Research : Film Openings - Institutional

Creed (Cooler,2015)

What did the opening minutes of Creed establish:

-Initially we are shown a young boy who talks directly to us as he looks deep into the camera. 'What's his name' is what we first hear this implies this is part of the story. This boy happens to be a younger version of the main character which helps sets the tone of film.

-20 seconds in, using big bold white letters it shows 'Creed' it is damaged and worn out. Just like the main character. The title instead of fading out gets larger and comes towards the audience.

-After this we are shown the main character wrapping black tape around his hands. From his costume we can infer what genre/tone this film is as he is dressed as a Boxer.

-Quickly after this iconic scene in the same font as the title we are told the director of the movie and other credentials are shown

-A moving still image of the main character in a big scene of the film is shown with the title of the film around his waist. We quickly are given some meaning of the meaning of the title. 

-More moving still images of the main character can be seen but this time with other important characters in the film. Such as Sylvester Stallone. With every moving still image there is another credit such as the executive producers.

-The music used is well thought of. It happens to be upbeat however the soundtrack used is not recognisable. 

-At 1.40 another important character to the story is shown. An image which suggests there is some romance within the film. At this part the music soundtrack then changes and her singing comes to sound.

-More credentials are shown followed by moving still images. Then at 2.20 the title is shown again. This is the second time it is shown in the opening movie but instead of being broken like it was the first time, it is bigger and bolder.

I, Robot (Alex Proyas, 2004)

What did the opening minutes of I, Robot establish:

-Straight away us the audience, is shown the distributor of the film. Twentieth Century Fox.

-Like most movies this opening uses a mirage of still images however still has an moving aspect to it. Using these images we are shown the credits that belong to the film.

-An aspect that stands out to me, is the use of colour in this opening. Looking at mise-en-scene the lighting used is very dark and dull. The audience can infer that this is a horror or sic-fi movie.

-25 seconds into the film we are shown in big bold letters the title of the film ' I, Robot'. The letters than dissolve into bubbles towards the audience.

-At 38 seconds a narrative side to the film is then shown. Laws talking about robots that relate to the film infers to the audience that there could be a plot twist in the movie as laws have been set in place to prevent harm from robots. For the audience it builds up suspense and a sense of mystery.

-One minute into the opening we are shown a young girl in stress violently slamming on a car window which unfortunately happens to be trapped under water. To the audience it reveals a part that has great meaning within the film but also refers to the main character as he is someone who is trapped in his situation.

-1.20 we are brought into another car underwater, all in first person view. This makes the audience feel as if they are in the car and experiencing the same things as the main character. Quickly after this the audience is then shown the first robot and in this situation is saving us, by pulling us out of the drowning car.

-Finally, we are shown the main character of the film which is a recognisable actor Will Smith. Using a aerial camera angle close up a black out is faded in which implies the scene of the underwater car is a flashback of a scene from the past.

Bad Santa 2

Director:

Mark Waters

Actors:

Billy Bob Thornton, Kathy Bates, Tony Cox

Story line:

Fuelled by cheap whiskey, greed and hatred, Willie teams up once again with his angry little sidekick, Marcus, to knock off a Chicago charity on Christmas eve.  

Genre:

Comedy, crime and drama.

Release date in the UK: 

November 23rd 2016.

Budget:

26 million dollars.

Age Certificate:

15

My One Minute Movie:

Pre-Production:

- Drawing of Storyboard-Planning 
- What is going to happen
- Use of Props 
- Watch and Bag
- Equipment
- Camera and Tripod

What Went Well (WWW)

Very quickly I was able to think of an amazing storyline and together as a group we all came up with ideas that contributed to our idea of the plot of our one minute film. We also came across a problem in our setting of the short film in which we re-acted to quickly to and overcame our problem well as a team.

Even Better If (EBI) 

If we had a second idea as the story to our one minute film could of had been better with the right time and discussion. 

What I have learnt 

Team work is essential when doing group tasks like making a one minute film therefore every person should participate and help contribute to the group when making decisions.

Production:

- Hand Held Camera
- Stunts
- Camera Angles
- Close ups
- Zoom in

What Went Well (WWW)

Filming was easy and the scenes were able to be filmed quickly thanks to the effort put in the production team.

Even Better If (EBI)

Many different camera angles and if we were given more time to film for a better quality one minute movie. Another EBI is if we ensured it was acceptable for one of the actors to perform a stunt without a health and safety check or supervision of an adult.

What I have learnt 

I learnt that using different camera angles gives a different experience for the viewer. 

Post-Production:

- Special effects

- Trimming

- Sound effects

- Transitions

- Credits 

- Background music

What Went Well (WWW) 

The editing of the one minute movie went exceptionally well thanks to my experienced colleagues. The background music we chose really suited the visual footage.

Even Better If (EBI) 

If we managed to synchronise the background music to the perfect points in the scene.

What I have learnt 

I learnt to improve my skills in editing and I also came to realise that post production is a very important part in the production of films.

Spectre (2015, Sam Mendes)

Spectre Official Trailer: 

Conventions

• The trailer only highlight the 'best bits' of the film in fast rapid frames or fast visual images. This is effective as we only see just a glimpse which makes us want to see more

• Conversation between characters is shown to be very little and are often one-liners.

• Various dramatic camera angles to establish the character and scene.

• The upbeat and dramatic music plays a crucial role and helps tremendously in creating the atmosphere.

• Title of movie does not appear until the end.

• Trailer builds up a climax, where it ends and leaves us almost at a 'cliffhanger' 

My Response

The target audience of this film is the fans of the James Bond Film series. It is for anybody as the age certificate is PG. 

The Hunger Games Mockingjay - Part 1 (2014, Francis Lawrence)

The Hunger Games Games Mockingjay Trailer: 

Conventions

. It begins with showing the title 'Lionsgate' in flashes.

. There is not a great contrast of colours, the scenes are shown as dark and sections of scenes are put together in fast images to dramatic music.

. Exhilarating action scenes are shown with shooting of weapons with the technical use of CGI to provide realistic explosions.

. Scenes of characters talking are often one liners which creates a dramatic effect.

. Towards the end of trailer shown in big bold letters is the release date 'November 21'. This is effective as it reminds the audience of the release date which creates excitement and attracts a larger audience. In the background of this is the 'Hunger Games Whistle' which plays a significant part within the movie.

My opinion

I think the target audience of this movie is for anybody aged 12 onwards that is interested in fantasy science films. The distributor has targeted the audience through the main character being a teenager. My personal response to the trailer is that it makes me want to watch the movie.

               Case Study : Suffragette (Sarah Gavron, 2015)

Suffragette trailer:

Conventions

- From the beginning of the trailer we are shown the four main distributors of the film. 20th Century Fox, Film 4, BFI Films and Pathe productions.

- The film is a Drama based on early 20th-century Britain and the growing suffragette movement.

 - The very first scene is with a lady vandalising a window with a brick with loud music to make it intense and to induce the viewer.

- Then is followed by a blank white screen showing to us clearly ' Inspired by' with intention to try and sell the film to the audience. It also shows the film is directed by a experienced director which encourages the audience to watch the film.

- There is a limited amount of seconds from lots of scenes that are shown so that the audience is not shown too much and not too little.

Target Audience

I think the target audience of this film is for anybody who is interested in the history of Women in Britain.

                                    Case study : Sixteen (Rob Brown, 2013)

Sixteen trailer:

Conventions

- The film was nominated for best British newcomer in 2013 at the BFI awards.

- At the beginning of the trailer we're presented with the character Jumah who unfortunately witnesses the stabbing of an elderly man in a underpass.

- It includes the high lights of the film in fast visual images and conversation is seen to be very little and is often one-liners. They do this to induce the audience into watching the film all without revealing too much of the film.

- Music plays a crucial role in this trailer as it creates a atmosphere when watching the trailer.

Welcome to my blog

Who Am I ?

I am Kyle Stoneley. 

On the set in 2011 filming Skyfall.

Me again.