From completing this task I have learned why opening scenes to films are so important. For example, the opening of a movie should portray and give the audience an idea of what the rest of the film will be like - the atmosphere and tone should reflect this. Also the small actions or tone of voice when a character is introduced should reflect the personality as a whole. I have learned about mise-en-scene and how placement of certain props/items can suggest different ideas in a shot. Lastly, I have learned how I must use a variety of shooting techniques such as close-ups, wide-angle shots to make my filming more interesting.
From this task I have learned how films from the coming of age genre have developed and advanced throughout the years. I've seen how these films tend to target issues that may be relatable to the teenagers or young adults at the time - for example teen pregnancy in Juno. There are also the more light-hearted films such as Ferris Bueller's Day Off, where the audience are a similar age to the main protagonist, which helps with the overall immersion.
This is our second creative task from a few weeks ago where we were told to focus on creating match on action shots for our sequence. Unfortunately we had to film our finished product on an iMac screen because some of the footage corrupted whilst uploading, so we couldn't upload directly to Youtube. We tried to keep the filming quite short and add around 4 or 5 match on action cuts so we could get to grips with the technique. In my opinion some of the shots and editing were very good towards the beginning, particularly the creative use of the first person perspective whilst walking (which took us several tries to get it done properly). Towards the end however the continuity levels and overall seamlessness dropped a standard. For example the actors walking speed differed between multiple shots, making them look rather unnatural. Also in the second-to-last shot a car appears in the lower left section of screen out of nowhere which looks like a jump cut.
Learning Comment
This task has made me aware how match on action shots are used in filming to make scenes more interesting and enjoyable to watch for the audience. For example a regular action i.e. putting on a bag can be made more dramatic just by filming the same thing from several angles. I have also learned how to implement creative shots such as first person view. I've also learned to always check over all shots for any sudden-appearing objects or props such as the car in ours, which we would then need to re-film.
This is our first attempt at a short film, with the focus primarily being on the 'shot reverse shot' and '180 degree rule'. We created a small scenario within a school break time situation, and quickly made up a realistic conversation between two characters. Pros Considering we had no previous experience of camera-shot techniques, I think we have done a good job putting these techniques into practice. Most of the camera shots are almost from identical positions, which improves the overall consistency of the video. We also did not break the 180 degree rule. Our editing skills were quite good too, for our first time, as we cut out the outtakes and any other mistakes. What Could Improve For our video, we were using an iPhone camera to record, rather than an actual camera. As a result, our first mistake was filming in portrait mode (films should be in landscape only, to have a wide-angle shot). The overall sound quality wasn't very good either, as the phone struggled to pick up some words, resulting in inconsistent volume - this could be improved by speaking loudly and clearly. Also as there was no filter on the phone, the wind was interfering in some scenes. There was also a continuity issue nearing the end, which could be improved next time by simply filming a retake.
Learning Comments
When filming our creative task 1, I learned how important it is for the camera operator to communicate with the actors to avoid confusion, and help with the overall flow. I also learned several rule and techniques when filming, such as the 180 degree rule and the shot-reverse-shot technique. Lastly, we realised halfway through our filming that we shouldn't be shooting in portrait but landscape instead.
Typography At the very beginning we are introduced with the production company 'Paramount Pictures' in bold blue writing with a simple black background. This - in the same template - transitions into the directors name (John Hughes), the main actor (Matthew Broderick) and finally the name of the movie, each having their own frames. The opening scenes then begin, and it is not until 40 seconds later we see the text, which includes:
The bold, blue typography at the beginning with a clear-black background indicates that the producers want these particular names/titles to really stand out to the audience. The large and simple font, with only a black backdrop focuses the audiences mind onto the typography only, as it is (currently) the only thing on the screen, meaning that they will most likely take in the information. However, the rest of the typography is during a brief opening scene. The text is towards the bottom of the screen, so it doesn't interfere with the scene, however is still clearly visible to those interested. The ordering of the typography is also important. We can see that the producers, directors, and main actors are either at the very beginning of the text, or at the end. This is because these people usually have the most important roles, so are in turn the first thing the audience sees, or the last. Camera The opening shot is a simple, still view of the house, which tells the audience instantly where the opening scenes are taking place. Brief conversation takes place, and the change of shot is prompted by a quote "Look at him, honey!", after which the picture transitions into a close-up of the boys face. Following this, there are several shots looking at his parents, interestingly from the boys perspective (trying to engage the audience). There is also a wide-angle shot of the whole bedroom, to further enhance setting. We are introduced to his sister through several build-up shots - from feet, to mid-section, to face. At the very end of the scene, the boy sits up and we are given a straight view of his face. Sound The movie begins with a brief radio broadcasting, which mentions the weather in Chicago, from which the audience is told where it is set. Most of the scene is simple conversation, but briefly after the boys sister storms out we can hear sound of a car speeding away. Slow, light-paced music begins playing during the boys 'goodbyes' to his parents, indicating a light-hearted tempo conversation. This abruptly ends when the parents leave however, with the boy saying a short phrase "They bought it". Shaun Of The Dead (2004)
Typography During the opening sequence of this movie, there is no mention of any actors or production crew - only the companies involved:
Universal Pictures Studiocanal and Working Title Films present
A WT2 Production
In association with Big Talk Productions
Shaun Of The Dead
The first three lines of typography all use a white 'scrappy' looking font, indicating the atmosphere of the movie. The production companies' text is in all-capital letters, making it stand out slightly more to the audience. It is purposely placed nearing the bottom of the screen so it doesn't get in the way of the scenes themselves. The typography of 'Shaun Of The Dead' however is slightly more complicated, as it looks as if it is almost part of the ground, and is a larger size. This is because it is the title of the movie, so is the most significant text. Camera The film begins with an all black screen before transitioning into the first (wide) shot, where a man is pushing a shopping trolley in a car park from left to right. The camera follows this movement, so the man is always centered on the screen. With the camera still moving left to right, a white pole moves across the screen (leftwards) to transition into the next scene, where we see a worker operating the tills in the shop. As the brief scene progresses, we can see more workers behind, replicating her actions. Another white pole moves across the screen (leftwards) to reveal the next scene, a simple moving shot of several people looking at their phones. Still moving left to right, this time a black human-like figure cuts across the screen (leftwards), to transition into the next scene, where a group of people walk perfectly in-sync towards the camera with an almost zombie-like strut. This is where the 'Shaun of The Dead' typography is revealed. Next, a car zooms leftwards across the screen to where we see a boy playing football along the street. Behind him, the rest of the street is visible. As the camera surpasses the boy, instead of transitioning through an object, the screen then fades to a shot of a mans feet walking towards the screen. As the man comes to a halt, the camera works its way up the mans body to reveal his face. The camera then instantly cuts to a shot of the sofa (in a living room), where another man sits playing video games. The first man then sits beside him, and the camera slowly zooms on them, starting from behind the television, before fading to black. Sound
Beginning immediately, an fast-tempo, soft song starts to play at a high volume. This music continues to play throughout the whole intro. However, the volume decreases when the shot of the mans feet appear on screen, as we hear groaning, zombie-like noises. As the camera works its way up the man to his face, we realise that the man is just yawning, and is not in fact a zombie. As the man sits down, we hear a sound from the video game "Player 2 has joined the game", before his friend tells him he has work (the only direct speech), to which the video game states "Player 2 has left the game". The choice of song is quite ironic in my opinion as the lively beat contrasts to what we see on screen (the people act like zombies), so I believe this is done for comedic value. The groaning noises make the audience quite skeptical of what they are about to see, but it is revealed to just be a regular man yawning. There is also further comedy when the abandon the video game seconds after joining, which lets the audience know the type of humour to be expected. Superbad (2007)
Typography The opening begins with typography in clear yellow font stating 'a Sony Pictures Entertainment company' which is accompanied with the company's traditional Statue of Liberty background. This then transitions into 'Columbia Pictures' who also have their custom background. It is then followed by the follwing typography throughout the rest of the opening:
Columbia Pictures Presents
An Apatow Company Production
Superbad
Jonah Hill
Michael Cera
Seth Rogen
Bill Hader
Kevin Corrigan
Joe Lo Truglio
Martha MacIsaac
Emma Stone
Introducing Christopher Mintz-Plasse
Casting by Allison Jones
Costume Designer Debra McGuire
Co-producer Dara Weintraub
Music supervision by Jonathan Karp
Music by Lyle Workman
Edited by William Kerr
Production Designer Chris Spellman
Director of Photography Russ Alsobrook, ASC
Executive Producers Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg
Produced by Judd Apatow and Shauna Robertson
Written by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg
Directed by Greg Mottola
The way the typography is ordered tells me that organisations such as production companies should be put first in the opening frames because they have funded the movie so should be the most important thing to be seen by the viewers. The main actors should follow, whilst the typography still has the audiences focus, and then co-stars and other roles within production should be listed (E.g. costume designer). The people who have the most important roles such as executive producers for example should be towards the end, before the very last one, the director. This is so it is the last text the audience sees before the film. The typography used is always in clear font, and in contrasting colours to the background so it is visible at all times. Each small piece of text pops up at different places around the screen to keep attention - however the directors name is in the very middle. Camera The background is made up of only a single block colour at all times with no effects, which changes periodically throughout the opening. There are two ever-present silhouettes dancing on screen in a jazz-like style, which always contrast to the background colour in order to be easily visible. Although we never see the two characters faces, we can tell that they have a fun personality through their dancing. At one point a mirror effect is used in the centre of screen to provide more originality and interest. Sound There is one song constantly playing throughout the opening, which seems to be a 70s/80s like disco genre, to which the characters are dancing to. This type of music suggests a movie which isn't too serious, perhaps a comedy, and also a teenager/young adult target audience. There is no speech during this intro. Deadpool (2016)
Typography The sequence begins with Marvel's traditional comic book scraps animation which lasts for around 5 seconds to reveal the company's classic white logo 'MARVEL'. As the logo fades away, the shot begins and the following typography can be seen:
Twentieth Century Fox Presents
In association with Marvel Entertainment
Some D**chebag's Film
Starring God's Perfect Idiot
A Hot Chick
A British Villain
The Comic Relief
A Moody Teen
A CGI Character
A Gratuitous Cameo
Produced by A**hats
Written by the Real Heroes Here
Directed by An Overpaid Tool
Hi! I'm Deadpool!
The opening animation and text of Marvel makes me think that having a clean and brief intro helps to gain publicity ad attention from cinema goers. For example when I see comic book scraps I instantly think of Marvel Studios. As usual, the credits then begin with other production companies and such who funded the film. However, instead of directly naming individual people who have important roles within the movie (actors, co-stars, etc), they use nicknames such as 'God's perfect idiot', which is strange because usually these people want recognition. Stereotypical characters within the superhero genre are also named to add comedic value, such as 'a hot chick' and 'a British villain' - this is designed to make the audience laugh, whilst knowing what to expect at the same time. The text is in a clear white font, and moves around the screen to grab the viewer's attention. I like the typography in this sequence very much because it is a break from the usual listing of names, adding life to the intro. Camera The most important thing to notice in this opening sequence is that it is happening during a freeze frame of an action scene. After the Marvel introduction, the shot zooms out at a slow constant pace from the inside of a bullet and begins to travel in a backwards rotation through the cars interior. We see a man's distraught face, then coffee being spilled in the air which is suggesting an accident of some sort happening. After then'God's perfect idiot' text a magazine cover is shown in mid air, featuring a photo of Ryan Reynolds, who incidentally is the main actor in the movie. As the camera is still moving we see a hand which has smashed through a window, with glass fragments floating. After that a man appears to have his head resting against the hero's crotch, whilst the hero pokes another man in the eyes and simultaneously pulls a different man's underwear. The camera finally leaves the car (still zooming out) to reveal the same vehicle in mid-air on fire. The very last shot is of a piece of paper floating past, stating 'Hi! I'm Deadpool!' which is an indirect introduction to our main character. The constantly-moving camera and funny shots tell the audience that the film will be quite fast-paced and have lots of humour packed in. Sound The opening begins with the iconic sound of comic book pages flipping until the Marvel logo is shown. Only one song features throughout these credits, an old slow-beat song from the late 60's called 'Angel in the morning'. Everything about the music completely contrasts to what we see on screen - a love song is playing whilst a hero is fighting people in a mid-air car. This is quite ironic, so adds to the humour and makes the viewers know what they're in for.
The Shining (1980)
Typography At the beginning, the Warner Bros traditional logo is shown with the text under says 'A Time Warner Entertainment Company'. The standard typography in this opening scene begins after a minute stating the following:
A Stanley Kubrick Film
Jack Nicholson
Shelley Duvall
The Shining
Featuring Danny Lloyd
Scatman Crothers
Barry Nelson
Philip Stone
Joe Turkel
Anne Jackson
Tony Burton
Executive Producer Jan Harlan
Based upon novel by Stephen King
In association with Producer Circle Company
Screenplay by Stanley Kubrick & Diane Johnson
Produced & Directed by Stanley Kubrick
The font used is of a very simple font and is all ice blue in colour. The ice blue colour makes it easy to read, and suggests a cold hearted and chilling movie. The title sequence in this film uses rolling credits (text moves from bottom to top) for all of its typography, which is strange because rolling credits are usually only at the end of films. This could suggest that it's 'the beginning of the end' for the characters. The way the text is ordered is of the norm though, listing the most important companies and names at either end of the sequence.
Camera
After the Warner Bros logo fades to black, the screen instantly transitions into a moving mid-air shot across a lake besides a large valley. The wide-angle lens captures many aspects of nature; huge mountains, tall green trees and blue skies as the camera soars across the landscape. This shot was most likely made within a helicopter of some sort, from the speed and height of the footage. As the camera comes toward the edge of the lake, the screen fades and transitions into a birds-eye shot of a moving yellow car. The camera, which is very much up high in the air, tracks the car through the wilderness on a single road, making the car look minuscule compared to its surroundings. No other car is travelling the same way, leaving the audience to question why that may be, as our car travels into the unknown.
Sound
The sequence begins with a very slow and deep beat, being exerted by several brass instruments, which is very typical of a horror movie genre, so this makes the audience expect the unexpected. Further into the sequence, highly pitched, almost distorted noises are also entered into the mix, making the viewers feel unsettled. The overall mood and atmosphere can be seen as foreshadowing the rest of the movie.
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Sh*gged Me (1999)
Typography The following typography is included in the intro:
Mike Myers
Austin Powers
The Spy Who Sh*gged Me
Heather Graham
Michael York
Robert Wagner
Seth Green
Mindy Sterling
Rob Lowe
Gia Carides & Verne Troyer
and Elizabeth Hurley as Vanessa
Casting by Juel Bestrop & Jeanne McCarthy
Music Supervisor John Houlihan
Executive Music Producer Danny Bramson
Music by George S. Clinton
Costumes Designed by Deena Appel
Edited by Jon Poll & Debra Neil-Fisher
Production Designer Rusty Smith
Director of Photography Ueli Steiger
Associate Producer Emma Chasin
Executive Producers Erwin Stoff, Michael De Luca, Donna Langley
Produced by Suzanne Todd, Jennifer Todd, Demi Moore, Eric McLeod
Produced by John Lyons & Mike Myers
Written by Mike Myers & Michael McCullers
Directed by Jay Roach
The font used for the typography in this sequence is very funky and childish, as well as featuring in multiple bright colours such as blue, yellow and pink. The style of typography relates to the film and the type of humour it beholds. The unordinary style also makes it much more interesting to look at, rather than many other films which use a more basic template. The text also has special effects placed on it sometimes, for example when the elevator doors are shutting the text squeezes together as the walls close in. Much of the typography has an important purpose too, as some text is placed and moved around in a way so that it censors certain parts of a fully nude Austin Powers walking around. Camera Most of the shots in this opening sequence are centred around the main character, as the camera follows him around the hotel lobby. The camera work is very smart, as the character is fully nude so something must be covering his body at all times. This requires very specific placements of objects to which the camera can fit the object over the man's crotch area. An underwater camera is used when he dives in the pool, and we get a close-up shot of his face. We also get a birds-eye view of the pool, as the other swimmers make a star shape around him. This shot probably wasn't too hard to produce as it was only 4-5 metres above ground level. Sound Throughout the opening sequences, the music playing is a very upbeat and catchy song to which will stick in the audiences mind during, and probably after the movie. It's lively nature captures the humour of the movie. Only Austin Powers speaks through the intro, although not formally to anyone. Overall, the opening sequence is very lively and entertaining, and reminds me of the importance to capture the attention of the audience as it will make for a much more pleasuring viewing experience. Zombieland (2009)
Typography The sequence begins with large bold text on the side of a building stating 'Columbia Pictures Presents', and then immediately transitions into the following:
In association with Relativity Media
A Pariah Production
Woody Harrelson
Jesse Eisenberg
Emma Stone
and Abigail Breslin
Zombieland
Casting by John Papsidera
Costume Designer Magaliguidasci
Music by David Sardy
Edited by Peter Amundson, Alan Baumgarten
Production Designer Maher Ahmad
Director of Photography Michael Bonvillain
Executive Producers Ezra Swerdlow, Paul Wernick, Rhett Reese, Ryan Kavanaugh
Produced by Gavin Polone
Written By Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick
Directed by Ruben Fleischer
The typography used in this sequence is bright red in colour as well as a simple, all capitals font to make it clear and easy for the viewers to read. Interestingly, most of the text is 3D animated, which almost brings the typography to life, which is further enhanced by the text moving horizontally across the screen. The gritty red colour resembles blood, and suggests a bloody/graphic movie. Camera All of the shots in the intro are captured in slow-motion, so the audience can observe the gory visuals on screen and take in the scenes. I believe they have done this because fluids such as blood or water create a great visual image and when slowed down. We can see that the zombie outbreak is happening everywhere because of all of the unique uniforms wore by the infected/uninfected. The sequence mainly consists of violence in general, so the audience knows what to expect from the film. An aspect of comedy is also introduced, when a man wearing an 'End is near' board is crowded by zombies, showing that the film also has lighter parts. The last shot is one from inside of a car windscreen as a zombie is tossed into the car, breaking a window in the process. This makes the viewers feel as if they are in that situation. Sound A heavy metal song by Metallica is used throughout the sequence as it has a hard, fast-tempo which is commonly associated within the zombie/thriller genre. The song relates to the hardcore atmosphere and edginess of the movie.
Learning Comment
Whilst completing this task I have learned the importance of the way opening credits are ordered and who should be listed firstly and lastly in the sequence. I've also observed how film makers attempt to engage their audience during the opening sequences, as well as how small features such as typography can be written and designed to have something in relation with the movie.
