BFI

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