Look at real examples of film openings- get more ideas and improve ideas this way
What do u need in titles?
Key features of film openings:
Genre
Narrative (enigma)
Character
Atmosphere
Setting
Gives more of feel to a film- makes the audience decide if they want to watch it
Do not give everything away in the first two minutes
Establish who the characters are
Atmosphere is largely portrayed through sound but can also be done through visuals such as lighting
Genre is the main identifier of the film
The enigma code is the main thing for the storyline
Setting sets the story- makes it believable or fantasy
Research: start on the general area and then home in on the specific that u want and make your research focused and relevant
Make an indication to the genre and style of folk and where u have got your ideas from
Simple search terms are often the best to come up with the best range of research
www.artofthetitle.com << a lot of insight from directors etc
Catch me if you can opening title sequence
Music creates mystery and suspense but also a comic mood
The main character observes and then disguises himself
Chased by a detective
Based mainly in New York >> yellow taxi >> tall buildings
Likes the ladies>> girls around a pool with martinis
Disguises as pilot, doctor, lawyer
Change in tones of colours shows where the mans journey becomes quite dangerous and almost caught
Detective following leads but always one step behind him
Catches the man at the end
Mystery crime detective/comedy drama
Animated could give a comic feel
The name of the film is an indicator to the narrative
Goes around the world due to the fact that the animation shows him running around the world
The man on the run is quite young due to nativity in some situations
Remake of dawn of the dead opening scene
Zombie film
Screaming and dialogue, heart beat
Don't know
Sound of ripping flesh
Rhetorical questions asked
Based around science>> cells dividing etc
All over the news- more realistic
Explosions
People dying, almost war like conditions
The country music gives a antsy feel to the film>> Johnny cash- singing about the judgement day - grim reaper
World coming to an end
Red titles emphasise shedding of blood
Quick shots show world wide spread and keep audience on edge
All over the world but mainly viewed from america>> White House, American accents
Sounds of cutting out technology
Disaster sci-fi
Give the source of the virus/ mutations which caused the zombie abomination
So many people and because all around the world so the central characters don't come in till later
General opening- gives more questions for the audience to ask
Establishes general atmosphere- main thing portrayed in this sequence.
Napoleon dynamite opening title sequence
Young teenage movie - shown by food, school cards, library cards etc
Focused mainly on the titles
Titles written in different sauce
Song talks about school life in America
Based around a geek due to interest in sweets and books>> stereotypical assumption
7 actors/ actresses
11 production teams
Ended with director
Based in America due to corn dogs and ID cards and nature of objects etc
Main character is the male geeky teenager
General impression of movie- assumption from similar movies from the same genre are our basis for what we know
Pay close attention to titles to show understanding
www.blogger.com
Username: longroadchildrensfilm9
Password: childrensfilm
Typeface is the easiest titles to put in an opening sequence as translators can then easily translate it without struggling as most tv dramas are shown all around the world
Main actors like to have a single card
Woody Allen films show actors in order of appearance
Above the line - Cast and money
Below the line - Make the film
Certain actors and actresses have to have a certain size, place, ration, slate etc that are their legal regulations
Performing arts institute >> production arts
Made short films
Vinyl commercials
Generate contacts
Music videos
Independent film: Sixteen
Director is interested in unique/original characters
Lower budget film meant that he was involved in the day to day nitty gritty stuff
If you don't raise your money in the time you are given it all goes bust
Lots of small things add up to get better marks
Strengths and weaknesses
Sounds of wind
Smoothness of sound
Camera was shaky
Editing was awkward
The candidate numbers were not needed
The titles looked out of place- not very effective
No narrative
9 steps:
Step 1- take stock
Task and assessment
Step 2: Timeframe and equipment
Step 3: build up skills
Sound
Camerawork
Editing
Foley: Fake sounds that are put over to make it seem realistic and sharp
Ident: logo of production company
Step 4: investigate
Step 5: brainstorm ideas
Possible scenarios for treatments
Pitch
Moldboard
Feedback
Realistic expectations
Step 6: planning
Experimenting
Recce - shots of locations
Examples of shots, costumes, props etc
Storyboard
Logistics including risk assessment
Step7: the shoot
People ,places ,props, costumes
Rehearsing , directing
Equipment jobs on the day
Keep a record of the process
Step 8: edit
All having a voice/ hand in it
Screen grabs of process
Importance of audio and titles
Foley not just music
Rough cut deadline and peer feedback
Step 9: evaluation
Six most common student film openings
Saw
Scream
Seven
Lock stock
Waking up
Flashback or flashforward
Six most common problems
(Picture of screen)
Level 1: minimal ability 0-23
Level 2: basic ability 24-35
Level 3: proficient 36-47
Level 4: excellent 48-60
Key advice
Plan for everything
Keep all the evidence
Avoid the obvious
Pay attention to detail
Make your blog varied
Learn from other work
