13.12.10

In today's lesson we decided it would be a good idea to draw up our storyboard to finalise our ideas that we have put forward for our title sequence. In the lesson, we managed to plan and draw up most of our storyboard and then plan the rest for finishing on Wednesday 15th December. Also, we decided to plan our surveillance camera photos and to start our kidnapper's journal which we have bought a book for and will start off our title sequence. We are all going to post our planning brief and treatment onto our blogs so we all know what our plan is.

Analysis of contemporary titles vs. older titles.

As part of my research, I have been asked to compare and contrast a contemporary film title sequence with an older one. I have chosen Jaw: The Revenge and Zombie land as there is great contrast between the two title sequences as they both have similar elements but are quite different.


Jaws: The revenge. (1987)



This is the first title sequence that I decided to analyse. The film was released in 1987. I think just by looking at the title sequence you can tell it's quite an old film as the quality of the film isn't that great. The title sequence seems to be foreshadowing the events that are going to happen in the film as the movement is very slow and almost mysterious as you don't really know who or what it is, the camera seems to be in point of view. From the title sequence I gather that the camera is meant to be in view of a shark. Also, the movement of the camera is very well done because it gives the audience the feeling of being in the setting.


Zombieland (2009)


This is the title sequence for Zombieland released in 2009, which I think greatly contrasts with Jaws: The Revenge. It shows how time has changed with the graphics looking much better. The 3-D titles give a good effect on the titles. The blood splats, gun, hand prints and cross hairs all foreshadow and hint the audience to what may happen in the film. The graphics in the title sequence give the 'wow' factor to the overall title sequence which entices the audience to watch the rest of the movie.The actual titles of the director etc. are really cleverly done as they make the 3-D effect even better by moving around with the 'blood' they are positioned on, the music also adds to the effect as it is fast paced so it makes it more intense and interesting.




 The two title sequences I have looked at have certain elements that are different however, they have the same elements that all title sequences should include: setting the tone and mood for the rest of the film and foreshadowing the action for the film which both title sequences do in their own way.

Research on Horror and Action Genre.

This video is called the Alphabet of horror. It explains some of the elements of a typical horror whilst going through the alphabet.

8.12.10

In today's lesson as a group we decided to finish off all the updates we needed to have on our blogs before the deadline of 6pm this evening. As it was nearing the end of the lesson, we started to plan what we were going to do in our next lesson so we don't have to worry about wasting time next lesson.

In next weeks lesson, we have decided that we need to act quickly so we are going to write down our ideas, discuss and start to create our storyboard so we can start our filming shortly after.

6.12.10

In todays lesson we were told our final deadlines which where set.

This date was: WEDNESDAY 8TH DECEMBER.

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO MEET DEADLINE!:

- Items 1-6 of Research evidence.

- Item 1 of Planning Evidence

- Item 8 of Planning Evidence

- All homework set so far

- Continuity Piece loaded to blog.

Foundation portfolio tick list updated

View more documents from Belinda Raji.

Class Essay: Analytical Essay on the Title Sequence of Se7en

Mise-en-scene

A title sequence is the first thing the audience sees when the film starts, this being that it is very important that it gives of a first good impression. Within the film Se7en there are many things to consider in its title sequence, one of which being the mise-en-scene. Throughout this truly chilling title sequence there is no exterior or landscape shown which automatically leaves the audience with lots of questions in relation to the background information; the basic facts an average audience member would expect to know. We see a constant close up of the characters hands, never their face or body. Although we can see clearly sharp objects being used and there movement is very much the focus when they are involved in the frame. There are many different props used throughout the sequence which include: sharp objects, pen, paper, needle and thread and many old photos. Throughout the entire sequence the colour remains desaturated which we can only interpret as it having some relation to the forth coming events about to take place later on in the movie. The whole title sequence is film in a dark light setting, this suggests that the life is being drained out of the film this is also linked to how the character treats his victims. The final thing that sticks out in the sequence is that various things are highlighted in the props such as “homosexual” and “Transsexual” as well as cutting out the name “GOD” out of a clipping, to perhaps show the theme of religious belief and the connection to the person in the sequence; also the precision the person in the sequence has cold possibly be giving the audience an insight into the characters personality.

Purpose and character

From the close-ups we can’t tell what or where the location is, but we can guess that it is in a confined room. The reason why I think this is because the person who is making this book doesn't want anybody to know about it. I thought that the location was very secretive, and because the shots were so close to his hands and almost zoomed in on everything it makes you feel almost claustrophobic; which I think helped to make it feel eerie and scary. I also thought that the person was a man from the look of his hands. From this title sequence I think that he was trying to get rid of his identity by scraping off his finger prints, which made me feel really uncomfortable because it was an image I really didn't like. This suggests that he could be a serial killer and has planned things through to not get caught also this person seems to know what they are doing. There are images of dead people and it looks like he is creating a scrapbook which he has put the picture in but we aren't sure what the scrapbook is of. I also thought that he would have been a perfectionist because everything was done with his own hands and it clearly showed that he took time and care with his work and it was obviously thoroughly planned, I could tell this from the way everything seemed so precise, he seems to document his work very obssessively, but with patience. I thought that the person was religious, because they cut out a piece of a dollar bill that had the word ‘God’ written on it and also at the end of the title sequence the song ended with ‘gonna get me closer to God’, this made me think that they are killing people for their deadly sins and that they were killing for God. He crosses out words such as "transsexual" which also makes me think that he is religious. I got the idea that it was the seven deadly sins because there are two 'sevens' in the title and because the first shot after the title sequence says 'monday' which could explain one of the sevens.

Cinematography

'Seven' title sequence uses a lot of extreme close ups, this is used to create tension for the audience as it makes you feel very uncomfortable and it puts you in discomfort. Also all of these shots are still, we are only able to see the movement of the peoples body features and some of the objects. Due to the fact of these extreme close ups being still we are unable to see the surroundings and where everything is set, this is to create a big mystery which people may want to reveal by watching the whole film. Most of the lighting in this title sequence is dull; this is to create a scary and an unpleasant atmosphere. Not only the lighting is dull but also the colours included are rather dark such as brown, black, dark blue, grey. These colours give the whole title sequence a very unpleasant effect. Rays of light have been used for the main features and objects to stand out. Some of the photographs are very shaky as well as lightning has been added to them, this is to create a more unpleasant effect towards the audience, as this type of effect may reflect a scary storm at night. Fast pace has been also included to flick through a lot of things creating excitement towards the movie, leaving the audience wanting more. This title sequence also includes flashes of red which create an effect of danger. Layering is one of the things that has been used but not so much, it shows photographs fading out onto other photographs. The letters and numbers are hardly visible as a flash has been added to them which creates a mysterious side of the film. Looking at just cinematography you are able to get an idea of what the film may be about and the uses of cinematography are very strong as they create different emotions towards the audience leaving them wanting to see more, and that is the main aim of the title sequence.

Sound

The sound of the title sequence creates a disturbing feel. At the beginning it shows the character preparing to sleep, a clicking sound is used as the background which could be connoting a ticking clock counting down, showing that it is a countdown for something that is going to happen. In the sequence the character is crossing out words and pictures, every time he crosses something out you hear a scratchy screechy sound. This could be implying that the things he is crossing out are his next victims, as the screeching sound could be the person screaming and the scratchy sound could be the way they are killed. By putting this disturbing sound track in the background of the sequence with the close up images it creates a sense of confusion, as the audience has to take in the creepy sound and the glimpses of images together trying to make sense of them both at the same time.

Title Sequences and what they should include.

Title sequences:

-Other than trailers and marketing elements, they are the first images the audience sees when the lights go down, title sequences outline what the film maker's intentions were when creating the film.

-Saul Bass 'Making a main-title was like making a poster, you're condensing the event into one concept'

  

- The sequence takes responsibility of displaying the movies title, studio brand identity, the name of the director and establishing the heirarchy of actors.

- A title sequence establishes the mood and visual character of the film.

-A successful title sequence should draw a viewer into the movie and provide an introdution so that when someone goes back to the film, they can have an 'ah!' moment as they realise the proleptic value of the sequence.

-It sets the tone, providing the mood, foreshadowing the action.

-The sequence should get you hooked and excited to watch the film.

Mise-en-scene Seven Title sequence.

 Analysing Seven Title Sequence - Mise-en-Scene:

First impressions are very important - that is why title sequences are highly considered when being created. You want a title sequence to be interesting, and to keep the audience interested as that is, nearly always, the first thing that the audience sees when watching a movie. This eery and very awkward-feeling title sequence has achieved its purpose in the sense that it leaves the audience with many questions in their head about the background information for this movie, this title sequence is very intricate and most shots are clear and close-up which leave the audience so questionable. We see the camera following what the character is doing but we can't figure out what they are doing as it is all close up. However, the shots are very clear and precise like the character seems to be acting with a very precise manner. We see a series of instruments that the character is using to create their work like negatives, old books and needles as terh character seems to be sewing pages together to create a book. Also, the character seems to be cutting out particular words, like 'homosexual', out of articles and carefully removing them with tweezers. You get the feeling of awkwardness and uncomfortableness when watching it as you know the character is doing unusual things like crossing out the faces of people and being very precise in their work. There are shots of photos being developed and photos of people which we are lead to guess that could be possible victims of the character, props like negatives and tape also add to the overall effect which keeps the audience guessing as to whaat and who this character is. Also, what you can see of the character isn't very pleasant as all the shots are very close up which create a mysterious sugggestion about who the character may be, and the hands of the character are dirty and bandaged up which may give some suggestion into what the person does as they seem very precise yet unknown in what they actually do as not much is given away within the title sequence. The colour seems desaturated throughout the se7en title sequence which the audience may interpret as some sort of foreshadowing related to what may happen later on in the movie. All these aspects of the Mise-en-Scene add to the intense feeling of the title sequence.

Research on Title sequence designer: Saul Bass.

Saul Bass

.

This is our presentation on the well-known title sequence designer Saul Bass. We included a variety of clips of some of the title sequences he made. We have researched a lot about Saul Bass and some of his famous pieces of work and then we analysed some of his title sequence.


 We had a slide that talks about basic information about Saul Bass like where he was born etc.We included a few clips of some of his greatest work like Psycho(1960), West side story (1961), The Man with the Golden Arm (1955).


Psycho.  (1960).
The titles for psycho were created by Saul Bass, he used a lot of different lines - vertical and horizontal. This, I think, keeps the viewer intrigued and it is a clever way to incorporate the casts names and all the information included at the start. Also, you can see that Bass has thought about the sequence a lot as the lines moving across the screen  are in sync with the tone of music.


West side story. (1961).
Bass uses his trademark of lines in this opening sequence which is uncovered as the outline of Manhattan which is revealed at the end of the title sequence. Throughout the title sequence the screen is filled with an aray of bright colours and the colours change to set the mood and changes with the tone of music. The image fades into a birds eye view of the coastline of Manhattan.
The simplicity of the title sequence highlights the greater meaning which is what Saul Bass does so well.


The Man with the Golden Arm. ( 1955).
Bass' titles have a reoccurring theme with his lines theme. The man with the golden arm has a great use of vertical and horizontal lines, also the white lines on the black background are a great contrast and have a great impact to keep the audience interested. The titles are very interesting as the lines enter the screen at awkward angles and with a sharp motion.


Vertigo (1958).
Vertigo is a slightly different title sequence to Bass' usual 'lined' theme. It is quite a mysterious title sequence because the music is very tense and gives a sense of foreshadowing for what is to come in the movie and all the shots within the titles are close-ups or extreme close-ups so it doesn't give away a lot for what is going to happen in the movie but, once again, gives a sense of foreshadowing - this is why the music works well with the cinematography. Also, the shots of the woman show her looking quite weary and anxious which work well and fit in well with the rest of the sequence. The actual titles are big and bold over the top of the film and towards the end there is a spiralling shape which may suggest confusion in the movie.
 

26.11.10

In today's lesson we were asked to begin a Production Journal for our blogs.
For our double lesson today our group (Emily, Sophie, Daisy and myself) prepared our own pitch about our title sequence to present to the rest of the class. However, when it came to presenting - the computer system went down! But we carried on with our pitch and our teacher said that we had 'SOLD' our pitch for our film and title sequence.


 Others in the class had great ideas and I think they will all turn out very well.


We was then given everything that needs to be added to our blogs. These were:
-A variety of thorough research is needed on our blogs before any production planning can take place.
- It is VERY important to keep up with blogging tasks that have been set - even if we miss a lesson.
- We have to remember to label all of our posts and start our 'Production Journal'.
- There is no harm in blogging too much!! But the result of not blogging enough will lower our coursework grade. Its up to us!!

Seized Film Plan

Seized Film Plan

Looking at Title Sequences.

Why does this appeal to you???
I chose Waterloo Road as a title sequence to look at as I think it is quite good because before the actual title sequence they preview what happened in the previous week's episode. I think this is a good technique to get the viewer interested as if they have misssed an episode there is a short clip to get you up-to-date with the series and I also think it is a good title sequence because it shows you the main characters (which are all teachers) and the setting, clips from the series that show it's based in a school. However the main thing that i think is missing from the opening title sequence is the names of the actors. Apart from that I think it is a good title sequence.


What colour is the text? Why?
Well as i have mentioned the title sequence doesn't include any text apart from the title, However the title is white but it is clever because it has been made up of students at desks, i think it it is quite clever how they have made the text out of the school desks, it links in well with the show, it hints about what it is about.


Does it fit in with the overall look of the sequence?
Yes, I think it does fit in quite well with the overall sequence because the sequence is all shots of the teacher characters in the show and the title that comes up at the end is a zoomed out version of all the students throwing paper aeroplanes etc. so i think this also indicates to the types of characters in the show.

Continuity Sequence.

Continuity Sequence.

This is the continuity sequence made for the preliminary task given to us which was to create a continuity sequence. The idea was thought up by Emily Neil, Daisy Westlotorn, Sophie Fitzsimmons and myself. We decided to create a story of a student who has been called to the nurse's office and we decided to have the girl recieve some bad news from the nurse - we decided to make the bad news that the girl finds out she's pregnant. I found this task really enjoyable as i got to explore my skills in the within media like acting and camera skills.

Things that went well:

There is a lot of things that i think went well during the process of filming and editing our continuity sequence as i feel that we met the criteria created for this task. There were a number of shots that we had to include in our video these were: Shot-reverse-shot, and the match on action shot, also we had to make sure we kept to the 180 degree rule. The first shot you will see out of these in our sequence would be the match on action shot. We shot two match on action shots throughout our video. The first time is when the camera is in the point of view then as the student sits down the shot changes to to watching the student sit down.