Our Chosen Genre & Research

The genre that I have picked in my group for our own film opening is Thriller. Our group and I picked this kind since we feel that our arrangement for our story line would fit in well inside the Thriller classification. Likewise, we enjoyed the possibility of one of the  generic conventions that you would normally find in a Thriller film, that is to state that the principle point of a Thriller film is to make tension and excitement for the gathering of people so that the audience would be ignorant of what would occur next. This would keep the gathering of people firmly in their seat all through the film as they would need to continue watching to discover what occurs in the film.

There are several characteristics inside a Thriller film. A major one amongst the most vital of these is suspense.

Tension for the watcher is the point at which they feel a feeling of reckoning, pressure and nervousness. This implies the audience of people feels anxious of what is or may occur in the story and tension implies that the watcher can't distinguish what is going to happen which thus makes the film additionally fascinating and exciting.
In most thriller movies, tension is regularly connected with expectation and uneasiness with suspicion of the ending of the film that there will be a cheerful ending for the hero characters.
Other different characteristics include themes, characters, story & setting.

For Example,

Shutter Island (2010)

By recognising what the Thriller genre is about and what it comprises of, it will help me while making my own particular film opening by permitting me to have the right information.

Our Opening Re-make

Our group and I chose to make a re-make of a film opening keeping in mind the end goal to enhance our insight into film openings additionally, in light of the fact that we needed to perceive how titles ought to be utilised accurately and different conventions that ought to typically be in a film opening.
By making a re-make of a film opening, it will help me by permitting me to have the  adequate knowledge of generic conventions and titles with the goal that I can apply my insight to when I make my own film opening to make it resemble a professional film opening.

Differences Between Mainstream & Independent Films

Independent Films

Mainstream films are described as films that are widely released in cinemas, examples of this would be Hollywood movies and blockbuster movies. Typical Mainstream movies are released in cinemas for a short period of time and are commercialised to attract customers and are then released for home use and sold in usually popular stores.

Independent films are described as films that a produced outside a major film studio, independent films are usually distinguished both by the style and the artistic way the director chooses to show them. Independent films have a considerably lower budget than Mainstream films. Independent films tend to have a limited release and are heard of by word of mouth usually and reach out to specific audiences.

Characteristics of Mainstream Films: 

• The genre is mainly specific and has gritty graphics.
• Less titles and less personnel due to low budget of the film.
• Titles don't distract the viewer from what they need to see.
• Mainly distributed by a major studio for example Warner Bros, Sony, Universal and many more.
• Star marketing, brand/franchise is done to a excellent standard  for example Spectre.
• Commercial success 
• High production values for example different types of camera's used, motion capture etc.  

Characteristics of Independent Films:

• Small budget as well as less well known actors.
• Hardly use establishing shots in their opening.
• They provide clear explanations of their motivation.
• A lot of close up shots are often used which shows connotations of what or how the characters feeling or thinking. 
• Majority may have many characters with no stars. 
• Normally contains a lot of flashbacks and dream sequences.

SPECTRE (2015)

AMERICAN HONEY (2016)

By investigating into the differences between mainstream and independent films, it will help me when creating my own film opening by allowing me to know how to structure and plan the film opening. Also, to make sure that I don't include irrelevant features in my final film opening. 

Film Opening & Audiences

 FILM OPENING 

The purpose of a film opening is quite similar to a title sequence as credits and some titles are included. However, an opening normally sets a scene of the film with an establishing shot, this also helps the audience of knowing what genre it is. The film opening also gives us an insight to the film and what it could be about and the type of character they expect to see. 

THE STORY/THE FILM OPENING 

An establishing shot also helps to tell the audience where and how the story is starting and what the genre could be. The film opening can also establish the main character through the film opening with sequence of long shots, mid shot, and close up shots which can attract the audience to find out who the characters are.

HYPODERMIC NEEDLE THEORY

The Hypodermic Needle Theory is a linear communication theory which suggests that media messages are injected directly into the brains of a passive audience. It suggests that we’re all the same and we all respond to media messages in the same way. 

The theory suggests that media is absorbed by the general public, however opinion leaders are the ones that pass on their own thoughts and ideas about the media that they just absorbed. The theory assumes that the majority of the audience is passive, and therefore simply listens to what they’re told and believe in whatever they see or hear in the media. The Minority of the audience is active and take their time to reach their own opinion on the media, and therefore pass it on. The image above gives a visual representation of the idea.

MALE GAZE THEORY 

The Male Gaze, developed by feminist, Laura Mulvey describes how the audience, or viewer, is put into the perspective of a heterosexual male. Mulvey believes that women should enjoy the attention of attracting the gaze, and put themselves in positions to be looked at. The concept of ‘the gaze’ is one that deals with how an audience views the people/person presented. Mulvey states that in film women are typically the objects, rather than the possessors, of gaze because the control of the camera (and thus the gaze) comes from factors such as the as the assumption of heterosexual men as the default target audience for most film genres.

TARGET AUDIENCE QUESTIONNAIRE

Inglourious Basterd

In inglorious basterd, the director chose not to display any titles in his film opening. The reason for this was because he wanted the story to start without giving the audience any time to predict what to expect in the film. The director did this because he wanted the audience to get a clear view of where the first scene is taking place and how one thing leads on to a disaster leaving the audience traumatised.

Making A Film With Jelly Babies

We decided to conduct the jelly baby experiment to give us an idea of where the film title and the titles of the people who help produce the film such as the producers and when they should be introduced. Also, by using these jelly babies it allowed us to get a feel for what a film opening should be like.

 How will it help you make your own film? - This will help us make our film as it gives us in insight into what a film opening is like and where specific titles should go  and where titles such as institutional logo's should go.

The Generic Conventions In Film Openings

 Generic Conventions

Generic conventions will be seen in the opening and most of the time will be incredibly obvious.

Toy Story (Genre Giveaways)

• Brightly coloured titles 
• Friendly; calm music 
• "Toy" -  Family & children orientated 
• Non-diegetic - song is about friendship 
• Diegetic - dialogue is the child exchanging words with the toys 
• Mise - play

The Shining (Psychological Thriller

• Non-diegetic music (scary; intimidating & eerie)
• Titles shown as credits - unconventional & simplistic 
• High angle view of car (makes the car look vulnerable)
• Audience has to watch it to understand it.

Superbad (Comedy)

• Non - diegetic music - funky; upbeat
• Narrative - dancing comical 
• Colours - bright & vibrant 

Dawn Of The Dead (Genre Giveaways) 

• Blood and gore depicts horror 
• Music - about being scared about something coming around 
• Font style - Smeary blood writing 
• Diegetic sound - Screams & mews reporters 

Drive - (Genre Giveaways)

• Dark background 
• Not much giveaways 
• A lot of lowkey lighting used 
• Make the audience want to know 

The Vow - Genre Giveaways 

• The title "The Vow" 
• Singing "I can do anything for love"
• Quite slow pace editing
• Connotations of romance were portrayed 

Impact Of Certification

 Film affirmation are chosen and granted by the British Board of Film Classification, with a specific end goal to shield youngsters from unacceptable and even harmful content in movies and recordings and to give customers data they may require about a specific film or video before choosing whether or not to view it, the BBFC looks at and age rates movies and recordings before they are discharged.

The BBFC watches films and videos all the way through and awards an age rating and insight to each one. They reach an age rating by applying the standards and criteria. They consider issues such as discrimination, drugs, horror, dangerous and easily imitable behaviour, language, nudity, sex and violence when making decisions. The theme of the work is also taken into consideration. They also consider context, the tone and likely impact of a work on the audience.

According to the BBFC "The Woman In Black" was considered the film to be on the border between the 12A and 15 categories, because of the number of scenes of supernatural horror and threat in which the ghost of the 'woman in black', plus the ghosts of her victims, appear to and threaten the central character and others. Therefore several factors needed to be considered by the BBFC before a decision on the final category for the film could be made. When this decision was made it meant that children who were 12 had to go and watch this movie with an adult which some children won't feel comfortable with, going to watch a movie with an adult but rather prefer going with their friends. 

The Lego Movie was once a U however, it then got changed to a PG due to the following reasons according to the BBFC. There are lots of fight sequences in which the good characters take on various baddies, including Lego robots and Lego skeletons. The Lego figures kick and punch at each other, while leaping around in fantastical style. Very few of the blows are clearly seen to land and all the action involves toy figures rather than humans. Occasionally the heads of the Lego figures pop off during fights, and one character's head is knocked off by a flying coin but continues to talk to his friends. Other sequences have science fiction space ships and robots shooting laser beams at others, causing explosions and crashes. No one is seen to get hurt and the fact that all the fighting involves animated toy figures means that the fantasy nature of the violence is very clear. These were all analysed by the BBFC therefore, making them come to a decision to change the certificate of the film.

This will help me create my own film because it will help me acknowledge what I should and shouldn't  include in my film in correlation to my target audience and the certificate of it.

Cetification In Films

Film Classification

The British Board of Film Classification, or BBFC is responsible for efficient classifications of cinema films. The stated information advises the public on suitability of content, allowing appropriate viewing choices without restricting freedom.
 

U (Universal)
Suitable for all
A U film should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over, although it is impossible to predict what might upset any child. A ‘U’ film should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over. ‘U’ films should be set within a positive moral framework and should offer reassuring correction to any violence, threat or horror.

PG (Parental Guidance)
General viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children
Unaccompanied children of any age may watch. A ‘PG’ film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older. However, parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger ones or more sensitive children.

12A/12
Suitable for 12 years and over
The same criteria are also used to classify works at ‘12A’ and ‘12’. These categories are awarded where the material is suitable, in general, only for those aged 12 and over. Works classified at these categories may upset children under 12 or contain material which many parents will find unsuitable for them. The ‘12A’ category exists only for cinema films. No one younger than 12 may see a ‘12A’ film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult, and films classified ‘12A’ are not recommended for a child below 12. An adult may take a younger child if, in their judgement, the film is suitable for that child.  

15
Suitable only for 15 years and over.
No one younger than 15 may see a ‘15’ film in a cinema. No one younger than 15 may rent or buy a ‘15’ rated video work.

18
Suitable only for adults.
No person under the age of 18 may view an ‘18’ film in a cinema., also no-one younger than 18 may rent or buy an ‘18’ rated video. Human Rights Act 1998, BBFC's ‘18’ classification allows rational freedom for adult viewing. Exceptions are possible where viewing material breaches the criminal law, inappropriate behaviour for instance, portrayal of drug abuse, sexual assault, or violence, or where explicit sexual content cannot be justified by context.

This will help me create my own film in various ways, it can help me know the demographic of the audience who will be viewing my film and what not to put in my film so that it will be sutitable for not only the vast majority of adults who are 18 and above but for those who are 18 and below.

Film Opening Timelines.

This will help me create my own film opening due to the various film openings that I have observed and seen how the Genre of the film fits in with the opening. The timeline will also help me know what comes after what in the correct order of a film opening. Therefore, me knowing this will help me apply this knowledge in my film opening.

Student Film Opening Detailed Analysis

"THE EDGE"

This is an action thriller film called "The Edge" which was about a young boy who was in an abandoned tower block car park, with possession of something he shouldn't have however, two men are sent to go and get it back in every way possible. 

EDITING

The titles used in the film opening are relevant to the film genre from what it seems as well as where they're placed in the shots. They are placed in very neat and relevant places and suit the scenes well. The use of slow motion at the end which follows a flash back scene shows his past events flash before his eyes and he is that scared that time slows done and he is motionless showing connotations of fear as he has a gun drawn to him. The filter used in the shot below shows an over layered filter on the shot which portrays the sense of disturbed but a calm feel to the clip. Also this technique is used to set a mood for the scene before things get hectic. The filter then breaks from a distraught scene to full colour when he is outside which sort of represents fear and contamination. There was a focus pull in the opening where he is on the roof and is facing away from the door and then camera focuses to the background and shows the two men coming on top of the roof and blurs out the character in front of the camera and this then shows that we can see them but the male protagonist couldn't for a split second before he turned around.

SOUND

The sound used in terms of diegetic dialogue was not very effective rarely an words were exchanged. However, which was not necessary because the way the scenes ran told the story itself without needing speech. There was a use of non diegetic music which gave a mysterious feel to the piece which the tempo of the sound builds up through the extract going higher to build tension within the audience.

CAMERA ANGLES

The point of view shots used in edge are to show the audience what the male protagonist sees from his perspective and can be seen to show what is in his eye line together with a mid shot to enable the audience to see what he can't. For example in the second shot we can see whats in front of him but we can then see the antagonist chasing him from behind. This shot also connotes sense of fear as we are unaware where the man is when we only see this in the protagonists perspective.

CLOSE UP SHOTS: 

The use of close up shots show details of important things and points throughout the film opening and they make it clear what we should be focusing on in the film opening. They also make it clear what we should be focusing on in the film such as what he has in his hand in the first elevator scene shows that its an important thing he has in his hands and then its clear after that, that's what the men in the suits are after. The close ups show us who the main character is such as in the elevator scene after the cut away to the two men entering the building.

MISE-EN-SCENE

The costume used in the film opening matches the stereotypes of the characters they play such as the two men who got sent to get back or get the boy would be classed as "Hench men" who normally wear suits and if they had wore other things they might have been able to portray their role effectively. However, the young male protagonist is seen to be wearing a hoody and casual trousers which is stereotypical of what teenagers of his age are most likely to wear.

LIGHTING

The lighting used in the film opening is very low key at points such as when the boy is in the tower block and when he runs back into it but there is high key lighting being shown when he goes outside to the roof which sort of shows an escape to the real world and away from the panic before he goes back into the low key lighting.

LOCATION:

The location that was used in this opening was good to match the themes and feelings for this film as it was very enclosed and gave the idea of no escape no matter where he goes, he will eventually get caught also its quite weird and abandoned setting which gives of many enigmatic questions such as why is he there? Why is nobody there? I think they picked a good choice of setting and used a good use of camera shots to match the setting.

CHARACTERS

The use of actors in this opening make the film opening better because if they had chosen a younger actors to play the men in suits then it would ruin the feeling of the film as it would just seem like 2 lads chasing another lad around a parking lot and looking stupid. However, the chose the appropriate ages for the roles. The young boy was the right age and he showed that when kids get in trouble they don't pass the knowledge to get themselves out the situation.

This will help me create my own film because I will be able to apply the techniques used in this detailed analysis such as the camera shots, editing, sound and mise-en-scene in my own film and make it as good as this one.

What Makes A Good Student Film

• Be specific on what genre you choose :- There are various genres to work in however, when you finally come to a decision in which genre you are going to work in, you have to make sure that you portray the features of that genre throughout the period of that film. The link below is a good example of a student film that did very well in portraying the genre they were working with which was Action.

• It should be kept simple:- You have to make sure that you keep your film simple as possible, nothing to complicated to get your head around doing this will draw the audience attention even more due to the reason that they understand what is going on and an example of a student film that done that is the one below I could see that it was shot in simple places and the shots were also simple and not much special effect was utilised.

• Get your story straight : - When making a student film you need to get your story straight and ensure that from an audience perspective they'll be able to follow the story and engage with it as the film goes on an example of a student film that made their story very clear and straight forward is below:

• Make the genre more clear : -The film should convince the audience that it is delivering the core requirements of that genre. For example if your film opening is horror you have to portray features of horror in the early minutes of the film to make your audience aware what genre they are witnessing. This film did just that and as an audience I saw that in the early minutes of the film.
• It has to have something that will compel the audience to continue watching it: - A hook is referred to an opening that entices the audience in to the early moments of the film by beginning a clear moment with action or interaction serving as a tease, revealing just enough information to ground the audience in the moment while maintaining enough mystery within the opening of the film.

• It should make the audience see thing in the eyes protagonist: - It's good to begin in a moment of action or interaction, something to grab the audience attention right away a good opening scene grounds it's audience in the main character's perspective, showing us the world through his eyes, from the very beginning.

•  It should suggest the end of the film :- The first 2-3 minutes of the film should give the audience a rough idea of how the film is going to end. Doing this will entice the audience to continue watching the film so that they will be able to find out if what they assumed really happens at the end or not. 

• Suspense:- Suspense in the early stages of the movie hooks the audience to continue watching the film and to find out what happens next. A student film that did that well was the one below:

• Setting & Location: - The early stages of the film should disclose the setting and location to the audience enabling them to know where everything took place whether in a city, village, a small town, the forest or even in a house. A film that did that well was the one that has been uploaded below you could clearly see that it was shot in the afternoon in a house.

Sound:- Sound can send a message to the audience about the film especially in the early stages sound can show connotations of fear, joy, anxiety, sadness, excitement and even happiness a clip the clip below brought excitement because the sound was fast paced and made me think to myself what is going to happen next?

Independent Research On Film Openings

Film Opening Analysis: Deadpool

During the opening sequence of Deadpool, there is an action scene that has been frozen and the camera goes around the scene whilst credits are shown. To start off with you see the Marvel animation which will be recognizable by nearly everyone who watches the film. Putting this at the start of the film helps the audience recognize that films made by Marvel have been successful so this film should enjoyable which would create a larger audience as the people who have been to watch it will recommend it to their friends and family.

The first part of the 'frozen' scene, the camera pans out to show a man who has a mark on his head and then the camera continues to pan around the scene going 'through' different gaps and showing different props like magazines, spilled coffee and a wallet with all its contents falling out. You also continue to see different men all wearing similar outfits who have been beat up.

The text used is san serif and white which suggests a certain innocence about the movie or its hero (Deadpool). The text could also be representative of how the themes and attitude of the movie are quite immature as san serif text isn't very formal in comparison to serif text. The opening credits also have credits such as the ones below which are very comical and set the scene for the rest of the film as being very immature with a lot of adult humour. 

 

 

The camera is just on one continuous shot which loops through the car. Whilst moving throughout the car it shows us jokes put in by the director as well as what we would expect to be the main actors. Instead it calls the Directors “over-paid tools” and Ryan Reynolds “Gods perfect idiot”. As the camera mover, it reveals another name which is then hidden by another object as the camera pans round. The camera starts with a villain and slowly works its way around the car until it reaches Deadpool, before moving outside the car. This builds up suspense as we are wondering what has caused all the stuff previously shown.

During the opening the scene the song 'Angel of the Morning' by Juice Newton. This shows us that the film is partly comedy as it has gentle music over what appears to be a large car crash. This could also be done to show that it is partly romantic as the song itself is about love. This links with the film as Deadpool states that this is a romantic film.

This will help me create my film opening because I will be able to apply the the ideas and knowledge I analysed through the opening into my film opening and make it look professional.