This is the link to our group blog, Blue Productions
Blue Productions Group Blog
Wednesday, 4 May 2011
Evaluation
These are the links to the group blog to view our evaluation questions.
Blue Productions - Evaluation Question 1
Blue Productions - Evaluation Question 2
Blue Productions - Evaluation Question 3
Blue Productions - Evaluation Question 4
Blue Productions - Evaluation Question 5
Blue Productions - Evaluation Question 6
Blue Productions - Evaluation Question 7
Blue Productions - Evaluation Question 1
Blue Productions - Evaluation Question 2
Blue Productions - Evaluation Question 3
Blue Productions - Evaluation Question 4
Blue Productions - Evaluation Question 5
Blue Productions - Evaluation Question 6
Blue Productions - Evaluation Question 7
Sunday, 6 March 2011
Final Shotlist
Final Shotlist
We created an initial and final shot list to show the shots of our filming and how the film will run. This was also to make sure our filming would be efficient.
We used a range of long shots and close-ups with the news reporters and this enabled us to show a range of camera angles.
We used high and low angle shots to portray our characters in the sense we aimed for and the variety of shots helped to make our film more interesting.
We created an initial and final shot list to show the shots of our filming and how the film will run. This was also to make sure our filming would be efficient.
We used a range of long shots and close-ups with the news reporters and this enabled us to show a range of camera angles.
We used high and low angle shots to portray our characters in the sense we aimed for and the variety of shots helped to make our film more interesting.
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
Comparing Ideas
LOCATIONThis picture shows a snap shot from a scene in the film 'The Lovely Bones' (2009).
The location conveys the theme of mysety instantly with the blank, open field and gives the audience and eerie feel. For my film, it was decided that for it to be possible to set the mood and portay the required atmosphere needed for the chosen genre, a spooky, unknown setting for part of the opening would be needed so i compared ideas with this film as it has a similar setting to the one we are aiming for.
MONTAGE
For the montage in our opening we gained inspiration from Dawn of the Dead (2004) as it uses a similar opening effects as to what we were looking for.
This shows a build up of sound and effects which come together to create a montague with the use of news conferences. We based our ideas around this piece as we believe it is an effective opening which reflects the genre well and creates suspense and tension to fit in with relevant themes and atmospheres. We have adapted the idea by using news headlines and reportings being shown aswell along with flashing images and sudden sounds. At first we had doubts that the montage may come across too similar to the aspects of a trailer and may be portaryed as more of a trailer rather than film opening but the 'Dawn of the Dead (2004)' opening allowed us to see that it is possible to edit the piece in a way that is is viewed as an opening to a film.
EDITING & SPECIAL EFFECTS
This is a screenshot taken from the film 'The Unborn' (2009). In our film opening we have decided to use a reflection in the mirror for added tension and horror into the film. The Unborn uses a similar convention in which we have gained inspiration from in order to convey our chosen genre. The Unborn is also a psychological thriller/horror so by using a similar idea to this, we can assure that the genre and the required atmosphere will be portrayed to the audience.
However, we have decided to adapt this idea with the use of a mirror. Mirrors and refelctions are stereotypical conventions in psychological thrillers so the use of this will help to portray our genre.
Thinking about Casting
For the opening of our film, we will be introduced to 3 or 4 main characters so I looked into the type of person and their characteristics for the roles. The characters usually consist of:
-Hero/Protagonist
-AllyàOppenent
-OpponentàAlly
For Example Saoirse Ronan, who played Susie Salmon in The Lovely Bones (2009) was able to capture the part as a young girl targeted in the opening of the film (then killed) and hold the audience with her capability to produce the emotions and acting skills required for the part.
This film is a psychological thriller so it is easy to relate the sort type of actor to our film.
However, a young girl is always difficult to cast as they do not have experience in acting and would have to be able to follow instruction and direction in order to stay focused and play the part to a proffesional standard so we will have to take into strong consideration who will play this part still keeping the image of a young girl.
We will also have to take into account appearence and personality so we would carry out auditions to see who best fit the role of this character.
Another main character in our film opening is the villain, the antagonist. He is mysterious and is not seen much in the opening but as the film develops, his role becomes more major. When considering casting for this role, we looked at many male actors that normally feature in films as the villain. He also plays the main role in 'American Psycho' (2000) which shows he is a capable actor of taking on big roles which is exactly what we need for the part of the villain. The villain would need to have experience in acting like Christian Bale does as he has starred in many mainstream films. However, the appearance of the character would need to fit in with the role and this may cause problems with the type of actor available to us so we would have to consider costume and make-up in order to make sure the audience are aware of the villain. An example based on looks would be Jason Statham as he had a typical villain appearance which would be easy to adapt and had also played the part of the villain in films.
The Mother seen as the protagonist also plays a big role throughout the film as she becomes the main detective to hunt down her daughter after she is kidknapped. The rest of the film will run as she trys to find her daughter and get to the bottom of the mystery disappearances. She is a brave woman and is a scientist so knows what she is doing. Actresses such as Angelina Jolie and Megan Fox.
-Hero/Protagonist
-AllyàOppenent
-OpponentàAlly
-Villain/Antagonist
This would help us think about the type of character to play each part and would aid us when it came to casting our opening so we had high class actors that could follow direction and create the piece. Actors must fit the part and be able to portray the correct feel of the film.
One of our main characters in the opening would be a young girl.
She is vulnerable and innocent but at the same time a popular and well known girl.
We would need somone who would be able to play the role to a high standard in a serious way.
With the hauntings on the girl, this means that the character would have to be a good actor and be able to convey true emotions when acting. For Example Saoirse Ronan, who played Susie Salmon in The Lovely Bones (2009) was able to capture the part as a young girl targeted in the opening of the film (then killed) and hold the audience with her capability to produce the emotions and acting skills required for the part.
However, a young girl is always difficult to cast as they do not have experience in acting and would have to be able to follow instruction and direction in order to stay focused and play the part to a proffesional standard so we will have to take into strong consideration who will play this part still keeping the image of a young girl.
We will also have to take into account appearence and personality so we would carry out auditions to see who best fit the role of this character.
Another main character in our film opening is the villain, the antagonist. He is mysterious and is not seen much in the opening but as the film develops, his role becomes more major. When considering casting for this role, we looked at many male actors that normally feature in films as the villain. He also plays the main role in 'American Psycho' (2000) which shows he is a capable actor of taking on big roles which is exactly what we need for the part of the villain. The villain would need to have experience in acting like Christian Bale does as he has starred in many mainstream films. However, the appearance of the character would need to fit in with the role and this may cause problems with the type of actor available to us so we would have to consider costume and make-up in order to make sure the audience are aware of the villain. An example based on looks would be Jason Statham as he had a typical villain appearance which would be easy to adapt and had also played the part of the villain in films. 
The Mother seen as the protagonist also plays a big role throughout the film as she becomes the main detective to hunt down her daughter after she is kidknapped. The rest of the film will run as she trys to find her daughter and get to the bottom of the mystery disappearances. She is a brave woman and is a scientist so knows what she is doing. Actresses such as Angelina Jolie and Megan Fox.Angelina Jolie featured in Salt (2010) which came under the action/thriller genres. She played a CIA agent in this film and was part of the action so she would be a good example for the mother in our piece. She has experience in playing the part and is also a mother and wife so would also be able to give key emotions and relate to family.
She is a high class actress and furthermore, she is pretty so the Male Gaze Theory would be emphasised in this way.
Megan Fox is another with similar qualities as an actress and starred in Transformers (2007), a big hit thriller involving a lot of action in which she was part of.
We have also considered casting on the group blog looking at each characters and their characteristics such as appearance and personality.
The link below shows further casting we considered as a group for each character in our opening piece.
Blue Productions - Character Profiles/Casting
The link below shows further casting we considered as a group for each character in our opening piece.
Blue Productions - Character Profiles/Casting
Timeline of Titles
The Others (2001)
For one of the film openings from my chosen genre (psychological thriller) we were asked to write a timeline of titles for when each title appeared in the opening. This would allow us to gain an insight into when titles were introduced to the opening.
Titles Timeline
0.13-0.16 - a CRUISE/WAGNER PRODUCTIONS
SOGECINE
LAS PRODUCCIONES DEL ESCORPION
production
0.20-0.23 - Nicole KIDMAN
in
0.26-0.30 - The OTHERS
0.33-0.35 - Fionulla FLANAGAN
0.37-0.39 - Christopher ECCLESTON
0.42-0.44 - Alakina MANN
James BENTLEY
0.46-0.48 - Eric SYKES
0.50-0.52 - Elaine CASSIDY
0.54-0.57 - Keith ALLEN
Renee ASHERSON
Michelle FAIRLEY
0.58-1.02 - casting
Jina JAY
Shaheen BAIG
1.03-1.06 - costume design
Sonia GRANDE
1.08-1.10 - sound
Ricardo STEINBERG
1.11-1.13 - production design
Benjamin FERNANDEZ
1.15-1.18 - director of photography
Jaier AGUIRRESAROBE A.E.C
1.19-1.24 - executive producers
Tom CRUISE
Paula WAGNER
1.25-1.29 - executive producers
Bob WEINSTEIN
Harvey WEINSTEIN
Rick SCHWARTZ
1.30-1.34 - produced by
Fernando BOVAIRA
Jose Luis CUERDA
Sunmin PARK
1.35-1.39 - written and directed by
Alejandro AMENABAR
(End of Titling)
1.44-1.47 - Jersey, the Channel Islands
1945
(Introduction to place and time - historical)
I found that the institutional titles came first introucing production and presenting with the main actor following. This increases box office appeal as it states the main actor which viewers would have an interest in. The main title of the film (The OTHERS) was introduced near the beginning of the titles, followed by other actors (box office appeal), casting, costume design, sound, production design, director of photography, executive producers and finishing with written and directed by.
These titles then finished and we were given an idea of the time and place of the beginning of the film (Jersey, the Channel Islands, 1945), which was used to convey the setting and location to the audience.
This task has helped to give me an idea of what titles to include in the opening to my groups psychological thriller and at what time they would appear so i am able to take this into account when filming and editing the piece in order to create a strong title sequence like the one in this film.
I think that introudicng the audience to the location and time is a good idea as it gives an idea of the setting and creates the atmosphere so i will take this into account when planning my film opening.
However, institutional logos would need to feature at the very beginning before titles are introduced and the main actor could be as effectively introduced after the main title has been presented.
I then compared titles with that of a different genre and chose to analyse the opening and title sequence of mean girls(2004) which is a comedy to highlight the similarities and differences between the two.
Mean Girls (2004)
Titles Timeline
0.00-0.17 - Paramount institutional logo (animated)
0.18-0.20 - PARAMOUNT
PICTURES PRESENT
0.21-0.23 - A
LORNE
MICHAELS
PRODUCTION
0.24-0.26 - LINDSAY LOHAN
0.27-0.29 - MEAN GIRLS
-------------Film introduction - long pause of titles-------------
Titles begin to use a sliding and bouncing transistions - unusual & different
1.41-1.44 - RACHEL McADAMS
1.46-1.48 - TIM MEADOWS
1.52-1.54 - AMY POEHLER
1.55-1.57 - ANA GASTEYER
2.02-2.04 - LACEY CHABERT
2.14-2.17 - LIZZY CAPLAN
DANIEL FRANZESE
2.27-2.30 - NEIL FLYNN
JONATHAN BENNETT
AMANDA SEYFRIED
2.38-2.41 - AND
TINA FEY
2.47-2.50 - CASTING BY
MARCI LIROFF
3.00-3.03 - BASED ON THE BOOK
"QUEEN BEES AND
WANNABES"
BY ROSALIND WISEMAN
3.06-3.09 - MUSIC SUPERVISORS
AMANDA SCHEER DEMME
BUCK DAMON
3.15-3.17 - MUSIC COMPOSED
AND CONDUCTED BY
ROLFE KENT
3.25-3.28 - CO-PRODUCER
LOUISE ROSNER
3.40-3.44 - COSTUME DESIGNER
MARY
JANE FORT
4.01-4.03 - EDITOR
WENDY
GREENEBRICMONT,
A.C.E
4.06-4.08 - PRODUCTION DESIGNER
CARY WHITE
4.18-4.21 - DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
DARYN OKADA, ASC
4.29-4.32 - EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
JILL MESSICK
4.33-4.36 - PRODUCED BY
LORNE MICHAELS
4.38-4.41 - SCREENPLAY BY
TINA FEY
4.53-4.56 - DIRECTED BY
MARK WATERS
END OF TITLES.
The titles in this opening are bold and colourful and stand out to the audience and reflect the comedy genre to give a bubbly and lively atmosphere and portray the theme of happiness and fun.
They are of a simple writing style but with the use of colour, this helps to introduce the film and actors and increase box office appeal with 'Lindsay Lohan' at the beginning.
There are many similarities and differences between the way in which the titles run and are presented in a psychological thriller opening and a comedy opening from what i have analysed.
Similarities
The titles run in a similar order - production companys and logos begin the title sequence with the main actors name following and then the title of the film which is the same configuration in both genres. Other actors names are then shown followed by crew members, casting, screenplay, music etc.
Both title sequences reflect the genre in which they are trying to convey and leave an open narrative.
Differences
The two writing styles and colours are very different as they are required to se different atmospheres and convey different themes for the film and reflect the genre of the film for the audience. The titling of a psychological thriller is very dull and plain with an artistic style to create a mysterious atmosphere whilst the comedy genre is bright and bubbly connoting a fun atmosphere.
The titles in a psychological thriller are also closer together within the opening than a comedy and the timings of each title are closer together with no breaks where as a comedy is given a pause in titles in which it shows part of the opening in more detail. This could be to draw the audiences attention and help them understand the opening better by letting them focus on the film more than the titles. This could be due to the fact that the psychological thriller holds suspense by not giving off too much of the film within the opening and using a simple title sequence before getting into the film unlike the comedy which plays the titles over the main introduction to the film.
By comparing the titles of my chosen genre with the title sequence of another genre (comedy) i was able to see the differences in which i need to focus on when inputting into the editing of the group film opening to make sure that the audience are able to see the genre and the correct atmosphere is created for the opening,
For one of the film openings from my chosen genre (psychological thriller) we were asked to write a timeline of titles for when each title appeared in the opening. This would allow us to gain an insight into when titles were introduced to the opening.
Titles Timeline
0.13-0.16 - a CRUISE/WAGNER PRODUCTIONS
SOGECINE
LAS PRODUCCIONES DEL ESCORPION
production
0.20-0.23 - Nicole KIDMAN
in
0.26-0.30 - The OTHERS
0.33-0.35 - Fionulla FLANAGAN
0.37-0.39 - Christopher ECCLESTON
0.42-0.44 - Alakina MANN
James BENTLEY
0.46-0.48 - Eric SYKES
0.50-0.52 - Elaine CASSIDY
0.54-0.57 - Keith ALLEN
Renee ASHERSON
Michelle FAIRLEY
0.58-1.02 - casting
Jina JAY
Shaheen BAIG
1.03-1.06 - costume design
Sonia GRANDE
1.08-1.10 - sound
Ricardo STEINBERG
1.11-1.13 - production design
Benjamin FERNANDEZ
1.15-1.18 - director of photography
Jaier AGUIRRESAROBE A.E.C
1.19-1.24 - executive producers
Tom CRUISE
Paula WAGNER
1.25-1.29 - executive producers
Bob WEINSTEIN
Harvey WEINSTEIN
Rick SCHWARTZ
1.30-1.34 - produced by
Fernando BOVAIRA
Jose Luis CUERDA
Sunmin PARK
1.35-1.39 - written and directed by
Alejandro AMENABAR
(End of Titling)
1.44-1.47 - Jersey, the Channel Islands
1945
(Introduction to place and time - historical)
I found that the institutional titles came first introucing production and presenting with the main actor following. This increases box office appeal as it states the main actor which viewers would have an interest in. The main title of the film (The OTHERS) was introduced near the beginning of the titles, followed by other actors (box office appeal), casting, costume design, sound, production design, director of photography, executive producers and finishing with written and directed by.
These titles then finished and we were given an idea of the time and place of the beginning of the film (Jersey, the Channel Islands, 1945), which was used to convey the setting and location to the audience.
This task has helped to give me an idea of what titles to include in the opening to my groups psychological thriller and at what time they would appear so i am able to take this into account when filming and editing the piece in order to create a strong title sequence like the one in this film.
I think that introudicng the audience to the location and time is a good idea as it gives an idea of the setting and creates the atmosphere so i will take this into account when planning my film opening.
However, institutional logos would need to feature at the very beginning before titles are introduced and the main actor could be as effectively introduced after the main title has been presented.
I then compared titles with that of a different genre and chose to analyse the opening and title sequence of mean girls(2004) which is a comedy to highlight the similarities and differences between the two.
Mean Girls (2004)
Titles Timeline
0.00-0.17 - Paramount institutional logo (animated)
0.18-0.20 - PARAMOUNT
PICTURES PRESENT
0.21-0.23 - A
LORNE
MICHAELS
PRODUCTION
0.24-0.26 - LINDSAY LOHAN
0.27-0.29 - MEAN GIRLS
-------------Film introduction - long pause of titles-------------
Titles begin to use a sliding and bouncing transistions - unusual & different
1.41-1.44 - RACHEL McADAMS
1.46-1.48 - TIM MEADOWS
1.52-1.54 - AMY POEHLER
1.55-1.57 - ANA GASTEYER
2.02-2.04 - LACEY CHABERT
2.14-2.17 - LIZZY CAPLAN
DANIEL FRANZESE
2.27-2.30 - NEIL FLYNN
JONATHAN BENNETT
AMANDA SEYFRIED
2.38-2.41 - AND
TINA FEY
2.47-2.50 - CASTING BY
MARCI LIROFF
3.00-3.03 - BASED ON THE BOOK
"QUEEN BEES AND
WANNABES"
BY ROSALIND WISEMAN
3.06-3.09 - MUSIC SUPERVISORS
AMANDA SCHEER DEMME
BUCK DAMON
3.15-3.17 - MUSIC COMPOSED
AND CONDUCTED BY
ROLFE KENT
3.25-3.28 - CO-PRODUCER
LOUISE ROSNER
3.40-3.44 - COSTUME DESIGNER
MARY
JANE FORT
4.01-4.03 - EDITOR
WENDY
GREENEBRICMONT,
A.C.E
4.06-4.08 - PRODUCTION DESIGNER
CARY WHITE
4.18-4.21 - DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
DARYN OKADA, ASC
4.29-4.32 - EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
JILL MESSICK
4.33-4.36 - PRODUCED BY
LORNE MICHAELS
4.38-4.41 - SCREENPLAY BY
TINA FEY
4.53-4.56 - DIRECTED BY
MARK WATERS
END OF TITLES.
The titles in this opening are bold and colourful and stand out to the audience and reflect the comedy genre to give a bubbly and lively atmosphere and portray the theme of happiness and fun.
They are of a simple writing style but with the use of colour, this helps to introduce the film and actors and increase box office appeal with 'Lindsay Lohan' at the beginning.
There are many similarities and differences between the way in which the titles run and are presented in a psychological thriller opening and a comedy opening from what i have analysed.
Similarities
The titles run in a similar order - production companys and logos begin the title sequence with the main actors name following and then the title of the film which is the same configuration in both genres. Other actors names are then shown followed by crew members, casting, screenplay, music etc.
Both title sequences reflect the genre in which they are trying to convey and leave an open narrative.
Differences
The two writing styles and colours are very different as they are required to se different atmospheres and convey different themes for the film and reflect the genre of the film for the audience. The titling of a psychological thriller is very dull and plain with an artistic style to create a mysterious atmosphere whilst the comedy genre is bright and bubbly connoting a fun atmosphere.
The titles in a psychological thriller are also closer together within the opening than a comedy and the timings of each title are closer together with no breaks where as a comedy is given a pause in titles in which it shows part of the opening in more detail. This could be to draw the audiences attention and help them understand the opening better by letting them focus on the film more than the titles. This could be due to the fact that the psychological thriller holds suspense by not giving off too much of the film within the opening and using a simple title sequence before getting into the film unlike the comedy which plays the titles over the main introduction to the film.
By comparing the titles of my chosen genre with the title sequence of another genre (comedy) i was able to see the differences in which i need to focus on when inputting into the editing of the group film opening to make sure that the audience are able to see the genre and the correct atmosphere is created for the opening,
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