Audience Research 1

I think that our first audience research project to create a a questionnaire has been a sucess as it provides essential questions that are needed to be asked to help our group expand our initial idea's and improve on them. Our questionnaire was very easy to create, and we provided our questions with either mutilple choice answers, or we left a few lines in others so that the people that are taking the questionnaire can go into great depth, to provide us as a group with real detailed explanations of how our audiences perfect thriller opening sequence would begin.

Here is an example of one of our questionnaires filled out:

Me and my group both agree that we found creating a thriller questionnaire for our target audience to fill in very helpful. Although some of our audiences answers were quite vague, it still gave us quite an insight as to what our target audience would want from us. It also expanded our ideas and enabled us to be more creative with what we are doing, as we could combine two intial ideas for our thriller opening sequence to hopefully bring it to a higher and more creative standard.

Location research x6

This image is taken from a high angle, so it looks as if whoever has taken this is superior to whoever else. This is my ony image that is in colour; as I wanted to use the crimson colour for effect. Although the crimson colour is plaster, it really looks as if it could be blood. Blood dripping down from the wall leaves the viewer to be intrigued as to what might have gone on wrong, or as to what might happen next. However, I think that this is my least successful picture as there isn't much to take from it, although the use of colours still connote why this picture could resemble to the opening of a thriller.

Location research x5

Yet again, the background of this image is just of the sky. The sky appears to be cloudy and misty,
which yet again could connotes the idea of the storyline not really being straightforward; but has twists and shocks to it. Even though there isn't much to develop with this photo, I still think that it captures a mysteriousness to it. The main basis of this image is that it isn't full of bright and vibrant colours, but instead consists of washed-out, faded images. This could be in relation to most thriller opening sequences, as there are often a lot of negative prospects that follow throughout the film.

Location research x4

I think that this image is pretty seperated from the rest of the images, as it doesn't have that eerie appeal. However, you still could connote the theme of mystery in this image. The foreground of the photo is of a telescope, upon the background which is of the sea. This could represent the disappearance of someone, and that they are being searched for. The sea could be a representation of things that are lost and are never found, as the sea is often described as 'deep' and 'powerful'. Also, the sky is misty and cloudy; which could yet again connote with storyline of a thriller, and how nothing is ever basic and clear to follow; and that there will always be twists and shocks.

Location research x3

This image gives a sort of haunting effect, as the rain drops on the bench allow the image to be presented as negative. There are a few white marks on the ashtray, that are slowly starting to be erased by the rain. This connotes with the mysterious theme as the rain could be metaphorically be washing away all traces of evidence left in the movie, leaving the mystery unresolved. The foreground of this image is pretty much the background as well, as it fills the whole frame. This image also uses the rule of thirds; even though breaking the image into three parts would probably result in the same conclusion from the audience anyway.

Location research x2

This is my favorite image that I have taken in relation to my thriller opening sequence. In this image there is a silouette of somebody walking down some steps. This creates a distorted image, leaving an audience feeling intrigued as a lot is left to the imagination. Also, as the bottom half of the body is the only thing shown, it leaves the audience to believe that there was a reason as to why the face has been hidden, enabling this picture to capture some sort of 'mystery.' Also, the texture in the foreground is rough and uneven; this could represent the danger that could lie ahead further on into the movie.

Sixth Sense Opening Sequence Analysis

For the opening sequence of the sixth sense the director has used various images to the connote with the genre of the movie (thriller.) I have cut and pasted 9 images from the opening sequence that I believe create a perfect tone or setting, or also develop an idea for the rest of the film.

The first image is pretty basic, with the contrasting colours black and white. This image displays the title of the movie, using white font with capital letters. However, even though capital letters are used, the size of the font still isn't really that big; which is quite suprising for the fact that capital letters are generally used to emphasise the title and to make it stand out more. Although saying this, I guess you could argue that the title is subtly grabbing an audiences attention, by using bland colours and not giving the audience much to look at.

The next image is is of a light bulb in the darkness. This image could connote the danger that lies ahead. The background is completely black; suggesting a negative outcome. However, in the foreground there is a light bulb, although it isn't bright and shimmering light as it's suppose to, suggesting metaphorically that it's time is running out, just like Bruce Willis is in the film. The flickering of the light is the only positive aspect that Willis can hold onto, and when it burns out they'll be no light for him to hold onto.

The third image is of a mid shot of the main female character. The mid shot is used to display her posture, as this is effectively used to create and set the mood of this particular scene. Her arms are sort of crossed over chest; this suggests that she is being defensive, and holding her own. She is also shown appearing over her shoulder, connoting that she is on edge, watching her back and waiting for something to happen. Her posture makes her appear vulnerable, which concludes about what I was saying earlier about her being in danger. Furthermore, she is also shown in a room completely full of darkness, with just one beam of light reflecting on her. This leaves a shadow on the wall; the shadow could represent a someone else in the room, that she is unable to see as due to the darkness

The fourth image is a mid-shot of the couple in what appears to be their bedroom. The female character is pinned up against the wall. The wall could be a personification of the stability she feels that she needs for what I am assuming is her husband. He is protective of her, as he stands idly by her, with a protective hand infront of her. This creates suspense and has connotations of danger and fear, which relate back to the genre which is thriller. There is low key lighting used in the frame, apart from on the woman where a passage of light is reflecting on her. This suggests that the man could be in danger, as darkness connotes negative imagery. The womans body language also suggests that she is scared, as she has sub-consciously used her hands to cover her mouth, as she is in shock.

Like the fourth, the fifth frame is also a mid shot, but uses the rule of thirds. This is a well captured shot as this could be used to identify saddness or pain in people. The colours are pretty bland in the foreground and background. This is effective as the main image is easy to identify, and allows viewers to focus on it. The mans body language is very closed off, as he has his hands across his torso, as if he isn't letting anyone in. Also, this is a point of view shot where the man isn't making any eye contact, which suggests that he is guilty of something. However, the man is shown with no clothes on, connoting that he has nothing to hide, and he is about to reveal him true self or his feelings. However, it could also suggest that he is feeling humiliated, stripped of his masculinity.

The sixth image is near enough the same to the first, but the seventh is the only image out of the nine that provide the audience with a close up. This is shown to express the true emotion that the man is currently experiencing. Yet again low key lighting is used to connote the danger and negative images portrayed. However, the main image is not directly used in the centre; this suggests that the director wants us to notice something quite discreet in the picture. There is a lamp in the right hand corner of the frame; what is interesting about the lamp is that a shadow is being displayed. This suggests that perhaps a death is being fore-shadowed, as shadows are similar to ghosts, and ghosts connote death.

Shot number eight shows the viewers all the clothes on the floor. The clothes on the floor are all crumpled and screwed up, suggesting that they have just been torn off in urgency. The suspicion of urgency leaves the viewers anxious about what might happen, or why they're on the floor on the first place. There is a suitcase that appears to be flung open, which could also suggest that something urgent is taking place. Moreover, as a suitcase has been used as a prop is could also suggest that this person wanted to leave, to get away. This means that he was having a troubled time, or just felt as if he needed a change. This connotes a big change in the film, that something dramatic is about to happen, intriguing the audience in to continuing to watch the opening sequence of this film.

The last image I think is the most successful and engaging out of the whole of the opening sequence. I think that this shot is a point of view shot from the mans perspective, as in the seventh shot the man is shown looking distraughtly at something. The high key lighting used gives the lighting in the frame a heavenly vibe. Also, the man has shot as the man, and the bullet is shown flying towards the man. However, the bullet is represented as almost a ball of light. This suggests that the ball of light personified as heaven, and that as soon as this light hits him thats where he will be. It's quite contrasting, as you would think that all this high key lighting would show connotations of something positive, instead it represents pain and death, something key that is often used in the thriller genre.

Brief

I was put into a group of three and from then on we had to decide what genre of an opening sequence that we would like to do. We all agreed to do a thriller opening sequence as we had a promising idea of potential location shots that we could use. We were set a certain amount of time where we had to film and edit our opening sequence. We were told that our opening sequence would last at approximately two minutes, and we were to include our own music made from a programme on the Mac.
Group: Brittany, Becca and Jamal

Location research

This photo has captured a great composition as it's quite intimate and edgy. This photo is also contrasting to what most photo's of snow are like, as snow is generally portrayed as a positive image. Whereas in this photo it is sort of incorporated into the sky, allowing the photo to have an eerie effect. The composition of this photo is also constructed well as the foreground of the photo is dimly lit, whereas the background has a low-key lighting, appearing that whoever is taking this picture is going to become endangered by whatever lies ahead.
Furthermore, this photo connotes with an opening sequence of a thriller as like thriller's this photo creates an edgy atmosphere, leaving an audience intrigued as to what might happen next; even though this is only a photo and not an actual clip from a scene in a movie.

Analysis of Memento 1+2

Analysis of Memento 1:
The first frame of the opening sequece is the title of the film. The title of the film has each of the letters seperated; these are a connotation of the different fragments of the film. The font looks like Times New Roman, which doesn't make the title seem any more unique than any other title, as the font used is common. The colouring of the font is blue, which contrasts with the black background. This is used so that the title stands out in the frame, and grabs an audiences attention where it hopes to continue doing so during the rest of the film. The title is also directly in the centre of the frame, as this would most probably make it more visuably clear and upfront for the viewers.

The second frame is very cleverly constructed as in uses connotations of the theme of the film visually and through the title of the film. Yet again, the title of the film 'Memento' is still directly centered in the middle of the frame. I was unaware of what the word 'memento' meant, and therefore researched it on the internet. I later found out that a 'memento' was a little keepsake object that reminds you of someone, or somewhere. Moreover, instead of the background being plain black, is has captured a close up still image of a hand holding a polaroid in his hand. This is a connotation of the main character's personality, as everytime he shakes the image on the polaroid it slowly fades, just like his memory does throughout the film. The polaroid is a representation of the main characters life, as if he didn't have these photographs his memories would start fading; the photographs are all his memory has.

The third image is also a close up of the main characters facial expression so that the audience can witness and experience the emotion that this character is currently feeling. However, the audience may be concerned with the characters facial expression, as it is kind of stern and emotionless. His eyes also appear as if they're looking down at something, which we presume is the photograph. As no emotion is really forseen in this image, it could be suggested that this character committed this killing. This would arouse suspicion within the audience as stereotypically in all genre's of films the main character is not the 'bad guy.' This leaves the audience slightly intrigued and would encourage them to keep watching to see what happens. Also, there are no props used on the characters face like fake stitchings or blood. This connotes that it wasn't self defense, as there seems to be no struggling on his term and therefore suggests that this indeed was murder.

The fourth frame shows the forground being a pair of upside down glasses, in contrast to the background which shows walls covered in blood. The fact that the walls are a washed out, pasty colour suggests that the director deliberately wanted the blood to stand out amoungst the wall in the background. The glasses in the foreground are not directly in the centre of the frame; this also suggests that they are not meant to be the main focus of the frame. Moreover, the fact that the glasses are shown upside down suggests that the series of events in this film are not all they seem, and appear to be a connotation of things being shown in a opposite way. For example, the film starts near the end, and rewinds itself in order to demonstrate to the audience the events that occured which led up to this scene. You could arguably say that this shot shows signs of vulnerability, as as whoever glasses these were clearly needed them for seeing, and now were left at a disadvantage in the film. It shows a status of power without really letting us get to know the characters yet. It connotes that whoever glasses these were, their power can be given to them as quikly as it can be taken away.

The next frame of the opening sequence is a mid shot of what presume is a dead body, but only allows us as an audience to see from the shoulders upwards. This is a more focused image of the second image, which showed it in a polaroid. This suggests that this wasn't a picture that the main character found, but took. This leads the audience to believe even more than this man committed the crime, because if you found a dead body the first thing you would do is ring the police, not taken a photo of it. However, maybe he took this photo so that he could remind himself to ring the police, as people could forget that the main character has memory loss. These initial ideas would intrigue an audience even more as there are so many options as to what might have happened, and keep the audience interested and on edge. Although the dead persons face is shown face down, suggesting that his identity is yet to be revealed, and wants to keep the audience guessing yet again.

The last shot is a contrast to the majority of the other shots. It looks almost prestine clean, and has connotations of peace and sincerity. However, the audience are fully aware that a death occured here, and are probably trying to identify the odd splashes of blood and so forth. The director has used a close up of the bullet so the bullet doesn't seem out of proportion. This gives the bullet a God-like status, as the representation of gold also suggests power and money. Even though the bullet is clearly not a character in the film, this shots gives the bullet almost a personification of human abilities, as it seems powerful and in charge. However, this bullet has connotations of danger and pain, and therefore most of the colours that are used in this frame are washed out and look dirty.



Was Memento a successful thriller opening sequence?
Overall, I think that Memento has an extremely clever and successful opening sequence. It uses a range of cleverly used close ups and mid shots so that the audience can really start to interpret their view and opinion of the film. It has very well constructed connotations, and subjects the audience to really involving themselves in the film. The suspenseful music really adds to the intense atmosphere and setting. It is filmed beautifully, as every shot could be used as a picture. The use of mise-en-scene is played down but is still very relevant to the opening sequence. As well as it having a brilliant opening sequence it is almost an extremely well scripted and acted film.

My Genre 1-Fight Club Opening Sequence

This opening sequence creates an eerie mood, as it starts with slow, calm music; the next thing you know the music becomes louder and somewhat echo's. It doesn't introduce the characters through shots, but introduces them through titles instead. It certainly familiarises the viewer with the setting of the movie, as the negative imagery leads an audience to believe that it's an inside brain, implying that this movie is going to be a physchological thriller. However, what you thought was a brain turns out to be inside the barrel of a gun, and therefore connotes what the movie is to be about, and that's a movie that messes with your head, just like it's done within the first minute or so. This creates an intense atmosphere, and most certainly grabs an audiences attention, as just from opening sequence they'll be intrigued.
All nine images are pretty similar to one another, therefore there isn't much to evaluate inbetween. With all the images being so similiar, you could assume that it wouldn't really engage the audiences attention. However, it uses all the connotations that a thriller genre should have, and purposefully uses a build up of slow paced music that develops into fast-paced. It adds to the suspense, and is very cleverly misleading in the opening sequence, suggesting that throughout this film there are going to be a lot of tricks and suprises.

Title Sequence vs Trailer and What Titles

Movie Opening sequence
In a movie opening sequence it has to instantly grab your attention, creating an atmosphere that will draw the audience in. It will often be slower-paced, leading into the narrative of the movie. It will always have opening credits with backing soundtrack, to establish a 'certain mood' or 'tone.' Sometimes, when the opening credits are playing, an opening sequence will introduce the characters through shots of them or perhaps through the titles. An opening sequence will then often familiarise the viewer with the setting/establishing setting.

Movie Trailer
When coming across a move trailer, there will often be a voiceover, adding intensity to the trailer, story/plot. This will help persuade the audience to follow up and to go and watch the movie, to draw in a specific audience. A movie trailer will also include who is staring in the movie, as this will also draw in a wider audience, perhaps using a certain male character or female character. There is never any spoilers in the trailer, although if the genre is action then that will often show the majority of the good action bits; this could also apply to the horror genre as well. You will also find that the trailer will be fast- paced, giving an overview of the story/plot which creates tension for an audience.

What does a title sequence look like?

What titles?
When creating a film there must be titles of who put what into the film and these are normally shown at the end of the film but can sometimes be shown at the beginning. The less important titles are shown right at the end of the film and the most important titles are shown either at the beginning of the film or at the beginning of the end. For this research I watched the opening sequence to The Sixth Sense and then researched what some of these job titles meant. Some of the titles that are shown are:

-The prodcution company:
A company responsible for the development and physical production of new media, performing arts, film, radio or a television program. The company may also be directly responsible for the raising of funding for the production or may do through an intermediary.
-Who the casting was by:
In the performing arts, casting (or casting call) is a vital pre-production process for selecting a cast of actors, dancers, singers, models and other talent for a live or recorded performance.
-The music producer:
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the production of an artist's music.
-Costume designer:
A costume designer is a person whose responsibility is to design costumes for a film or stage production. He or she is considered part of the "production team.''
-Who the film was edited by:
a person responsible for the editorial aspects of publication; the person who determines the final content of a text (especially of a newspaper or magazine)
-Executive producer:
An executive producer is a producer who is not involved in any technical aspects of the film making or music process, but who is still responsible for the overall production. Typically an executive producer handles business and legal issues. See also film producer, line producer.
-Producer:
someone who finds financing for and supervises the making and presentation of a show (play or film or program or similar work)
-Written by:
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
-Directed by:
someone who supervises the actors and directs the action in the production of a show.

My feedback for my preliminary task

WWW-What Went Well

My peers said that I used a great range of shots and angles, allowing different movement to be more effective. It also allowed the actors used to show a range of emotion and body language. They also said throughout my clip, I continued to use the 180 degree rule, which enabled my clip to appear more realistic and more fluent. Also, they said that the acting was of a high standard, which also helps my clip to be more realistic. The eyeline and the sound match was significant for my clip as it really helped to present the quality of my work. This also helped my clip to be more fluent, as everything flowed really well, with no clips overlapping, with a good continuous use of the reverse shot.

EBI- Even Better If

For my next task, there were a few improvements needed in order for my next task to be successful. Even though my different angles in my shots were good, I however need to make sure that my camera is steady at all times. Because if my shots are not steady, than the audience are not able to focus on the body language and the emotion portrayed. They also said that my storyline for my task was not very creative, and was pretty bland. If I had used a more exciting storyline, I could of engaged a wider audience.

My Opinion
I think that overall my preliminary task was very successful, as i focused on using as many different camera angles and shots as possible. I felt comfortable when directing, and I believe that I had much improved from previous tasks that I had completed. As I was working on my own, I didn't have anyone to consult when coming up with idea's, but purely had to be confident in what I could acheive. I agree with one of my ebi's that my camera needs to be steady at all times, as this can lead to a video into looking clumsy, and therefore my I could loose precious marks.

Preliminary Task

How I personalised my blog

When personalising my blog, I firstly selected a design for the background. There were various background images to choose from, some that included animals or food etc. After selecting my design, I then went on to choose the template of my blog; this didn't take long as the process was easy to use. When choosing the background, it gave you an idea of how everything works, as you were able to fiddle around with different buttons.
I found my first blog and my first design easy to do as I found that blogger.com was really simple and easy to use, and also very pratical.
It is extremely easy to quickly post something that you have researched or discovered, and is very easy to also post things like pictures and video's.

Induction task (www)

Overall I think that my most successful induction task was the 'donnie darko' filming. I found this to be most successful as this filming process had the best use of lighting and a variety of shots that included; point of view shots, over the shoulder shots and high angle shots. Something that was demonstrated was the variation of the rule of thirds, allowing our scenes to higlight the importance of some detailed filming. Also, when editing our video, all our scenes flowed, therefore it didn't seem as though our scenes had just been thrown together, but blended well and precisely.
Moreover, the process of the filming was more fun, as more people were able to get involved with the filming aswell as the directing. This enabled us a group to work better as we were able to support eachother and advise one another when carryingout this task. Everyone also felt comfortable around one another, and didn't lack confidence when expressing our views or idea's.

Induction task (EBI)

I personally think that my least successful task was the t.v advert filming. I think that my group found it difficult working together and really didn't help eachother to develop our skills very well. Although we completed our task, I don't believe that it was to the best of any of our abilities, even though we used many different filming angles and media filming techniques (such as the 30'C rule and the rule of thirds). When viewing our film my group found that we didn't edit our video very well, and that a lot of it was chopping and the shots cut at the wrong time. However, overall it was not a total disaster, as we did have great idea's to develop, I think it was purely down to the fact that none of us knew eachother very well, and therefore lacked confidence when putting forward our idea's.