Other members of the class also presented opening film sequences, which we then adapted notes on and discussed as a group. One sequence i found particularly interesting was the Sweeney Todd opening titles.
Here are four pictures of shots taken from the opening sequence ..
The Directors have thought carefully about the font, colour and placement of the titles. The producers have created a unique approach in still providing the viewer with a grusome horror whilst incoporating animation.
Terminology ... After viewing several film and T.v sequences we realised our weakness was talking about Editing. To help this we did a class on adapting our terminology further and reconsidering the meaning and affect of editing.
Editing works through the juxtaposition of different shots
There are several editing techniques. The most common being a cut...
Matched Cut
A cut in which a familiar relationship between shots make the change seem "smooth"
Jump Cut
An abrupt switch from one scene to another, used to make a dramatic point
Motivated Cut
A cut used to show the viewer something not immediatelyvisible
Cross-Cut
A cut from one narrative of action to another
In Our Preliminary Taskwe combined our previous getting use to the camera to produce a short scene incorporating matched cuts Through editing.
For this we used a storyboard and had to achieve its different demands of dialogue shown from different angles.
At first this was a challenge but soon after we created our office set up, directed our actors of were to deliver each line. Then continued to shoot the scene from over each actors shoulder, side profile and face close ups (reaction shots). To do this we filmed it all through from each angle until we were happy with each filming.
This then allowed us to make fluent edits and cuts on the computer in final cut pro. This allowed us to make the scene work visually well for viewers.
I felt we worked very well and our outcome was successful for a first official filming and editing task.
·Storyboards are a series of graphic organizers such as drawings or digital images
·They are used to pre-plan any visual production ranging from a simple digital photography sequence to a complex film.
·The idea of storyboarding in the form that it now exists in has been developed in 1930s at the Walt Disney studio in 1930s.
·In film production the storyboard is essentially a large comic used by cinematographers and directors to visualise scenes beforehand.
·For other thriller we would have to create a storyboard previously to aid our film day
In order to prepare for the creation of our own Thriller/ Horror opening sequences. We were given the task to produce our own T.V drama series. My group Brainstormed on stereotypical ideas, t.v dramas contain. Then made a list of main themes an audience would relate with and what representations we could portray for a audience to be interested in.
We eventually came up with the idea of dramatic scenarios around an Airline service creating both stereotypical and subverted characters. We then had to storyboard a scene including the information abouttype of shot, shot duration, angles and type of cuts.
In class we viewed and analysed several horror films including "don't look now" and "Vertigo". This helped our process of considering techniques and devices directors use when approaching Thrillers and Horrors. I specifically made notes on the use of diegetic and non-diegetic sounds, timing and suspense set up for the viewer.
We were given the exercise to take a scene from our favorite thriller film and present it to the class. We had to talk about :
Editing
The use of camera /Camera conventions
Sound Effects
shot duration
Mise-en-scene
Lighting
I selected the phone call scene from the film Taken
We then had to choose just a opening title sequence from a thriller/ horror film and talk about the same aspects as well as considering positions of the titles and actor/director names. I selected the opening of The Strangers
I particularly liked the documentary style and how it suggested it was introducing real life occurrences. This was enhanced by the plain orange writing on a black screen with a low pitch neutral voice giving facts. The use of dissolves and fades enhanced a psychotic feel of a dreamy memory. The directors used a pan along villages portraying isolation and traveling further from society. I thought this sequence was done very well as a set up of suspension for the viewer
