Christmas Blog Activity (Mission: Impossible III)

The genre to MI3 is Thriller, Adventure and Action. The plot is that IMF (Impossible Mission Force) agent Ethan Hunt has to go undercover to rescue his wife. During the movie his team are trying to prove that you cannot have a normal relationship while being in this field of work. Especially when Ethan’s wife Julia gets kidnapped and he will do anything to get her back.

This is a clip from the movie Mission: Impossible III, this particular scene creates suspense as the main character Agent Ethan Hunt jumps from one roof to another and both are around 200ft tall. The use of camera and sound are very effective. 

Mise-en-scene for Ethan is black combats and t-shirt to be less recognisable. He carries a gun and parachute. The opening of this scene was an extreme long shot that panned and zoomed into a close up of Ethan’s face, this helps the audience to see his facial expression. Overall during this scene its set at night so there is light coming from lamps and the roofs. 

This shot gives us a view of the roof and also the height in which he is jumping. This created suspense for me as the roof is slanted so you don’t know if he will make it; the audience also get the view as if they are doing the jump which puts your heart in your mouth. This is also an over the shoulder shot of another character Luther.

This shot gives us a view of the roof and also the height in which he is jumping. This created suspense for me as the roof is slanted so you don’t know if he will make it; the audience also get the view as if they are doing the jump which puts your heart in your mouth. This is also an over the shoulder shot of another character Luther.

Here the music is at its height, and we get a long shot of Ethan in mid air. This shot again shows the audience the extreme height he was jumping from as all you can see are bright dots on the ground. There are bright lights coming from all the buildings. This shot specifically will make the audience gasp and this is the climax of suspense as you can see how high he is in the air and you still don’t know if he will make it, this is the crucial point for us.

Here we have a mid shot which you mainly see his face but we now know that he made the jump. You can see the relief from his facial expression. The lighting is very dark again with a lot of shadows. Here the music has died down and is now in silence as you hear him sigh. 

Blogging activity B

This is a sequence from the movie Insidious. I have chosen this clip because I think that there are many techniques used to to create tension and suspense especially with the use of camera work and editing.

Natural lighting is used throughout this sequence to add realism to the situation. Also, a series of mid shots between the man and his mother are shown to illustrate their change of facial expressions and body language. This helps the audience to identify with the emotions and feelings of the character. The camera zooms in and out of the characters faces as the mid shots are shown, this is effective in capturing the audience's attention and allows them to focus on the characters.

Fade in and fade outs are used throughout this sequence to show the audience the alternating scenes of the dream and of reality. When the audience are shown the dream, it is always shown in a point of view shot. This makes the audience more anxious and the build up of tension begins as it feels like the audience themselves are walking through the corridors in her dream. Also, the lighting switches from natural lighting to a dark mysterious lighting to add suspense and to foreshadow something bad that is going to happen. As we follow the camera towards the bedroom, the editing of the sound of creaking doors are produced. This is effective in building tension and suspense. Additionally, some close ups are introduced to emphasise the feelings and emotions of the characters.

Whilst showing the flashbacks of her dream, silence is used to build up the tension and suspense. Also, occasional sounds are added to frighten the audience. In this particular part of the flashback, we hear the creaking of the door and then as the creature is revealed a loud sharp sound is heard.

Gradually, the camera zooms in closer to the character's faces to build up suspense as the story unravels and the dream is illustrated. However, as the audience recovers from the frightening sight of the creature, we are suddenly shown the creature again in reality behind the man. The sound effect which was used to accompany this section was very effective in shocking the audience.

At the end of the sequence, a long shot is used to show the reactions of the three characters. The rule of thirds is used very effectively here as the three characters have been placed so that the spaces are used accurately.
Overall, this sequence effectively delivers the definition of a thriller with the use of the camera work and in particularly the sound effects.

The Killers remake FINAL

Ideas

As a result of completing the extension task, I have realised that a lot of film produces use children to create the suspense and tension in thrillers. This is because children are vulnerable and they carry connotations of innocence and naivety. This allows the directors to play around with the idea of thriller because conventionally, children star in family films and therefore, this is an effective way to frighten the audience.

As well as children, we could consider the associations made with children to include in our own thriller openings. This can be the toys children play with, baby clothes or even parks or playgrounds. I believe this can be effective as the audience will inevitably create a connection with the items or setting because they themselves will be comfortable with it as they are familiar with it.

Movies like 'The Orphan' and 'Child's Play' use the idea of children to emphasise the thriller and horror in the film. In the orphan, they used a girl to take on a very prominent role as the protagonist in the movie and in 'Child's Play' they used a doll as the protagonist in the movie.

The setting of the filming needs to be considered as well as this can create the frightening atmosphere desired in the opening of the thriller. The opening of the thriller needs to be effective so that it engages the audience straightaway. Additionally, the use of silence in the opening can be effective in setting the scene.

Film Remake Storyboard

Extension Work =)

1.       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’. Thomas Sutcliffe means that films need to attract our attention straight away by making an exciting or enticing opening to get us wanting the whole film. I think that the temptation is the trailer because once you have seen it; you have been hooked and now want to go watch it in the cinema. Also the opening leads people to have some sort of clue to what is in store for them throughout the film.

2.       According to Director Jean Jacques Beineix, what are the risks of ‘instant arousal’? He believes that you mustn’t just give into arousal but nurture it and control it and then you will get the satisfaction. Jean also believes that if the opening starts out so strong, then you have to make it bigger and if it isn’t bigger, then the audience hasn’t been satisfied and will not want to watch the movie anymore.

3.       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” It is a good beginning because the audience do not want to go see a film for over an hour if they know everything they need to know in the first 5-10 minutes. You have to be able to foreshadow, so you let slip some things that are going on but the audience know that there is so much more planned ahead which then gets the audience enthralled.

4.       What does critic Stanley Kauffmann describe as the classic opening? Why does this work? Stanley describes a classic opening which is a shot from the east of New York. Which is then followed by a shot of a building and the camera would then go up the length of the building to a window, which the camera would then go into the window and past the receptionist desk, then to the private office. This opening lets the audience get used to the setting and the role of the hero. This is simple but very effective.

5.       Why is Kyle Cooper’s title sequence to the film Seven so effective? Kyle Cooper’s title sequence to his film Seven is so effective because the audience are introduced to a pitch and tone which is irreconcilable to them and it also foreshadows the events of the movie. what's more is that the editing of the font of the casts lists fit in with the genre of the film, which is also supported by the soundtrack because it helps to build the tension.

6.       What did Orson Welles want to achieve with his opening to the film A Touch of Evil? What did Universal Studios do to it? Why? Orson wanted to start his film with the audience going straight into the film, this didn’t give them enough time to get a jest of the film. He had no title music and no credits at the beginning. Universal Studios put the credits in the opening shot of the film and a score because they were unsure of the outcome it would have. However this lost the effect that Orson wanted to create.

7.       What is meant by “a favourite trick of Film Noir ”? What is the trick? The trick is that they would start the film by showing the audience what they think is a piece of the ending, so that they are able to look ahead at what might happen. This creates a sort of purpose and responsibility for the audience.

8.       How does the opening to the film ‘The Shining’ create suspense? The opening to ‘The Shining’ creates suspense by the shots and angles of the camera are shown. It starts with a high angle shot looking at a helicopter below and this then leads us to think that the shot is full of omens. Next shot is of a car which has the camera following behind which we insinuate means something bad could happen and the soundtrack supports this theory by having the music play which builds up tension and suspense. Overall this was a very effective opening to the film.

Art of The Title Sequence

The opening to Saw VI has used many of the conventions for an opening, the first shot you see is ‘twisted pictures’ which is the production company’s name and also it has barbed wire twisted around the words to introduce the genre of horror. There is also a non-deictic voice over, which has been disguised to make it mysterious, but can also show that this voice is of some importance. During the first 21 seconds there is just a black screen which again leads the audience to think of a horror film. The first shots are extreme close-ups of a human leg on a metal table, which looks like it is out of a morgue and also of the selection of dangerous tools that are shown enforce the theme for horror again. At 44 seconds we are finally shown a male character at mid shot to show parts of his surrounding, which could also show that he is going to be of some importance. There is also a close up of the other male character in a see-through coffin/box. During the scene there is very little light, so it is very dark and all the walls are black. It creates suspense as we see the male character trapped in a room in which the doors are closing in on him; we are also shown quick camera movements to show the panic of the character. The audience see the male character get killed; we are then shown the character who survives which can indicate we will see more of him during the rest of the film. The voice is then also heard again as a deictic on a tape recorder by the man who survived. We see a close-up of the tape recorder and then a close-up of the survivors face. There is also a pan which turns to look at the body on the metal table, almost as if it’s the body that is talking. The title SAW VI is shown with white coloured font and a black background which makes the title stand out even more.

'The Taking of Pelham123' Opening

The opening to ‘The taking of Pelham 123’ has used the conventions of a thriller opening that I have written below.  I have also taken print screens to show when they have been used.

Conventions of a thriller film opening are sound, titling, editing, soundtrack and mise-en-scene that enables us to create our own idea of what type of film is going to be. In the film openings you will most likely see the film title, producer, director, cast and the production studio. Also the font helps the audience when trying to decipher the genre. For example a horror film could have an old fashioned font or a more modern font which is used for any genre of film. Cast and director are normally shown in the first opening scenes as it attracts the attention who like a certain director or actor will want to see the movie. You can also see what type of budget the film has depending on the production studios so if you see paramount you know they have a big budget.

Shot by Shot Remake

This is when we began to start the editing process, so we took screen shots of our progress while putting the clips together. Here we have put the first two shots together; we also had the actual film clip playing so that we could try to get the timing exact.

Here we are now into our 11th shot, it took longer than we expected, however we were able to find mistakes and set them right. We are still following the film to get the timing as close as possible.

Here is our last shot that was of a statue and we had to improvise by using a person. To do this you have to be very patient but we are very happy with it.

Here is the final edited version of our interpretation to the opening of 'The Killers'. We are happy with how it looks. We know that there are a lot of jump cuts so there is room for improvement but overall a good first attempt. However, this production has made us think about what is effective and what isn't so that we have a clearer understanding of how to produce our own thriller opening. Some improvements that we will consider next time is focusing on how each of the shots itself links together smoothly so that it makes sense to the audience. Moreover, the ending of our filming is quite effective as it was smooth and and easy to watch. We are going to consider and incorporate this technique into out final production. Our version is not as tight and clean but we have come close to it. The original opening had fade ins and they also had characters in focus and everything else out of focus to indicate the focus should be on them characters.

Health and Safety Tutorial

In the health and safety tutorial, I was taught how to take recording equipment out, as well as using the recording equipment safely without damaging it. 
The equipment I'd been introduced to is the JVC camcorder and the Tripod. Along with the camcorder, came the battery and the memory card which I was shown where and how to insert and eject both of them safely. I learnt where and what some of the basic buttons were used for such as the 'Rec' button to record, as well as the use of other buttons such as the Filter, the On/Off button and the shutter button. 
When constructing the camcorder onto the tripod, I was shown how to slide it on correctly and locking it, as well as sliding it back off the tripod. 
After being taught about how to use the camcorder safely and efficiently, I then put what I was learnt to practice by successfully putting up the tripod stand, putting the camcorder correctly and testing a few basic shots by recording and using the zoom in and out effect. 
We were also told as basic reminders to never have the camcorder out in the rain unless a giant umbrella is covering it, never leave the camera with anybody that isn't in my group or isn't a media teacher, and to always return the camcorder and equipment on time. 

Art of the title Sequence

In the opening of the film Juno, many generic conventions are used which enables us as the audience to create an idea of what the film may be about. In the first frame we are introduced to possibly the key person of the cast which we are shown as a girl walking past a house; the text behind her is of Fox Searchlight Pictures presents which is the productions studio of the film. In the second frame we are again show in text A Mandate Pictures - Mr Mudd Production which is the production company of the film. In the third frame, text of A Jason Reitman Film is shown which gives us the impression that he is the director of the film. In the fourth shot, we are simply shown the title of the film Juno which is an essential convention of a film opening as it entitles the audience to see what the film is called. In the sixth frame, we are shown a close up of the characters face with the name Ellen Page beside it which tells us that its the name of the cast playing the character of Juno. 
The font of the text in every frame implies that the film would be about young people, possibly teenagers as the font is very simple and basic as it is in a handwritten font, however has a cool look to it as the handwriting is in 3D. We can also tell the film would be about teenagers by the font. The colour of the font are colours you would associate with teenagers and young adults as they are very mild and simplistic orange, blue, green and yellow. 
The setting of the film opening began in a realistic and natural street environment, of which then turned into an animation of which is shown to look like someone's drawing which relates very much to teenagers. It gives the impression that it could be of how Juno see's her life and the are she lives in with herself in it. The colours used in the setting are also very basic and mild which match the colours of the font. 
Throughout this film opening, a soundtrack is played which is quite subtle and quirky which suggests that it may be a reflection of what the film could be about. 
The transitions used in this opening are also very simple as they simply slide over from one frame to the other in a horizontal, vertical, or diagonal direction. They also zoom into different frames. 

Health & Safety

Health and Safety

Health And Safety

In the health and safety tutorial we was shown how we are meant to use the cameras.  We were shown the camera, the memory card and the battery and also how and where to insert them. We learnt the different functions of the camera and to set up the tripod, also how to secure the camera onto the tripod until it locks without it falling off or having damage. We learnt how to use the zoom in and out button, how to turn the camera from auto to manual and how to record and how to play back recorded footage. We were shown a few shots about the framing and how the spacing of the frame shouldn't be too above the character/subject or too far to the right or left (the rule of thirds), and what over the shoulder shots should look like.

Things not to forget are:

·         To not leave camera out in rain or near running water.

·         Use camera safely and securely.

·         Always have the camera with you or in a safe place at all times.

·         Return camera on time in college.

Extention Task

1)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”

I think, what Thomas Sutcliffe means is that if directors want their audience to watch the whole movie  being fully engaged and interested then they need to have an effective opening to the film that will intrigue the audience so that the mood of the movie is set.Also, for the audience it is an initial thought to determine the success and quality of the film based on the first few seconds of it. Therefore, the opening need to be able to capture the interests of the audience. 

2)According to Director Jean Jacques Beineix, what are the risks of  ‘instant arousal’?
According to Director Beineix, the risks of 'instant arousal' is the question being raised of what to do next? He says that if your start the movie very strongly and you have aroused the audience, you need to ask yourself what you need to do next to answer all the questions.

3)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.
This is a good opening because the audience should have been given an idea of what the film is about and hints of the plot or significant events of the movie will be shown in the opening, but at the same time, not too much of the film should be given away because the events should unravel through out so that the audience is always engaged and this makes it impossible for them to guess the upcoming event s of the movie. 

4)What does critic Stanley Kauffmann describe    as the classic opening?Why does this work?

Kauffmann describes an establishing shot of  the east of New York City as a classic opening. Followed by a close up of a building, then the camera went up the building to a window, then the camera would go inside the window and go past the receptionist desk into the private office. This simple classic opening is effective because it carries the audience through the process to show the setting, the occupation of the hero, and most importantly, the audience is told the organization of the world.

5) Why is Kyle Cooper’s title sequence to the film Seven so effective?

Kyle Cooper's  title sequence to the film Seven is very effective because it introduces the audience to a incompatible pitch and tone. Also, the editing of the opening cast lists and the font of it fits in with the ambiguity of the movie and the soundtrack also supports this and creates the build up of tension. Additionally, the title sequence is effective as it shows the audience the foreshadowing events of the movie.

6) What did Orson Welles want to achieve with his opening to the film ATouch of Evil? What did Universal Studios do to it? Why?
Orson Welles intended to start his movie without the credits and without title music because he wanted to plunge hid audience into the movie immediately without time to prepare themselves. Universal Studios included a score and the credits in the opening shot of the movie  because they was cautious of the outcome of  it. However,  this lost the intended effect Welles wanted to create. 

7)What is meant by “a favourite trick of Film Noir"?  What is the trick?
The trick is beginning the movie with something which seems like the ending of the movie so that the audience can look ahead to what is to come. This both creates a sense of destination and a department. 

8)How does the opening to the film The Shining create suspense?
The opening to the film 'The shining' successfully creates suspense because of the way the camera shots and the angles of the shots are presented. It begins with a helicopter shot from above that suggests that the frame of the shot is full of omens. Then, the camera follows the car from behind like a predator and this tells the audience that the people in the car are driving in the wrong direction. Also, the soundtrack supports this as it creates tension whilst the camera pursues the car. 

 

 

Extra notes:

- It is the silence and darkness and what emerges from the silence and darkness in the opening of the film that is the most precious and valuable moment of the film. 

- Accept wait, you have to nurture your desire to make it grow to gradually create satisfaction. 

- Its the interaction between the film and the public that determines whether your film works or not.  

- Beginning of the movie: establishes the story, the characters and the tone.

- 'I don't understand everything, but I want to know more about it' 

- Good openings get better each time you see them because they always have more to reveal. 

- Hidden connections; using the children to allude the audience.

Art of the Title Sequence

This video is the opening title sequence of the movie 'Casino Royale'. It holds and expresses many conventions which are used in film openings.

It begins by showing the title of the film and then straight after a male character is shown with a gun. Also, the theme tune starts to play and it is quite jumpy and upbeat. This highlights the genre of the movie which is an action film. Additionally, it suggests that this male figure plays a significant role within the movie and may also be one of the protagonists. 

 

Moreover, the genre of the film is reinforced with the use of shooting guns. This clearly illustrates that there will be a lot of action and shooting within the movie.

A number of fight scenes are introduced throughout the sequence and this evidently depicts the hero and the villains in the movie. The black silhouette represents the hero and the villains in which he fights are always red.

It is only at 1.35seconds that we are shown the face of another character. This suggests that this could be the female protagonists in the movie. Also, this sequence opening goes against the conventional techniques which other film opening portrays. Usually, the audience is immediately introduced to the setting of the movie and the characters of the movie. However, in 'Casino Royale' the opening is animated and we are not shown any faces of the characters until the end. This engages the audience and makes them curious as to what is going to happen because not much of what is going to happen in the movie is given away. 

 Near the end of the title sequence, we see a gun shooting two holes into a seven of hearts card. Like other film conventions, this is effective as it reflects on the title of the movie and it establishes the main character.

Finally, the closing of the title sequence sets up a close up shot of the male protagonist. This allows the audience to draw the links which are shown throughout the title sequence and conclude with an idea of what the movie is about.
Overall, this title sequence follows the conventions of film openings to a certain extent. However, it also goes against it. The differentiation is shown with the timing and sequence of the opening. With most film openings, the characters and setting of the movie is shown immediately. However, with this title sequence a contrast is drawn as the characters are shown at the very end of the opening.

Shots

This is a shot that shows a wide shot of an area. This allows the scene or  the environment within the frame. This has been framed well as the frame of the shot has no blank spaces and the top third of the frame has been filled.

This is an over the shoulder shot which can indicate a conversation between two people. This is a mid shot so that the body language of Chanel and Eni is shown in the frame.

This is a close up shop which clearly shows the facial expressions and emotions of  Chanel.The quality of lighting of this image is bad because of the lack of light source around us.

This screen shot shows  a close up of Chanel's feet movement. During this recording, we zoomed in and out to variate the shot.

During this shot, a tilt was used to film the movement of the feet so that the movement can  be followed.

This mid shot focus on the natural lighting of the environment.  This lighting here is dark because of the light which is reflected from the window. The spacing used in this frame is not successful as it 2/3 of the frame doesn't contain anything which is significant. Also, quite a large gap of space is left above the head of the shot.

Panic Room Film Opening

Generic conventions of a film opening usually consists of sound, editing, different camera shots and mise en scene that helps us create an idea of what the film genre could be. In a film opening, you are likely to see in text the:

• the film title
• Production studio(s)
• Producers
• Director
• Cast + Crew

The font of which these are all shown in also help suggest to the audience what type of genre the film is as a basic font such as comic sans will give the impression its a family/childrens film whereas a more dominant font such as Agency will give the impression it maybe somewhat of a sci-fi genre. 

and in other forms, conventions are likely to be:

• transitions
• a soundtrack

The use of all of these conventions in the opening of the film enables the audience to generate an idea of what the film could be about, the quality of the film by the popularity of the cast, and the how successful the film should be by the production studio, director etc.

The opening of the film Panic Room (2002) features the generic conventions as stated above which is successful in delivering the intention to the audience that the genre of this film is a thriller.