MAKING A FILM OPENING

 Last Tuesday we filmed a table top style film opening. We put down black blanket on the tables and then decorated it with objects that all had the same theme. My group had a murder mystery theme, we decorated the tables with news papers, bloody money, a briefcase and passports. At the end we filmed a candle being blown out and then edited in the song "We'll Meet Again" by Vera Lynn. 

Once we had filmed and edited the table top style opening, we moved onto live action. We chose Emily and Eloise has our actors and dressed Emily all in red (a red beret, red scarf and her red school jumper) and wrapped Eloise in a shawl. We decided to film in the tunnel, with Emily and Eloise behind the closed tunnel doors, filming them through the window. After the tunnel scene, where Emily shot Eloise, we filmed a second scene in the forest, where we showed Emily following Audrey as if stalking her. 

 PREP To prepare for tomorrow's practical work of filming an opening sequence, please watch the following two title sequences which are filmed in in a similar 'table top' style. 

• Delicatessen (dir. Jean-Pierre Jeunet, 1991)
• To Kill A Mockingbird ( dir. Robert Mulligan,1962)
• Extension work: there are many other opening sequences on the website Art of the Title

For each title sequence, write three sentences about how the conventions of film openings are used. 

The title of your prep blog post is FILM OPENING CONVENTIONS

Copy /paste the lines above and add the two images below : 

• what titles and credits appear on screen?
• how is the film's genre conveyed? 
• what use is made of sound?
• what hooks the audience and makes us want to carry on watching?

Delicatessen 

- the names of the actor next to a picture of their character as well as the people who helped make the film eg director and writer

- the films genre is conveyed as a comedy, we can see that by the comedic positions or the silly thing the characters are caught doing

- the same joyful and light-hearted and catchy music is played throughout

- we get ab insight into the characters personalities, which makes us want to know more

To Kill A Mockingbird

- the actors and people who helped create the film

- sound was used to make the audience think of children, it started with a young girl humming and then music was brought in but even the music was childlike by taking inspiration by how children play the piano

- the mysteriousness of not seeing any faces or being given any information as well as the uniqueness of it

CUFFS

 

• From what you have seen so far, can you support the view of this reviewer that the police force in Cuffs are 'understaffed and underappreciated, working against the odds to bring in a result?

I support the view of the reviewer that the police force in cuffs are 'understaffed and underappreciated' as it is shown in the very first scene of cuffs when Ryan, the main character, is sent to break up a conflict between a stagu and a naturist couple at a nudist beach. Ryan is obviously and immediately out number by the four men at the stagdu and so is naturally very easily overpowered by them. Although Ryan tried his hardest to break up the fight, diffuse the situation and punish the stagdu accordingly he wasn't able to, causing the naturist to verbally abuse Ryan, saying "what is even the point of you" This first scene is a perfect example of how understaffed and underappreciated the police force is, though they try their best. 

THE AVENGERS: SOUND

PREP Watch the first 10 minutes (after the title sequence is over) of The Avengers on Clickview. Analyse how sound is used in the extract to create meaning. You can use any part of the opening scenes - both the opening scene at the seaside at Little Bazeley or the scene in Emma Peel's flat

• first identify an example - use terminology such as diegetic sound, non-diegetic sound, dialogue.
• then give the example - " Little Bazeley is constructed as a seaside village through realistic sound codes such as..."
• "One example of how sound is used is when Steed makes conversation with Emma Peel..."
• then explain what meaning is created - "In the exchange of dialogue between the fisherman and the undercover agent who arrives from the sea they talk about...... which creates suspicion and comedy because....."
• "Steed's dialogue reveals his accent and shows that he is..." "What Steed says to Emma Peel suggests that he feels in charge because...." /  "Emma's comment about the coffee and cream show that..." / "Emma's throwaway comment about having just finished a scientific article shows that..."

At the very start of The Avengers the first thing we hear is the diegetic sound of the seaside; the wind, the waves and seagulls. This immediately sets the scene of a seaside village. After a few seconds non-diegetic music accompanies the sounds of the seaside, it is tense and loud letting the audience know that not all is right and that this is no ordinary seaside village. The use of intense and loud music interrupting the comforting and familiar sounds of the seaside rises worry and anticipation is the audience, capturing their attention and sparking their curiosity.