09/12/11

In today's lesson me and my group decided to start to think about what the title of the film is going to be. After creating different ideas for a film title, we then After a long thinking process decided to create a detailed questionnaire to be given out to other class members and in which were our actual target audience. We decided to create a questionnaire on word to be printed off and then handed out in our class (full of 16-18 year olds) which would give use the information that we need. We now need to tally up the results and will so know what the chosen title will be.

Saul Bass Notes

Saul Bass was born in New York in May 8 1920 and died April 25, 1996. He was a Jewish-American, graphic designer and film-maker but was mostly known for his Animated title sequences.Saul bass Studied at the art students league in New York taught by Gyorgy Hopes in who was a Hungarain graphic designer. After completing a  apprenticeships in design films, Saul Bass then went on to work as a free lance graphic designer.

Bass worked for man Hollywood's greatest filmmakers, including Alfred Hitchcock, Martin Scorsese and many more. His most successful and most known title sequence was claimed to be the animated paper cut-out of a heroin addict's arm for the famous film 'The Man with the Golden Arm'.

Typography examples

New Film Plot

The film takes place in a ordinary british comprehensive school, where we see ordinary outcast Ronald Bateman attempting to survive his social class. This was about to change as his is turn inside-out as he accidentally killing both fellow student and teacher. This creates a massive dilemma which then sparks a accidental killing spree which is provoked by revenge, innocence and girls. He has more problems than he needed which means that exams are not the only thing to worry about this year. With a mixture of dark humor and brutal deaths, this will surely be a film that should not be missed.

Title sequence idea

School Comedy

-        Puberty

-        Social Groups

-        Uniform

-        Dumb Blonde

-        Other Teachers

-        Nerds

-        Stereotypes

-        Class Room

-        Restricted Locations

Horror

-        Killing

-        Weapons

-        Blood/Gore

-        Final Girl

-        Frightening Place

-        Misfits of Society

-        Villain/Monster

-        Social Slaying

-        Hero

Idea Notes

-        Morally Wrong

-        Contrapuntal Sound of boy walking to school with fast cuts to brutal murders with screaming and blood

-        Possible name similar to Sex, Drugs and Sausage Rolls

-        Accident killing – Therefore has to kill suspicious teenagers or teachers.

Plot Outline

-        Teacher and student role playing murder

-        Nerd sees this and believes it’s a real murder and tries to hit the teacher’s. In a result to this he accidently kills the student and kills teacher because she is a witness.

-        When people are suspicious he kills them.

Film Name Ideas

-        Books, Babes & Brutal Murders

-        Bod, Babes & Brutal Murders

-        Books, Babes & Brutal Deaths

-        Big Mistake

-        Name of Character: Grade A Killer

-        Secondary Psycho

-        Secondary Scoundrel

Location

-        Woolwich Poly School

-        Welling School

Death Ideas

-        Deep fat fryer

-        Pen in the eye

-        Javelin

-        Football goal

-        Books fall on top of someone

-        Electrocute

-        Slip over on wet floor

-        Freezer

-        Chair

-        Photo copier

-        Keyboard

-        Chemicals

-        Bunsen Burner

-        Piano 

Title's to appear on sequence

• Universal studios  logo/ animation.
• Working title logo/animation
• 'Universal pictures present'
• 'In association with studio canal'
• 'A working title production'
• 'In association with big talk productions'
• Main film title.

2/12/11

In todays lesson we updated our blogs making sure all the required documents and information was uploaded and presented. i found this lesson very useful as this was a good way to catch up on missing work which enabled me to re read my notes and re learn about the previous topics we have studied such as audience and institutions.

I began to create the pitch for our black comedy film. I decided to create this pitch on microsoft power point as this would be the best way to present the pitch if ever asked. I managed to ill in a lot of the films information such as the synopsis, target audience, genre and similar films with help from my other group members. The pitch was left unfinished due to the lack of time but is now fully completed due to continuing at home.

Film Pitch

Film Pitch

View more presentations from Billy Hogger.

Scream Title sequence

As the sequence starts the music is very slow pace and calm, this sound could be contrapuntal as it is calm but the red on the screen is an icon of a typical horror convention which is blood; it could also be parallel sound as it does match up with the slow movement on screen. The typography first shown transitions on to the shot with a wavy effect, this shows how something or someone is on the loose and is hard to catch. The letters have a small gap between each other, this shows how things are not simple and something is missing therefore clues need to be found in order to find out who the killer is. The colour of the font is white, this is a way of symbolising purity and this could be representing the typical virginal girl used in horror film. It could also be white because of the contrast it has with red and therefore makes it stand out more.

The typography and the background images on screen are always moving very slow and smoothly, this shows how a smooth criminal is on the loose and is constantly moving so he is not caught. The colours shown then change to black and white, this creates a dark/tense ambiance towards the audience as the colours are plain, simple and can also connote death. The scream mask then appears on the screen, this shows the audience how death and the mask are related but also this is a way of establishing the killer so the audience are aware of what to expect from this character.

The films title is then place in the centre of the frame in red and bigger and bolder than all the other typography used. This is stating the importance of the film as it is place central within the frame. Due to the text being bigger, this shows how the killer is bigger than the other names shown and is therefore more powerful as he is the killer. The text is red once again connoting blood, violence and gore. Screaming is then used to show how 'Scream' is a horror film and this is therefore establishing the genre.

01/12/11

In today's lesson as a class we viewed everyone groups pitch ideas and gave feedback. We were given sheets to fill out for each individual group to help them improve their pitch to make it the best it can be and most useful to the audience. When showing my pitch i was given the feedback that we should do a breakdown of what the budget will be spent on so this gives the audience more details on the finances and to also think more about our title sequence idea to create more enigmas towards the audience.

In these lessons I have learnt how everybody's pitches are different even though they are portraying the same thing towards the audience. I also learnt how the audience needs as much detailed description as possible in order for them to be able to fully understand what the film is about and whether it is worth viewing.

25/11/11

In today's lesson we studied about what distribution is and how distributors work together with producers to advertise and promote the film. Towards the end of the lesson we then was set a task which was to pick a future release film and do some research for who the distributor was and why did they distribute the film, identify the target audience and media use, identify key cast and crew and the films USP (unique selling point) and to identify other successful films by the director and key cast.

In this lesson i was taught everything about distributors and how they play a important role within the film industry. I learnt how the producers make the film, the distributors get the film to the cinema and the cinema show the film to the audience. I learnt how low budget films can not always get their film onto the film market because of their low budget and use of unrecognised cast and crew, But presenting the film at a film festival and if a producer labels the film as their own, it can help the film receive a bigger response and profit.

Audiences and Institutions

Keywords:

• Producers
• Distributors
• Exhibitor
• Studios

Distributor:

• Promotes the film
• Advertises the film
• Delivers the film to an audience
• Get film released in cinemas
• Home release (DVD)
• Marketing

- The film distributor is the link between the producer and the exhibitors' their aim is to get as many people to view the film.

- To market successfully the distributor has to target the appropriate audience.

- The distributor markets the film and develops an appropriate advertising campaign

- This can be easy if there is a star, but harder in the case of low budget independent films.

24/11/11

Today in the perspective of a production company, we viewed the pitches produced by film makers. We then went on to show the research me and my team had produced for working title production with which I will be uploading. once all presentations were shown, according to which ever film we felt we would like to buy we guessed it would be a film working title would actually buy and thankfully we was successful!

In the second half of the lesson we then went on to learning about the codes and conventions included in writing a pitch (I have posted these notes elsewhere on the blog). For the last 20 minutes we then focused on out blogs and updating them to make sure all research has be uploaded and all notes have been posted to be re looked at for revision purposes.

In these lesson I have learnt how production company's buy certain films according to which they feel they can best create according to their set budget. I have also learnt how pitching a film is very important and has to answer a lot of questions in order for the audience/company to fully understand the film and its roles.

22/11/11

Today we viewed everyone's title sequence plan for 'Groundhog day'. We gave feedback to whoever was presenting and the feedback mainly consisted of what we thought of the idea, how it could be improved and a ranking out of 10.

We then joined with our coursework groups and began to plan to genre and narrative for our film idea that will be used for our title sequence. After combining and brainstorming original films that have been produced, me and my group put all our thoughts and feelings together to create a final idea which is the genre of black comedy. i have posted a copy of the brainstorm and a brief  narrative on this blog ready to be viewed. 

In today's lesson I learnt about how every person has a different idea for 'Groundhog day' and this therefore taught me how every title sequence differs even when we was all making it for the same film. I understood the techniques involved in my other classmates sequences such as iconography, typography and enigmas. From today's lesson I also learnt how much thought has to be made to actually think of a genre for a film. Picking a genre is a very important part as you have to make your film fit into that category and it has to be portrayed to the audience in a way they can identify the genre so this means you can only pick a genre you know you can create meaning for.

Brainstorming a film idea and Narrative.

Serial Killer:

 Themes

Teacher- Monster/killer, Portrayed as being nice, Cannibal, Predator, Serial Killer.

High school - Stereotypical geek becoming hero, 'The inbetweeners/Scream'.

Genre

Black comedy, Horror (Hybrid of genre).

The comedy within the black comedy genre is that it is set to the present day therefore teenager events are shown to the audience therefore this creates a form of humour.

Black Comedy examples

• Juno
• 50 first dates
• Big nothing
• Hot fuzz
• Shaun of the dead
• Cable guy
• Kickass
• 50/50
• Zombieland

Plots

- One witness has to stop the killer striking her next victim.

- The inbetweeners has an affair with scream.

- Evil teacher killing within the school.

Location

- The school

References 

'The faculty'.

Cinematography for title sequence

A long take Point of view shot from the teachers perspectives throughout the sequence to show how the school children react to the teacher therefore portraying her as a nice person. End shot is a wide shot of the teacher to establish the character and her importance. (positioned in the centre of the frame).

Brief narrative:

• Starts of as a normal school day
• Things shown to the audience that relates to students deaths making the audience believe the teacher is the killer.
• Student (Will Mackenzie character inspired) witnesses teacher killing student but is not believed by friends therefore not confident to tell a teacher.
• The boy finds out who the next victim is therefore tries to stop the brutal murder.
• Fails to prevent the murder but is now discovered by teacher.
• Teacher keeps the boy hidden.
• Friends begin to worry and stay after school to find the missing boy as they now believe him.
• Teacher attempts to kill everyone
• Hero saves the day.

Perfect Pitch

First - The pitch should be brief, one short sentence.
Second - The audience should already understand the building blocks of the film 'A bomb on a bus' - Speed.

(References to other films)

Always say the story of the film but also include more detail such as themes.

Questions to answer in your pitch:

• What is the genre?
• What other films have inspired your film? how are they similar?
• Who is your target audience?
• When will your film be released?
• How much money will it cost to make?
• How much money will you earn?
• Who will star in your film?
• Who will be the director?

Zombieland Title Sequence Analysis

The title sequence begins straight away with destruction therefore showing that the zombies are not waiting around for anything. The slow motion effect used in the title sequence has been inserted to almost manipulate the genre because this effect has made death and panic look funny because of expressions. The red, big, bold typography helps to identify the genre as it combines with the dark low key lighting  therefore creating a tense ambiance towards the audience as the size of the text also signify how the damage and horror is big.

As the non diegetic rock/metal music is played with the sequence, this parallel sound also brings out a sense of a tense mood as it makes the audience feel uncomfortable to witness deaths but also hear screaming music at the same time as if they should be helping. From the moment the first zombie is shown, this creates a enigma towards the audience as they are left wondering what has created them? how will they be stopped? is this the end of the world?

When a naked woman figure begins to chase a man, this creates a sense of comedy and is therefore mocking the horror genre once again. As she is running in slow motion, this makes the moment become humorous as this reminds the male audience of Baywatch as they expect the woman to be beautiful but this horrific, zombified woman has manipulated Pamela Anderson therefore using intertexuality. The purple wall used in the background combines well with the naked women as purple is a way of symbolising an american pimp therefore creating the women to be a sexualised being especially with the use of money stashed down the sides of her underwear.

The film title is then smashed by a man, this shows how typography is once again being used to identify and give clues to the audience about events in the film therefore this moment informs the audience there will be a lot of destruction and disaster. You then see what appears to be business men running from the zombies, this shows how it is a real life situation but the white shirts are a way to combine with the blood used to make the blood look more effective.

As you see a fireman running away from a zombie on fire, this shows how a fearless man has become scared of the thing he has been doing on a regular bases as a job. This moment manipulates firemen and shows if they are scared then anyone should be! The last shot used is a point of view shot which works very effectively. After watching the horror of the chases, this has drawn the audience in and then to end it as a point of view makes them feel as if they are in the perspective of sitting in that car and are victims of the zombies therefore creating a dramatic effect.

Continuity Editing

The Task:

The task was to create a short sequence following cinematography rules of editing and shooting which are:

• The 180 degreee rule
• Continuity & Pace.

My role in the group was to be a actor. Having the job as a actor i decided to also write the script for the short sequence. I felt by writing a script this would help me as i would be comfortable saying the sentences i has produced myself. I also participated in the post production part by help to edit a few shots to create a final piece. 

Continuity Editing: Luke S, Billy H & Luke S by ohboi1

Dawn of the dead title sequence

1) How is the genre of the film constructed? What do the opening titles show visually?

The genre is firstly constructed by taking a natural, warm, friendly image such as the green tree and in the next several shots after manipulating the image and creating the opposite (evilness) therefore constructing a horror. iconography is used of red connoting blood against a dark background showing the contrast but how well darkness and murder work together through the meanings. Also the sound of people screaming show a sense of fear which is also constructing a horror.

2) How is narrative enigma created?

Normally with a enigma it is you asking yourself the questions but in this case you hear the questions being asked such as ''What caused it''. Fast cuts are used so the audience can not see exactly what is happening therefore creating a enigma as they wonder what they just saw without having time to think about it as several more cuts would have already passed. There is also imagery of cells appearing on the screen causing another enigma as the audience wonder what the cells are there for and are they connected to the disaster.

3) Why has kyle cooper chosen to use news footage?

Kyle Cooper has used news footage to make it as if you are actually looking at your news on the TV and this puts your in a real life perspective as if it is actually happening. He has also done this to make it look more realistic as some people may not take zombies seriously as they look at them as too much of a myth and are no longer scared.

4) Where do these shots position the viewer?

The shots place the viewer as if they were a person holding the handheld camera and part of the event, or a TV watcher at home. This can be related to the previous questions as they are both involving cinematography.

EXTRA NOTES

The contrapuntal sound creates a sense of comedy as the lyrics are talking about hell but the pace and rhythm of the song makes it more up beat and western like therefore manipulating the horror genre.

Bob Kurtz case study

The importance of typography and design

Order of titles (The rule of thumb) 

• Studio
• (Director)
• Stars (in order or reverse order of fame/status)
• Crew
• Editor
• Writer (screenplay)
• Producer
• Director

Analysis 

• Genre
• Style/Mood
• Possible narratives
• Production values
• Themes

Catch me if you can title sequence

• Neutral Blue colour to not establish the genre but to give the audience an idea of what it could be and which it is not for example a horror. 
• Rounded typography to show how the film runs smoothly especially with the parallel sound of a mysterious tune with a fast beat which could be signifying a chase hence the name. 
• The use of leading lines work very effectively, these lines create a fluid effect therefore once again suggesting the smoothly running of the film and creating mystery as a theme as once detectives find clues everything begins to run smoothly. 
• The dark shadows and the black fill of the animated character once again creates a mysterious efect as his face is hidden and unknown to the audience. 
• As the title appears on screen a aeroplane makes the 'me' gently fade, this may be suggesting two things. One, the aeroplane is signifying travel therefore stating there will be a lot off moving in the film which is suggesting secrecy and hiding. Two, as the 'me' fades smoothly this could be signifying the character that is being chased and it is showing how he is smoothly fading away from the searcher and therefore can not be caught.

Seven title sequence

• Dark/Menacing with a tense ambiance. 
• Fast cuts to create tension and cause enigmas as the audience get a glimpse of a shot.
• Typology is used as the colour scheme is red and black connoting death and blood therefore also stating a genre of a thriller or horror,
• Writing is small to signify a magnifying glass being used therefore meaning the film will be about mystery and things will need to be analysed.

Codes and Conventions of a title sequence.

Codes and Conventions of a title sequence.

The most used and needed techniques used in a title sequence are:

• The Details of cast and crew.
• The film's title.
• An introduction to character/character type.
• Indication of place.
• Indication of historical period.
• Information setting the mood and tone.
• Introduction to the signature theme tune.
• Information about the genre.
• Questions that the viewer finds interesting therefore creating a enigma.
• Patterns and types of editing that will be repeated in the remainder of the film.
• Mise-en-scene and cinematography that will be repeated elaborated upon later in the film therefore symbolising something.

  
  
  The typography of a title sequence can sometimes be ignored by the audience as there is so much action and drama going on we completely forget about it. I have noticed how from the very start of the title sequence it suddenly gives the audience thoughts of how they now think the film will be after seeing all the above techniques but also being giving enigmas leaves the audience confused therefore now ready for the real drama!

When looking at these codes and conventions, the basic fundamentals of a pre title sequence is to give the audience a little taster of what the film will be about and the themes that will carry on throughout the film. The pre title sequence is also to let you you know who directed the film and who is casting in it, it also lets you know producers and who helped make the film. When i come to make my own pre title sequence i will pay extremely close to attension to theses codes and conventions as these are gonna be the basis to my plan.

Ground Hog day

My Title sequence idea:

The shots will begin very slow paced and smoothly, Once the Film title is shown things begin to speed up especially once the main character has been established. The reason for things to speed up is because this is signifying Hugh grants memory which is forgetful so the editing is a way of expressing his thoughts. The shots will go down platform by platform as if you were going down in a elevator, it will also move side to side making a jerking, sharp effect. When the lift travels down this is representing Hugh loosing his memory but as it travels up and begins to move side to side this his his memory being mildly restored. The colour scheme will always stay black and white except Emma Watson's name which will appear in red and other significant things important to the theme of the film. The red in this case is symbolising love but it is also once again representing his memory because as Emma's name is a different colour, it shows she helps him remember.

Shot from the title sequence No.1:

(light bulb used to communicate to the audience thinking will be involved in the film).

Shot from the title sequence No.2:

(Brain relates to thinking) 

Shot from the title sequence No.3:

(Using the check boxes, this creates a enigma as the box labelled 'Dont remember today' will confuse the audience).

Shot from the title sequence No.4:

• (Title is positioned in the centre of the frame to show importance) 
• (Yellow light bulb to signify memory and thinking as this is a main event in the film)

Smashing Magazine Homework

1) ''The concept of score visualization first conceived by Oskar Fischinger in his film “Studies” anticipates the effects created by Saul Bass in “The Man With the Golden Arm” (1955) and later by Susan Bradley in “Monsters, Inc” (2001)''


(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hff329Wi0P0&feature=player_embedded)
(Monsters inc.)

• This is explaining how audio is used to the rhythm and pace of the titles therefore creating a better effect as it is more synchronised and catchy and this makes the viewers remember and recognise the tune of the film.

2) ''Maurice Binder worked on the title designs of 14 films about Agent 007, including the first episode, “Dr. No” (1962). Binder created the famous gun-barrel sequence, which became a signature for the Bond series''

• Because the Gun barrel became a bond film signature, this is something that Bond viewers like to see progress and continue to get them in the mood for a bond film so seeing a gun barrel this would automatically remind them of the sequence then they will get the theme tune in their head and want to watch the film.

3) ''It could be argued that typography lost importance in this era of title design. The imagery behind the credits received a lot more attention. Still, the interplay of typography and images was by no means ignored. ''

• This is interesting to me as I have sometimes done this myself, if a title sequence includes a enigma, this makes me focus on just the clip being played and not the titles even though they are placed in front of the clip and more visable to see I still ignore them.

4) ''While Cooper was working on the sequence for “Darkness Falls” (2003), some glass he was using suddenly split, and the crack cut across the eyes of a girl in an old picture. The incident added suspense to the effect''

•  I find this point interesting because without knowing the slice had been done by accident, this would make the viewers think more into the reason why it is across her eyes therefore creating a enigma, therefore attracting the audience and it shows how a simple mistake has caused such a big effect.

5) ''Using animated characters to introduce viewers to the story became a popular trend. Such talented graphic designers as Susan Bradley (Toy Story, Monsters, Inc., WALL-E, Ratatouille), Jaimi Caliri (Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events), Dave Nalle (Corpse Bride), Michael Riley (The Back-Up Plan, Kung Fu Panda) and Michael Curtis (Brother Bear) use all manner of tools to test different approaches to designing titles.''

•  I find this interesting because looking at animated characters, you begin to feel like they are not animated but in fact they actually are the actor, this helps the audience to learn about the characters role and their personality already when they haven't even seen them in their normal form yet.