From the previous map, when we were in London we managed to visit all of the locations listed on that map. By visiting of the potential lcoations it helped us as a group decided what places we should use in our title sequence. Below are the images we took and also where we decided we wanted to shoot some establishing shots.
Big Ben/ Houses Of Parliament
London Eye:
MI5 Headquarters/ MI5:
Trafagular Square:
Tower of London/ Tower Bridge:
Alley:
Cafe:
From taking these images, it has helped us to understand the surrounding areas and also the location in which these places are set in. These images have enabled me to visualise our title sequence in further depth and also the surrounding area.
After creating our first initial storyboard, we realised that we should put our ideas down on paper for what we think our script should be like. As a group we decided that our script needed to have a description of the location and also the dialogue. By doing this we found that it helped to visualise our in initial storyboard. The Crown Jewels
After putting our ideas down on paper and creating our first draft of our storyboard, we realised that this needs to be adjusted as some of the parts for the main protagonist are to long and to wordy. We need to cut these down as otherwise when filming it wont sound right or will it will be to much for hte amount of the time that we have got. From creating this script it has given us a clearer image of what our opening two minutes will be like. However this script does need to be refined so that it is much simpler for our actors to say.
Once we had decided upon our idea and also our locations, we created a storyboard. This storyboard shows and explains the types of shots that we are going to use from the beginning to the end of our title sequence.
From creating the storyboard, I can now see the order of our title sequence and also what technical codes we are going to use. From looking at the first few boxes on our storyboard, we have realised that maybe we shouldn't start off with an establishing shot of London. One reason why we are thinking about changing our opening of our title sequence is because from our research we realised that many crime thrillers do not start with an establishing shot of the location. However we are going to take this idea forward for now and then when it comes to the production stage we can change this if we think that it does not look right when all of the footage has been put together.
Last week, myself and my group focused on developing our idea. We also focused on the location we have selected and which areas we wanted to shoot in within this location.
To focus on develop our idea and taking it further we created a mind map of our idea, including the ideas we had for the camera, sound,editing and mise-en-scene. Continuing on with this we also included the technical codes of our genre of film and also our ideas for the characters and what they should be wearing. This also included any additional props.
By making this mind-map, it has helped me to understand our idea in more depth and also how much detail we need to include.
This will help when it comes to actually making our title sequence as we can refer back to our mind-map for our ideas that we came up with.
During this week we also made location map. Here we circled the areas we want to shoot in. This will help us when it comes to making our storyboard as I can refer back to this.
Overall I feel that we have progressed with our planning stage of the research. One reason why I feel we have progressed as a group is because we now all know our final idea that we are planning for . I also feel that I have progressed as an individual as I now understand the use of technical codes and conventions.
As a group, after we decided upon our location, we needed to decided which specific areas of London we wanted to go to. To do this we made a list of all of the places that we thought might be suitable for our idea. We are going to visit the location listed below to see if these locations are suitable for to use for our title sequence.
Below is the map in which we created for the areas we would like to shoot in.
Once we had created our mindmap of ideas and also research into the technical codes and conventions we created a new mindmap. This included the character, plot, locations, cameras and the props and costumes in which we had in mind at the time of making this mindmap.
Here is an image of the mindmap:
This mindmap above shows our idea in detail. Our idea is to have a criminal who decides to steals the crown jewels. This is what our opening is based upon. After discussing our location we choose London for the location. One reason why we choose London for our location was because we were trying to create a stylish and modern atmosphere. From looking at the image above, I can also say that we have decided to use mid-shots, close-ups, establishing shots, tracking, panning and tilting.. These establishing shots are going to be at the very beginning so that it establishes the location that we are in.
From creating this mindmap, it has allowed us as a group to clearly see our idea in detail in terms of location, camera, story, characters props and costumes. From creating this mindmap, it will help us when it comes to creating our storyboard. This will help us for example when we label the storyboard we will be able to remember the types of shot we are using and also then different location in which we have selected to use.
Once we had all put together our own brainstorm, we brought all of our ideas together and discussed the different ideas that we all came up with. This then enabled use the come to a decision on a idea and start to develop our idea. We developed our idea by putting together a brainstorm of our idea so that we could see all of our ideas that we had for the idea we had chosen.
Below is an image of our brainstorm we put together:
Developing Our Ideas
From this brainstorm, we as a group can now see our idea in detail. However after making this brainstorm we have realised that a few of our ideas may need to be altered as we continue through the process of developing. One of these is the dialogue. We originally had a rough idea of the dialogue in which we wanted to use. However when writing this down onto our brainstorm we realised that it was to long, and we need it to be short but snappy. From making this brainstorm it has allowed us to view our idea as a whole and also to be able to see what areas of our idea we might need to re think before we go about creating our storyboard.
As part of our research, we as a group decided that we would all go away and create our own mindmap of as many ideas as we could think off. This would then enabled us to put together a big mindmap of everyones ideas and take these ideas to make our final idea for our title sequence.
Here are the dates that we as a group need to keep to when planning for our title sequence. We need to keep to these dates so that we have even time to complete everything to a good standard and also to make sure that we complete everything thoroughly
Brainstorming / ideas (to be blogged)- Monday 9th November
Development of ideas - creating a shot list - Friday 13th November
Scripting - Friday 20th November
Storyboard - Friday 20th November
Props / Costume / Locations / Actors and Actresses - Thursday 26th November
Animatic / Presentation - Thursday 26th November
Shooting Schedule - Monday 30th November
We have also decided as a group that we need to:
Look at the locations we have selected and take images of these different locations- Sunday 27th November 2011
Filming of the locations and with actors with we have enough time- Sunday 4th December 2011
Reshoot and Back-Up day- Saturday 10th December 2011
These decision have been made based on our continuity task. We realised that we needed to get all of our filming done so that we have enough time do complete the editing stage. This will hopefully allow us to produce a good quality title sequence. Furthermore we also need to be able to produce a fully annotated storyboard with details about the different types of shots. Within this plan, as a group we also took into consideration that we needed enough time to decided upon our actors, the choice of location and an animatic.
With the decisions we made as a group for taking the images and also the shoots we also decided on a backup and reshoot day. One reason why we decided upon was was so that we could always go back to our location if we felt like we needed to get another shot of a specific area that we did not get before or that it wasn't of a good standard for example if the camera was shaky. This day is also going to be our back-up day in case the weather is different on our filming day to what it is on our first filming day.
From watching the four title sequences in The Departed, Memento, No country for Old Men and Heat, I have noticed many similarities between them.
The first similarity that I noticed was that they all seem to have a black background, however one of the differences is that the writing that is on the top of the black background in each movie is different. From the four I have watched the colour tends to either be blue or white. One reason why the colour white has been used is because it is clear, making sure that all of the writing can be seen and stands out from a distance. The contrast between the black background and white text makes it more striking and dramatic.
Secondly, another similarity is that all of the four title sequences in which I watched used many mid shots. One reason why I believe many mid shots have been used is so that the audience can clearly see the facial expressions of the person in shot but also some of the background and surroundings. This allows for the setting and place to be established on one shot. In addition to the above, we also see many close-ups being used. For example in 'Memento' we see a close up of one of the characters faces. By the audience seeing a close up of the characters face it allows them to distinguish how he is feeling as they can see all the emotions on his face. Furthermore, it allows for the audience to see, in this circumstance the blood on his face, which would not be as visible in a long shot. This leads the audience to be curious and suspicious, as after this you see a body on the floor with blood surrounding it. This could lead the audience to believe that he killed that man.
Throughout all four of the title sequences the most commonly used editing technique has been cutting. This technique speeds up the pace of the sequences. Another reason why cutting has been used is because it allows for a sudden change to happen quickly. However in ' No Country for Old Men' a fade is used when the titles disappear and a voice over begins, which allows for a seamless transition between the titles and the voiceover.
From completing this task, I now understand the main technical codes that have been used throughout the title sequences. This task has also allowed me to see why using these technical codes is effective and also how they help to portray the purpose of each different title sequence.
I have also learnt that the most common shot is a mid shot and the most common editing technique is cutting. I believe that in my groups opening two minutes these should both be used. One reason for this is because they have proven to be very effective and when making the opening two minutes, I need to make sure that I refer back to these technical codes.
Representations refers to how social groups, different subcultures, occupations, ages, social classes and places are portrayed in the media. It is also about how the audiences interpret these portrayals.
The word 'representation' implies that people are being represented by the media to tohers and to themselves. For example, in the case of women, some people may argue that the images presented by the media only concentrate on the beauty, size, or physical attractiveness. This encourages people to think about women in this way and not about their personality or what they do. This affects our attitudes to others and also how we think about our own bodies and personalities.
For example, many magazines put pictures of women on the front of them. This makes the public believe that everyone should be like this as it affects our attitudes and opinions.
However we see masculinity is made up of more rigid stereotypes than femininity In the media, representations of men tend to come across as the following:
Strength
Power
Sexual attractiveness
Physique
Independence ( thought and action)
For example the advert below shows how the media represents women:
Stereotypes:
Gillian Murphy provides use with a good example of the effectiveness and limitations of content anaylis in her essay 'Media Influenece on the Socialisation of Teenage Girls'. She argued that the media extract a strong influence on the gender-related behaviours of teenagers. She said that from the age of 11 or 12 youngsters begin to break away from the main sources of authority such as family, and start looking to their peer group and the media for ideas about how they should behave and what their roles and aspirations should be.
Murphy research the content of romantic magazines popular with working-class girls from the 1920s up to the end of the 1970s. She investigated, in the case of the magazine 'Jackie' the values, roles and aspirations of the male and female characters.
Ideas she found:
females don't take initiative
girls are almost always depicted looking for or keeping a boyfriend
the hero initiates, the heroine follows
girls are depicted in nututing roles- looking after small children or old people
Girls' work and hobbies are of little importance
women are seen primarily as home-makers
the boy-meets-girl happy ending is seen as part of the escapism from work.
Gillan Murphy believes that these ideas become stereotypes which are 'unrealistic' and 'unsatisfactory'. She concluded by saying that she wants to force women to free themselves from romance and become 'politicised'. Lastly, she also criticises romantic magazines for concentrating on romance, which is rather like criticising detective novels for concentrating on crime.
Four our homework, we had to watch three minutes of a scene from Eastenders. When watching the three minutes of the scene of our choice we had to think about how gender was being represented through the use of camera, editing, sound and mise-en-scene.
Below are the notes I made:
To be able to understand the different level in which our title sequence could be given we watched six title sequences. These titles sequences were previous work that past student had created for their coursework. By watching these it allowed me to look at the mark scheme and see what marks I would award it with and compare this with the actual mark that was given. I was then able to review the mark scheme to see why a certain level was given and why I didn't think it was in this level.
Final Fate
After watching this clip for the first time I gave it a level 3 with 36 marks. This title sequence only just got into level three. One reason why I gave it a level 3 was because there were a variety of camera angles used. Another reason why was because the music fitted in well with the title sequence.
However the actual level that was given to this title sequence was Level 2 with 24 marks showing that it only just made it into the level two boundary.
When we watched the sequence again, I realised why it was only awarded a low level 2. The first thing I realised was that the camera wasn't still and was shaking. This wasn't effective as the camera should be still all throughout the title sequence. This is one aspect that I need to make sure is accurate when making my title sequence with my group. Without the camera being still we will not be able to achieve a good grade. Furthermore we also see that the only type of transition made was through the use of cuts. This isn't effective as to be able to achieve a good grade we need to show a good variety of transitions.
Lastly we see that at the time of 1 minute 16 seconds the main character takes a mans guitar who is sitting playing it on the side of the street and smashes it against the wall. This has nothing to do with the title sequence from what we saw at the beginning. This doesn't make it seem like a title sequence at all. It makes it seem more like the middle of a film. When making the title sequence, myself and my group are going to have to make sure that we keep to the focus of the title sequence and don' have random bits of footage put together.
From watching this title sequence, I am now aware of how easy it is it spilt out of a grade boundary/ level. When making the title sequence myself and my group are going to take into account all of the above.
Root Cause
The level in which I gave this title sequence was Level 3 with 38 marks. One reason why I gave this title sequence a level 3 was because the camera was still all throughout. Another reason why I gave it a level 3 was because the mise-en scene was continuous all throughout the sequence. This was effective as you could clearly tell they had taken this into consideration. When I am making my title sequence I need to make sure that I take these aspects into account. Without having a steady camera, and following the plot throughout we will now be able to achieve an effective and good title sequence. Although the actual level that it was given was a Level 4 with 54 marks showing that it was firmly in level 4.
Once we found out the actual level it was rewarded, we watched the title sequence again. When watching the sequence again, I understood why it was given a level 4. The first reason why I realised it was given this level for was because the transitions were accurate. By the transitions being accurate it means that the title sequence follows better. Secondly, the camera was held steady at all time. This is important that this is done, as otherwise it is hard to see the shot taking place.
From watching this title sequence again, I am now aware of the detail that needs to go into making a title sequence effective. When my group are making our title sequence we will be able to refer back to this and the mark scheme to see how we can achieve the best mark possible.
Revelation
I gave this title sequence Level 3 with 46 marks. I gave it a high level 3 because of the use of various shot lengths. Another reason why I gave it a level 3 was because it had used a variety of transitions. By using a variety of transitions it makes the sequence more effective. Furthermore the mise-en-scene was appropriate for their title. By the mise-en-scene following the plot it allows for the audience to understand what is going on better. It also makes it much more effective. At the beginning of the sequence the titles were used effectively. However as the background was black the titles were not clear. The titles were in the colour of red. I have learnt from watching this title sequence that we need to select the colours used carefully as these two colours blended in with each other. As these titles could not be seen we did not know what they said. Furthermore I have also learnt that we need to make sure that the mise-en-scene all fits together appropriately.
The level this was actually given was level 4 with 48 marks. This title sequence only just got into level 4 by one mark. From re watching this I can now see why it was awarded a level 4. The first reason why it was awarded a level 4 was because of the various shot lengths are were used. Secondly, the use of music builds up the tension and fits in with the atmosphere which is being created. The sequence itself is all in monochrome. This was effective and hadn't been used before in the previous sequences which we watched. By this sequence being in monochrome it creates a clear yet dark and grey atmosphere.
This title sequence has portrayed to me how we need to make our title sequence unique. It has also portrayed to me how the use of numerous amounts of transitions are effective.
Domino Effect
After watching this title sequence for the first time, I awarded it with a level 3 with 47 marks. One of the reasons why I awarded it with this level and mark was because of the good use of the camera. Another reason why I rewarded it with this mark is because of the amount of transitions used. When watching the sequence I noticed that there was also a variety of shot distance used. This was effective as we could see close-ups, mid shots, long shots and a few more.
However the actual level it was given was level 3 but with 40 marks. When we watched the sequence again I noticed a few reasons why it was only given 40 marks. The first reason was because the titles at the end were too small. By the titles being too small, it isn't allowing for them to be seen from a far distance away. Furthermore we also see that the background noises couldn't be heard. Even though the music is turned down when these happened, it was still very hard for these to be heard.
When making my title sequence, myself and my group need to make sure that any background noises can be heard and that the music is as high when these are being played so that they can be heard clearly.
Room to Breathe
I gave this title sequence Level 2 with 34 marks which is a high level 2. One reason why I gave it a high level 2 was because the camera was not still throughout. We see that the camera shakes a few times. This meant that I could not award it with a higher mark. Additionally it did include many different shot levels and angles. This is one reason why it was given a high level 2.
The mark it was actually given was level 2 with 35 marks. Here I can see that I was able to use the mark scheme to point out why it was only given a certain amount of marks.
After watching the title sequence again, I realised another reason why this title sequence could not be awarded a level 3. We see that at the time of 1 minute the music stops playing. This isn't effective as the music should be playing throughout. Furthermore we also see that the titles of did not fit in with the rest of the sequence and are also hard to read. One reason wh the titles are hard to read is because they aren't bold enough to stand out. I also believe it is due the to type of font used and the typeface. The typeface which has been used is called Serif. The font that is used also adds effect. However as this cannot be seen clearly it is hard for us to tell what the titles are saying.
From this title sequence I have learnt that what I thought was a good title sequence actually didn't score very well in terms of the mark scheme. I now know that I need to make sure that I follow the mark scheme and included everything that I can to the best of my ability.
Unrequired Love
As we watched this title sequence I noticed many aspects of the sequence that needed to be improved the be able to give it a higher level. The level in which I gave it was a level 2 with 33 marks. One reason for this is because the titles again were not on the screen for long enough and also we not completely clear to read. Furthermore when watching the sequence we also saw that there wasn't a varied amount of shot transitions used. However when watching the sequence I did get the purpose of it until the end. This was because all we saw through was the different stages of the cutting of the paper and then making it into a word. When I re watched this it became clearer to me. Although I do feel that the plot could have been made clearer.
The mark this title sequence was given was Level 2 with 30 marks. When we re-watched it is become much clearer to me why it received this level. One reason why it recieved this level was because there wasn't a varied amount of shots transitions for shot lengths. Another reason is that the plot of this title sequence wasn't very imaginative or effective. Lastly, I believe that there needed to different shot distances.
Overall I believe that this task has helped me to understand what is needed to make a good opening title sequence. From what I have learnt I am going to take this information and use it when making my title sequence. From this task I have realised where I went wrong when originally giving the sequences a level and mark. I have also realised that throughout making our title sequence we as a group need to keep on referring back to the mark scheme to make sure that we are completing each point to the best of our ability. In addition to the above, these ideas have helped me in thinking about plots and how we can make ours effective. Furthermore I have also learnt what we should not include and what we should include. For example we need to include a various amount of shot distances and shot transitions. We should not have a shaky camera, it should be steady all of the time and we should have a clear title sequence where the titles can be read easily.
Below are the images we took and also where we decided we wanted to shoot some establishing shots.
