MINORITY REPORT Minority Report is a high budget American film
Low budget British films have more funding bodies whereas the high budget American ones have less. The low budget films have less reference to actors and more distribution companies. The high budget American ones have more emphasis on the actors and less funding companies, it is one major company that funds.
On a title sequence you would expect the following to occur: -The name of the film -An understanding of the tone/atmosphere of the film -Narrative information -Introduce some/all characters -Sense of the films genre -Actors name -Establish the location There are four different types of title sequences used in Hollywood: -Traditional title sequence -Discrete title sequence -Straight into the film -Stylised opening sequence Traditional title sequence: The traditional title sequence is stylised but still goes straight into the beginning of the film. In this type of title sequence, films use sound and font alongside the images to create the mood of the film. The film will then begin and jump straight into the action of the film. For example: Drive It makes him appear as mysterious and lonely. It is set in the late 1980's to early 1990's as shown by the use of techno music and the sense of dress and pink font. It gives presents the mood of an 'american diner' through the use of the pink font and jazzy music. Furthermore it represents a sense of loneliness due to the film being set in the late hours of the night.
Discrete title sequence: The discrete title sequence is like a mini film before the film and helps to get the audience into the mood of the film, but not tell you what the film is specifically about. It can give you an idea of the tone and genre of the movie. A 'discrete' opening sequence is often animated and includes a lot of editing work, typically found in high budget films for example, James Bond or the girl with the dragon tattoo. For example: The girl with the dragon tattoo It gives off a dark atmosphere with the dark colours used such as black and grey. Furthermore the narrative is conveyed through certain objects that subtly appear on scream, for example it hints at a common motif of hacking through the presence of wires and keyboards. Moreover, location is hinted at via the constant flow of darkened water which further amplifies the eerie mood of the film.
Straight into the film: A straight into the film opening sequence is a film that goes straight into the story and doesn't have a extra title sequence. This type of title sequence is far less commonplace and is more likely to be seen in action or horror because they want to go straight into the it and it increases the tension and pace of the film immediately. For example: Scream There are no titles at all and the film starts directly with the action of the opening scene, immediately building up tension with the mysterious phone call, increasing the pace of the film.
The stylised opening scene: A stylised title sequence is a combination of straight into the film and discrete title sequence. The opening of the film starts straight into the action and then followed by a 'discrete' title sequence. For example: The best and most famous examples are the James Bond openings. This type of opening is often used in stylish action films such as Casino Royale or Mesrine.
MY OPENING SEQUENCE: I think I am going to use the Straight into the film opening sequence because the genre of our film is horror, therefore it is logically to use straight into the film because they are more likely to be seen in action or horror films. Furthermore this opening sequence will create tension and will increase the pace of our film from the beginning, drawing the audience in. It will allow us to jump straight into the action and allow us to build suspense from the get go, helping us to create a fast pace and scary opening sequence for our horror film.
6. Something must either be thrown at someone or
a door opened (we did both)
FILMING:
Before we began to film we had to learn how to
set up the tripod. This was very easy after we were shown a demonstration by
our teacher. Next we had to bubble the camera and make sure it is balanced. To
do this we had to loosen the cog at the bottom of the tripod and put the bubble
in the middle of the circle, after that we tightened the cog. Next we placed
the camera on the tripod and slid the battery in with the arrow pointing down,
until we heard the click, meaning it was secure. Then we had to white balance
the camera, normally we would do this by zooming into something white and
clicking white balance button, but due to this being our first very real
experience with the cameras we were instructed to click the automatic white
balance button, then we were ready to begin filming.
Myself, Hannah, Danielle and Michelle all chose to film our sequence by
the entrance doors to our school with the
tripod which we set up. Hannah and myself
acted whilst Danielle directed
and made sure we stuck to the 180-degree rule and Michelle
filmed using the tripod. In order to successfully present the conversation
upheld between Hannah and I, we decided to film
different shots:
1) Wide shot
2) Over the
shoulder shot
3) Close up
shots (in order to see facial expressions)
4) Low angle
shot
Furthermore, in
order to create the best sequence we could, we filmed
each footage from the different angles so that when we go
to edit our sequence we would be able to select
the best footage recorded for out prelim
film. However we didn't film each angle three
times which we later learnt was a burden when we came
to editing.
Overall as a group I believe that we worked very well during filming. However
during editing because it was the first time we had used this edit software it
was a very stressful and strenuous experience for us. Furthermore we all had so
many different ideas during editing, however we compromised and distressed in
order to put together our prelim task.
We didn't
decide to improvise because we realised we had to knuckle down and begin
filming because we only had a limited time to film. However, that being said it
did take us a while to decide on the story which we went with. For example we
began filming in one location and realised it wasn't right for this particular
task, therefore we moved location. Therefore I believe that our time would of
been better spent to improvise our story before starting to film as we could
then develop our idea.
We edited the sequence together to make sense by firstly cutting up all the
footage we had recorded and then going through each cut up clip and deciding
whether we liked that shot we took. Then we started to put all the
clips that we liked together. I personally found the editing
very hard master. I believe this was mainly
because we didn't take enough shots during filming
therefore we had less clips to work with.
Furthermore the software is all very new to us and
so we were still very unclear on how to use
it. The software is called premiere pro.
I learnt from the filming how to set up the tripod, which will come
in good use when I film my thriller sequence. Furthermore I
learnt about spacing whilst filming. For example you
don't want to much space above someone. Whilst editing
I learnt how to use the editing software and I
learnt how to stick different clips together through
transitions. Furthermore I learnt how to realistically implant sound
effects into the sequence in order to add drama and tension to increase the
pace of my sequence.
If I could do this again, I would firstly record each shot more than
once, maybe three times to get a precise shot and so that when I
edit I will have a wider selection of clips that I could use.
Furthermore due to having limited time to prepare and film, next time
I would like to use a better location and possibly gather
together some props and costumes in order to create a better Mise-en-scene for
my sequence so that the story is easier to follow.
Sweded Films are amateur recreations of famous films using limited resources and technology inspired by the 2008 comedy film Be Kind Rewind. The films are typically much shorter in length than their originals and use shoe-string budget props to mimic the source material.
Origin:
The term “sweded” was coined in the 2008 Michel Gondry comedy film Be Kind Rewind, starring Jack Black and Mos Def. The film takes place in Passaic, New Jersey, where the declining VHS rental store “Be Kind Rewind” loses its entire video collection after being inadvertently magnetized. Mike (played by Mos Def) and Jerry (played by Jack Black) attempt to replace the store’s video collection by recreating films using a camcorder and claiming they are special editions from Sweden.
The four difference technical codes include Sound, Mise-en-scene, Editing and Camera angles. They all work together to explain the narrative of a film.
In the first scene there is a diegetic sound of cricket, which suggests that the film is set in a isolated area, typical for a horror film. There is a non-diegetic western music playing in order to indicate the setting of the film to the audience. Furthermore the dark lighting shows the audience that it is at night. The audience are then introduced to the blond first girl, which again suggests to the audience that this film is in the horror genre. There is a close up to the first girl showing how beaten up she is. The audience then see two men and immediately believe they are guilty of beating her up due to them being placed in a wide shot hovering over the first girl. Moreover the wide shot shows the audience how isolated the first girl is from society, highlighting there is no where for her to escape to. The editing tool eye-line match is used between one of the men and the first girl when a man holds a pepper spray to her eyes. This allows the audience to worry for her safety, as although she has killed people, she is the anti-hero and the audience are therefore on her side. The close up to her face shows how petrified she is as she is placed in a coffin.
The camera filming downwards making the coffin seem smaller.
One of the men said that this is revenge, and the audience wonder what for. Furthermore as she is lying inside the coffin, the camera films at a low angle giving the man the power and superiority over the first girl who is filmed at a high angle to appear weak and vulnerable. As the men begin to drill nails into the coffin there is a close up in order to emphasise that as the nails go in the light dims out, suggesting that all hope for her to escape is gone. At this point the non-diegetic sound stops. This change of sound indicates a change of mood as the audience realise there is no way to escape. There is only a diegetic sound of crickets and the sound of the truck driving her to a mysterious location. Inside the coffin is pitch black, absolute darkness which sets a eerie mood for the audience. Moreover there is a diegetic sound if mud being poured onto the coffin whilst she us banging on the box which emphasis her torture. Inside the coffin all sound is amplified and enhanced by echo done through editing which again makes this scene more horrific to watch by the audience. When the torch is turned on, the audience can finally see her in the coffin. The coffin appears really closed and small due to the camera tight on face shot, making the coffin appear claustrophobic and her scared. The shot is filmed from above the coffin looking down making the coffin appear smaller and darker. When the torch shines on her face the camera zooms in to see the mud and sweat on her face emphasising how panicked she is of dying due to being buried alive. There is a diegetic roar of a car, as it drives away from her buried in the coffin, informing the audience that there is now no one left to help her.
Second Scene:
Wide shot of her in coffin- coffin looks bigger.
This scene begins with an establishing shot showing the audience where this scene is set, in a grave yard, immediately giving the audience a chilling vibe. During this shot there is a non-diegetic drum, representing a heart beat emphasising that she is still alive. Furthermore this heartbeat is slow presenting the idea that she is calm which leads to a zoom in shot to her inside of the coffin. The torch has changing colour to a more bright golden light suggesting hope, unlike the dull yellowish light in the previous scene representing darkness. Furthermore in the previous scene the coffin appeared very tight where as now the wide camera angle makes the space appear bigger again suggesting hope for the audience. This is done as the camera pans across her via the torch which evidently makes the coffin appear larger. Precendently she appeared as muddy and bloody, but now she is clean, shining blonde and glowing. She comes across as almost angelic. The low angle camera shot indicates that she has power and strength and so a non-diegetic hopeful music begins to play as she begins to plan her escape.
Her planning her escape from the coffin.
The camera pans across to demonstrate how she is planning to escape which is amplified by the music getting more heroic and the lighting getting lighter. The camera cuts from her eye-line to her boots in order to direct the audience's attention to her boots where her pen knife is hidden. The hopeful music suggests to the audience that she is going to escape. There is a close up of her face showing her smiling as she gets closer to her escape. The pace pocks up due to the quick cross cuts which is matched by the sound increasing in tempo and speed as her liberation is near at hand. She begins to punch her way out of the box. As her hand comes out of the mud with a triumph fist punch, the music stops immediately symbolising that she is going to live.
The first girl on the phone to her killer,looking very innocent.
Immediately as the film begins there is a non-diegetic heart beat which paces the audience for the horrific scenes to come in this film, which is followed by a diegetic phone ring and a scream. Again, the scream creates a tense atmosphere as the audience anticipate the thriller in the horror film. The audience are introduced to a blonde girl (played by Drew Barrymore) typically known as the 'first girl' in horror films. The first girl in horror films are stereotypically blonde and vulnerable, who normally ends up being killed, which creates tension amongst the audience as they know something is at work. Furthermore her costume suggests innocence which highlights the audience's knowledge that this is a horror film.
Isolation of the house.
Not only does the first girls innocence hint to this film being a horror, but also due to the isolation of the setting. Isolated locations are typically used in horror films because it shows that there is no way for the characters to escape to, which points towards the characters being murdered, thus being a horror film. In Scream, the diegetic sound of crickets inform the audience that the first girl is in a isolated area. Furthermore the audience can see that its late at night due to it being dark which makes the first girl more vulnerable. Moreover, the house is surrounded by woods therefore there will be no one around to save her from the suspicious man on the phon
e to her. The audience can see the isolation of the house as the camera tilts down towards the house to show that the house, as well as the first girl, are in the middle of no where and therefore there is no hope and she will not escape. Furthermore this camera angle connotes a sense that she is being watched. At the end of this tilt there is a moving swing which has been sat on by the stalker, allowing them to easily watch the 'game'.
The first girl scared as the killer can see her.
Whilst the first girl is interacting with the killer she sounds very innocent when she laughs and giggles over the phone to him. Dramatic irony is used to infer the terror which is about to amount. The killer asks the first girl her favourite horror film, she says 'Halloween'. It is about a babysitter being stalked and murdered by a man in a white mask. During this conversation the camera tracks the first girl around the house showing how empty the house is where she is alone, making her vulnerable to the killer on the phone. Furthermore the sound of the popcorn popping sounds like a heartbeat which creates tension whist making the audience think that everything is about to explode in the film.
When the killer reveals he can see the first girl the non-diegetic music changes to a more serious sound in order to indicate the fun 'game' is over and the terror is now here. The change of music informs the audience of the changing dynamic of the game. There is a fast zoom to the first girl in order to emphasise her panic and terror. Furthermore there is a diegetic dog bark sound from the phone, indicating he is close by because a dog protects its territory which clearly the killer has intruded. There is a non-diegetic heartbeat as the camera tracks the first girl, mean while the audience begin to see a shadow of a person outside on the decking. The camera zooms into her face closely in order to highlight her tears of terror, earning the sympathy of the audience.
The first girl as she decides to run.
The editing tool, eye-line match and the non-diegetic heartbeat music creates tension when she sees her boyfriend trapped on the decking. The diegetic laugh of the killer leads the audience to believe that he is a psychopath that is going to kill the first girl. There is a wide camera shot in order to show her vulnerability as she attempts to hide, but the audience know there is no where for her to escape. The camera cuts from one side of the door to the other in order to show a match on action which emphasises how scared she is. The slow pace non-diegetic action music builds up tension and notifies the audience that she is about to run for her life.
The first girl running for her life.
When the first girl is murdered, it is edited to be in slow motion in order to heighten the effect of her murder, which makes it appear more gruesome. Furthermore the camera is placed on the ground at a angle which is uncomfortable for the audience. The Dutch tilt of the camera shows the audience that she will not survive. There is a eye-line match between her and her parents to show that she knows if she will get to them she will survive. Sadly she doesn't make it and non-diegetic angel music is played to signify her death. As the parents finally see there beloved daughter hanging dead from the tree there is a fast zoom in to her showing her covered in blood. Furthermore the cold colours in this shot shows the first girl as life less.
During the opening scene the audience immediately sees a dark room with low lighting. The darkness suggests that something bad has happened and so the audience are introduced to the disequilibrium of the story, a murder. The camera tracks Bond as he enters the dark room concealing his face from the audience. The slow pace of this opening scene as Bond walks past the body shows that he is the hero, not the villain who murdered someone. Furthermore due to a over the shoulder shot of Bond, the audience are able to see Bond trying to help his college and there is a medium close up of Bond whilst he is trying to save his college, during which his face is the only warm colour in the shot, which can further emphasis him as a hero. The audience can now notice the blood pouring from the victim due to his demise. The blood and death in the first few minutes of the film indicates the genre of this film as being action
The first shot of Bond the audience sees.
There is a eye-line match of Bond and a missing hard-drive which attracts the attention of the audience whilst a diegetic sound of 'M' voice asks Bond to look for the hard-drive. The slow pace and non-diegetic dramatic music builds up tension and animosity around the missing hard-drive which indicates how important this will be in the story to the audience.
The audience then witness cross cutting to the office from the dark room with low lighting. Cross cutting is used here to show two scenes that are happening at the same time in different locations and it links the scenes together. In this scene cross cutting shows the audience that the office are advising Bond though an ear piece, introducing the donor and father figure character in the story. The donor appears to be 'Q' as he is providing Bond with information, and the father figure is 'M' as she us guiding Bond through the journey.
The camera tracks Bond as he leaves the dark room and then pounds across as a car comes, driven by the helper in the story, Naomi. The non-diegetic music changes to middle Eastern jazzy sound as the audience are introduced to the glamorous location. There is a binary opposition to the dark modern office in London to the bright and vibrant Istanbul where Bond is.
A shift of non-diegetic sound introduces the car chase sequence. There are quick cuts in the car which creates a fast pace to build up tension during the chase. There are 45 cuts in 14 seconds during the chase which creates quicker action. There is a diegetic sound of the car crashing which indicates the action scene of the chase sequence thus underlining the genre as being action. During the car chase the camera is hand held at a medium close up of Bond in order to see his facial expressions. There is a binary opposition from the calm scene in London to the chaotic chase in Istanbul seen through cross cutting. The wide shots of the car and Bond allows the audience to see the chaos and heroic status of Bond as he tries to shoot the villain. The non-diegetic music gets faster and louder as Bond is on a mission to get the missing hard-drive back. However the fast pace non-diegetic sound is only in the car and not in the office and so there is a binary opposition from the calm office to the chaotic chase.
Wide shot of the car chase going down Istanbul side streets.
The actors in the market create more chaos and drama as the audience fear that the they will get in the middle of the shooting between Bond and the villain, leaving the audience on the edge of their seats during the shooting this action sequence. During the action shooting sequence there is a diegetic sound of screaming in order to illustrate the fear of the people to the audience. Furthermore the diegetic sound of the the gun firing highlights the genre of the film as being action and thriller because guns are typically found in these kind of films.
When Bond chases the villain on a bike, there is a medium close up of Naomi, showing how serious she is to complete the mission. Furthermore, her smashing the glass of the car presents her heroicness to the audience. (picture of Naomi to the left during the chase).
There is a fast pace shot of a bike flying at the audience to heighten the action in the film and to suggest that this is a dangerous situation where life's are at risk. The eye-line match of Bond chasing the villain makes the audience feel as though they are chasing the villain too. There is a medium close up on Bond when he is chasing the villain in order to address his determination to save britain when he says "yes m'am", addressing the father figure, 'M'. The slow zoom on M emphasises her importance to the audience. The donor character, 'Q' gives updates that Bond is on top of the Grand Bazaar, which is seen by the audience through the editing tool cross cutting, during which a wide camera shot of Bond is used in order to show the glamourous location of the Grant Bazaar to the audience. This shot is taken by using a crane looking upon Bond chasing the villain giving a sense of rush.
When Bond chases the villain on a bike, there is a medium close up of Naomi, showing how serious she is to complete the mission. Furthermore, her smashing the glass of the car presents her heroicness to the audience. (picture of Naomi to the left during the chase).
