Friday, 17 December 2010
Pitching our idea
During our lesson on Thursday 16th December (yesterday) we pitched our idea for our film, and title sequence to the class. We talked about the genre of the film, and how this would be portrayed through media languages. We talked about the narrative of our film, and that it will follow Todorov's theory. We also talked about the target audience and release date of our film, and reasons for them. We said about what would happen in our title sequence, and how it would link to the codes and conventions of not only a title sequence, but of the horror genre also. During the pitch, the other groups and our teacher provided us with feedback, by filling out a sheet. The feedback is below:
Wednesday, 15 December 2010
Film Title
'WALKING WITH THE DEAD' is the chosen name for our film.
Some example fonts that could possibly be used are shown below:
These first 4 examples were chosen because they look quite distorted, which can link to the horror genre.
The next lot I chose because the writing looks like children's writing, which links to the narrative in the film, as it's about a child. It makes it more creepy.
Some example fonts that could possibly be used are shown below:
These first 4 examples were chosen because they look quite distorted, which can link to the horror genre.
The next lot I chose because the writing looks like children's writing, which links to the narrative in the film, as it's about a child. It makes it more creepy.
Tuesday, 14 December 2010
Developing ideas for our title sequence
Genre: Suspense Horror
Cinematography: Similar to Paranormal Activity
Eerie, jumpy rather than gory
Setting: house and garden
Typography: Edgy (dafont)
Music: Hams-zimmer or Daniel Lynch
Dull contrast, dull washed out colours
Producing industry: Universal Studios
Directors to look at: Gore Verbinski
Monday, 13 December 2010
Checklist
Props:
Teddies
School Bag
Children's drawings
Colouring Pencils
Toys
Equipment:
Video Camera
Tripod
Microphone
Location:
Laura's House
People:
Young Boy
Teenage girl
Teddies
School Bag
Children's drawings
Colouring Pencils
Toys
Equipment:
Video Camera
Tripod
Microphone
Location:
Laura's House
People:
Young Boy
Teenage girl
Old VS New
Old
At the beginning of this title sequence, straight away we are introduced to the film distributor: Universal. Following that the production company name is presented to us. This is shown over the image of a finger pointing. A finger point denotes that blame is being pointed on someone. This is a good image to have behind the company who actually made it, as it's like they are to blame for anything involved in the film. The next shot is again of hand which is in a fist position, this could be to represent strength and power. We are shown the name of the first actor over the top; the most important one: the main character. This may be to highlight that he is important, and to assert his importance in the film. After this another actor and character 's name are shown, over part of a statue. This would suggest that they also play quite significant roles in the film, but aren't as important as the main character. This fades out into an image of a ceramic vase with another name over the top. The ceramic vase links into the theme of the film, as that type of vase would be associated with Ancient Greece. Following this another actors name is shown over two hands. One hand disappears leaving just the one on the right, and another name appears. A different statue is shown, and we are yet again introduced to the name of another actor featured and their character name. The camera then goes down, revealing that it is a sword. When it reaches the bottom of the sword, another sword comes up from beneath it, to the left of it. Then the film title 'Spartacus' is shown. The font used is relatively simple, and it is all in capital letters. The font is a serif font, which makes it more formal. The colour of the font is white, which is to make it stand out from the dark background. The background could be dark to show that the movie isn't of a happy nature, and makes the film have a seriousness about it. After the main title is shown, the sword at the top of the shot fades away, then shortly after the name fades away, and then the second sword. Then another statue of a hand is shown, this time an open hand, with the names of multiple costars over the top. The image then changes to the mouth of a statue, with more names of actors over the top. Proceeding this, two statue hands are shown. The hands are both open as if they are about to catch something. Over the top of this, we are introduced to the name, and character name of another costar. Both the image and names fade away into an image of greek writing. This links to the film, as Spartacus is likely to be set in Greece, as that's where Spartans are from. On top of the image the names of key people are shown: the person responsible for screenplay, and the author of the novel the film is based on. This image fades away, and fades quickly into Roman numerals. This links to the film, as we would associate the film name, Spatacus, with the Roman empire. Some names of people in the production team are over the top of this image. The words and picture fade away into another picture of Greek writing, and above this image, we are told that the lenses are by PANAVISION. These both fade out into another image of Greek writing, but a close up of it, which looks like it has been carved into a wall, or concrete. We are introduced to more of the procuction team involved with the making of the film. After a short while, this fades into an image of Roman numerals at the top of the screen. At the bottom of the screen, underneath the Roman numerals, more of the team involved with the film are shown. Originally there were 5 Roman numerals were there, but four faded out after, leaving just an 'X' there. Underneath the X more of the team members names are shown.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054331/
New
WRITE HERE
At the beginning of this title sequence, straight away we are introduced to the film distributor: Universal. Following that the production company name is presented to us. This is shown over the image of a finger pointing. A finger point denotes that blame is being pointed on someone. This is a good image to have behind the company who actually made it, as it's like they are to blame for anything involved in the film. The next shot is again of hand which is in a fist position, this could be to represent strength and power. We are shown the name of the first actor over the top; the most important one: the main character. This may be to highlight that he is important, and to assert his importance in the film. After this another actor and character 's name are shown, over part of a statue. This would suggest that they also play quite significant roles in the film, but aren't as important as the main character. This fades out into an image of a ceramic vase with another name over the top. The ceramic vase links into the theme of the film, as that type of vase would be associated with Ancient Greece. Following this another actors name is shown over two hands. One hand disappears leaving just the one on the right, and another name appears. A different statue is shown, and we are yet again introduced to the name of another actor featured and their character name. The camera then goes down, revealing that it is a sword. When it reaches the bottom of the sword, another sword comes up from beneath it, to the left of it. Then the film title 'Spartacus' is shown. The font used is relatively simple, and it is all in capital letters. The font is a serif font, which makes it more formal. The colour of the font is white, which is to make it stand out from the dark background. The background could be dark to show that the movie isn't of a happy nature, and makes the film have a seriousness about it. After the main title is shown, the sword at the top of the shot fades away, then shortly after the name fades away, and then the second sword. Then another statue of a hand is shown, this time an open hand, with the names of multiple costars over the top. The image then changes to the mouth of a statue, with more names of actors over the top. Proceeding this, two statue hands are shown. The hands are both open as if they are about to catch something. Over the top of this, we are introduced to the name, and character name of another costar. Both the image and names fade away into an image of greek writing. This links to the film, as Spartacus is likely to be set in Greece, as that's where Spartans are from. On top of the image the names of key people are shown: the person responsible for screenplay, and the author of the novel the film is based on. This image fades away, and fades quickly into Roman numerals. This links to the film, as we would associate the film name, Spatacus, with the Roman empire. Some names of people in the production team are over the top of this image. The words and picture fade away into another picture of Greek writing, and above this image, we are told that the lenses are by PANAVISION. These both fade out into another image of Greek writing, but a close up of it, which looks like it has been carved into a wall, or concrete. We are introduced to more of the procuction team involved with the making of the film. After a short while, this fades into an image of Roman numerals at the top of the screen. At the bottom of the screen, underneath the Roman numerals, more of the team involved with the film are shown. Originally there were 5 Roman numerals were there, but four faded out after, leaving just an 'X' there. Underneath the X more of the team members names are shown.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054331/
New
WRITE HERE
Thursday, 9 December 2010
Production Company Logo
When making this logo for our production company, we chose to use quite dark colours as the company are going to mainly produce horror films. The name of our company came about randomly, but when thinking about what could symbolise it, we started to think about sharp objects. The image we chose to represent sharp was a syringe. A syringe can be associated with death and illness, which is quite a dark thing to think about. This links to the types of films the company is likely to produce. The font of the company name was found on DaFont under the Horror section, which perfectly fits in to the genre. The writing is quite formal in a way, but there are little blotches over the writing, which make it look slightly distorted, and less clean. The red line underneath the writing makes the writing stand out, and the colour could connote blood and anger.
Wednesday, 8 December 2010
Production Companies
20th Century Fox
They are a very well known company, and are one of six major American Film studios. The company has been around since 1935, as a result of two companies merging ( Fox Film Company, and Twentieth Century Pictures). They are well known for films such as Avatar, Star Wars, X-Men, and the well known television series The Simpsons.
They are another very well known company, and one of the major film studios. The cartoons that they started to produce in the 1930s are very famous. Looney Tunes being one of the major cartoons that they produced. Famous characters include Sylvester and Tweety, Porky Pig, Daffy Duck, and Bugs Bunny, who then went on to become central to the companies image. They went on in the 1900s to produce some well known, and very popular television series' such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Smallville, and Dawson's Creek. A series of films adapted from books they are very well known for is the Harry Potter series. This had great success and has many followers. Warner Bros. are also responsible for The Dark Knight, the Academy Award-winning Batman film that eventually became the studio's highest grossing film ever with over $1 billion.
They are based in the UK and are well known for a series Gothic films. They also produced Science Fiction, Thrillers, Film Noir and Comedies, and then later on they did television series. During its most successful years, Hammer dominated the horror film market, enjoying worldwide distribution and considerable financial success. They are known for making The Curse of Frankenstein and the huge box office success of it led to the inevitable desire for a sequel in The Revenge of Frankenstein. They then went on to make Dracula which was an enormous success breaking box office records globally. After that, they went on to remake the Mummy's hand, renaming it The Mummy. In 2009 it was announced that Hammer Films and Alliance Films are producing a remake of The Woman in Black, said to be released in 2011. Daniel Radcliffe will star as lawyer Arthur Kipps and the film will be written by Jane Goldman.
They are a very well known company, and are one of six major American Film studios. The company has been around since 1935, as a result of two companies merging ( Fox Film Company, and Twentieth Century Pictures). They are well known for films such as Avatar, Star Wars, X-Men, and the well known television series The Simpsons. Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc.
They are another very well known company, and one of the major film studios. The cartoons that they started to produce in the 1930s are very famous. Looney Tunes being one of the major cartoons that they produced. Famous characters include Sylvester and Tweety, Porky Pig, Daffy Duck, and Bugs Bunny, who then went on to become central to the companies image. They went on in the 1900s to produce some well known, and very popular television series' such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Smallville, and Dawson's Creek. A series of films adapted from books they are very well known for is the Harry Potter series. This had great success and has many followers. Warner Bros. are also responsible for The Dark Knight, the Academy Award-winning Batman film that eventually became the studio's highest grossing film ever with over $1 billion.Hammer Film Production
They are based in the UK and are well known for a series Gothic films. They also produced Science Fiction, Thrillers, Film Noir and Comedies, and then later on they did television series. During its most successful years, Hammer dominated the horror film market, enjoying worldwide distribution and considerable financial success. They are known for making The Curse of Frankenstein and the huge box office success of it led to the inevitable desire for a sequel in The Revenge of Frankenstein. They then went on to make Dracula which was an enormous success breaking box office records globally. After that, they went on to remake the Mummy's hand, renaming it The Mummy. In 2009 it was announced that Hammer Films and Alliance Films are producing a remake of The Woman in Black, said to be released in 2011. Daniel Radcliffe will star as lawyer Arthur Kipps and the film will be written by Jane Goldman.Analysis of a title sequence - Seven
In the first scene in the title sequence of Seven, we are shown the main character, Somerset's apartment. The first room shown is the kitchen in which there is light coming in from the outside through the window, but the room is quite dim. The light coming from the outside suggests that it is encroaching on his life. Also, the curtains themselves look like prison bars, which could link to the fact that he is a policeman, but it may also suggest that he is trapped within himself. Also in this shot there is an elephant figurine, which is near the window, so is almost lit up by the outside world. This may link to Somerset as a person as elephants are said to represent luck. Also, in this room on the table there is a chess table. This has many connotations. It may suggest he is always testing himself, or that he is one step ahead. It also suggests that Somerset thinks/behaves strategically.
In the next shot we are shown items laid out on a surface. They are laid out in a particular way and Somerset picks them up in a specific order, not just from left to right. This suggests that it is routine, and something he regularly does. Also, the items themselves tie in with the theme of the film, as a gun and a sherrif badge aren't everyday items.
I don't have access to a computer at home, so have been trying to update my blog in my free periods at school, and after school. I haven't got enough time to finish typing this up before the deadline tonight.
In the next shot we are shown items laid out on a surface. They are laid out in a particular way and Somerset picks them up in a specific order, not just from left to right. This suggests that it is routine, and something he regularly does. Also, the items themselves tie in with the theme of the film, as a gun and a sherrif badge aren't everyday items.
I don't have access to a computer at home, so have been trying to update my blog in my free periods at school, and after school. I haven't got enough time to finish typing this up before the deadline tonight.
2 genre film case studies
The Dead Zone
At the beginning, straight away it tells you who the film is made by, which could of been put there, so that it is the first thing seen, which may give it some amount of emphasis. Next, the title of the film is shown, which may be so that the audience can understand the sequence better. Some more self explanatory sequences may leave the name until the end. In this title sequence the town looks empty, like not even a soul lives there. Various places in a town are shown, such as a house, several roads, a park; all are empty. Not a single person is shown in the title sequence, which makes it look quite eerie.
Actors names appear throughout, which may help to convey the genre, as many actors often play characters similar to ones they have been before, and generally appear in films of similar genres to each other. It also allows the audience to get an idea about how the quality of the film to come will be, as if there is a star studded cast, they are likely to expect it to be a film with high acting levels.
The music is very quiet throughout, which makes it seem creepy, and as if something is lurking about, waiting. This links to the genre of the film, horror.
http://www.watchthetitles.com/articles/00152-The_Dead_Zone
Halloween
Instantly in this title sequence, the first thing that hits you is the music. The music sets up the tone for the film. It is quite a creepy sound, which is fast paced which creates the sense of fear. This suggests to us the genre of the film: horror. After the impact of the music hits us, we are introduced to the distributor and producer. This allows us to understand what sort of film it'll be, as generally, each distributor and production company produces a typical genre of film. The distributor 'Compass International Pictures' are known for releasing horror films, in the short time of their existence. Following this is the name of the producer 'Moustapha Akkad' who is a producer whose main line of work is Horror films. Shortly following this is the first bit of imagery: a carved pumpkin. Instantly people will associate this with Halloween, which ties in with the name of the film. It gives us hints as to what the film is going to be about.
Still unfinished as I haven't had much time free to update my blog.
At the beginning, straight away it tells you who the film is made by, which could of been put there, so that it is the first thing seen, which may give it some amount of emphasis. Next, the title of the film is shown, which may be so that the audience can understand the sequence better. Some more self explanatory sequences may leave the name until the end. In this title sequence the town looks empty, like not even a soul lives there. Various places in a town are shown, such as a house, several roads, a park; all are empty. Not a single person is shown in the title sequence, which makes it look quite eerie.
Actors names appear throughout, which may help to convey the genre, as many actors often play characters similar to ones they have been before, and generally appear in films of similar genres to each other. It also allows the audience to get an idea about how the quality of the film to come will be, as if there is a star studded cast, they are likely to expect it to be a film with high acting levels.
The music is very quiet throughout, which makes it seem creepy, and as if something is lurking about, waiting. This links to the genre of the film, horror.
http://www.watchthetitles.com/articles/00152-The_Dead_Zone
Halloween
Instantly in this title sequence, the first thing that hits you is the music. The music sets up the tone for the film. It is quite a creepy sound, which is fast paced which creates the sense of fear. This suggests to us the genre of the film: horror. After the impact of the music hits us, we are introduced to the distributor and producer. This allows us to understand what sort of film it'll be, as generally, each distributor and production company produces a typical genre of film. The distributor 'Compass International Pictures' are known for releasing horror films, in the short time of their existence. Following this is the name of the producer 'Moustapha Akkad' who is a producer whose main line of work is Horror films. Shortly following this is the first bit of imagery: a carved pumpkin. Instantly people will associate this with Halloween, which ties in with the name of the film. It gives us hints as to what the film is going to be about.
Still unfinished as I haven't had much time free to update my blog.
Monday, 6 December 2010
Opening Titles
What does it do?
- The opening credits of any film are important.
- They tell us the genre of the film or television show we are about to watch.
- They then form part of the audiences expectations, we know what to expect from our film/TV show.
Television
- They show you the set of characters that are in the show.
- Will give you the settings of the show.
- They tell you the genre of the show.
Key Elements
- Use of iconography (things we would expect to see with the genre of TV show).
- Gives it a setting.
- Names the actors, director, writer etc.
- Use of music.
- The opening credits of any film are important.
- They tell us the genre of the film or television show we are about to watch.
- They then form part of the audiences expectations, we know what to expect from our film/TV show.
Television
- They show you the set of characters that are in the show.
- Will give you the settings of the show.
- They tell you the genre of the show.
Key Elements
- Use of iconography (things we would expect to see with the genre of TV show).
- Gives it a setting.
- Names the actors, director, writer etc.
- Use of music.
Tzvetan Torodov
Tzvetan Torodov
He is a Bulgarian structuralist linguist publishing influential work on narrative from the 1960s onwards. Torodov suggested that stories begin with an equilibirum or status quo where any potentially opposing forces are in balance. This is disruputed by some eventm, setting in chain a series of events. Problems are solved so that order can be restored to the world of the fiction.
Beggining > Middle > End
Situation 1 > Problem > Resolution ( Situation 2 )
Katie Playing > Katie Hungry > Katie eats then plays.
Equilibrium > Disruption > Resolution/New equilibrium
He is a Bulgarian structuralist linguist publishing influential work on narrative from the 1960s onwards. Torodov suggested that stories begin with an equilibirum or status quo where any potentially opposing forces are in balance. This is disruputed by some eventm, setting in chain a series of events. Problems are solved so that order can be restored to the world of the fiction.
Beggining > Middle > End
Situation 1 > Problem > Resolution ( Situation 2 )
Katie Playing > Katie Hungry > Katie eats then plays.
Equilibrium > Disruption > Resolution/New equilibrium
Introduction to Narrative Theory
Defining Narrative
- Narrative plot.
- The voice of the story can vary - whose story is being told and from whose perspective?
- The way stories are told - how meaning is constructed and communicated.
- Organises time and space into a very compressed form.
- Groups events into cause and effects.
Narrative Story: Events as they happen/ in chronological order.
Narrative Plot: Events as they are presented to the audience by the author.
Structuralism
- Structuralists concern themselves with how meaning is established and maintained.
- Meaning is ATRIBUTED and is not already contained in the thing.
- Narratology is a branch of structuralism that studies the narrative of 'story' rather than individual tales in isolation.
If we were to make our film then we would be presenting the events that happen in chronological order. So the Narrative Story and Narrative Plot would be the same. It may contain some flashbacks of Harry thinking about when he found out that his parents had passed away.
- Narrative plot.
- The voice of the story can vary - whose story is being told and from whose perspective?
- The way stories are told - how meaning is constructed and communicated.
- Organises time and space into a very compressed form.
- Groups events into cause and effects.
Narrative Story: Events as they happen/ in chronological order.
Narrative Plot: Events as they are presented to the audience by the author.
Structuralism
- Structuralists concern themselves with how meaning is established and maintained.
- Meaning is ATRIBUTED and is not already contained in the thing.
- Narratology is a branch of structuralism that studies the narrative of 'story' rather than individual tales in isolation.
If we were to make our film then we would be presenting the events that happen in chronological order. So the Narrative Story and Narrative Plot would be the same. It may contain some flashbacks of Harry thinking about when he found out that his parents had passed away.
Genre
What is genre and why do we need it?
Genre is a class or category of artistic endeavor having a particular form, context, technique, or the like: the genre of epic poetry; the genre of symphonic music. Genre can help an audience identify the products they are seeing.
Genre is a class or category of artistic endeavor having a particular form, context, technique, or the like: the genre of epic poetry; the genre of symphonic music. Genre can help an audience identify the products they are seeing.
Moving Image Languages:
- Cinematography
- Mise-en-scene
- Sound
- Editing
- Narrative/Structure
All of these languages are used to communicate meaning to the audience and elict their emotional responses in various ways.
Mise-en-scene
- Make-up
- Setting
- Props
- Costume
- Facial Expression/Performance
- Lighting
Example Advert: Heineken
- Props: Beer for men, Shoes/Clothes for women.
- Women get excited over wardrobe, men get excited over beer fridge.
- Fridge is blue(men), wardrobe is yellow/warm colours(women).
- Women dressed in stylish clothing - made an effort. Men dressed in standard 'man uniform.'
Example Advert: Priviledge
- Setting: Run down/grimy cafe with a picture of a royal on the wall.
- Builder, 'old biddy', - Stereotypical working class. Costumes/Make-up etc.
- At the start this is contrasted by stereotypically upper class mannerisms and language.
- Parodying steroetypical representations of class.
- Cinematography
- Mise-en-scene
- Sound
- Editing
- Narrative/Structure
All of these languages are used to communicate meaning to the audience and elict their emotional responses in various ways.
Mise-en-scene
- Make-up
- Setting
- Props
- Costume
- Facial Expression/Performance
- Lighting
Example Advert: Heineken
- Props: Beer for men, Shoes/Clothes for women.
- Women get excited over wardrobe, men get excited over beer fridge.
- Fridge is blue(men), wardrobe is yellow/warm colours(women).
- Women dressed in stylish clothing - made an effort. Men dressed in standard 'man uniform.'
Example Advert: Priviledge
- Setting: Run down/grimy cafe with a picture of a royal on the wall.
- Builder, 'old biddy', - Stereotypical working class. Costumes/Make-up etc.
- At the start this is contrasted by stereotypically upper class mannerisms and language.
- Parodying steroetypical representations of class.
Thursday, 2 December 2010
General research into title sequences
http://www.watchthetitles.com/articles/00135-Terminator_Salvation
Terminator Salvation
At the beginning of the sequence the film producer Warner Bros. is shown, with the media development company, The Halcyon Company, following. This allows the audience to understand what kind of film they are expecting, as many people associate the company with the quality of film. Next you are slowly shown the first letter in the title name 'T', which is shown at an angle, which makes it look like a tall building. The colours are dark which suggests that the film isn't going to be of a happy nature, but maybe a scary nature. During the time when the letters are shown, the names of actors appear who feature in the film are shown. In this title sequence, the setting isn't really introduced to us, nor are the characters, which gives the film a bit of a mysterious element to it. At the end of the title sequence, the name of the film is finally shown. It is suggested that the film is a horror as the colours are quite dark, and the music is creepy.
http://www.watchthetitles.com/articles/0028-30_Days_of_Night
30 days of night
At the beginning of the title sequence, the name of the film is presented. Then there is an introduction to some moving image, which shows some icicles, which would suggest that the film is set in winter. Cold weather also suggests that the mood of the film is quite gloomy, and sad. The directors name is then presented, which to some people is an important factor for them to even consider watching the film. The director is essentially the controller of the film, and they generally hold their own characteristics, which is portrayed throughout every film they direct. Also, the music throughout the sequence sounds quite dark, and for anyone who had previously seen a horror film, they would instantly associate this music to that genre.
Terminator Salvation
At the beginning of the sequence the film producer Warner Bros. is shown, with the media development company, The Halcyon Company, following. This allows the audience to understand what kind of film they are expecting, as many people associate the company with the quality of film. Next you are slowly shown the first letter in the title name 'T', which is shown at an angle, which makes it look like a tall building. The colours are dark which suggests that the film isn't going to be of a happy nature, but maybe a scary nature. During the time when the letters are shown, the names of actors appear who feature in the film are shown. In this title sequence, the setting isn't really introduced to us, nor are the characters, which gives the film a bit of a mysterious element to it. At the end of the title sequence, the name of the film is finally shown. It is suggested that the film is a horror as the colours are quite dark, and the music is creepy.
http://www.watchthetitles.com/articles/0028-30_Days_of_Night
30 days of night
At the beginning of the title sequence, the name of the film is presented. Then there is an introduction to some moving image, which shows some icicles, which would suggest that the film is set in winter. Cold weather also suggests that the mood of the film is quite gloomy, and sad. The directors name is then presented, which to some people is an important factor for them to even consider watching the film. The director is essentially the controller of the film, and they generally hold their own characteristics, which is portrayed throughout every film they direct. Also, the music throughout the sequence sounds quite dark, and for anyone who had previously seen a horror film, they would instantly associate this music to that genre.
Wednesday, 1 December 2010
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