Media Opening Sequence PRESENTATION

MEDIA MOVIE OPENING SEQUENCE PRESENTATION - "Liforce Productions"

THRILLER

PLOT

My movie will be set in present day, during the night. The story will take place at the main protagonists home, his name not being extremely important throughout this particular opening as his name will not be mentioned nor hinted. The sequence opens up with the main protagonist sitting in his living room, watching the television with a cigarette and drink. After a short while, he will hear distinct noise from outside his house, sounding somewhat like someone has opened one of his gates and made their way onto his drive. This will lead to the protagonist to leave his living room and approaching the front door to observe his driveway for any disturbances. After a short while, he will open the front door for a clearer view, calling "Hello" two or three times for any response. He then spots that one of the gates has been opened slightly, and as a result leaves his house and approaches the driveway to close it again... during this time, the mysterious character has quietly entered his home - not visible on camera. The protagonist subtly returns to his house and sits back down on the sofa, quietly questioning himself on the event that had just happened. At this time, the mysterious character quietly approaches the protagonist from behind. This will be a slow movement to maximise the tension of the scene. The antagonist will be carrying a weapon (most likely a knife, due to its ability to murder its victims silently). The scene will then finish with a sudden black out once the antagonist has approached the protagonist - combined with the slow build of background score, intensifying the tension and suspense of the scene. Should be no longer than 2.30mins.

SUB GENRE & CONVENTIONS

The sub genre of my movie opening is a "Psychological Thriller". This is a specific sub genre that requires heavy focus on the characters. It often incorporates elements from the mystery and drama genre, along with typical conventions of a thriller genre. - EXAMPLES OF "PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLERS" SHOWN BELOW;

"Memento"

 "Seven"

"The Usual Suspects"

CONVENTIONS - 

There are many conventions of the the thriller genre that I will be using for my opening sequence;

- Low Key Lighting

- POV Camera shots

- Focus Pulls (Deep & Shallow)

- Score will consist of deep bass and piano instruments

- Will focus heavily on the main protagonist - He is in danger.

CHARACTER TYPES;

Their are only two obvious characters within my movie opening (Protagonist and Antagonist)

1) The Protagonist - This character is someone who enjoys being alone. His quiet and mysterious characteristics are what make him so enticing and enjoyable to watch. 

- Quiet

- Drinks

- Smokes

- Dresses very dull and messy - vest shirt, tracksuit bottoms...etc.

2) The Antagonist - This character consists of a hidden identity throughout the opening sequence of my movie. He/she/it does not appear clearly in front of the camera throughout the sequence, however does briefly appear towards the end of the opening. This silence and lack of identity creates a higher level of suspense towards the plot and the characters themselves.

TARGET AUDIENCE;

- The certificate for my movie will be 15, meaning that my target audience on the whole is anyone above the ages of 15. This will include males or females who enjoy psychological thrillers.

- Many psychological thrillers released today (examples shown above) are certificate 18, however the content used for my movie opening is not overly explicit.

- The reason for my movie being certified for 15+ is because the movie will contain some aspects of violence and death.

WHAT AM I AIMING TO ACHIEVE?

I am aiming to achieve a sequence that completely draws the viewers attention all the way through until the end. The opening will need to consist of a dark, unsettling mood - accomplished with the conventions to do so; Low key lighting, POV shots...etc. This will be achieved thoroughly with the help of a close friend of mine, Harry Gilmour - a keen and talented photographer, kindly providing me with the technology to do so. 

Another aspect of my movie which I feel is extremely important is the relationship between the protagonist and the viewer. I feel that the relation ship between both the characters and the viewers should be strong. This is because I believe that the stronger the bond, the more personal the movie becomes. Examples of previous movies with close relationships between the main protagonist and the viewer are shown below;

 "Drive" - Action Thriller (Protagonist)

"Limitless" - Action Thriller (Protagonist - Right)

SUMMARY
I believe that both "Drive" and "Limitless" hold a specific style of filming and eventhough they are both not psycological thrillers, I feel they bring a strong sense of realism and appeal to the show. The way in which the characters are highlighted within the movie through narrative, characteristics, body language...etc allows the viewers to gain a stronger understanding on the characters personality. This results in the viewers to feel asif they know the character personally, and therefore are able to show a deeper level of emotion towards that particular character. This is a unique and effective specialty to have and is something that I will be looking to achieve within my own movie opening.

The British Board of Film Classification

The British Board of Film Classification

The British Board of Film Classification is an independent, non-government body which specializes is classifying  cinema films since 1912 - when cinemas first opened. They also specialize in classifying the certificates of video games - since the passing of the video recordings act in 1984.

- Sets age of film.

- They sit and watch the film and decide on the movies age certificate in reference to the BBFC guidelines. Their are 9 areas at which these guidelines are produced under;

1) Discrimination

2) Violence

3) Drugs

4) Horror

5) Imitable behavior 

6) Language

7) Nudity

8) Sex

9) Theme

- These guidelines are updated every 4 years. The most recent update took place in June 2009, meaning that the next update will be in 2013.


The Age certificates that the BBFC classify their given movies by are;

THRILLER - Movie Opening Conventions

Thriller Definition - Something that is "thrilling" or may "thrill" an audience.

Their are many conventions of a thriller movie opening that I may have to consider using for my movie opening.

1) The movie may open up with a mystery, keeping the viewers instantly enticed to the movie - want to watch more. This is also known as an "ENIGMA"

2) The characters identity can hold common themes;
 - AMNESIA
 - MISTAKEN IDENTITY
 - DOUBLING

...All of which are common in thriller openings. Together, these help build the suspense and tension within the movie. For example, if a character is "ensnared" by another character. This is all held together by the combination of all 4 micro elements behind the films production - CAMERA, SOUND, EDITING & MISE-EN SCENE.

- Camera techniques such as canted angles and hand-held shots add un-ease to the movie, resulting in the viewers having to move or turn their heads to see clearly what is happening at that particular point.

- Many thriller movies today usually use low key lighting for a majority of the movie. This provides the movie with the dark, depressing atmosphere needed, whilst also giving the movie the dark mood needed for it to be   a successful thriller.

Key Conventions Of A Film Opening Title Sequence

Their are many conventions that a typical movie sequence must have in order for it to be successful...

As shown above is the opening sequence to "Catch Me If You Can" - A 2003 American biographical comedy/ drama, starring Leonardo Dicaprio and Tom Hanks. As you can see, their are many different credits shown throughout the movies introduction, allowing the viewers to appreciate everyone who worked behind the scenes of the movie. These may include;

DIRECTOR             

PRODUCER                                                                    

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

TOP BILLING ACTORS

THE MOVIE TITLE

DISTRIBUTION COMPANY

CAST/CREW

INDICATION OF CHARACTER OR CHARACTER TYPE

INDICATION OF PLACE/ PERIOD

THEME SONG - SCORE & TONE

- The movie opening may also include Mise En Scene CINEMATOGRAPHY. This can be elaborated upon later in the film.

- Also, the movie opening can include various types of information towards the GENRE of the sequence. For example, for "Catch Me If You Can", they have clearly provided the audience with the indication that this movie will involve a continuous chase between the boy (Dicaprio) and the cop (Hanks). This provides the viewers with an early indication of what  the movie is about and subtle insight into how the movie may sequence in terms of the plot - the boy becomes a pilot, nurse...etc.

Video 4 Analysis (150 Words) - "Amityville Horror"

As shown above is the opening sequence of my fourth movie example, named "Amityville Horror".

Analysis - HORROR

1) SOUND - The sound used throughout the extract is Ambient, displaying horrific lightning and thunder sounds - stings. The extract also displayed some dieagetic sounds, such as speech and interaction with carious areas of the house - shotgun...etc. This adds realism to the movie, ultimately resulting in a stronger horror movie.

2) MISE-EN-SCENE - The clothes worn throughout the extract are subtle and worn. The girl in the bedroom is wearing a white robe - representing a ghost like approach, adding to the theme and mood of the movie. The obvious prop used is a shotgun, displayed at the beginning of the extract. This is over emphasized to add tension and suspense to the extract. 

3) EDITING - The editing used is fast paced, creating a tense atmosphere to the scene. Their are no obvious credits displayed as such, however they do provide the viewers with a time and place at the beginning of the extract, providing the viewers with some insight to the movies setting. The lighting is also low key - a typical convention of a horror movie.

4) CAMERA -  Their are a wide range of shots and techniques used within the extract, including; establishing shot, close-ups, medium shots and eye line match, shot reverse shot...etc. I believe that by using such a wide variety of shots and editing techniques adds a higher level of suspense and realism to the extract, something I may need to consider for my own movie introduction.

Video 3 Analysis (150 Words) - "Deja Vu"

As shown above is the opening sequence of my third movie example, named "Deja Vu".

Analysis - THRILLER

1) SOUND - The sound used in the extract is a mixture of Non-dieagetic and Ambient sounds (more towards the start). The extract also begins with a low paced score of what can be recognized as a piano - symbolizing sadness, depression indicating something bad is about to happen - suspense. As the extract progresses, the score intensifies as the soldiers begin to play their instruments - Trombones, again building the suspense towards the big explosion at the end.

2) MISE-EN-SCENE - The clothing worn in the scene is very distinct and smart. The soldiers are wearing very vibrant, clean clothing indicating their pride and honor, where as the citizens boarding the boat are wearing casual clothing - wide variation. The camera work also allows the viewers to establish the setting - harbor.

3) EDITING - The editing used throughout the sequence is slow paced. The credits throughout the extract are fast and distorted, highlighted with what appears as a vague square shape behind the text - attract the viewers attention.

4) CAMERA - Throughout the extract, their is various extreme long shots used - establishing shots, used to identify the setting used. In this case, scene is set on a harbor in the middle of an American city. It also allows the viewers to see the quantity of people using the boat, and their for building a higher level of suspicion towards the danger ahead. This is complimented by the soldiers on the harbor playing the trombones as a sign of respect and honor - sympathy. 

Video 2 Analysis (150 Words) - "Frequency"

As shown above is the opening sequence of my second movie example, named "Frequency".

Analysis - THRILLER

1) SOUND - The sound used throughout the extract is a mixture of non dieagetic and ambient sounds. You can distinctly hear the voice of a news reporter speaking as the credits begin - discussing the actions of a serial killer. This allows the viewers to establish small amount of background knowledge towards the plot of the movie before it begins.

2) MISE-EN-SCENE - The extract itself begins during the night. The clothing worn in the extract is presented very distinctly. For example, after the collision happens, it becomes clear the the firemen are on their way to help - glowing jackets, helmets...etc. The attention to detail in terms of clothing is what can make a movie believable (realistic), something which this movie has achieved successfully.

3) EDITING - The credits take place throughout the whole introduction of the movie. It begins with the credits slowly fading in and out in a "typewrite" font, enhanced with a fluorescent glow to increase its visual appeal, keeping the viewers enticed to the opening credits as well as the movie itself. 

4) CAMERA - The extract opens with a Computer Generated shot (CGI) from space, allowing the viewers to observe the frequency waves given off from the sun. This is used as visual representation in relation to the title of the movie - Frequency, giving the viewers a detailed reference to the purpose and plot of the movie.

Video 1 Analysis (150 Words) - "30 Days Of Night"

As shown above is the opening sequence of my first movie example, named "30 Days Of Night".

Analysis - HORROR

1) SOUND - The sound within the extract shown is presented in a very dark, subtle way however, still deems very effective. The slow echoing affect created creates a high level of suspense towards the viewers. The extract uses a mixture of ambient and non dieagetic score withing the first 2 minutes of the clip.

2) MISE-EN-SCENE - The ultimate location used withing the movies intro is Alaska. The freezing temperatures are shown through the characters clothing - in this case, thick padded and fur coated jackets. This is shown clearly throughout the extract and is something I may need to consider for my own movie opening.

3) EDITING - The movies production company, distributors, producers..etc are all shown before the movie begins. This is a very original, however striking way for the viewers to evaluate what sort of movie this is. The text is slowly faded in and out with the combination of non - dieagetic score along side to give the horrifying and en-easy affect towards the viewers - a typical convention of a horror movie.

4) CAMERA - Throughout the extract, they have use alot of extreme long shots (establishing shots) to set the scene for the viewers. This is proven very effactive for this movie in particular as the film itself is filmed in a very distinct and unique place- Alaska. This may be something I will need to consider for my own horror/ thriller movie.

"Drive" Movie Introduction Analysis

"DRIVE" - Movie Opening Analysis

- As shown above, I have analysed in detail the opening sequence of "Drive" - an Action Thriller, certificate 18, starring Ryan Gosling. The image above shows a timeline, highlighting the various stages at which the stars (actors), director, producer, editor, director of photography...etc are shown within the movie opening - total duration 2:45. From this, I will hope to gain a stronger understanding of how the movie producer has achieved such a successful movie introduction, in relation to the font, style, colour and score used within the extract... 

- An example of the movie introduction for "Drive" is shown at the top of the post.

Preliminary Task - Story-boarding

Preliminary Exercise