Journal 8/12/2011

For the past two lessons my group have been sitting down and coming up with solid ideas to use in our title sequence. We had a lot of ideas that we discussed and even followed up by trying to come up with a title sequence around it. We eventually came up with one particular idea that we all agreed on and really liked, we were all assigned a few tasks that we should do to try and get the storyboard/planning done as quickly as possible so we could move on to preparing to shoot. I wrote up the storyboard so that another member of the group could draw the shots in, I also researched into other title sequences to look for ideas for music and myself and another member of the group searched different typographies to use. All in all the lesson was very successful and the way we've been arranging the work is helping us to make this title sequence as good as possible.

Typography Ideas

This is a certain kind of typography I am very interested in using, I feel that it suits our film very well and links into the plot. The writing is in a style of a typewriter which connotes the police force. Also the way the words are rubbed out looks almost as if they're disappearing, which would link into the whole idea behind the film. 

This was an idea specifically for all the t's in the title sequence as it looks like a cross and involves the religion in the film with the title sequence. Though if we were to use this we would have to think carefully about the typography used for the rest and to make sure it wouldn't clash or look terrible together. So this could possibly limit our primary choice of typography.

In researching the typical codes and conventions of a thriller title sequence, I decided to look at some of the most well known thrillers. The title sequence to sixth sense I found particularly interesting and have even developed some great ideas from. I like the idea of this title sequence being very simple with the music being the main point of tension, however I don't think our title sequence would be quite as simple as this. I was very open to the idea of using music similar to this, I didn't want anything too heavy because our film is all about enigma's and this particular type of music is quite mysterious whilst still telling the audience it will be a tense film to watch.

My group was also very interested in the idea of blacking out part of the shots like they have done in this title sequence, it seems to fit not only our idea well but also the codes and conventions to a thriller. Thrillers usually encourage the audience to think very carefully about the film and engage their minds with a film more than they usually would, by blacking out part of the shot our title sequence would do just that and it would set up yet another enigma. What is blacked out? Is there something that is being purposely hidden from us? 

All in all using the sixth sense as part of my research was very useful and helped me to come up with some good ideas and suggestions to take to the group.

Covered - First Film Idea

This was my groups first film idea that we presented and pitched to the class. The feedback we had from this was very mixed as it was made clear they understood we had researched and planned well and we used as much detail as we could. We each were assigned a slide we would focus on and in theory take control of, we then came back as a group and discussed what we had included and agreed on each slide. However, it was felt that our idea was not original enough and that our group was capable of a more original interesting film. We did try to make this film as original as we could and we even had some really good ideas for a title sequence, its just very hard to make a dance film original. Therefore the group and I agreed that this idea did lack originality and decided to take the time to come up with a completely new idea in a completely new genre. We have planned out our new film and our new idea suits the group much more, we are currently finishing the powerpoint for the new film 'Enigma'. 

Saul Bass Case Study

Saul Bass was born on 8th May 1920, he was a Jewish-American graphic designer that was very well known for his design in motion picture title sequences. Saul Bass has worked with some of the biggest names in film making and Hollywood such as Alfred Hitchcock, Otto Preminger and Billy Wilder. Saul Bass is also well known for creating logos for companies - one of his most famous being the AT&T bell logo in 1969 as well as their globe logo in 1983. He has been known for creating some of the most recognized logos of the era.
Saul Bass was part of the title sequence industry for more than 40 years and was rediscovered by James L. Brooks and Martin Scorsese who had both grown up admiring his work.

Editing Tekker

• TAKE
• SEQUENCE
• CUT
• JUMP CUT
• FADE 
• WIPE
• DISSOLVE
• SUPERIMPOSE
• MONTAGE
• INVISIBLE EDITING/CONTINUITY EDITING
• MOTIVATED EDITING
• LONG TAKE
• SLOW MOTION
• SHOT-REVERSE-SHOT
• DUBBING
• EYELINE MATCH
• MATCH ON ACTION

Sound

Asynchronus: does not derive from source that is visible.
Soundbridge: Adds continuity as sound from one sequence carries on to the next sequence
Foely: Reproduction of everyday sounds such as a crash being made from another source
Parallel: Directs attention specifically, matches what we can hear and see
Contrapuntal: Counterpart to what we see and hear, mismatch/no link
Leitmotif: Repeated theme or phrase used to suggest an idea or character within story
Synchronous: Sound that matches visual images such as dialogue
Non-Digetic: Only audience can hear, often used to create tension
Digetic: Inside frame, both audience and characters can hear sound

Lord Of War Title Sequence

Video to be uploaded.

• The typography is particularly interesting in the beginning of the title sequence as it is situated in a factory around machinery, the typography looks almost mechanical (though it also could connote to the army or police force) so it suits the setting very much. 
• The audience is put in a very interesting position for the beginning of this as they are following the bullet and put in its perspective. We follow the journey that the bullet takes which is a strange experience to put the average person in.
• In the title of the film lord and war are in capitals, they are both words that connote power and generally relate to violence in films or fighting for something. 
• the typography is white and so is situated in places that make it easy for the audience to see and understand what it says, they had to plan exactly where they could put it less than for the effect the situation of the typography would have on the audience. 
• the movements of the camera are very disorientating at times and puts the audience in a strange frame of mind.
• the colours that change show the audience that the setting and most likely country has changed, this presents that the film will be constantly on the move, that there will be a lot of different settings. 
• after the bullet has made its way around the world, to the music that would make the audience feel the title and film is quite happy, it is contrasted with the child being shot with that very bullet, this would create a very confused feeling for the audience as they have been put in a very strange position.

Catch Me If You Can

• The title sequence to catch me if you can involves telling the audience quite a bit about the film. We can tell quite a lot about it through what the characters are doing. Throughout the title sequence we see the animated character move past objects and change into a different character in a different situation so right away we can see this film will most likely be about a false person, perhaps a spy or conman. We would most likely assume conman as later in the sequence a man that looks like a detective is following the main animated character, though it could still be that the man is not on the run from the law but in some kind of other trouble.
• The typography is very interesting in this as the actual style of typography does not tell us much about the film but the way its moving does. Lines extend from the words and make what could look like walls from a certain angle and the character moves through them and changes or uses them to hide behind. This could suggest that maybe the main character will be very lucky and will get away with a lot of the things he does by not only thinking on his feet but perhaps chance.
• In the beginning of the title sequence we see aeroplanes and when the name of the film comes up the 'me' disappears like a cloud when the aeroplane flies through it. This could suggest that in the film there will be a lot of traveling as it is such a big part of the opening pats of the title sequence, it's actually set in different parts of an airport. 
• an interesting use of shots is used when we are in a birds eye view and see an aeroplane fly from under us and reveal a road, the shot follows the cars as if in the perspective of an aeroplane and the typography in the road is particularly interesting as the lines make the lines in the road. We then see a car chasing a taxi which could again connote the fact that this man is in some trouble.
• There are a lot of women in this video with their breasts and legs emphasised slightly more than necessary this could mean that women or sex would be a crucial part of the actual film, or maybe there is a woman working with the main character or working against time. 
• one of the most interesting uses of typography would be when the character enters the lift as a doctor and the lines that are used as the elevator shafts then move up and reveal they are attached to words. 
• One of the interesting uses of this video is when the character throws paper when running through the library and the paper flies past a dark gap and reveals a person as if they were light being shone down the alleyway. The fact that the tables have turned and now the one on the run hasn't noticed how close the other character is could mean that in the film perhaps the character will at some point be out smarted and be captured.
• the fact that the weather changes throughout the piece suggests that this whole pursuit goes on for a long amount of time, which gives the audience a clue of the set and time period of the film. 
• when the lights and hooks come on screen bouncing up and down at a bit of an increasing speed, it perhaps tells the audience that eventually this pursuit will become very fast paced and intense. It gives the audience an insight to the mood and atmosphere at some points in the film.
• also right at the end of the title sequence they are both running and the pursuer catches up with the pursued and the light goes right down so we never know if they caught him until the end of the film, though it is quite a sly shot and might have been missed if the audience weren't watching people which is quite an interesting way to show things. 

Case Study into Digital Kitchen

case study into digital kitchen

View more presentations from Maddie Carragher.

Dawn of the Dead Title Seuqence Analysis - Shauns lesson

How is the genre of the film constructed? What do the opening titles show visually?
The genre is made apparent practically from the start - the typography is blood red and moves away in drizzles quickly as though the blood has a mind of its own which connotes the idea of the virus. We then see a Zombie come up to the screen with blood around his mouth which sets the genre of horror right away. The words 'Dawn of the Dead' come on the screen in a shaky visual which shows the unsteady fast pace that will be kept throughout the film - it's off putting and a very typical horror movie convention to use. we see organs and cells which further prove the theory of it being a virus. we see and hear different nationalities being introduced which show the audience that this is a worldspread virus and supplies them with the knowledge that they need to come into the film where we do.

How is narrative enigma created?
Narrative enigma is created when the news is on and we hear an important figure speaking and answering questions beign thrown frantically at them. he is asked 'what caused it?' and he answers we do not know' adding the enigma of if the authorites can't explain it then just how out of control is this virus?

Why has Kyle Cooper chosen to use footage?
Kyle Kooper has chosen to use news footage to show the audience the virus as if they are sitting at home watching the news, putting them in the shoes of the scared victims. They also use it to show just how quickyl this has spread and the seriousness of it. We see other countries in trouble and even crew members being attacked with no one to help - it shows the world as helpless and without any justice. The way it switches between news stations also makes it seem as though it could be at the end of the world.

Where do these shots position the viewer?
These shots position the viewer as the victims and the scared people - as said before.

Seven Title Sequence Analysis

We had a look at Se7en and analysed the title sequence briefly in last weeks lesson. Here are some of the points I came up with:

•  the flashing images portray a very sketchy title sequence, almsot like the viewer/audience is on drugs. It also comes across as though it is in the mind of a mentally unstable person with how the images are so shaken.
• the typograohy also links into the mentally unstable approach of the rest of the video as it looks as though it has been etched into something with a sharp object - this a stypical connotion of a mentally unstable patient.
• the fact that shadows often cover part of the room makes us feel as though we are hiding from whoever the man in the title sequence is, peering through a door or wardrobe at him. This hints the genre and mood to the audience.
• the use of red connotes blood and death
• whent he man is sewing and putting the thread through the needle it's done in a way that could remind the audience of someone being stabbed, as the shot is a close up which emphasises the struggle and makes it look more barbaric than necessary.
• the title sequence beign set in one room at a very close proximity to what is happening makes the audience feel chlostraphobic and trapped.
• the fact we onle see this mans hands sets up the enigma of who is he and what will he do?

Zombieland Title Sequence Analysis

• Typography is in red to suggest a gory film, bold capitals are used in a large font (at the beginning) to connote aggression and violence. They also often fall apart, like when the man is being thrown over the banister, to emphasis the movement happening and the forcefulness of it, as if her were falling through the words like a wall or window - typical action/horror stunts.
• The slow motion is of course to show that it will be a film with a lot of action, but it is also used for a comic affect. The slow motion is actually overused so that when we see the man throwing up his blood and guts, something that would not typically be slowed down in a serious film, we can see the humour an be completely cringed out by it.
• we can tell this film will be a comedy by the characters, costume and facial expressions all used in the title seuqence - for example - there is a woman getting married that attacks her husband, a woman throwing her milkshake everywhere. They are very minor details that would take a lot away from the sequence if they weren't there!
• the metal music used shows the film will be aggressive and always full of action, a film that will keep the tension up throughout!
• a naked zombie woman running down the road, though not exactly sexy, could perhaps connote that this is more aimed at a male audience as they will enjoy the gore and humour more
• from the set used and all of the flames and destroyed parts of the roads we can see that this has been happening for a while and has had time to destruct and ruin the world. This gives the audience the enigma of how long into this zombie take over are we? it also prepares the audience with the necessary previous knowledge to watch the rest of the film
• the fact that at points everything is completely turned around from normality shows the comic element and also the element of reality being turned upside down. An inmate from a prison is pushing the police officer over the railings, connoting havoc and chaos along with the irony of it. Women are often attacking the men - and winning - showing the typical balance of things being thrown completely off which works to alienate the audience slightly and make them understand just how different things are.

Case Study into Title Sequence Designers - Digital Kitchen

My case study was based on Digital Kitchen, though they are not one specific designer they have created some interesting title sequences that I felt everyone else would perhaps overlook. Digital Kitchen was founded in 1955 and it is an award winning agency that focuses on the creation of integrated connections between brands and consumers. The agency has been more recognised in its work for television series such as True Blood, Dextor and Nip/Tuck. They are very well recognised for their continuous relationship/work with HBO.
The title sequence I chose to look at was True Blood as it was a very interesting title sequence. What attracted me to it, was not the decaying animals and naked women, but actually the fact that it strayed so far from the typical imagery we would imagine to come from the hot topic of Vampires.
Having read the books and already understanding the plot I could also see that they had included setting and time period very well. It was very obvious that it was based in Bon Temps in Louisanna very well. It was supposed to show the southern american side of everything, the stereotypical 'redneck' people. That in itself was shown so well by the 'Liquor Stores' with the drawn on signs and the men drinking beers and the strangely provocative women.
The Typography appears to come across as handwritten, though it is almost like a child's handwriting, which supports the stereotypical uneducated 'redneck'. The colour white is used so that it is easy for the audience to read against the various colours used in the background.
There is a lot of quickly passing images of naked people and even a woman stripping, this is to hint at the audience one of the real themes of this show - sex. It also links into the fact of HBO being a privately owned television network and being able to show any rating they like when they like. This also takes away from the whole 'cute' and 'love' approach to Vampires that had been such a big thing.
Images such as extreme religious practices and sessions completely contradict the sexual, violent, redneck title sequence, which sets up the enigma of how is this going to be incorporated in the show? well, within True Blood there is a constant battle between religion, sex, rednecks and Vampires.
The music is very much what you would expect to be associated with this title sequence, the lyrics have some suggestive meanings behind them. though, overall, it goes so well with the title sequence that you look forward to seeing it on every episode instead of skipping it.
I personally think this title sequence is a huge success and I really do enjoy it, I think it portrays the storyline so well by not only the typography and images but the mood the music and all of the footage sets.
True Blood Title Sequence.

Groundhog Day Title Sequence Task

We were given the task to create a title sequence to the remake of Groundhog Day. We were told it was starring Hugh Grant, Emma Watson and Russel Brand - an english cast, directed by Richard Kurtis and produced by Working Titles - which Richard Kurtis had previously worked with before.
We were split up into groups and had to come up with an idea to present, then using photoshop to make 3-5 shots from it that we could use to show the class and support our idea. My group had the idea that we would keep the title sequence very stereotypically British - a typical Hugh Grant film. It started with the words A Working Title in fancy writing that looks as if it had been in a handwritten letter. We then had Hugh Grant's character talking directly to the audience over the title sequence. We had a man in a field, content and watching the sun go down and then the audience is snapped back to a messy room where Hugh Grant's character really lives and we begin to see him doing his everyday routine. We wanted the title sequence to be comic but without giving away the storyline too much.

Codes and Conventions-

• Details of cast and crew
• The Films Title
• An introduction to character and character type
• Indication of Place
• Indication of Historical Period
• Information Regarding Theme and Mood and Tone
• Introduction to Theme Tune
• Information about Genre
• Questions the Viewer Finds intriguing - Sets up Enigmas
• Patterns and Types of editing that will be echoed in the remainder of the film
• Mise en Scene and Cinematography that will be echoes or elaborates upon later in the film

Order Of Title Sequence Credits

1. Studio
2. Director (possible one of two times)
3. Stars (in order/reverse order of fame/status)
4. Film Title
5. Crew
6. Editor
7. Writer - Screenplay
8. Producer
9. Directer (an optional choice of second time)

Continuity Piece

This continuity piece was put together for the first part of our AS media coursework. We had to include a match on action shot, a shot reverse shot and an over the shoulder shot whilst making sure not to break the 180 degree rule. we included the match on action shot by showing Lawrance walking through the door and entering the room from the corridor and then finishing him entering the room from the inside. We used a shot reverse shot whilst Lawrance and I were talking and we also incorporated the over the shoulder through this as well.
We had a basic scenario given to us that someone was to be sitting in a room while the other person walks in, they have a conversation and then one of them leaves.
Whilst editing the sequence we noticed a small problem where it jumps, this was because we originally used a dolly to keep the camera still and keep the movement flowing nicely, though another group needed to use it and we didn't realise that it would affect the height of the camera as much as it did.