28 Days Later Trailer
Saw 2
Saw 2 Trailer
Scream
Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Texas Chainsaw Massacre Trailer
Thursday 30 September 2010
Target Audience Reseach
28 Days Later
28 Days Later Trailer
Saw 2
Saw 2 Trailer
Scream
Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Texas Chainsaw Massacre Trailer
28 Days Later Trailer
Saw 2
Saw 2 Trailer
Scream
Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Texas Chainsaw Massacre Trailer
Opening Titles Within Horror Films
The titles fade in from black making the viewer feel disorientated and possibly dizzy.
Once it has faded in the scream title is very plain and simple but is on a slight angle and the white writing on the black background create a sense of mystery, there is a slight juxtaposition between the font and the colour as white is very innocent and pure but the font is rather disjointed and dirty.
The title then changes to the colour red this takes away the innocence of the white titles and connotes blood and danger unbalancing the titles equilibrium.
The titles then burst towards the viewer making them feel as if they have been pushed into it could also connote as the red mist a uncontrollable sense of rage a person gets which can possibly lead to murder.
What Makes an effective horror opening sequence?
From my research i have found that the following areas make a effective opening sequence:
Camera Angles – Can be used to set the scene using establishing shots, Establish whether characters are weak or powerful by using high and low angle shots, or emphasize certain points of interest or cause tension for example the extreme close up of the protagonists eye in saw.
Editing – Fast cuts can be used to create tension or action, where as dissolves and fades can support a intransitives narrative or a characters death.
Lighting – High key lighting can be used to make a scene feel very normal and friendly where as low key lighting can cause a sense of mystery and tension.
Sound – can be used to create a sense of anxiety or make the startle the viewer a good example to this is the 28 days later opening the Non-Diegetic music builds and then startles the viewer with a Diegetic car alarm.
Iconography – is used vitally within the opening sequence it is often used to identify the genre of the film, props such as knives and masks are common with horror films.
Characters – are the main focal point of the story they can either promote the narrative of the film or be used create tension such as “monster fodder ” the majority of horror films will have a antagonist a protagonist and a final girl.
Settings – Of isolation are often used to unbalance a films equilibrium horror films are usually set in abandoned places such as the mansion in the woods in scream or post apocalyptical London in 28 days later.
Themes – Common themes within horror films are death and the supernatural they often make the characters binary opposites for example the psychopathic male killer in scream and a teenage girl in scream.
Structure – The job a of a horror film opening is to unbalance the sense of equilibrium this is often done by killing of some “monster fodder ” within the first few minuets.
Camera Angles – Can be used to set the scene using establishing shots, Establish whether characters are weak or powerful by using high and low angle shots, or emphasize certain points of interest or cause tension for example the extreme close up of the protagonists eye in saw.
Editing – Fast cuts can be used to create tension or action, where as dissolves and fades can support a intransitives narrative or a characters death.
Lighting – High key lighting can be used to make a scene feel very normal and friendly where as low key lighting can cause a sense of mystery and tension.
Sound – can be used to create a sense of anxiety or make the startle the viewer a good example to this is the 28 days later opening the Non-Diegetic music builds and then startles the viewer with a Diegetic car alarm.
Iconography – is used vitally within the opening sequence it is often used to identify the genre of the film, props such as knives and masks are common with horror films.
Characters – are the main focal point of the story they can either promote the narrative of the film or be used create tension such as “monster fodder ” the majority of horror films will have a antagonist a protagonist and a final girl.
Settings – Of isolation are often used to unbalance a films equilibrium horror films are usually set in abandoned places such as the mansion in the woods in scream or post apocalyptical London in 28 days later.
Themes – Common themes within horror films are death and the supernatural they often make the characters binary opposites for example the psychopathic male killer in scream and a teenage girl in scream.
Structure – The job a of a horror film opening is to unbalance the sense of equilibrium this is often done by killing of some “monster fodder ” within the first few minuets.
Case Study 4: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003)
Micro Features
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre makes very effective use of micro features.
Firstly the use of lighting in the police report is very effective as it is black and white footage there is a lot of creepy low key lighting used typical of horror films particularly once inside the house where the some of the murders where committed.
After the police report the song “Sweet Home Alabama” by “Lynyrd Skynyrd” is used to balance the equilibrium again, another reason it may have been used is to identify the country the film is based in. It is also used as diegetic sound to make it seem like the teens are relaxed and enjoying themselves.
The group of friends are also casually dressed, their clothing offers them little protection and adds to their vulnerability.
One effective camera movement within the opening is when the camera zooms out through the head of the girl that had shot her self it adds a sense of gore to the film and give the feeling of the statement “let the games begin.”
Macro Features
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is a horror movie of the slasher genre, it focuses around a psychotic killer who prays on a innocent group of teenagers killing them one by one.
The opening of the film is set on a dusty rural road in Texas, this adds a sense of isolation to the group of teenagers cutting them off from any help from the outside world making them feel weak and powerless.
Most of the horror iconography in the opening is contained within the black and white footage at the start of the film to set up the plot, good examples of iconography in this segment are the skeletal torso pulled out of the river, bags of teeth on a autopsy desk and the films defining prop a chainsaw, the chainsaw is used for a number of reasons firstly the intimidation factor the revving of the chainsaw will cause tension and fear within the character and the viewer and is also a very brutal and over the top way of killing someone adding to the psychotic element of the antagonist.
This film also follows Tordov’s narrative structure after the police file the movie starts of in a sense of equilibrium with a group of teens enjoying them selves riding down the road until they almost run over a girl they pick her up and whilst in the car she becomes very Erratic until she pull a gun out and shoots herself. This unbalances the equilibrium for more to come until its restored.
Case Study 3: Scream
The opening of scream uses it's micro and macro features very effectivley along with a pastiche or satirism of others.
Micro features:
Scream makes a very effective use of micro features to create a interesting opening to the movie.
One very effective shot within scream is a low angle tracking shot of a door this makes you feel as if you personally are backing away from it . This makes the viewer identify with the protagonist and makes the feel very vulnerable.
Mise en scene is used effectively also, as the antagonist has very iconic clothing and items of horror films making him a trademark villain from the minuet you see him you know he is a “bad guy .” The teenager is dressed very plainly and this goes along with the start of the opening.
As with all music in horror films, Non-Diegetic music build to a climax and as it end the victim is killed.
The character also has a very deep voice in the first few phone calls he sounds very friendly but his voice becomes more distressed with later class this shows he is loosing his patience with the victim and also identifies him as a male.
Macro features:
Scream is a horror movie of the slasher genre, where there is a psychotic killer who prays on a innocent group of teenagers.
Scream is set at a isolated American house in the woods this is a very stereotypical setting for a horror film but makes the victim feel very isolated and alone reducing their power within the movie.
There is numerous iconography within the scream film but the two most notable are the kitchen knives which will either be used by the antagonist to kill or the protagonist to defend themselves. Secondly the antagonists mask is very useful as it takes away his identity and emotions and adding his black cloak adds to the effect of making him seem inhuman even more.
The film starts out in a very normal ordinary way, with a young girls cooking popcorn to eat whilst watching a movie, the movie starts to go out of balance with every call this girl gets, until; the antagonist states that he is watching the girls this single act throws the equilibrium out the window. The popcorn bursting is also a visual representation of how the equilibrium has become unbalanced.
Micro features:
Scream makes a very effective use of micro features to create a interesting opening to the movie.
One very effective shot within scream is a low angle tracking shot of a door this makes you feel as if you personally are backing away from it . This makes the viewer identify with the protagonist and makes the feel very vulnerable.
Mise en scene is used effectively also, as the antagonist has very iconic clothing and items of horror films making him a trademark villain from the minuet you see him you know he is a “bad guy .” The teenager is dressed very plainly and this goes along with the start of the opening.
As with all music in horror films, Non-Diegetic music build to a climax and as it end the victim is killed.
The character also has a very deep voice in the first few phone calls he sounds very friendly but his voice becomes more distressed with later class this shows he is loosing his patience with the victim and also identifies him as a male.
Macro features:
Scream is a horror movie of the slasher genre, where there is a psychotic killer who prays on a innocent group of teenagers.
Scream is set at a isolated American house in the woods this is a very stereotypical setting for a horror film but makes the victim feel very isolated and alone reducing their power within the movie.
There is numerous iconography within the scream film but the two most notable are the kitchen knives which will either be used by the antagonist to kill or the protagonist to defend themselves. Secondly the antagonists mask is very useful as it takes away his identity and emotions and adding his black cloak adds to the effect of making him seem inhuman even more.
The film starts out in a very normal ordinary way, with a young girls cooking popcorn to eat whilst watching a movie, the movie starts to go out of balance with every call this girl gets, until; the antagonist states that he is watching the girls this single act throws the equilibrium out the window. The popcorn bursting is also a visual representation of how the equilibrium has become unbalanced.
Case Study 2: Saw ll
The opening to Saw 2 Makes a very effective use of micro and macro features:
Micro features
Saw 2 makes a very effective use of camera angles in its opening sequence most notably there are a numerous amount of high angle shots used on the protagonist, these make him seem powerless in the situation that he is in.
Also extreme close ups of the protagonists eye and the nails in the death masks are used to make the viewer feel uncomfortable.
At the start of the opening many slow fades are used to make the viewer feel they are in the protagonists situation and are waking up from anaesthesia. Once the protagonist sets the timer of on the death mask many fast cuts of the protagonist and the timer are used to create a sense of tension and anxiety.
This clip uses Diegetic and Non-Diegetic sound very effectively to create tension ask the ticking of the death masks timer speeds up the Non-Diegetic background music also does.
The protagonist has also had his clothing removed this makes him look very vulnerable.
Macro features
Saw two is a sequel to the original saw film, it has now become a franchise and is on its 8th movie.
Saw is a splatter movie sub genre this means horror is created from shock factor and gore.
The film opens in a dark, filthy basement it is a small enclosed space adding a sense of claustrophobia to the opening sequence. This unbalances the films equilibrium from the start.
The opening character has little or no development and is “monster fodder. ”
The character is strapped into a “death mask” this is very iconic of horror films, this on prop includes the majority of iconography in horror films, sharp objects and masks, the sharp objects connote death and masks are used to make the character seem inhuman
Micro features
Saw 2 makes a very effective use of camera angles in its opening sequence most notably there are a numerous amount of high angle shots used on the protagonist, these make him seem powerless in the situation that he is in.
Also extreme close ups of the protagonists eye and the nails in the death masks are used to make the viewer feel uncomfortable.
At the start of the opening many slow fades are used to make the viewer feel they are in the protagonists situation and are waking up from anaesthesia. Once the protagonist sets the timer of on the death mask many fast cuts of the protagonist and the timer are used to create a sense of tension and anxiety.
This clip uses Diegetic and Non-Diegetic sound very effectively to create tension ask the ticking of the death masks timer speeds up the Non-Diegetic background music also does.
The protagonist has also had his clothing removed this makes him look very vulnerable.
Macro features
Saw two is a sequel to the original saw film, it has now become a franchise and is on its 8th movie.
Saw is a splatter movie sub genre this means horror is created from shock factor and gore.
The film opens in a dark, filthy basement it is a small enclosed space adding a sense of claustrophobia to the opening sequence. This unbalances the films equilibrium from the start.
The opening character has little or no development and is “monster fodder. ”
The character is strapped into a “death mask” this is very iconic of horror films, this on prop includes the majority of iconography in horror films, sharp objects and masks, the sharp objects connote death and masks are used to make the character seem inhuman
Case Study 1: 28 Days Later
The opening of 28 days later is makes very effective use of micro and macro features.
Micro features
In the opening camera angles are used to create a sense of isolation, using numerous high angle shots to make the character seem powerless and insignificant.
This opening uses natural lighting which is very unusual in horror films but the film opens as the sun is setting this creates a atmosphere of fear as the protagonist is not only abandoned but has to survive a pitch black night on his own taking away his sight effectively, making him in a worse off position than if he had awoken in the day.
Putting the protagonist wear medical scrubs also makes him feel vulnerable along with the full frontal nudity shot of him at the start of the opening, as he has no option on what to wear and medical scrubs are very light weight and offer him little protection from the environment let alone zombies.
The sense of equilibrium is further distorted when the protagonist arrives at a church which has graffiti written on the walls which says “the end is F*cking nigh ” The fact the church has been defaced becomes even worse when it has been defaced with swear words.
Parallel music is also used effectively as it builds in tension using a drone of two notes and more instruments enter building up the texture of the music.
Macro features
28 days later is a horror film of the zombie subgenre.
The Movie is set in a abandoned hospital and London in a zombie apocalypse, shots of notable landmarks establish the setting.
The notion of abandonment is synonymous with horror as there is not protection for the character making them seem very vulnerable.
The main character is a young man, this is unusual for a horror film as women are usually portrayed as a the victims in horror films. He wakes up in a abandoned hospital missing what caused the zombie apocalypse, this throws the film out of equilibrium from the start.
The whole plot of the movie is for the character to get back to equilibrium surviving numerous zombie attacks and to find civilization again.
Some very effective iconography is used during the opening notably the city of London is flooded with rubbish creating a feel of pestilence. It makes you feel as if the city is infected along with the people who have become zombies. Also the wall of missing people creates a sense of despair and hopelessness as you know none of the missing people are no longer alive.
One of the opening shots from 28 days later. The protagonist is dressed very vulnerably with light weight medical scrubs and only a carrier bag to hold his possessions.
Micro features
In the opening camera angles are used to create a sense of isolation, using numerous high angle shots to make the character seem powerless and insignificant.
This opening uses natural lighting which is very unusual in horror films but the film opens as the sun is setting this creates a atmosphere of fear as the protagonist is not only abandoned but has to survive a pitch black night on his own taking away his sight effectively, making him in a worse off position than if he had awoken in the day.
Putting the protagonist wear medical scrubs also makes him feel vulnerable along with the full frontal nudity shot of him at the start of the opening, as he has no option on what to wear and medical scrubs are very light weight and offer him little protection from the environment let alone zombies.
The sense of equilibrium is further distorted when the protagonist arrives at a church which has graffiti written on the walls which says “the end is F*cking nigh ” The fact the church has been defaced becomes even worse when it has been defaced with swear words.
Parallel music is also used effectively as it builds in tension using a drone of two notes and more instruments enter building up the texture of the music.
Macro features
28 days later is a horror film of the zombie subgenre.
The Movie is set in a abandoned hospital and London in a zombie apocalypse, shots of notable landmarks establish the setting.
The notion of abandonment is synonymous with horror as there is not protection for the character making them seem very vulnerable.
The main character is a young man, this is unusual for a horror film as women are usually portrayed as a the victims in horror films. He wakes up in a abandoned hospital missing what caused the zombie apocalypse, this throws the film out of equilibrium from the start.
The whole plot of the movie is for the character to get back to equilibrium surviving numerous zombie attacks and to find civilization again.
Some very effective iconography is used during the opening notably the city of London is flooded with rubbish creating a feel of pestilence. It makes you feel as if the city is infected along with the people who have become zombies. Also the wall of missing people creates a sense of despair and hopelessness as you know none of the missing people are no longer alive.
One of the opening shots from 28 days later. The protagonist is dressed very vulnerably with light weight medical scrubs and only a carrier bag to hold his possessions.
Characteristics Of The Horror Genre
Characters – Most of the characters within a film are very stereotypical:
The Antagonist – The bad guy or villain, the antagonist can be of two forms a supernatural entity / monster or a psychopathic killer, the main role of the antagonist is to kill the other characters before the end of the movie but the majority of the time he never succeeds.
The Protagonist – The victim or good character within a film, this character is usually female. If so she will be the final female, the final female is a female character that survives either to the end of the film or just until it climaxes.
The Helper – A character who aids the protagonist or gives advice to the protagonist, often killed before the end of the movie.
“Monster Fodder” – Standard stock characters that have been placed in the movie only to be killed by the antagonist at the start of the movie to build tension these are usually “stock characters ” such as a the captain of the football team in a teen horror.
Iconography – Specific elements of mise en scene related to the genre of the film.
Weaponry – Props that can be used to harm or kill other characters often used by the antagonist or the protagonist to protect themselves. Weapons in horror films are normally household items such as kitchen knives or tools such as hammers this is because the protagonist would usually be to powerful and kill the antagonist on sight if they had a gun.
Costumes and Makeup – Within horror films the antagonist is wearing a mask 9 times out of 10, this is because it will obscure their face and make the emotionless and inhuman. Characters are normally dressed in everyday clothes which become torn and blood stained by the end of the film. Also makeup is used on the actors frequently in gore films as they need to create situations which would normally kill or badly wound people, this is obviously inhumane and unfeasible to do to the actors portraying the characters.
Setting – The setting of a horror film is very important to the storyline and the subgenre for example it would be hard to set a psychological horror in a toy shop compared to one se in a abandoned hospital.
Isolated Environment – Isolated environments are often used to make the protagonist seem very vulnerable as they cannot call for help or the police in this situation and must face the antagonist alone. Good examples of this are the woods, houses in the country and underground caves.
Suburban Environment – The suburban environment is used to make the situation more practical for the character as they have all the conventions of the modern world to help them, yet are still powerless. This environment is usually good if the antagonist is a supernatural being and is to powerful to be effected by the law a good example of this is predator 2 where the predator has a cloaking device so it may hid within the city whilst stalking and killing it’s prey
Traits and subgenres – There are many traits of horror films but these all fall into different categories such as:
Slasher films the stereotypical film where a masked psychotic killer preys on a group of teenage girls with a weapon such as a knife.
Psychological horror where the antagonist who will menaces the protagonist with psychological threats before a final attack.
Splatter films where the horror focuses on graphic portrayals of gore, these films use excessive amounts of blood and guts.
Vampire films – A supernatural vampire preys on female victims sucking their blood.
Zombie films – The come back to life and begin to attack the living.
Werewolf / Mummy films –as above but the protagonist is menaced by another supernatural character.
Teen Horror – A group of teenagers are targeted by a killer.
Super Natural Thriller – A ghost story which focuses on the haunting of the ghosts victims there are often a few deaths to build tension.
Themes – Films often use thematic devices to draw a audience in, themes are often “binary oppositions ” or opposites for example:
Known Vs. Unknown
Life Vs. Death
The Natural Vs. The Unatural
Human Normality Vs. The Unconsious Self
Social Order Vs. Social Disorder
Sanity Vs. Insanity
Health Vs. Disease
Narrative of horror films
The narrative of a north American horror film is usually linear and has a clear start middle and end and can often make use of the flashback technique or a intransitive narrative.
There will often be use of the classic three part structure there will be a set up which sets the story a confrontation where “monster fodder ” is killed and a resolution where the antagonist is killed or the problem solved.
The Antagonist – The bad guy or villain, the antagonist can be of two forms a supernatural entity / monster or a psychopathic killer, the main role of the antagonist is to kill the other characters before the end of the movie but the majority of the time he never succeeds.
The Protagonist – The victim or good character within a film, this character is usually female. If so she will be the final female, the final female is a female character that survives either to the end of the film or just until it climaxes.
The Helper – A character who aids the protagonist or gives advice to the protagonist, often killed before the end of the movie.
“Monster Fodder” – Standard stock characters that have been placed in the movie only to be killed by the antagonist at the start of the movie to build tension these are usually “stock characters ” such as a the captain of the football team in a teen horror.
Iconography – Specific elements of mise en scene related to the genre of the film.
Weaponry – Props that can be used to harm or kill other characters often used by the antagonist or the protagonist to protect themselves. Weapons in horror films are normally household items such as kitchen knives or tools such as hammers this is because the protagonist would usually be to powerful and kill the antagonist on sight if they had a gun.
Costumes and Makeup – Within horror films the antagonist is wearing a mask 9 times out of 10, this is because it will obscure their face and make the emotionless and inhuman. Characters are normally dressed in everyday clothes which become torn and blood stained by the end of the film. Also makeup is used on the actors frequently in gore films as they need to create situations which would normally kill or badly wound people, this is obviously inhumane and unfeasible to do to the actors portraying the characters.
Setting – The setting of a horror film is very important to the storyline and the subgenre for example it would be hard to set a psychological horror in a toy shop compared to one se in a abandoned hospital.
Isolated Environment – Isolated environments are often used to make the protagonist seem very vulnerable as they cannot call for help or the police in this situation and must face the antagonist alone. Good examples of this are the woods, houses in the country and underground caves.
Suburban Environment – The suburban environment is used to make the situation more practical for the character as they have all the conventions of the modern world to help them, yet are still powerless. This environment is usually good if the antagonist is a supernatural being and is to powerful to be effected by the law a good example of this is predator 2 where the predator has a cloaking device so it may hid within the city whilst stalking and killing it’s prey
Traits and subgenres – There are many traits of horror films but these all fall into different categories such as:
Slasher films the stereotypical film where a masked psychotic killer preys on a group of teenage girls with a weapon such as a knife.
Psychological horror where the antagonist who will menaces the protagonist with psychological threats before a final attack.
Splatter films where the horror focuses on graphic portrayals of gore, these films use excessive amounts of blood and guts.
Vampire films – A supernatural vampire preys on female victims sucking their blood.
Zombie films – The come back to life and begin to attack the living.
Werewolf / Mummy films –as above but the protagonist is menaced by another supernatural character.
Teen Horror – A group of teenagers are targeted by a killer.
Super Natural Thriller – A ghost story which focuses on the haunting of the ghosts victims there are often a few deaths to build tension.
Themes – Films often use thematic devices to draw a audience in, themes are often “binary oppositions ” or opposites for example:
Known Vs. Unknown
Life Vs. Death
The Natural Vs. The Unatural
Human Normality Vs. The Unconsious Self
Social Order Vs. Social Disorder
Sanity Vs. Insanity
Health Vs. Disease
Narrative of horror films
The narrative of a north American horror film is usually linear and has a clear start middle and end and can often make use of the flashback technique or a intransitive narrative.
There will often be use of the classic three part structure there will be a set up which sets the story a confrontation where “monster fodder ” is killed and a resolution where the antagonist is killed or the problem solved.
My Chosen Genre
I have chosen to create a film within the horror genre my reasons for this are that firstly a horror film is very identifiable as i has unique iconography for example there is always a weapon within a horror film either the antagonist or the protagonist using it to kill or defend themselves.
The antagonist or monster will also have their face covered or obstructed in someway although it can be done with lighting often a mask if worn, taking away a antagonists face makes them seem inhuman and emotionless.
Secondly i have chosen to do a horror film as the target audience for them are teenagers, due to the fact all the actors will be teenagers it will be easier for them to identify with.
The genre also leaves me room to experiment with things such as camera angles, props, lighting and spooky music.
Finally horror movies are very cost effective, there are only a few props such as weapons and masks that need to be used and the setting is usual a open forest or house which are easy to find.
The antagonist or monster will also have their face covered or obstructed in someway although it can be done with lighting often a mask if worn, taking away a antagonists face makes them seem inhuman and emotionless.
Secondly i have chosen to do a horror film as the target audience for them are teenagers, due to the fact all the actors will be teenagers it will be easier for them to identify with.
The genre also leaves me room to experiment with things such as camera angles, props, lighting and spooky music.
Finally horror movies are very cost effective, there are only a few props such as weapons and masks that need to be used and the setting is usual a open forest or house which are easy to find.
Wednesday 29 September 2010
Examples Of Effective Film Openings Part 3: Casino Royale
Micro features
The film opens with a black and white shot of a building using a “dutch ” angle along with low key lighting these creates at tense atmosphere.
Because of the low key lighting the man leaving the car is represented as a “bad guy.”
Then some sinister non diegetic music begins to play adding more tension to the opening.
The “bad guy ” enters a lift, there is a close up of the floor counter in the lift to create a sense of anticipation and excitement.
The “bad guy ” enters the office and bon swivels round sitting at his desk, a shot reverse shot then takes place as bon and the villain have a conversation.
As the conversation climaxes with bond pulling out his gun the light becomes over exposed and intense.
You then hear a diegetic gunshot, this tells you that the villain has been killed.
Bond and the villain are wearing suits this connotes that they are professional and classy.
Macro features
This film has been made to reboot the franchise as it is the first movie with the Daniel Craig as the new “bond.”
There is then a title over the opening shot that’s says “Prague ” Czech Republic, this gives away the location as it would be unrecognisable if the director wants to keep the “gritty ” opening theme as no landmarks could be shown in full colour.
As the the two characters converse there is a flashback, this can also be called a intransitive narrative, it tells a previous story whilst explaining the current plot because after the flashback you know that this man is bonds second kill so he will achieve “double 0 ” status.
As bond shoots the guy the trademark “down the barrel shot ” occurs this is synonymous with all bond films as soon as you see this shot you know your watching a bond film.
The credits are themed towards the film as they contain animation of card suits as the title is named casino royal.
The iconic "down the barrel" shot.
The film opens with a black and white shot of a building using a “dutch ” angle along with low key lighting these creates at tense atmosphere.
Because of the low key lighting the man leaving the car is represented as a “bad guy.”
Then some sinister non diegetic music begins to play adding more tension to the opening.
The “bad guy ” enters a lift, there is a close up of the floor counter in the lift to create a sense of anticipation and excitement.
The “bad guy ” enters the office and bon swivels round sitting at his desk, a shot reverse shot then takes place as bon and the villain have a conversation.
As the conversation climaxes with bond pulling out his gun the light becomes over exposed and intense.
You then hear a diegetic gunshot, this tells you that the villain has been killed.
Bond and the villain are wearing suits this connotes that they are professional and classy.
Macro features
This film has been made to reboot the franchise as it is the first movie with the Daniel Craig as the new “bond.”
There is then a title over the opening shot that’s says “Prague ” Czech Republic, this gives away the location as it would be unrecognisable if the director wants to keep the “gritty ” opening theme as no landmarks could be shown in full colour.
As the the two characters converse there is a flashback, this can also be called a intransitive narrative, it tells a previous story whilst explaining the current plot because after the flashback you know that this man is bonds second kill so he will achieve “double 0 ” status.
As bond shoots the guy the trademark “down the barrel shot ” occurs this is synonymous with all bond films as soon as you see this shot you know your watching a bond film.
The credits are themed towards the film as they contain animation of card suits as the title is named casino royal.
The iconic "down the barrel" shot.
Examples Of Effective Film Openings Part 2: Borat
Micro features
The film opens with traditional plain titles in Kazak, with English subtitles poorly placed over them, this gives the feeling this is a cultural film / documentary with a low production budget.
An example of the foreign subtitled opening of Borat. This gives the film a international low budget feel adding to the fact it is a cross cultural documentary.
Along with the titles there is some cultural music to add to the effect it is a foreign documentary.
Through out most of the introduction there is handheld tracking shot of Borat going backwards as he introduces Kusic’s landmarks. this adds to making the user believe this is a documentary.
Through out the opening high key lighting is used to make the film seem very natural and friendly.
Finally there is a shot of Borat reporting from his local TV station this matches up with his role as a reporter and confirms he is a professional makes the plot more effective as he is going to be doing his job in America.
Macro features
There is a opening shot of a eastern European village which is later identified as Kusic in Kazakhstan later on by Borat.
Within Kusic there are a lot of improvised shacks along with a few rusted cars a donkeys this shows that Kusic is not a developed town and it’s people are somewhat backward technologically.
A Intransitive narrative is used whilst Borat is walking to add to the fact the film is supposed to be a documentary.
Borat’s mankini identifies that this film is not a documentary but in fact a comedy or a mockumentary.
Another point that can be made about the manikini is being a very vivid colour it is more likely to bring attention to it this makes it seem even more comical. Along with the fact he is wearing shoes and socks this add's to the idiotic element of his character.
The film opens with traditional plain titles in Kazak, with English subtitles poorly placed over them, this gives the feeling this is a cultural film / documentary with a low production budget.
An example of the foreign subtitled opening of Borat. This gives the film a international low budget feel adding to the fact it is a cross cultural documentary.
Along with the titles there is some cultural music to add to the effect it is a foreign documentary.
Through out most of the introduction there is handheld tracking shot of Borat going backwards as he introduces Kusic’s landmarks. this adds to making the user believe this is a documentary.
Through out the opening high key lighting is used to make the film seem very natural and friendly.
Finally there is a shot of Borat reporting from his local TV station this matches up with his role as a reporter and confirms he is a professional makes the plot more effective as he is going to be doing his job in America.
Macro features
There is a opening shot of a eastern European village which is later identified as Kusic in Kazakhstan later on by Borat.
Within Kusic there are a lot of improvised shacks along with a few rusted cars a donkeys this shows that Kusic is not a developed town and it’s people are somewhat backward technologically.
A Intransitive narrative is used whilst Borat is walking to add to the fact the film is supposed to be a documentary.
Borat’s mankini identifies that this film is not a documentary but in fact a comedy or a mockumentary.
Another point that can be made about the manikini is being a very vivid colour it is more likely to bring attention to it this makes it seem even more comical. Along with the fact he is wearing shoes and socks this add's to the idiotic element of his character.
Examples Of Effective Film Openings Part 1: The Emperors New Groove
The Opening of The Emperor's New Groove:
Uses micro and macro features very effectivley within it's opening. Below is a account of some of the more prevelant ones:
Micro features:
In the opening shot of the jungle, low key lighting is used and the darkness connotes that it is night time.
There is also a Non Diegetic voice over from emperor kuzco, which tells his back story as he is a lama and cannot speak any language you presume this is his thoughts, there is also a slight about of reverb on his voice making it seem reminiscent.
Halfway through the voice over flashback editing is used to show you a clip of kuzco as a human which matches with the “dreamy ” voice over.
Gold is also used as a representation of kuzco’s wealth in particular his gold comb with diamonds puts this point across effectively.
Along with the flashback of kuzco’s past funky music is used, to connote it was happy time for him.
Macro features:
The film opens with a establishing shot of a jungle.
The setting then changes to a Mayan or Aztec city.
The opening credits co-inside with the funky music as they a bright and colourful this adds to the happy mood.
This happy mood and light story book type tale makes this film a effective family film.
Finally the film leaves of on a hook making the viewer want to figure out the story of how kuzco becomes a lama.
Uses micro and macro features very effectivley within it's opening. Below is a account of some of the more prevelant ones:
Micro features:
In the opening shot of the jungle, low key lighting is used and the darkness connotes that it is night time.
There is also a Non Diegetic voice over from emperor kuzco, which tells his back story as he is a lama and cannot speak any language you presume this is his thoughts, there is also a slight about of reverb on his voice making it seem reminiscent.
Halfway through the voice over flashback editing is used to show you a clip of kuzco as a human which matches with the “dreamy ” voice over.
Gold is also used as a representation of kuzco’s wealth in particular his gold comb with diamonds puts this point across effectively.
Along with the flashback of kuzco’s past funky music is used, to connote it was happy time for him.
Macro features:
The film opens with a establishing shot of a jungle.
The setting then changes to a Mayan or Aztec city.
The opening credits co-inside with the funky music as they a bright and colourful this adds to the happy mood.
This happy mood and light story book type tale makes this film a effective family film.
Finally the film leaves of on a hook making the viewer want to figure out the story of how kuzco becomes a lama.
Sunday 26 September 2010
What Makes A Good Opening To A Film?
There are two things that make a good opening to a film micro features and macro features.
Macro features are vital elements or facts about the film the viewer needs to know which are based around genre and narrative:
Also things such as as settings are needed to make sense of the film a appropriate setting must be chosen for the film to make sense for example it would be very confusing if high school music was set in a jungle.
Characters need to be introduced early as the audience needs to make a connection with them to understand their story and enjoy the film.
Story and genre of film are also important, without this the viewer could be confused, for a example if there is no indication of genre someone may go and see horror instead of a comedy and be rather angry that they have wasted their money. Iconography is used to display the genre effectively for example gangster films should contain guns, suits and drugs.
The narrative of the film which usually starts in equilibrium and quickly becomes unbalanced, a good example of this would be within a sci-fi movie the earth starts of as normal in equilibrium and then becomes quickly unbalanced when the earth discovers aliens.
This usually unbalance creates a hook making the viewer want to see the entirety of the film.
Micro features are also important to the opening of a film, these are important features in the film hat also makes the viewer continue watching.
These include things like mise en scene a encompassing term for; setting and props, hair and make up, facial expressions and body language, lighting and colour and the position of the character and objects within the frame.
There are also aspects like lighting and colour which are useful for setting the mood in a film for example horror films are very dark this is for two reasons it firstly it creates a sense of tension and anxiety nothing is more scary than when it cannot be seen. Secondly in older films when special effects where not advanced it prevents the monster from becoming a man in a suit taking away any fear of the monster.
Editing is also a important micro feature, it can be used effectively. For example very rapid cuts cant create a sense of anxiety, where as a wipe or fade can be used to imply a intransitive narrative.
Camera angles may also used be very effectively within a opening for example a establishing shot can be used to set the scene for example a shot of the statue of liberty will show the film is set around New York in America, they can also be used to emphasise things for example using a extreme close-up make the viewer feel uncomfortable as people do not often get this close to objects. Finally high and low angle shots can be used to emphasize or diminish a characters power, changing the equilibrium of the scene.
Macro features are vital elements or facts about the film the viewer needs to know which are based around genre and narrative:
Also things such as as settings are needed to make sense of the film a appropriate setting must be chosen for the film to make sense for example it would be very confusing if high school music was set in a jungle.
Characters need to be introduced early as the audience needs to make a connection with them to understand their story and enjoy the film.
Story and genre of film are also important, without this the viewer could be confused, for a example if there is no indication of genre someone may go and see horror instead of a comedy and be rather angry that they have wasted their money. Iconography is used to display the genre effectively for example gangster films should contain guns, suits and drugs.
The narrative of the film which usually starts in equilibrium and quickly becomes unbalanced, a good example of this would be within a sci-fi movie the earth starts of as normal in equilibrium and then becomes quickly unbalanced when the earth discovers aliens.
This usually unbalance creates a hook making the viewer want to see the entirety of the film.
Micro features are also important to the opening of a film, these are important features in the film hat also makes the viewer continue watching.
These include things like mise en scene a encompassing term for; setting and props, hair and make up, facial expressions and body language, lighting and colour and the position of the character and objects within the frame.
There are also aspects like lighting and colour which are useful for setting the mood in a film for example horror films are very dark this is for two reasons it firstly it creates a sense of tension and anxiety nothing is more scary than when it cannot be seen. Secondly in older films when special effects where not advanced it prevents the monster from becoming a man in a suit taking away any fear of the monster.
Editing is also a important micro feature, it can be used effectively. For example very rapid cuts cant create a sense of anxiety, where as a wipe or fade can be used to imply a intransitive narrative.
Camera angles may also used be very effectively within a opening for example a establishing shot can be used to set the scene for example a shot of the statue of liberty will show the film is set around New York in America, they can also be used to emphasise things for example using a extreme close-up make the viewer feel uncomfortable as people do not often get this close to objects. Finally high and low angle shots can be used to emphasize or diminish a characters power, changing the equilibrium of the scene.
Main Task Brief
I have been briefed to produce the titles and opening to a new fiction film, to last a maximum of two minuets. I have decided to work as part of a group of three people, each person will be given a specific role to follow. This Blog will outline the primary and secondary research that I have undertaken into film openings, the genre I have chosen and target audiences.
Thursday 16 September 2010
Preliminary Task
Below is my preliminary task we where briefed to film one actor walking into a room and having a conversation with another. I belive we did a good job considering this was the first time we had filmed together. I took place directing the other actor whilst acting the other part myself. Ryan and Vicky both worked together using the camera deciding the shots and angles to be used. This turned out rather well but one thing i was disapointed with where the handheld shots although relativley still those using a tipod looked much better after the edit. I was incharge of editing i feel i did a rather good job apart from one or two cuts that where slightly out and contained unwanted sounds.
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