Titles and opening sequence in the film Seven

Mise-en-scene

The opening sequence does not include long shots of the setting, you would assume that the things taking place are happening in somebody's home or an office, as the props are what you would often find in these locations. However it isn't show which can build tension for the audience. 

Props

The props in the opening scene could be associated with detective or police work, these include; pens, paper, photos, books, and files. It appears, at first site, that someone is cutting pictures and information to include in a file. All of the props are shown very close up therefore take up most of the frame, this creates suspense as the audience don't know who is creating the file. 

Lighting and Editing

All of the shots are in low/dark lighting, this connotes danger and that the film will be quite serious. The shots are indoors with low lighting which creates a suspicious scene.  The opening is in montage format, lots of different clips put together. It isn't in chronological order which gives the impression that the character is doing many different things. 

The transitions of the opening sequence vary, some are straight cuts, some are cross overs and some fade to black. The fading gives the effect of the clips being linked together and creates a eerie feel. The clips which fade to black reflects the darkness of the whole film. 

Most of the shots are fairly short, however some are edited in to slow motion to slow the pace, the music is also quite slow, particularly at the beginning.The slow motion also creates a sombre tone and allows the audience to see properly whats going on, in the scene on screen. As the sequence builds up it gets faster towards the end, it creates tension for the audience and shows it will be tense to watch. 

Camera

As all of the shots are close up objects, there are many shallow focuses, for example; the books, pen, and photos. These allow the audience to focus on whats happening in the film, it also distracts them from looking at the person and seeing who it is that is moving the objects. 

The sequence consists of close-ups and close-ups only, the identity of the person and their location remains unknown as it isn't relevant in the opening in order to create tension. Therefore no long shots or mid shots are used. 

During the opening sequence most of the camera shots are still, there isn't much panning or other types of movement shots. All of the shots focus on one main object, and it remains in the centre of the shot.

Titles

The titles appear in a font which resembles handwriting, this fits in with the idea that someone is creating a file or investigation, as well as some of the props shown. The titles appear in white which makes them clear and stand out from the dark, low lighted background. 

Preliminary task

Slide Set created by Jemma Ward with GoConqr

mise - en - scene

Mise-en-scene

In the opening sequence of Edward Scissorhands, setting plays an important role in establishing the contrast between the boring suburbs and the Edward’s castle on the hill. The wide angle shots of all the houses as Peg walks around demonstrates a boring suburban neighborhood, where everything look more or less the same. This is reached by the choice of pastel colours on each houses and the bright colours. The bland and boring colours of the residents clothes does not allow any individuality between the them, so that when Edward’s house is shown way up on the hill, the dark contrast between the village houses and his home will symbolise a great difference between the characters of the residents and Edward.

Edward’s castle being up on the hill portrays his individuality, his home is larger and darker than the neighbours. The fact that it is up on the hill portrays a threatening tone with all the dark colours and the large contrast between the neighbours ‘happy’ village and the dark ‘gloomy’ castle. The village looks like it’s a nice sunny day but when you see where Edward lives it is the complete opposite, its dark and looks like a completely different day, a winters evening.

While the his castle seems to have many characteristics an audience would expect an antagonist in a horror film to have such as, the black walls and the dark rooms and the other residents have the ‘perfect American home’ the film presents the question, which one is the nightmare?

When you see Edward, makeup and wardrobe plays a fundamental role to portray his character. His hair, white face, tight leather-like attire not to forget his Scissorhands is an outward interpretation of a disturbed character.   

The costume and make-up in “Edward Scissorhands” is used generate feeling and emotions in the audience. There are stark differences in what Edward wears and looks like and what the humans wear and look like. I think that the costumes are supposed to guide the audience in to thinking what kind of characters the people will turn out to be. I think we are supposed to judge the characters by                                                                                                     their look, at first.

pre 1980's character analysis

Pre 1980's Character analysis 

 In the opening scene of Rebel without a cause, it starts in a police station, Jim stumbled in drunk and wasted. We can hear non-diegetic sound transferred into diegetic sound which I believe the director has used this to give the audience a link to the scene.

Judy then enters upset, possibly about an ex-boyfriend, ‘’He called me a dirty tramp’’.  She is also wearing read head to toe, to signify that she falls in love easily, she’s is a happy person.

From a distance we can see Plato through a medium shot, from his body language we can tell that Plato doesn’t understand his actions, this suggests that he is young and naive. His parents aren’t caring as Plato talked about his mum leaving him on his birthday and he doesn’t really get to see his dad.

Earlier in the scene Jim offered his blazer to Plato observing that Plato is cold and needs warmth, this resemble that teenagers understand each other even if they don’t particularly know the person they can get grasp understanding by small gesture. Jim’s parents seem quite strict and not pleased with the current situation their son is in, in the 1950's drinking was seen as very rebellious as smoking. His parents are constantly bickering, ‘’ don’t I buy you everything you want’’, his parents said. This suggests violence. Jim and his parents clearly have miscommunication, disagreeing with almost everything.  You can tell that Jim doesn’t like his father when he says, ’I don’t ever want to be like him’’.

Throughout the opening scene non- diegetic sound is used after he punches the table to relate to his mood, very fast paced but dark tone music suggesting his emotions are rushing seeing as he is drunk. When you’re drunk you often have mood switches because your body is trying to digest all the not useful liquid you have drank.

Jim stark is the new boy in town, and you can see from his costume that he is trying to perceive this mysterious high school bad boy.

Jim does not have the sense of security that a child in a functional family would have. As an example of his family not addressing serious issues, they move from town to town leaving at the first hint of difficulty and not allowing for healthy problem solving. This is why he is off the rails a little bit, you can tell that he’s trying to portray a ‘bad boy’ image as he has his collar raised, this shows his rebellion. He is rebelling against his parents because they don’t take enough care and thoughts of him.

Shutter island

Shutter Island 

The film opening is to hook the viewer immediately, if the opening of a film is catching then the viewer won’t want to watch and engage with the film. When the titles are running you see the company logo, paramount pictures, the logo is usually based to the style of the movie, in this case a thriller, therefore it was dark and gloomy. The celebrity enforcement for the film is what makes most viewers want to go and see a certain film, Leonardo DeCaprio is the celebrity enforcement in Shutter Island. The film starts with a car driving up to a set of gates, the gates show uncertainty and security. It starts off very dark and gloomy, there are shadows in the low light which suggests someone creeping around. The camera changes viewpoint quite a lot in the opening which suggests someone is moving around and creates mystery due to the low light and shadows. There is rain in the start of the film, then there’s snow which tells you that it’s filmed over a long period of time. Whilst the titles are still running a gun is shown, this suggests danger. The title for the film then appears in red which is a connotation for danger, all danger signs and blood are red which makes you link the film to danger and people may be hurt.

 You first see a location and date (Boston harbour, 1954), the opening scene begins with a wide shot of the boat appearing through the mist, this creates a sense of mystery as all you can see is thick fog and then a boat appearing. This start to a film is engaging and creates a feeling of anxiety and uncertainty. Although you’re given the location you aren’t immediately sure where the film is because it’s so gloomy.  This makes the audience want to see what happens next and grabs their attention. The dramatic music makes the audience associate the people and places with good or bad by the tone key of the music. It can also change the audience’s mood.

The next shot is an over the shoulder shot, The first time you see a full view of Leonardo DiCaprio's character his face shows; stress, fear, and worry, and it’s deliberate to show the characters Teddy, Leonardo DiCaprio's characters reflection. This connotes that the character has a split personality because you can see him and his reflection. This makes the audience feel uneasy as the character may be untrustworthy, even thou he is a man of authority and the audience should be able to trust. The use of a mirror is very stereotypical in a thriller film.

You usually meet the protagonist in the opening scenes of a film and in this case you met, Leonardo DeCaprio, you a protagonist is a ‘good guy’ you can tell that the part Leonardo DeCaprio is playing is a protagonist as he is seen to have a police badge. As a viewer the police badge that he wears on this left hip, shows that he has authority and isn’t a bad character.  

How the openings of films engage the audience

How the openings of films engage the audience

Film openings vary on their genre but include many of the same conventions to draw in their audiences, many popular movies help draw in their audiences using a strong opening using techniques such as enigma. The main aim of any film opening, of any genre, is to hook and encourage the audience to watch the rest of the film. Openings are usually either unclear and create mystery or they jump straight into the main film plot. The reasoning between the choices of the two relies on what genre you are watching and who the targeted audience are. For example, horror films such as insidious start of very scary and begin to scare the audience where as another film from the horror genre such as orphan starts of very happy and joyous which hooks the audience into seeing how the film develops.

Other skills are also used such as editing to create titles that appear on screen. Some openings also customise their titles to suit the genre they are aiming for such as making a horror movie title drip with blood.

Overall I believe that the most important element of a movie opening is suspense and mystery as when these two are placed together it can draw in an audience with ease. Many movies use these conventions and some of which can also be picked up on in the first couple of seconds into the film.

Lighting is used in the opening scenes to hook the audience and make them engage with the film, in the film Jurassic park the lighting is used for the opening scene, it was very dark and gloomy to create a scary, and tense atmosphere. As the audience wonders what’s rustling in the trees. However, it instantly brightens up dramatically to focus on the box as the audience wonders what’s in it. The audience’s attention instantly concentrates on this as the lighting makes it, the lighting can catch your attention just like a loud bang would. The tense music will connect with the lighting and help create the dark gloomy effect.

The shot types help engage the audience as it helps the audience get a clear view of the scene. In Jaws there is a variety of shot types used within the opening sequence such as long, to establish the scene and so the audience can get a clear image as to where they are. It is also used when the girl is in the sea alone to show how far out she was into the sea and that she is isolated therefore it is a dangerous situation. 

A tracking shot has been used when she is running into the sea to get the scenes of action, they have used close ups when she is screaming in the ocean to emphasise her pain and emotion throughout the attack. This makes the scene a lot more intense and horrifying for the audience.

The sound that is played during the begging of a film is closely paired with the scenes, most horror movies have a slow tense music playing to engage the audience and have them in fear from the begging. Whereas romantic comedies have music that makes you ‘feel good’ and you engage because you want to watch the story unfold, this music is planned to engage with a certain audience.

The genre of horror commonly combines both slow and fast cuts to build up and release tension. Slow paced shots are used to distress the audience but also to convince them into carry on watching. Low angled shots are used to create fear as this shows to the audience the characters fear and intimidation. The sound alongside a scene is chosen wisely to closely match the events of the scene.

Romantic comedies is a genre that uses sound to convey an emotion. Slow paced shots and cuts are used to allow the audience to understand the emotions of certain characters as romantic comedies are usually based upon two main characters. The editor is responsible for controlling the actor and actresses performance as they are able to choose the most realistic and believable shots taken.

The credits in the opening of a film can engage the ready due to celebrity endorsements, Leonardo DiCaprio in the film ‘Shutter Island’ is a reason why some people may engage in with the film more as it is a favourite actor or you know that the films he stars in are usually good films. 

Researching the BBFC

Researching the BBFC

The British board of film classification (BBFC) is the regulator of film and video in the UK, they provide the film ratings such as; U, PG, 12A, etc. Anyone wanting to release a film at the cinema in the UK needs to make sure the film has a BBFC age rating. This is also true for most videos or DVD'S you watch at home. Films you watch online don't need an age rating by law, but many online video platforms like to make sure their online films and videos have BBFC age ratings.

Step one
When a film is finished and ready to be viewed the distributer will send it to the BBFC with an online form, the form will include information like when the film is due to be released and what rating the distributer would like the film to be rated.

Step two
The company then has to pay the BBFC to rate their film, they pay per minute, plus a small sum of money for the company costs. The average cost to rate a film is £800. Years ago he cost used to be measured by the length of the reel per foot.

Step three 
The film is then checked to make sure it is finished and in a good enough quality for the examiners to watch it, they check for glitches and technical problem.

Step four
Each year hundreds of films are sent off to the BBFC to be rated. The film will usually be watched by two examiners in the company’s own cinema underneath the office in London.

Step five
Examiners must carefully note down the film title as this is shown on the black card which you see in cinemas, therefore there mustn’t be any spelling mistakes. They then make note of all the issues that they see in the film. Then they state what the rating is and the BBFCinsight of the film, this is what you and/or your parents read to understand why it has this rating. Age ratings

Universal –
Different children are upset by different things, so it is sometimes difficult to say what might upset a particular child. However, U films should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over. If there is any violence, threat or horror in a U film, it should be over quickly and the film should tell children that everything will turn out okay.

Films and DVDs for children should make clear to them the difference between right and wrong. Films and DVDs in this rating should be about subjects which are generally suitable for younger audiences. At the most there may be occasional very mild bad language.

There can be occasional glimpses of people who have no clothes on, as long as they are not linked to romantic activities. Only mild references (e.g. to 'making love') and mild behaviour (e.g. kissing) are allowed in this rating. There also shouldn’t be a lot of violence or dangerous behaviour that can be easily copied by young children.

Parental guidance – 
Children of any age may watch a PG rated film or DVD, with or without an adult. A PG film should not worry a child aged eight or older so BBFC Examiners are thinking of eight year olds when they decide about the rating and how strong the issues are.

Films and DVDs may be about more grown up topics such as crime, racism, bullying or violence in the home. There must be nothing which suggests these are good things. They may also be mild bad language.

There can be no language or behaviour shown that would offend a person’s religion, colour, gender, sexuality or disability, unless the film or DVD teaches it to be wrong or is presented within a film that is educational or showing historical scenes.

12A and 12 –
The 12A rating is only used for films shown in cinemas. Films rated 12A are suitable for children aged 12 and over. However, people younger than 12 may see a 12A so long as they are accompanied by an adult. In such circumstances, responsibility for allowing a child under 12 to view lies with the accompanying adult. Mature themes are acceptable, but their treatment must be suitable for young teenagers.

The use of strong language (eg 'f***') must be infrequent. The film or DVD as a whole must not approve of language or behaviour that would offend a person’s religion, colour, gender, sexuality or disability. Aggressive use of this type of language and behaviour is unacceptable unless it is clearly disapproved of.

15 and 18 – 
No one younger than 15 can go and see a 15 rated film in the cinema. No one younger than 15 may rent or buy a 15 rated video, DVD or download.

15 rated films, videos and downloads can contain strong material including strong swearing, strong horror and strong violence. Films, videos and downloads rated 18 are not suitable for children. No one younger than 18 can go and see an 18 rated film in the cinema. No one younger than 18 may rent or buy an 18 rated video, DVD or download.

Introduction

Hello, my name is Jemma Ward welcome to my  AS Media studies blog, during this blog I will show how my Media skills develop over time. I didn't take Media at a GCSE level there for am new to the subject, I am looking forward to learning all the terminology and understanding the subject. Also developing my skills in editing and filming.

The main objective of the course is to create a two minuet film opening, focusing around the Genre 'Thriller'. We have chosen this genre because it is my preferred  genre to watch. Thriller films are known to give the audience suspense, a high level of anticipation, anxiety, and nerve-wracking tension.

I have been placed in a group with Micheal, we both seem to like the Thriller genre which is very fortunate. I am delighted to be working with him as we are friends, this will hopefully conclude in a strong, high level piece.