This is an establishing shot I took, an establishing shot sets up, or establishes the setting for a scene by showing the relationship between its important objects and settings. Its normally a long or an extremely long shot at the beginning of a scene.
This is a shot reverse shot is when one character is shown looking at another character, and then the other character is shown looking back at the first character. Since the characters are shown facing in opposite directions, the viewer assumes that they are looking at each other.
This photograph establishes the 180 degree rule where by the camera is always situated on one side of two characters so the audience can establish the position of each character. The diagram bellow shows that if the camera were to swap sides then the characters positions would no longer make sense as the character on the left would suddenly jump to being on the right of the screen.
These two shots show eye line match. This is really important as it establishes who each person is looking at and orientates the viewer.
In groups than no more of four.
Continuality task involves filming and editing a character opening a door, crossing a room and sitting down in a chair opposite another: character with whom he/she exchanges a couple of lines of dialogue. This task must demonstrate:
Match on action
Shot/Reverse shot
180 degrees rule
In our preliminary task we decided to agree on breaking the 180 degree rule. This was because we wanted to see the effects it would have when breaking it, so we could understand the relevance of the rule and also to potentially see if this effect would be useful in our opening sequence.
Although this didn't work well because it broke the seamless flow of the edits but was a useful exercise to learn. The 180 degree rule applies to the angle which the camera is shot, shot reverse shot require the 180 degree rule which involves using one side of the couple and filming on just that side. This prevents jump cuts, this can vaguely be seen at the end of the task when we would apply the 180 degree rule.
At the BFI, the British Film Institution. Pete Fraser gave us a presentation about opening sequences and what we should do and include in order to have a good opening sequence with top grades. He showed us 4 opening sequences grading from e-a* which we had to decide what grade it deserved in terms of genre, narrative, structure, atmosphere and character. Pete Fraser then spoke us through what they did wrong and how they could of improved their opening sequences. We identified that most sequences he showed us looked more like a trailer because they got ride of the enigma by showing their whole story in their opening sequence. From this I learnt that there should be a narrative enigma to ask questions to the audience through the opening sequence to make them want to watch the whole film.
From this presentation I learnt a lot and helped me to decide which 5 aspects are most important in an opening sequence, those being Genre, Narrative, Structure, Atmosphere and Character. Pete recommended atmosphere. 50% of opening sequences are about sound so its important that the sound is relevant to the opening sequence and film. We can create our own sound effects by using Foley. The 4 opening sequences that Pete showed us lacked in titles, or all the opening titles were shown at the start. So I learnt to make sure the titles appear merged with the imagery and not just at the beginning of the sequence. Its also interesting to have a mixture of actors from all ages, like famous films have not just including people of my age. I must also remember that opening sequences only last for 2 minutes so not to have an opening sequence running for too long or too short.
Thriller films use different editing techniques depending on what is happening in the scene of the film.
Hard cuts
This edits is regularly used in thriller films because a lot of action may be happening in the film so a hard cut is when the scene changed quickly to the next without any other edit happening in-between.
Slow Pace Editing
This edit might be seen in a thriller film when an argument is occurring or when the film is getting emotional or scary. This is because the scenes change slowly so the audience can get a good look, and feel of what's happening in the film and possibly the surroundings of the characters.
Wipe
Wipe cuts are when one shot is replaced by another, this is done by travelling from one side of the frame to another. Similar to hard cuts this edit is used when something fast or action packed is happening.
Fade
A fade is when the scene gradually fades and disappears into the next scene.
Dissolve
Dissolve is when there is a gradual dissolvent of one scene to the next, the tend to fade out then fade back in again and are used to describe a transition to and from a blank image.
Fast Edit
Fast cuts don't last any longer than 3 seconds. They show several brief shots of what's happening in the film. It can be used to convey information quickly, or to show there is a lot of chaos in the film. Fast editing is regularly used when two people are talking or arguing so that the audience can see both characters facial expressions and movements.
In the opening sequence of the film Se7en thriller is represented through camera and editing, mise en scene and sound.
The opening sequence uses fast edits which portrays the film as a thriller because its fast and shows that action is going on within the film. The jump cuts also show tension that something different is going to happen next and gives us a quick preview of what happens in the film.
A title sequence is the method that television programmes or films use to introduce and present their title. This includes the key production and cast members or both included in the film or programme. The history of title sequences
Title cards were used in silent films before cinematograph was invented. The silent cards were presented in order so the audience would be able to identify the film and the production company that was used. The silent cards were also used at the start and finish of the film, so that the audience also knew when the film started and when the film finished.
Years later, sound was introduced and title sequences were accompanied by a musical prelude. The use of music became very popular and was used for many of years until the advent of television studios had to invest into developing cinemas so they can gain a wider and bigger audience.
Cinema's title sequences grew longer, graphic designs also influenced cinemas title sequences in the 1960's. Such as Sual Bass, the graphic designs created interesting strong led sequences for many different shows.
Then in the 21st century, filmmakers were open to many options to make their title sequences. Some films superimpose opening credits over the opening scenes. Whilst on the other hand others elect to do away with titles by including title sequences at the end of movies.
Film opening sequences
Credits often appeared to be against a background of something moving, for example clouds. This is seen in the film 'Wizard of Oz', 'Oliver twist' and 'David Lean'. Some opening credits form from water falling into a fountain. These types of backgrounds were chosen to attract the audience and grab their attention to want to watch the rest of the film. Also because its shown at the start of the film they have to give a good impression.
Ben Hurr in 1959 put his opening credits against a background of the 'Creation of man'. As the years went on, credits changed and progressed. This trend was very common until the late 1950s.
This is a clip from YouTube of Saul Bass's title sequence, he was a fantastic graphic designer of the 20th century. Television sequences
Generally television title sequences show a point badge with a stereotypical logo. Short shots are then included to highlight earlier episodes or shows and key presenters' or cast members' names. So that new audiences know what's happening in the programme, and the regular watchers get to refresh their memory before watching the next epoxide. Music may also be included by either an instrument or a song, also to engage the audience to remember the programmes popular theme song. An example of a well none theme song before a television programme would be seen on the Simpsons. An image may also help to convey the tone and mood that the programme tries to portray.
In class I learnt that a log line is a two line description of the film, which attempts to in tread the audience to watch the film. Examples of loglines are:
'Faced with an unplanned pregnancy, an offbeat young woman makes an unusual decision regarding her unborn child.' - This log line is from the film juno where an issue occurs about a teenage girl getting pregnant making decisions if she is going to keep her baby.
A log line always poses a question in the audiences mind to help hook them into watching the film.
