Watching documentary on thriller and film openings

AS media studies

‘Watching’ documentary on film openings

1. 1)     What does Thomas Sutcliffe mean when he says: “films need to seduce their audience into long term commitment. While there are many types of seduction, the temptation to go for instant arousal is almost irresistible.”

What Thomas Sutcliffe mean by using the word “seduction” it simply means to engage. So what he is expressing is that when opening a thriller it needs to engage the audience without delay and allure the audience to carry on watching the thriller. Furthermore he states that it needs to be a “long term commitment” meaning that it cannot stop it needs to remain consistent throughout the film and not to go off track. However he is also suggesting  that it is hard not to put all the entertaining content at the start because it is the producers best part of their work, and so they want to show it off to the audience. This is what he means by “instant arousal”. In my opinion this could be a negative consequence as the film won’t be consistent throughout the film and make the audience experience boredom.

1. 2)     According to Director Jean Jacque Beineix, what are the risks of “instant arousal”?

The Director Jean Jacque Beineix in his view he starts talking about when opening a thriller, a director needs to nurture their audience and keep them highly anticipated before acknowledging the suspenseful atmosphere. The risk that he states is that if you start arousing the audience you have got to remain with the high tense atmosphere and keep delivering it to the audience.

1. 3)     Explain why “a good beginning must make the audience feel that it doesn't know nearly enough yet, and at the same time make sure that it doesn't know too little”?

The idea of making a good opening to a thriller are that the audience are able to establish what genre the film is and what it might entail. In addition it needs to keep the audience guessing by not introducing a lot of the main content and plot at once. Moreover in the beginning of a thriller the audience needs to establish the characters. This is what is meant by ‘...make sure that it doesn’t know too little’. However the audience need to consider how the characters are in relation to the film by the audience. This is done by letting the audience contemplate about the characters to find out about their characteristics and their main role, as the thriller plays out. This is what it is meant by the audience should know ‘enough yet’. A good opening should instruct the audience how they should watch the film by embedding the important aspects slowly and by the end they should understand. An opening should keep the audience questioning so their answers are revealed at the middle or the end

1. 4)     What does critic Stanley Kauffman describe as classic opening? Why does this work?

Stanley Kauffman states that a classic opening should start off with an establishing shot of the setting, starting from the east. Then there should be a close up of a building. Then the camera will go up a window until it reached to a specific window, then it when into a window. Then it should go past an object or a character, to a door where it will establish the main character. This shot could be a tracking shot or a pan. This works because it enables the audience to establish where it is set and the main character. In addition it works because it is done in a systematic process so the audience watching the film does not get confused at the opening. Lastly it allows the audience to assume what genre the film is.

1. 5) Why is Kyle Cooper’s title sequence to the film seven so effective?

Kyle Cooper’s title sequence is so effective because it is part of the plot it starts of telling the story. It engages the audience immediately while watching the lengthy credits, and getting them to get ready for what the film is going to produce. The film allows the audience to establish the genre and put their presumption across in the audiences head. In addition it foreshadows what is going to happen.

1. 6)  What did Orson Welles want to achieve with his opening to the film ‘A Touch Of Evil’? What did Universal Studios do to it? Why?

What Orson wanted to initial achieve was to introduce the movie without title music and no credits this is because he wanted to force the film on to the audience without getting them ready. So the audience forget that they are watching a film, but then realise they are by introducing suspense. For example in the Touch of Frost it is a normal setting following a couple but then a car blows up. The studio was unsure about whether to open the film this way because they didn’t get it, so the studio embed the credits on top of the film opening of cars driving on the road. The credits were not really the main focal point because they were on the side but still Orson was not happy about this.

1. 7)     What is meant by “a favourite trick of film Noir”? What is the trick?

Is when the opening of the film is like an ending. It is like a destination had started then instead of a departure, it is done so the audience re-watches it so they can understand the beginning of the film.

1. 8)     How does the opening to the film “The Shining” create suspense?

  The shinning creates suspense by shooting a bird’s eye view at various positions of high angle shots on a car. At first it does not create suspense until you realise the shot is shooting behind the car making it vulnerable and as if it is going to get attacked by an unknown predator. The car is established as the main and important focus for the audience.

Watching the “Watching” documentary has allowed me to understand and what I should expect when creating my own opening thriller. I know what works and what doesn’t. I will take all of the information and consider entering them into the opening of the film.

Collateral original opening comparisons.

 Our group remade the opening of the film Collateral, starring Tom Cruise and for this task we will be looking at the shots used in the original and comparing it with our own one.
NOTE: WE COULDN'T PLACE THE IMAGES OF THE ORIGINAL AND THE REMAKE SIDE BY SIDE DUE.

Collateral Original

 This is shot is a medium close up, and there are loads of people in the background which creates a busy atmosphere, and everybody is out of focus, giving more emphasis on Tom Cruises character, indicating he is the main character. He is walking towards the camera. On a storyboard this would be shown with arrows pointing downwards.

once again this shot is a medium close up. As you cans see the man in the front is blurred and the background is blurred except for Jason Statham. This is emphasising on Jason Statham, indicating that he is the main character. He is walking towards the camera, in a storyboard this action would be shown with an arrow pointing downwards.

This shot is a close up on Tom Cruise's face. The frame is down particularly well because the top part of his head is cut off. In addition if he looked up the frame would be following the rule of third because his eyes will be on the top line. He is walking forward. The background is blurred.

This shot has been filmed from a low point of view. the bag has been dropped, in a storyboard the action would be represented with an arrow pointing downwards. We can see a close up on the bag, which is stressing the importance of the bag, making it the main focal point. The background id blurred.

This shot is a medium close up. This shot shows the two men bumping into to one another. in a storyboard this action would been shown with an arrow point at one another but coming form the other persons direction.. The men are in focus, so this shows that they are both equally important, but they are more important then the rest of the people in the background because they are blurred out. Furthermore the medium close of the two men emphasises there relationship and it creates a relationship with the audience because they are quiet close and personal. Moreover it creates a tense atmosphere.  

This shot is a close up however it is an over the shoulder shot. The frame follows the rule of third because his eyes are on the top line of a 3 x3 grid. The reason it is a n over the shoulder shot is that when it comes to the editing process it will make conversation scene.

This shot is a close up however it is an over the shoulder shot. The frame follows the rule of third because his eyes are on the top line of a 3 x3 grid. The reason it is a n over the shoulder shot is that when it comes to the editing process it will make conversation scene.

this shot is a close up on the bag but from a far away distance. This is because you can seen a blur at the top of the screen, which can make out to be a point of view shot.moreover that blur can be someones legs in the foreground passing along to create a busy atmosphere. the close up on the bag emphasises it importance especially when it comes up twice in the footage.

This shot is an extreme close up, however it is an over the shoulder shot. The extreme close up creates a menacing powerful interpretation on Tom Cruise character. This is because his face has been marginalised from his body. 

REMAKE OF ORIGINAL

This shot is a medium close up, the top part of Hasan's head is cut off this a good technical issue of the camera. The background is not as blurred out as the original Collateral. this is because we did not have as much time we would of like to complete the camera task. The background is not as busy as the original due to the people note wanting to be filmed or to the fact that there was not much people out at the time.

This shot is a medium close up. In the background there was people in the background to create busy atmosphere however the people was blurred making the subject and the people in the background have the same importance. We did not use the manual focus button on the camera.  

In this shot this is sort of extreme close up because the top part of Hasan's head is not in the frame. however this could be a close up because we are not on a specific detail on Hasan's face.

This shot is a wide shot, yo can seen the subjects full body and the background. This is not the same as the original as they used a medium close up to rather than their whole body showing.

This shot is a close up of the bag however it is different from the original because it is a slight low angle shot. the shot is used to create an emphasis on the bag.

This shot is an over the shoulder shot. this shot could be better if the side of the subjects face was in the footage more, however when filming it was difficult because we could adjust the height of the camera to suit my height.

This shot is a really good shot. This shot is because you can see the side of Hasan's face. This shot is over the shoulder shot so when it comes to editing it will be a shot reverse shot.

This shot is a close up on the bag. However it is not completely a close up because we can see the legs of the subjects, and it is more on a low angle tilt.

                                     This here is a good shot of the subject walking off we can see the side of his face making it scary as it is a close up to his face.

HEALTH AND SAFETY;

Christina Here,


At the beginning of this new project we had a health and safety lesson with Mary, introducing us to the new equipment.


- We learnt how to use the JVC GY-HM100 digital camera,


- We learnt how to put the memory card in and out of the camera,
- We learnt how to put the battery in and out of the camera, 
- We learnt how to put the tripod up and down,


- We learnt how to use the NDF filter button - this took away the natural daylight
- we learnt how to zoom in and zoom out using the camera as well,

furthermore we learnt how to use the auto focus and manual focus on the camera.

AUTOFOCUS: This is when the object or person closer to the camera automatically becomes blurred.

MANUALFOCUS: This is when you yourself make something blurred or clear using the camera.

all of this then helped me and the rest of my group use the camera safely, and taught us how to make the most effective opening to our thriller masterpiece.

Health & Safety

JEBEEN:


health and safety: - this is when we first got into our groups and tried out the new equipment thats was given to us :)


we learnt how to use the JVC GY-HM100 camera and we leant how to: put the battery in; take it out; how to use and adjust the Lens and how to record, zoom, auto focus - AF and MF, NDF filter taking away natural day light,  and also put the memory card in.


We also leant how to use set up the tripot and hw to set it up and how to make it stand in line with the camera so it doesnt look uneven.


Then we had a go at using the camera and recording shots for the first time.


TOODLES :)

Praticing Pratical work

On Monday 12th December we did practical work. 

We had to recreate the opening of the collateral thriller by following are step by step storyboard. Are location was outside Angle shopping center near the bus stops. The reason for choosing this as are location is that we need an area where it would be practically busy because in collateral there was a lot of people in the foreground to create a busy, fast pace atmosphere. at first it was not easy finding are location because it was not always busy or we were told that we were not allowed to film here. For example at the entrance of Angle shopping center.

When we were filming we did have trouble because passer-bys did not want o be filmed, but we could understand that because there was no informed consent.

At times when filming we had to do it again because the frame to the camera angles weren't that really good, we wanted to come out perfect so when it came to the editing stage we would be able to match scenes together without any jumps, we wanted it to be a continous flow, throughout our re creative footage.

After each take we had to remember where we stood, because, when it came to the close up on the bag dropping on the floor and then again when I had to pick up the bag. The reason for this is that when it came to editing the footage will be consistent shot.

The editing

When it was time to edit we had to use 'Final Cut Pro', we realized that the footage that we took we didn't really need as we only needed parts of it. at time we had difficulty placing scenec together becuase my foot wasnt in the same postion then i thought it was a so when connecting we had a slight jump, but we fixed this by using the same scene.

300 coventions analysis

My thriller opening analysis is 300.The conventions used are different compared to  Psycho, Goodfellas and Trainspotting. This is because 300 uses animation art to introduce the film.

There is no Distribution logo or a production logo but only the names of the producer and the director.

 

The transition speeds varies over time to create an impact on the red blood squirting out of the black silhouette. the blood is like a 3D effectIt empathize the contrast black and red and also the audience can pass a judgment that they are all equal, however in some ways this period is chauvinistic and they all have the mentality of  thinking about abusing others and violence.Additionally to use of transitions they are random, this could be done to demonstrate the disruption on their society and the action of the violence.

The music used is upbeat and fast tempo to create a tense atmosphere, as if some one is running away. In addition it gives an indication on the genre the film is and what it is about. the use of music is similar to all the thrillers i have analyzed because it sets the mood and the1 expectations, of the film.  

 The animation shots vary as well. From close ups to establishing shots etc. This could be due to the violent tension that will be perceived to the audience. This is similar to Trainspotting during the running scene, to create tension for the audience. 

The title is written in a blood graphite graphics, once again to set the mood and the theme.

 

When introducing the cast they slow down the transion so instead of using a freeze frame like Goodfellas and Trainspotting. They slow motion on the cast name and silhouette. But at they use classical credits when a film ends.

Remake of Collateral

Shot by shot remake- editing

We edited our remake using FinalCut and in this picture we were taking segments from various clips by selecting a starting point in the clip by pressing the button I and selecting a finishing point with the button O.

In this picture, you can see that we were adjusting the positions of the clips so the editing of the video flows making sure it doesn't seem choppy.

We encountered a problem during our editing, we found that the editing drastically shortened the clip and the parts we used were too fast so the whole clip was over in around 15 seconds making everything seem not as tense as it was in the original. So we learnt a new skill and learnt to slow down the footage and have it at a speed that we liked. This increased the length of the clip by around 10 seconds, in the future we will apply the skills we have learned during the editing of the remake to our original opening of a thriller.

Health and safety and setting up the camera

Setting up the JVC GY-HM100

Monday 5th December we learnt how to set up the camera and the functions on the camera when in certain situations. we use these JVC camera so we can get a professional, high class finish when are filming are footage.

Firstly, when setting up the camera, you need to insert the battery. this is done by sliding the battery in from the right to the left. you know this is done properly, if you can hear a click sound.

Battery

battery slide in from the the right to left

Memory card

Secondly, when inserting the memory card undo the flap on the left hand side and push in the memory card. If the screen on the camera shows camera error check if the side of the memory card is on open.

Thirdly, when putting the camera on a tripod you need to make sure the tripods legs are the same length when extending. This makes the camera level when filming and the tripod would be sturdy all the way through when filming the footage.

Tripod

When putting the camera on to the tripod stand, you need to slide the camera forward until it fits neatly into place and then lock it in by finishing the handle upwards, to test to see if the camera is in place you need to grab it from the hand held strap on the camera and slightly shake it.

The functions.

• To switch between recordings and to playback footage simply press 'cammedia' button then use the toggle button to scan through.
• how to zoom - on top of the JVC GY-HM100 camera there is two set up button just simply hold down the left button to zoom in or the right button to zoom out
• to keep the camera in focus there are two ways of doing this

1. AF (Auto focus)
2. MF (Manual focus)
3. at all time it is best to keep it on Auto focus unless, in your footage the you want to signify a person or an object you would close manual focus

• Finally on the camera there is a 'ND filter' button. When this button is pressed, it reduces the natural light entering the camera lens. it is best not to use this function. unless it is really bright room or really bright weather conditions.

Health and safety 

We also filled out a health and safety form. this is because we need to be aware of what may happen when we are filming with no adult guidance when it is are own possession. This health and safety form is the major requirement when starting any practical work!!!

Health and Safety form

 

Extension task

1.)He basicialy means that the opening of the film should hook the audience, so the audience feel obliged to watch the rest of the movie and that the audiences attention should be focused on only the film because there are many distractions around.
2.) The risk of "instant arousal" is that if the opening is really strong then the rest of the film wont have no direction because the strength of the opening must stay constant throughout the film, according to Jean Jacques Beinex, the action has to be given regularly so the audience grows with the film.
3.)The opening has to show enough information that the audience gets the jist of the film but at the same time not too much because the audience needs to be curious to find out more information about the film so they are tempted to carry on watching.
4.)A classic opening is when the film starts off with an establishing shot, then a close up of a building, then the camera moves through a window into an office where there is an actor. The opening is good because its giving enough information about the actor such as occupation and it doesn't start the film with too much energy, it just shows an office.
5.)It gets the audience in the right mood by saying how the film is straight away.
6.) Orson Welles was going to do an opening of a film without any music or credits, key conventions of an opening of the film, he wanted to throw the audience in the deep end straight away without giving them any time to prepare themselves. Universeral Studios added credits and music because they were more cautious.
7.)The trick is to open the film with the end, establishing the destination rather than where everything starts off.
8.) The camera chases the car and it gives a view but remaining fixed on that tiny object to tell us the car is being driven to the wrong direction.

Hulk opening scene

The opening of Hulk has many conventions of openings of films, which sets the tone for the rest of the film, for example they have a customised production logo, as the Marvel logo is green instead of red which shows that the film is unique to the company and all of money went into it, the scene also has lots of graphics involving the big bang , biological cells and experimental tools such as syringes which shows the audience that the film revolves around science and the genre of the film is indicated with these graphics. The animals used in the experiments during the opening could foreshadow later events, and the tense non diagetic music indicates that the film isnt all happy families too. http://www.artofthetitle.com/2009/05/11/hulk/

Health and Safety tutorial

In the health and safety tutorial, we were taught everything about the cameras we would be using to film our thriller. First we were told basic information about the camera such as pricing and other stuff. Then we were shown how to place the memory card into the camera, and were told common errors involving the memory card such as people leaving it locked. Then we were shown how to slide the battery in, and how to use the camera, stuff like recording and focusing the camera etc. After that we were shown the correct way to place the camera onto a tri-pod and were shown how to extend the tri-pod, after that we had a go at filming and practised doing various shots, and at the end we had to sign a health and safety contract. 

SLiP :)

Awwwwww, look at Hasaaaaaaaaaaaan :)

UPDATE:

HEY GUYS; CHRISTINA HERE (;

TODAY: we brought out the cameras and took pictures of the storyboard we made, including a disturbing image (not my fault), i also took some cheeky pictures of my group mates & Dan :D

& here they are (;

DAN (:

ROCHELLE (:

JEBEEN (:

ROCHELLE (:

I WILL KEEP YOU EVEN MORE UPDATED ALONG OUR MEDIA JOURNEY.

STORYBOARD; this is what we did today in class :D

introducing myself

Hello, my name is Jebeen and im watching Christina, Rachell and Hasan Laughing at some ugly drawing on this keyboard (EWWWWIE)

shot types practice

This shot was taken in front of the window. As you can seen you can't really see properly cause there is to much light coming into the camera lens. making me or any object  to appear dark. The shot type is a mid shot, this is because you can see from the waist up. The frame of the shot is okay, this is because I am in focus but, I'm not in the centre of the shot. (BY: Rochelle Laurencin)

Here we have an extreme close up Christina. As you can see Christina's top part of  head is not in the frame, which is good, as it demonstrates the rule of third. this is because her eyes are on on the first line if you imagine a 3 by 3 grid drawn in the footage you can see this. in addition she is looking directly at the camera. The lighting is perfect because she is not blocked out by natural light (BY: Rochelle Laurencin)

This shot is a wide shot. There is natural light coming from the right and from up ahead. A tripod has been used to keep the fram in balance and a more focus shot. (BY: Rochelle Laurencin)

The shot type is an over the shoulder shot. So if in the editing process this shot would be used to create a shot/ reverse shot, to start a conversation. I personally think the framing could be better if it was filmed a bit more close to my shoulder because we will be able to see Christina more clearly in my perspective.But overall for a first attempt it is good because you can see the side of my face and Christina is clear in the shot. The lighting is quiet dark and we can not see the background clearly  and bit of Christina's clothes. (BY: Rochelle Laurencin)

conventions of film openings

In class we saw 3 film thriller openings: Trainspotting, Goodfellas and Psycho.
Goodfellas opening scene
Trainspotting opening scene
Psycho opening scene


In all 3 thriller openings, I noticed that they all use similar conventions to open up the thrillers.

In there openings they introduce the production logo and the distribution logo:

Production and distribution for Goodfellas

Production and distribution for Psycho

Production and distribution for Trainspotting

Using their own production logo or a distribution logo allows them to"brand" a film so the audience can be familiar with their work behind-the-scenes so therefore,  the production team can attain percentage of the credit.

They of then carried a title sequence. Each opening had their own unique sound to create the mood, tone and the setting.

For each opening they have their own specific non digetic sound, so the audience can establish the genre of the film due to the tone and mood of the sound, which helps to exaggerate the thrilling atmosphere.

• for example in Trainspotting music is used to help set the mood. They used a pop song because they audience will be familiar with the song and engage into the film.
• Another example is in Psycho the music was chilling and low beat drone to establish the mood.
• in Goodfellas they use the non digetic sound of the boot slamming down to create a tense atmophere 

In Trainspotting and Goodfellas when introducing the characters they each use freeze frames gives the audience to understand the characters names and the type of character they are depicted by their body language.

The shot types used in the 3 thrillers are near enough mid shots to close ups this is beacuse it is used to create intensity, which engages the audience.

In general the main conventions of thriller opening are that they:

• start's off with distribution logo and production logo
• the sound is always upbeat and has low drone
• They introduce the characters 
• The theme of the credits relates to the genre

CONVENTIONS OF A FILM OPENING;

HEY GUYS; by looking at the openings of films this is the information we gathered that we must include and what the openings showed us.

- Introduce production company logo,

- introduce distribution company logo,

- they often carry a title sequence,

- mood/tone established in the film through sound, editing, mise en scene and      camera shots especially music. 

- intended to hook the audience into the film through narrative,

- introduced to key characters in the film,

Conventions of an opening of a film

In todays lesson we learnt conventions of an opening, such as introducing the production company logo, introduce the distribution company logo, they often carry a title sequence , the mood and the tone of the film is established through sounds such as music etc. Openings of a film are also intended to hook the audience into the film and this achieved by narrative. We are also introduced to key characters in the film, setting is also introduced through establishing shots. In some movie openings, the production companies logo is edited so that its reflected on the film for example in Transformers 2, the stars on the Paramount logo is replaced with the autobot and decepticon signs.
These edited logos often depend on the budget and hype surrounded around the making and marketing of the film.
As well as the logos, openings place emphasis on characters, those who are introduced in the opening are seen as the more important figures of the film, for example in Train-spotting, most of the characters are introduced during the opening.
If the film is a sequel then the opening will contain a feature that the audience will instantly recgonise, for example in the Shrek series, all of the openings contain a fairytale being read.

Introducing myself: Christina!

Hey peopleeeeeeeeeeee,

Christina here and this is my very first post!
just wanna say im HARDCOREEEEE!
LOOOOOOL,
im abittt excited as you can see :D
more posts to come!


-ill keep you posted along with my amazing group members what is to come with this media project!
xx

Introducing Rochelle

Hiya,

My names Rochelle, I'm looking forward to this project. It should be FUN!!! Love acting. So I can't wait.

Introducing Hasan

Hello, my name is Hasan, i support Arsenal FC and hopefully this project will be fun.