Research into Opening Sequence Designs

using these clips I have researched into designing opening sequences 

From watching these video clip I learn how important the typography is over the title sequence. As Cooper spoke about the typography shouldn't be an afterthought as it’s of high importance. When adding the typography it should be linked to the video behind and should be the same feel as the title sequence.  

Also we learn that experimenting with different materials rather than just digital effects can make for a more interesting sequence. Using different materials could help the target audience relate to the clip and find it more interesting.

Also we can tell from the video that the content of the title sequence should be massively linked to the storyline of the film. For our title sequence we may film the really interesting parts of the film to create more of an interesting sequence. 

These interviews have helped me to understand the importance of all aspects of the opening sequence. This will help my group to link all the relevant part to make a strong and unique sequence. 

Choosing your genre

To collect our information we needed to construct a questionnaire that asked about our views preference about films.

From the pie chart above we can tell that the group of people we ask all preferred ‘action’ films.From this information we have been influenced to produce an opening sequence for a 'Action' style film.

Allowing us to gather more Qualitative date we asked:
"What do you want and expect to see in an opening sequence?"
We found that audience expect the following:

Looking at the data collected we can see that the people we questions don’t go to the cinema very often, normally about once a month. Also we can see that people normally go with family or friends.

Conventions of an Opening Sequence

With the aim of making my own opening sequence I will need to gain a greater perspective of what is involved in making then and what the conventions are. To active this I will analyse two opening sequences from films that are already out. This hopefully will help me to make a more successful opening sequence.

A title sequence is the method by which cinematic films or television programs present their key credit productions sound and cast members, or both, utilizing conceptual visuals and sound. The opening credits of motion pictures are shown at the beginning and list the most important members of the blank screen or static pictures, or sometimes on top of action in the show. There may or may not be accompanying music. 

The Third Man

The opening of this sequence is a black shot which fades into this still scene. For a large section of the time this screen is still as the church bells chime in the background. Everything written within the sequence is white which contrasts with the background which will stand out compared to the grey background. but this may have something to do with the film being in black and white. The background shows the location of the production, as well as being written on the first frame.

Placing the crew and cast on their own frame gives a sense of importance. also will  give the view a small amount of information about the person. Not using images will increase the attention on the writing which will make the people involved seem more important. 

As in the shot before there was less people to a shot it makes these people seen less  substantial to the film.  Also when the images change to crew and cast listing, so does the music which now contains more of an upbeat and happier tone. 

Blue Valentine

highlights throughout the opening sequence tell a back story of the characters lives, which increases the audience interest in what will happen next. also showing these two characters first hint that they're part of the main cast. 

Using contrasting tones for the writing and back group will make the writing distinctive. Also putting the writing in the middle of a plain screen gives a sense of importance. Adding the names and job description on a frame will add information about the cast and crew who worked on the project giving all workers recognition. 

this screen shot was taken for the end of the opening sequence  Which means the music has climaxed, to match this speed the firework overlay became stronger and lasted for longer. adding the title to the film with the still from the film means that the audience will relate the impression of love which comes from the title, to the couple in the photo background.

targets

My main target for the preliminary task was to create a short film that covered all aspects of the brief. After it had covered all the bases of the brief I could start to become creative with the shots and story line. Adding different shots, for example shot-reverse-shot, this would make the film more realistic.

My second target for this task was to make sure the script included everything that was going on in the shot. Also it would have to be in line with the story board. This goal included making sure that was room in the scripted to demonstrate techniques.

Another target of mine was to create a short film that flowed and didn't have messy cuts. This would mean taking the script and story board to all shoots so that they could be followed without mistakes being made.

Also another target was to finish the project on time. As filming and editing was moving at a fast pace during the task it would be difficult to not fall behind. As we all had other work to be done we had to delegate different parts of the project to different people. 

Evaluation of skills developed

                              

Post-Production

post editing 

above is a scene shot taken from when editing. this shows a shot being brightened as the lighting was a little too dark. 

this is a scene shot aslso taken from editing where a filter was experimented with.

this is another screen shot taken while editing, which shows the adding of credits.

this screen shot have been taken while editing of an effect being added for when the credits  come up.

this is a screen shot of trimming being done to a shot which means part of the shot is taken out and the stuff from the shot we liked we kept in.

preliminary film

Production Report

How did the shoot go?

We had many shoot times mainly because the room we used was in use. But when we did get down to filming, it took a while but we got the shoot we needed from the angles needed.

What problems do you encountered?

Most of our problems came from the location most of the time when we had meetings in the room and it wasn't free. This left us with a limited time to use the room. Also it was hard to find a time when the whole group could do the filming in a free periods.

How did you overcome the problems?

We overcame the problems by keeping calm and making sure we know when the room was free so that we could use it whenever possible. Also planning ahead really worked for our group because if we planned when we needed to film people could manage their time more sufficiently.

How well did you work as a team?

I feel we worked as a team most of the time. But we disagreed a lot about the work. I think the work was distributed on what people’s strengths were. I think all the people in our group were happy with what they were doing and because everyone was happy we all got along.

What do you think of the footage you shot?

I think the footage was mostly good. But there was a lot of takes when people would mess up there lines or start laughing. Also most of the footage wasn't shot in the right order, which means there will be a lot of editing. But over all I can say I'm happy with footage that we shot.

Are there any areas for improvement in the technical execution?

I think we could have added more camera angles, for example we could have had really close up shots of their faces to express more emotion during the short film. Also there wasn't a good continuity editing situation in this film, but because we were working to deadlines we didn't have time to worry about the clothes the actors were wearing. I think this is an issue with the planning.

Is there anything you will need to do now as a consequence of the footage you shot?

Watching the footage we have, there will be a lot of editing and cutting. We might have to re-film some of the scene because there was some background noise and needing those shot from different angles.

Have you abided by the rules of continuity?

I feel we have kept the continuity problems to a minim as people would remind others that they would need to be in the same clothes and say in the same position to keep the film looking continuous.