Research into as video productions

In order for me to create, film and edit my 2 minute opening sequence I looked at a range of other opening sequences to criticize and praise what was good and bad about them. I have chosen to analysis this particular opening sequence as I know it has been given a high grade which is what I am aiming for. The link for this video is; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8i7MrrxVh7U
and is called on YouTube; Vindicate Film Opening Title Sequence (A GRADE) - AS Media Studies 2014.

I first would like to talk about its time. The specification of this that is 2 minutes long and this video is 2 minutes 7 which is good as they have stuck to the specification. Further more it starts of with a logo (home-made) which shows they can add titles and also make a logo for there production. You only see the logo for about 2-4 seconds which is good as it gets straight into the opening sequence. While this is happening there is a  voice over which is telling the viewers what's happened and why they are there which sets the scene for the viewers so they aren't in the dark to what it is about.

The first seconds it shows a large range of shots with also a background music setting tension. There is also more titles which they name the character within the clip. They also are wearing props which he looks like a police officer. There location is a house which they have fit a story line within the household as they have more props guns and are searching the house. The story line flows and the audience knows what happening but is also intruded to know what's going to happen.
More titles have been added for example 'directed by' and 'costume and props by' Constantly the clip is changing shots which as this is a upbeat opening sequence its suits and fits and keeps the audience watching at all times In case they miss anything.
Special effects then have been used because as they search the house the camera then goes to a gun (the eye of the gun?) watching one of the people searching the house. It then goes to the credits which say 'Vindicate' but goes from a white background to a red and then back to white with a shooting sounds this suggest someone got shots however the viewers don't know if they did the opening sequence is just portraying that.

Taking the good points from this opening sequence and using them in my opening sequence.
The use of props was very good, which made it more realistic for the viewers.
The start where they have a logo but also have a short summary of what's happening so it enables the viewer to have a limited amount of knowledge within the first 5 seconds of watching the opening sequence.


Taking the back points from this opening sequence and understand why not to use them in my opening sequence.
I think sometimes this opening sequence comes across as a trailer as there is a lot happening for the first two minutes which goes against the specification so when making my opening sequence I think I have to very carful with what footage I have in my clip.
Finally at the end there is a plain black screen for about 10 seconds which has no purpose I don't think there is any need for it so it should of been edited out.

Here is the clip I analysed.

Premiminary task

For our preliminary task we had to film a series of shots based on a narrative we had been given. The narrative of this included two characters, the first one was the typical hero and the second being the generic villain. Our aims were to create a piece of film which followed the typical action film conventions whilst following continuity.

Our final product has some flaws but we had the general idea. If we were to do it again then we would change a few things. Including some continuity issues and music editing. The continuity issues are mainly with the dialogue as we followed the 180 degrees rule.

Overall we think our preliminary task was of good standard as we followed all instructions fully and met everything in the criteria allowing us to have a good quality final product.

Story board for our FIlm Noir

 

This is our story board for planning our Film Noir.

Repesentation of the Femme Fatale in Film Noir

 The Femme Fatale in Film Noir.

What does representation mean?
The representation of something of how something is portrayed. When portraying a person these factors are tenderly used.
Age
Gender
Ethnicity
Class and status
Sexuality
Physical ability /disability

The Femme Fatale is a Film Noir is one of the main characters which is often comes across as the women who needs help, the women who has no power and often seeks attention, guidance from the detective. She's a manipulative, seductive mysterious women which her purpose or role is the film is not clear till these behaviors start being shown.

She is two faced- This is because she often portrays two 'sides' one which she is this 'women in need' and  weak she often has a problem need solving which why she goes to the male, the more strong and independent guy who will solve these problems for the Femme Fatale. However behind the back she knows what goes to happen and she has a plan which the male falls into the Femme Fatale 'web' which she draws them in with charm and seductiveness and once there are in the 'web of lies; which they are stuck which then she disposes off the male once she has gained what she has needed which makes the Femme Fatale dangerous and poisonous.

This worked and made these kind of films unique in the 40's as this is unnatural in today society as the female would be known to be a stay at home wife and not deal with anything that would lead into danger. The male would be all the characteristics of the female. For example instead of the male being the dangerous guy the female has taken over the roles. So this goes against the social 'norms' which obviously would have to be corrected towards then ending as it couldn't be seen as that happening and the Femme Fatale getting away with it. So it was often seen the Femme Fatale getting court and then leading to going to prison (of having some sort of punishment)

Film Noir script

Media – Film Noir Script

CAST

Detective Lance Bullock – Callum Prendgast

Tony Slinger/ Maroni Falcone – Charlie Bell

Bobby Slinger – Reece Mountford

Lisa Statham – Georgia Turner

SCRIPT

EXT: Scene 1 – LB’s Intro ET: 35 seconds

*Throughout this scene “I don’t want to set the world on fire by the ink spots 1941 is playing, almost as an alarm. There is an establishing shot of a house at night; the only light source is lampposts in the shot and the shot will fade in from black and will last about 3 seconds. The shot will then cut to grass blowing in the wind,

INT: Finally, close up of an alarm/radio clock that is the source of the music. A hand reaches out and smacks it down, this stops the music. The room is dark, only a portion of light is reaching the room via blinds. A man (whose face you do not show during this opening scene) sits on the end of his bed rubbing his face. A narration begins:

Detective LB:  “Todays gonna be a helluva day, Head guy Phillip J House has made sure of that, he’s been busting my balls about this for a while now, he’s got it out for me I swear. See he’s got me inspectin’ some kind of college for a Maroni Falcone, see you wanna hear a funny story? 3 murders, one of them a cop and over 15 assaults and this guy is hiding in a school would’ya imagine? Me personally *pause* I think it’s a load of crap but like I said; House may be an ass, but it’s rare he’s wrong. and so that’s where I come in, me, Detective Lance Bullock, I gots to find this guy, if there even is a guy and take him out. Easier said than done when hiding in a hoity-toity school, and better yet, word is that his men already know that we’re catching up and planning this little undercover shindig, if Maroni really is there, he’s good, but I’m better”

*Throughout this scene there are different cuts of the detective. One stumbling to the blinds and peeking out, doing his top buttons up, lighting a cigarette with a match (shisha pens and vapour) and a shot of the smoke blowing out, and finally a shot of him doing his tie up and walking out of shot, this shot should be when he says “But I’m better”

Scene 2 – TS, PS and BS Intro ET:

EXT: The shot then cuts to an EST shot of the school,

INT: OTS shot of Bobby walking down the main halls, past the stairs, then a mid-shot of him walking towards the camera (David Fincher style) with the camera on a dolly, he fixes up his tie. He pauses as he hears loud noises he looks around the corner and the camera does the same. Tony has Paddy Statham up the wall and Bobby is watching in intrigue

Lisa: Please baby I didn’t mean anything by it!

Tony:  Just get the hell out of my face

Lisa runs off upset past Bobby, Bobby mumbles: “Mrs Statham”

Tony spots Bobby and Smiles. He’s wearing a different type of Tie to Tony.

Tony: Bobby my boy!

Bobby: Uncle Maroni!

Tony Slaps Bobby

Tony: Keep your god damn voice low, it’s Tony here, and will be till I can secure a way out to Mexico, none of this Maroni business, you get me?

Bobby: Yeah sure uncle…Tony

Tony: Good any questions?

Bobby: What was that about just?

Tony: Don’t you worry your pretty little mug about that said whilst gently slapping his face walk with me boy.

They walk down the corridor, the detective walks past the shot casually but the audience don’t know it’s him as you never see his face in the first shot

Tony and Bobby walk down the corridor dolly camera again.

Tony: Reece, you’re new, you’re my nephew but you’re not special, I don’t care if you’re my son, you don’t cross family understood?

Bobby: Understood boss

Tony: I like you already.

The shot cuts to a low angle shot looking up at the detective on the balcony looking ragged and smirks.

End

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November feedback

An intriguing twist in your script shows a good sense for the narrative and promise of an intrigiung opening sequence with a clear hook. Your analysis of codes and conventions is thprough amd inked to the Maltese Falcon showing good understanding. I think you mean sidekick.

In your evaluation and your pitch to me you will need to explain how characters are represented and how the story will develop.

You are working at level 2/3for research and planning  

To reach level you must;

Storyboard

Analyse another opening sequence perhaps from a film noir.  

Film footage

Edit, considering sound and titles to add meaning and atmosphere

 Manage your time effectively

Evaluate your preliminary task