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Preliminary Exercise Analysis

1) Who did you work with and how did you manage the task between you?
I worked in a group of 3 with Francis, Anna and myself. I think we worked rather well and managed our task fairly and in order. We all pitched in our ideas, and when finally deciding on the main idea we all contributed in making the idea better. We made the script all together making it simple but also adding humour to it. We all put our ideas of shot most needed in the shot list; however Anna was the one who finalised the shot list as she was the main director, as me and Francis where set as the two actors. In spite of this we each took turns at filming and directing the shots when we got a chance. For instance, if I wasn’t in the shot, I would film the shot with only Francis in it, vice-versa for Francis; this is so we all got a try in the different skills, sharing the jobs equally.
  
2) How did you plan your sequence? What process did you use? What theories did you try to take account?
Firstly we had a walk through of our scene, helping us to see if our setting is suitable and see if we can shot from these positions and finalise the shot list and storyboard we had written. We also had a schedule, making sure we stuck to it, so that we get every shot done by the end of our availability time. We took in account the theories of continuity and narrative flow, so we used a variety of shots and made sure we shot enough of the scene in each shot. This was also so when it comes to editing we would have a variety to edit, making each editing different. When filming we stuck to the order, however if there was something not working we quickly corrected as we was against time.
Here is proof of our planning:
Anna Francis Natasha Shot List


Anna Francis Natasha Script


3) What technology did you use to complete the task, and how did you use it?

·        Camera (Canon Legria HV40) – we used the zoom in to give a variety of close up and distance shots. We filmed it all on just one camera, also playback features.

·        Tripod – we used this for different heights in shots to get high and low angles. Also to get a smooth pan horizontally and vertically.

·        Shot gun mic- we used this instead of a boom mic as it wasn’t practical as in some shots it was only one person filming. However we used this to pick up clear sounds.

·        Editing suites – I used Adobe Premier Pro CS3 for non-linear digital editing. Firstly I captured all my footage. I used the tools such as razor to cross-cut scenes, erase to cut sections not needed, lock to use different soundtrack on different scenes, this was all to make the shots achieve continuity.

4) What factors did you have to take into account when planning, shooting and editing?

·        When planning; we had to include different variety of shots to make the scene interesting, coming up with a simple but good idea, making sure we followed our main theories (narrative and continuity flow), the space availability and lighting at the certain time we was allowed to film, scheduling so we got everything done on time and in the right order considering if the space was available and actors. Making sure we was all assigned to different task and shared fairly equal.

·        When shooting we had to; make sure the framing was right if that meant doing it couple of time, make sure the actors got their lines right and the right actions, we had to consider the schedule keeping on time, we needed to leave run on time to edit.

·        When editing; I had to remember the theories (continuity and narrative flow), using different continuity editing techniques e.g. match-on action, cross-cutting. Also applying this to the audio.

5) How successful was your sequence? What worked well, and with hindsight, what would you improve/do differently?
I think that my sequence was very successful as it kept to the main idea of the task, which is to create a continuity clip, which I think I did successfully as I kept to the rules of continuity theory. I used match-on-action when I looked in the middle and it cuts to look at Francis. I kept the 30 degree and 180 degree rule so that the audience is not confused of where they are and can follow the scene well. Mostly important I used shot-reverse-shot as this was a scene of two people talking. I had cross- cutting which I played with to also bring humour. I finally used a dissolve at the end to show it had finished.
However, it wasn’t perfect, I would have liked to put more shots, but it went on for to long. There was a shot where in one shot I have a magazine then the next time you see me I don’t, their was few errors like this in some of our footage so I couldn’t use all the shots I wanted to. With hindsight it was difficult to get the audio right as some was shot from far and some from near having different volumes, this was due to the fact our headphones wasn’t working. Next time we could make sure they do work before filming time. Some shots we had was cut a bit earlier not leaving enough time for run on time to edit. However I managed to get the continuity flow well.


6) What have you learnt from completing this task? Looking ahead, how will this learning be significant when completing the rest of your foundation coursework?
From completing this task, I have learnt so much, as this was my first time for everything. I learnt how the process of making a clip was set out. Mainly I learnt how to make sure a clip flowed well, as the shots had continuity and a narrative flow. I have also learnt from the few mistakes we made, such as the audio, paying more attention to it to make editing much easier. Also making sure there is not a lot of continuity error such as props being there in one shot while not in another. This bring us back to that if we make sure we get the filming right and enough footage it makes editing much easier. I will definitely be using all these skills for the rest of my foundation coursework. As continuity flow is used everywhere, also the few basic skills that I have learnt such as planning, shooting (using a camera in different ways) and editing using the Adobe Premier Pro CS3 for non-linear digital editing. These are all important skills that I was lacking from the start of media AS

Continuity Clip Analysis

I will be analysing a scene from The Bourne Supremacy to see how well they follow the continuity technique: Firstly, they have used a variety of shots during this scene, as it is a chase scene the shots need to be compact so that we can follow both the chasers (the police men) and the person being chase.


At the beginning we have a pan from over his shoulder to his reflection and straight away we see them using match on action shot; where we hear the phone ring and we see his head turn and straight away the camera pans to the phone. Another shot they use quite often during the chase which helps the audience to follow, is cross-cutting. Here we are able to see two different views (the person being chased and the chasers). Also their is a lot of chasers so it cuts to different views of different chasers to get a feel as if we are chasing him, as the camera is not steady but a bit shaky and pans fast. Once again we get a lot of match on action with things he looks at; example when he looks at the door with shadows passing by, the time table of the train. We get a lot of establishment shots of different areas, to see were Jason is running to and where the chasers are coming from. We get him running into or past the shot so that we get enough information of where he is and where he is going. The use of shot order is done so well that although this is a complicated scene to follow it follows chronologically in order to take the audience smoothly through the narrative. 


In this scene I have noticed they have used a lot of shots. Which would confuse the audience but in this case they have used it so that we see the panic and rush from Jason and the chasers.

This is one of our inspirations to our final opening sequence. 

Film Opening Genre Analysis

Genre: Crime | Drama | Mystery

Who are the main characters?
We are immediately introduced to the main character, and by the title of the movie we can guess that this man we are being introduced to is called Dexter. We see his daily life in very small details as if this TV series is all about him. We are not introduced to any other character , however we still get the feel of what this TV series is about.

How has narrative been constructed?
we start if with a sudden awake from a vicious insect. then we have the main title of the TV series. It follows on to his process of the morning, giving us a closeup to his normal life, however they have given us such a detailed narrative we almost don't see normality in his life. We are also slowly brought to the reveling of his face. as we are given so much detail except for the one most important thing , which is the actual recognition of the main characters face., this brings in mystery.

What is the key iconography and how does it signify the genre?
The key iconography are the over dramatic shots of such small detail in someones life bring the theme of drama but also crime as, investigators and also serial killers, look and plan things in such detail.  We also get images of blood and knives etc which also represents crime how ever they have blended it with such normal actions in our daily life. Dexter's face is reveled slowly, and other then how he starts of his day we are not given much information about what is so interesting about this character, this bring in mystery as we start to bring in the enigma code.

Identify the audience pleasures/expectations:
The audience would ask themselves why these daily actions are made us if they were a crime, bring the expectations of gruesome killings and crime. So they would expect serial killers vs police or investigators. The routine in the morning would show someone who is organised and well planned , expecting a clever killer leading on to a lot of mystery. 

This is one of our inspiration of our final opening sequence.

Accident sequence analysis

a) Describe the sequence you planned to create and identify the 8 shots you used
Our accident sequence was about a boy being stalked by a mysterious person, who for some reason wanted him dead.
Our shots were made up of :
LS of boy looking in mirror
Eye line LS shot of boy looking where figure was
Reverse MCU of boy looking confused/scared, zoom out to Long Shot of boy walking
Handheld camera, tracking MS of boy running through door
Match On Action CU shot of pressing lift button
OTS MS of killer in lift door, frame within a frame
LS of boy walking out of lift and killer attacking
Zoom out, tilting shot of dead boy on floor CU to LS


b) In order to create a sequence that made sense, what did you actually have to do during production?
To create a sequence that made sense we made sure that their was continuity in the sequence of shots. We did this by by giving varied shots but not jumping from one extreme shot to another only at the end which did give effect to the dramatic ending. We also, made sure it made sense by keeping the same time and space for narrative flow, so everything followed sensibly and made sense.



c) What was your specific contribution to the activity?
My specific contribution to the activity was acting as the mysterious killer, but also helping direct the story and make decision with location and positioning of camera, in most shots.


d) Does your sequence work? IE does it make sense?
Yes, I felt we accomplished the task by making a continuity sequence, as all the shots followed each other making sense to not only us but to the audience. It was easy to follow, however in shot 4 and 5 there was a big jolt (pause).


e) What improvements could you make?
What we could have improved was cutting the end of shot 4 so it flowed with shot 5 more smoothly. Also we had done more shots then we were supposed to but they still worked.

Poster analysis:

I have also looked into Thriller movies as that is also one of our genres for our opening sequence. However this time I'm going to analyse a poster to look at the conventions of these genres.

I have chosen the movie "The Eye" poster to analyse:

 

Genre Conventions is thriller/ horror

• The jet black back ground contrast with the bright white features in the person and title
• The abnormal white eyes.
• Tagline, "Won’t believe her eyes", as if they have a mind of their own.
• Unable to see what she is seeing through the window provokes a scary enigma.
• Drops of rain on the glass add on misery.

Denotations/Connotations:

• The white eyes represent blindness but with the tagline means her eyes are abnormal and dark in contrast to its colour.
• Rain represents pain and misery. Also could relate to tears from eyes.
• Curtains representing the opening of something, like revealing something, in this case something bad as there is just darkness in the poster.
• Her white washed emotionless face, makes her look as if she is possessed, it is not her.
• The 1st tagline is long and informational from a dictionary, stating this could be true based on facts. Again provokes enigma.

Audience Pleasures:

• They expect a transfer of an eye donor to some one who needs eyes, but however those eyes are not right and do not see like everyone else
• They expect thriller and horror in the images that the main characters eyes see.

Functions and Conventions of opening sequence

This will help me when making the opening sequence to ensure is has all these elements of functions and conventions. Also specially considering our opening sequence will be action, we can therefore relate to these opening sequence I have analysed.
The main functions of an opening sequence are:

• Establishing the genre
• Introduction to main characters
• Introduction to setting
• Theme music
• Setting enigma among the audience
• set up an equilibrium of the story
• Inform the audience with context about the production of film (in credits)

What are the typical convetions of an opening sequence?

• Film title
• Opening credit
• Music theme
• Establishing shot                                                     
• Introduction of charachters

Examples of Opening sequences:

Similarities

• Casino Royale and Quantum of solace, both use a feel of animation of graphics
• All of them we get snippets of action or symbols that will appear throughout the film to get a feel of what the film will be like.
• They all have a main man we are introduced to the main character.
• Casino and Quantum both have a few opening credits
• They all have a themed music
• They all have titles
• All play around a theme; Casino theme is cards in casinos, Mission is gadgets and technology, Quantum is on women, desert and the sun.

Differences 

• Mission impossible is not animation or graphics
• Mission does not have opening credit just the title and one credit.
• The title font is more catching and detailed for Mission
• Mission uses a lot of close up shots so we don’t get the full image 

This will help me when making the opening sequence to ensure is has all these elements, specially considering our opening sequence will be action, we can therefore relate to these opening sequence.

Therories

This is a research into theories of movie such as Levi-straus's Binary opposite and Barthes' Five Codes using the movie "Sky High" to illustrate:



Levi-Staruss: Binary Opposites

• Normal life vs superhero life
• Superhero job vs normal job
• Villains vs superheros
• Ordinary Will vs his parents power and fame
• Will vs weights
• The robot vs Mr and Mrs Stronghold

Roland Barthes' Five Codes:


Enigma code:

• First we ask questions about these superheros we are being told about e.g why are they the best superheros?
• Are there more superheros, how did they get their powers?
• Who is the narrator, it is the superheros child?
• How will he save the world ?
• What is his biggest problem?
• Why hasn't he got strength like his dad to lift weight?
• Why doesn't his parents know he hasn't got powers?
• Who is that girl to the family, girlfriend of will or related?
• Does she have powers, how comes she does and will doesn't?
• Who is calling and what for ?
• What is the big problem down town ?
• Where does the secret passage lead to ?
• What would the people do with out these superheros?
• What is sky high, and why keep quiet about it, its significance ?

Action code:

• Comic strips of superhero action
• Will tries to do weight
• Father and son talk
• Bed breaks
• Phone ring
• Secret passage open
• Layla heals the flowers
• Robot killed
• School bus arrives

Semiotic code:

• Weights show strength
• Costume, glasses show hidden identity
• Breaking of bed represent destruction
• Blue and red superhero costume, typical hero colours

Cultural code:

• Disney world production- fantasy action film
• Comic strip - action superhero story
• Phones - set in our modern world

Symbolic code:

• Breaking of the bed - maybe he finds strength later in story
• Robot killed- happy ending or too easy defeat more evil villain to come
• Girl heals flower. she will bring life to someone.

Photo Reflection

This research helps me understand how to represent a chosen genre through camera work. while making our final opening sequence.

1)Describe your shot and identify in what way it could be described as representing your chosen genre.
I have chosen this image from the varied photos I had taken, as I felt this image represented the genre (thriller) I was trying to depict. This image works well in portraying the disturbed, eerie and distorted feelings an audience would get from a thriller movie this all due to the positioning the mise-en-scene etc. It is an image of a person standing far down a school corridor, with lockers on one side and windows on the other side. However we are unable to distinguish the character, unsure if it’s human or ghost, as the bright light and the long shot creates an eerie ghost image. To add a distorted feeling the image is on a tilt making audience tilt the head as they feel unease.


2) What did you actually do to achieve the effect?
I put the camera on a tilt to give that distorted feeling as if the audience was in another world. I have positioned my model far away from the camera so that he is almost a blur as if he was a ghost, with this I have a wash of bright light from the windows to add on that eerie effect. Also where I positioned my camera is quiet dark bringing out the white light out more making my model look more washed out than normal. 


3) Identify what is successful about your shot.
I would say that my positioning of my model and camera were set very well, allowing to get the right feel to create the thriller genre. The setting helped also, as the long corridor gave the image depth and with the bright natural light gave the extra eerie feel. 

4) What would you do differently in hindsight?

I would get my model to have put his camera down; also I would have added more bright white light to make it definite that my model was a ghost. I could have positioned my camera a bit to the right more to cut out that big section of just dark wall and more of a narrow corridor.

This camera positioning/shot was used in our final project of the opening sequence "deadly shadow". When the assassin Lotus exits we have a tilted angle when she turns around looking down on us.