Locations

The document below hows , what locations we plan to film in . The majority of the filming that plan to do we be indoors . However there is a scene in the opening title sequence where we plan to film in a park .This is park is very local to the destination  of the indoor set, therefore it is not too far for the film crew to travel to .

Genre Conventions Opening Sequences

I have investigated film four film opening sequences Black Swan and  Final Destination . I also investigated a media student's work , the film is called Daylight Macabre.

 Final Destination 

At the beginning of Final Destination  there is use of extreme close up . This is effective as  we are able to see the fear in the persons face . There is use of  jump cuts , this  helps to keep the audience interested and  into suspense about what is going to happen next.  There is use of non-digetic sound, there is bass this completes what is happening on the screen. The title sequence of Final Destination , has use of Jump Cuts , this allows more scenes to be placed into the trailer .  This is useful to the audience as they are able to understand what could potentially happen in the film.

Black Swan

Black Swan  has use of many shots , this is very appealing to the eye . In the opening sequences mid-shots is a very frequent, it is very effective as it allows the audience to see everything in the scene . There is use of  dissolving text, this keeps the audience interested as to what is happening.  Black Swan has extreme close ups this allows the audience to understand what emotions may be going through the characters mind. The audience is able to become more attached to the character , as they may be able to relate to what they are going through . Slow movement is apparent through the opening sequence, this makes the audience interested.

 Daylight Macabre

In the title sequence there is camera movement , called panning;  the camera shows everything in the scene , by having a circular movement. This is effective as it allows the audience to see everything happen in the scene . Another type of camera movement used in the title sequence is the dolly trolly ; the camera is moved electronically. This is  more appealing to the eye as everything looks smooth on the mise en secne. The colour of the text is red , this is normally associated with death and ti is used throughout the film making it consistent .

Shot List

In the document below , i have devised a table showing what types of shots director needs to do in each scene. There is also a column within the table that tells the director what props should be used within the shot number .

Prop List

Proplist Example Finished

Case Study

Case Study Quentin Tarantino

The director that I have selected to complete my case study is Quentin Taranito.  He was born in the year of 1963 in America, Tennessee .Not only is he a director, he stares in the films and he writes the films that he directs. The first film he directed was called 1992 and ever since he has become a renowned director. One of the most famous films that he has produced is the Kill Bill sequel.   For the purpose of the case study I will analyze theses 4 film: Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill Volume 2, Death Proof and Inglorious Basterds.

Pulp Fiction 

Pulp Fiction is a film hit the screens in 1994 and stares John Travolta, Samuel L Jackson , Bruce Willis and Uma Thurman. The film contains a variety of mid – shots this enables the audience to see what the actors doing clearly. Within the first scene of the title sequence the audience see a extreme close up of Samuel L Jackson , this shows his an emotion and expression .This is a effective because through the use of this camera shot , the audience can see he is angry and tempered therefore we can predict that something may happen next. In the title sequence of Pulp fiction there is use of fast temp music, this helps to create excitement about the film; the music was also current at the time  therefore it was relatable to the audience . The text has use of  bright colours this attracts the audience to, the same colours are used throughout the title sequence .There is use of short clips , this helps to keep the audience interested as to what  is going to happen . Within the title sequence there is use of violence.  I can infer as there is evidence of an extreme close up . This may suggest that he may be out to kill someone.

Kill Bill Vol.2

In Kill Bill Volume 2  the main actress is Uma Thurman , at the beginning of the title sequence there is use of low angles shots , showing peoples  feet . This is effective as it creates a mystery of who that person is. There is use of a two shot of people this allows the audience to see what the characters look like. In the title sequence of Kill Bill vol .2 there is a narrator , this allows the audience to understand what has happened in the previous films .There is use on non-digetic sound, the music sounds like the wind in the desert this may suggest, that it is set in the desert.  There is a variation is sound , as different scenes have different music depending on what is happening in the scene .There are variety of colours shown on the mise en scene , all of the colours complement each other ,as there is a variety of choice on the screen . 

Death Proof

Death Proof was released in 2007 and it stares Kurt Russell and Zoe Bell; when it was released it was a very popular film in the cinema. In the first scene there was an extreme close up of a lady bum, this may suggest that the film is sexual. Moreover it also creates a mystery as to who the lady is in the revealing clothes is. This is continuously evident in the film as women are desert more seductively.  In the film Kurt Russell is perceived to be as an ladies man . The lady actor in the film appears to be a driver, I can infer as in the film he seems to be racing. The writing in the film plays great significance, as it contains information. There is use of non-digetic sound, the music has a fast tempo; there is a variety of scenes where there is a lot actions this compliments the music. Overall the trailer is very short and it does not give anything away about what could potentially happen within the film ; this is effective as it makes the audience want to watch it more .

Inglorious Bastards

Inglorious Bastards is a film that is based in World War 2; the main cast within the film is Brad Pitt , Diane and Eli Roth . This film included many a list stares this was an interesting film and many people came to view it. At the beginning of the film the was a n extreme close-up of a paper; this may suggest that the film is  set in foreign country . In the trailer of Inglorious Bastards, there are dead bodies on the floor; this may suggest that the film is violent. In the titles it says Nazis this tells the audience that this is Germany.  The film was very successful as the movie won an Oscar.

There is a common theme in Quentin Tarantino, the use of font is the same in all of title sequences . In his films he also uses many high profile characters,  this makes his films very successful as this will encourage people to watch it .  Quentin Tarantino also includes humor into his films .

Transcript

I have produced a transcript  and I have asked questions about Thriller opening sequence . 

The keys 

Me = M

Lisa= L

Gemma= G

M= Hey girls

G= Hiyah

L= Hey

M=  I am going to be asking you guys a few questions about Thriller opening sequences and I will be then producing your answers into a transcript . Do you watch Thriller opening sequences often ?

L=  I do not watch many of  those types of films because I find them boring . There are normally not many young actors in those types of films , so I would not go and watch it.

G= Ohh , I do love these types of films because suspense and the mysteries that happen in the films . I find it AMAZING !!

M= Ohh there is a real difference in opinions here ,  does sound play an important part in a film ?

L=   PAUSE To be honest I think it doesn't because I focus more on the screen than the sound.

G=  I will have to disagree with you because the sound can help create more excitement , with what you can view on the screen . It also allows me to see if this film is going to be of interest to me , if the music is current .

M = Can you think of any of your most important Thriller films ?

L=  I would have to say 28 days Later , that was such an great film

G= Mine errrm, there is so many to choose from , it would have to be Black swan . I love the story line and the editing of the film . It is such an well composed film .

M =Do you like to watch the opening sequences before you watch the film ?

L = I don't because  I think that it gives away to much of the story line especially in the title sequences that are produced today.

G= They are important because it allows me to see what the film is about . If I don't like the film then I am not, going to waste money to watch it in the cinema

Do you think that there are many thriller opening sequence available for people to view ?

L= I don't think that there are enough of thriller title sequences on television  . There are more action films that are shown on television

G= To be honest before I go to watch a thriller film I normally watch it on line because that is where I find it most accessible

M= thank-you for your time you have been such an amazing help

L= Thats Kool

G= Anytime hunny

Analysis 


From the transcript i have learnt that teenagers  do not like to watch  thriller opening sequence, therefore it is important to make it interesting , so that teenagers will watch it . Sound is another important element , that  needs o be included within the sequence , as it helps to great a unique atmosphere and tension . Also when creating the title sequence the feedback, that i received is, to not give to much of the story line away . As some people do not want to know what happens in the film, when they watch it in the cinema.Another piece of information gained is to make the title sequence available on line, so that it is more accessible to a wide range of audiences .

Research - General Questionnaire

I devised a general questionnaire to find out what people enjoy about films .

 

General Questionnaire

Here is a questionnaire about thriller opening sequence; please can you be as honest as possible.

1.       What is your favourite film and why?

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­

2.       What type of setting do you prefer in films ? Circle your answer

Yes                                                       NO

3.       When you have finished watching a film, can you predict what can happen in next film ?

Yes                                                       NO

4.       How often do you watch a film in a month? circle your answer

1                 2                     3                           3  +

5.       Is movement of the camera important to you? Circle your answer

Yes                                                       NO

6.       Who is your most favourite actor or actress and why ?

­­

7.       Is current music important in films? circle your answer

Yes                                                       NO

8.       In opening sequence of a thriller do you like the use of fast cuts between shots ? circle your answer

Yes                                                       NO

9.        Do you like the British accents within  a film ? circle your answer

Yes                                                       NO

10.   Do you like to watch scary films? circle your answer

Yes                                                       No

Thank-you for completing your survey

Questionnaire

I have designed a questionnaire to find out what people are most interested to view in a opening sequence of an  thriller . This helped to gain some important ideas ,that I can implement into  the title sequence

Specific Questionnaire 

Here is a questionnaire about thriller opening sequence, please can you be as honest as possible.

1.     What is your favourite thriller classic and why?

2. Do you think that using a dark setting in a thriller opening sequence is effective? Circle your answer

Yes                                          NO 

3. When you have finished watching a open thriller sequence, can you predict the film is about ?

Yes                                          NO 

4. How long do you like an opening sequence to? circle your answer

1 min                     2 min                             3 min                             3min + 

5. Is the appearance of characters important in thriller opening sequence? Circle your answer

Yes                                          NO 

6. In a opening sequence of a thriller, what was your most favourite feature and why ?

7. Does sound play an important part in a thriller opening sequence ? circle your answer

Yes                                          NO 

8. In opening sequence of a thriller do you like the use of fast cuts between shots ? circle your answer

Yes                                          NO 

9. Do you like the sound of dialogue in a thriller opening sequence? circle your answer

Yes                                          NO 

10. Do your scare easily from an opening thriller sequence ? circle your answer

Yes                                          No 

Thank-you for completing your survey

More research

The website informed me how traditional thriller films were created . From the information I gained some knowledge about important films that were produced first when Thriller genre was introduced .