiences' attention. In a sense that the film has to offer something to the consumers which they will be satisfied of. Going in more deeply, it means that in the beginning, there has to be some sort of action or a direct shock where the relationship amongst the film and audience become stronger and it leads the audience onto a whole new experience, some form of escapism.

According to director Jean Jacques Beineix, what are the risks of 'instant arousal'?
Director Jean Jacques Beineix believed that a consumer watching a film has to 'accept the wait' and 'nurse, nurture your desire to make it grow, then the satisfaction comes'- this simply means that the beginning should not provide instant arousal and it should give the film time to help reach its climax. With this, he also criticised the process of instant arousal and stated that audience may ask to many questions. Where do you go after making the first section interesting? What's next? He thought that it raised too many questions.

Explain why "a good beginning must make the audience feel that it doesn't know nearly enough yet, and at the same time make sure that it doesn't know too little"
I mean, a good begging must do all these things but in a manner of balance. Obviously the film producers and directors should consider revealing limited information but not too much because letting the audience know too much already, in the beginning, can prevent people from being intrigued. I think this process allows the audience to make their initial judgements and gives them something to look forward to which makes it a good beginning. Its almost like a deal, the beginning is the part where the film comes to term with its viewers.

What does critic Stanley Kauffmann describe as the classic opening? Why does this work?
A classic opening is when a film begins with a establishing shot- then close up of a building- camera goes up to a building to a window- then into the window- past the receptionists desk- then to a private office and then... sat there somebody. This is the type of opening that establishes tone - enabling the audience to make early adjustments to what this kind of movie is going to be. Is it going to be a comedy, something that will make the audience scream- this type of thing puts the audience on the same wavelength as the producers. And it always depends on how its presented. The idea that the camera 'slowly' mounts up the building could illustrate that its going to be a slow story and makes the audience enter their comfort zone. This type of opening in a way informs the audience. It shows the viewers 'where' the film is taking place the 'occupation' of the hero or protagonist and this almost puts everything in place. Makes the movie seem more rational and solid.

Why is Kyle Cooper's title sequence to the film Seven so effective?
Kyle cooper let us know that the director, wasn't after something like a gentle prelude, but a sequence that will tune the viewers to the right pitch. This was like a wake up call to the audience (waking them up). Well, talking about the film Seven and its title sequence, it was effective for a number of reasons...1) it foreshadowed a lot of the things that will happen in the movie. 2) told a story. 3) it introduced to you the obsessive nature of the films main characters.

What did Orson Welles want to achieve with his opening to the film A Touch of Evil? 
Orson Welles wanted to create something more unique than other film openings. He tried to do this by having a film opening without title credits and with out title music. He wanted to plunge the audience into he's story without giving them time to prepare themselves. He believed that anything could be done with a cliché opening, if you don't look at it as a cliché if you look at it as the beginning of a adventure. By this he meant that anything could happen in a movie opening. He presented a movie where everything was going okay until an explosion occurred. This was the turning point of the movie and gave the audience something to think about... Why? How? What?

What is meant by "a favourite trick of Film Noir"? What is the trick?

Some openings tend to attract an audience with the process of a 'a favourite trick of film Noir.' This is when the film begins with the ending, and the rest of the film is a build up of how it got to the ending that was shown. This can be effective because it creates suspense, however could be seen as difficult to keep the audience entertained because the audience already knew what happened at the very end.


How does the opening to the film The Shining create suspense?
The film shining highly creates suspense for many reasons; one being that the camera angles that were used, make us feel like predators, which many indicate mystery or murder. Also, the music was quiet and like a cradle song.

Task 4 - How can a film opening attract an audience?

How can a film opening attract an audience?

According to the research I have made, film opening is the most magical moment, the audience has to place their trust in you whereas this is not easy and can end up wrong sometimes. Silence and darkness is the most precious moment as a film starts and missing the beginning of a film will completely change the overall view on the film

 

John Schlesinger, the director of the believers movie stated that a good sharp shock is an good idea for a beginning.

 

This is the beginning scene for the believers movie, by John Schlesinger. The directors sharp shock in the beginning left the audience shocked as this is an good example where an audience will wonder what's next. The beginning of the movie was based on a domestic accident where as the woman was making coffee for breakfast she faced with an tremendous electric shock. John Schlesinger described this as shaking the audience up, where they know they're in for some sort of ride. These sorts of beginnings will always seduce the audience into a long-term commitment during the movie.

 



 

From my perspective, a good beginning must make the audience feel that it doesn't know nearly enough yet and at the same time it needs to make sure that it does not know to little. According to Gary Ross's view (writer/director) the beginning of a movie is difficult because your not just establishing characters, your not just establishing a story, your establishing tone and the audience is making a very early adjustment to what this movie is going to be about. This could be whether they should laugh or not or be scared or not and etc.

 

 

 

 

 





 

The movie lockout demonstrates an really good example on the fact that the audience should not know a little and not know enough because we know that a mans arrested in this scene but we don't specifically find out who he is or what he has really done.