Analyses of two thrillers

The opening sequences to Panic Room and Face Off both show typical connotations of thriller films. Panic room shows a number of different shots of city buildings with the credits following the same angle. The credits are big and meant to be noticed which shows that the actors are a big part of the film and are well known. It consists of montage editing with jump cuts between each shot. The clips are long and slow paced with gives a sense of calmness that is not often seen in cities which makes the audience feel like something isn't right. The cinematography in the opening sequence of Panic Room show all the shots to be extreme long shots all resulting in being establishing shots of the city and creates an urban atmosphere. The shots are images that most people see in typical everyday life which is a convention of thriller as everything seems fine and like any other day. The sense that it feels normal and calm allows the audience to become tense as it shows that the storyline could happen to any person even when you think everything is OK. The music is non-deigetic and consists of many loud sting instruments. Strings are typically used in thriller to create edginess and unease the audience.

Face Off is different to Panic Room as it starts the plot of the film and acts as a back story. It uses continuity editing which allows the audience to straight away become engrossed with the film and want to watch on. Although the editing is continuous it does use ellipses in time which allows the audience to observe the situation that is unfolding and allow them to guess what will happen. The sequences uses transitions that make the clips fade into each other which creates a negative atmosphere. The music also links in with this as it has a slow tempo. Face Off also uses strings to create an uncertain atmosphere but as they are slower it makes the audience feel distressed. The setting is a carousel which creates a bigger impact when they characters are shot as the change between the positive setting and negative situation is sudden and unexpected. The actors (John Travolta and Nicolas Cage) are very well known therefore when there names appear on the credits they are very noticeable. The clips are very slow paced and some are even editing into slow motion to allow the audience to see what is happening. It also makes the audience feel helpless as they know what is about to unravel but cannot do anything to prevent it.

Scott Pilgram vs. The World

Analysis of Scott Pilgram vs. The World

Cinematography:

The cinematography in this sequence follows a typical comic book style. The camera shots and angles are similar to the drawings the drawings in the 'Scott Pilgram' books that the film is based on. As the camera is always straight and steady it reflects what it is like in the comic book this is also shown through the unusual angles and close ups. The sound is shown through cinematography as words and lightning bolts come out of the things that are making the noises for example the word 'yeah'. The scene uses fast zooms which create exaggeration on certain parts.

Sound:

All the sound in this sequence is diegetic. Sounds within the film, for example the door opening and closing, is hyperbolic, this makes the scene seem exaggerated. This coincides with the comic book theme where sounds are exaggerated through visual aids.

The music when the credits are being shown is being played by their band which is very upbeat and goes with the storyline. The genre of the music would typically appeal to a teenage demographic which is the target audience of the film.

Editing:

All the on screen words and lightning bolts that can bee seen have been editing during the post production as well as this the some of the background noises like the door and hitting of the drum stick have been exaggerated during the editing resulting in a comic book feel. The first half uses continuity editing which uses jump cuts. Half way through the scene changes and it shows the credits on different coloured backgrounds which move in time with the sound track.

Mise-en-scène:

The setting is a small apartment which has a sofa and musical instruments which are used to play the music. The costumes the actors are wearing portray what typical teenagers wear and they are plan so they do not stand out much. There is not many bright colours in this scene and the main colour scheme are browns and dark greens. Dull colours may have been used to reflect the black and white colours in the comic.

Love Actually

Opening scene:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3GWzLpkVdg




The opening scene and trailer to Love Actually are very different. The trailer follows typical conventions by being fast paced and using montage editing which grabs the viewers attention. The trailer also announces the big, well known actors that are staring in it by showing a mid-shot of them and having credits underneath as well as saying their name in the voice over. A voice over is another convention of a film trailer which gives the viewers details and an overview of the plot throughout without giving away any major plots.


The opening sequence is very different to the trailer. Unlike the trailer the opening is very slow paced and the slow, quite music creates an atmosphere and sets the tone. The setting is established as well as the main theme of the film and makes the viewer feel curious. Although it is very different than the trailer it includes some of the features however the effect they create is very different. For example a voice over is used in both however the opening scenes one is different as it is the main actors voice (Hugh Grant) who has a distinctive voice so the viewer knows he is going to be one of the main characters. The opening sequence does not reveal the main story line but introduces the theme of the film to the viewer and also shows the credits.

Se7en

The opening sequence and trailer to 'Se7en' reveal different things to the viewer as they have different purposes. The trailer uses montage editing to show different exciting parts of the film. The trailer also shows close ups of the different actors starring in the film as well as an overview of the plot. It does all this to hook the viewer and make them go and watch the whole film.

The opening sequence to 'Se7en' is very different to the trailer because it sets the scene and tone while introducing the characters. Close ups of certain characters tell the audience that these are going to be pivotal characters in the film.

What titles?

Understanding the variety of roles in a film production

There are many people that work on a film and they are not always credited. Most of the cast and crew are shown in the end credits however the main actors and production companies are shown at the beginning of the film. If the actors or actresses are well known the film will show their names in the opening sequence in a clear bold font to hook the viewer and make them want to watch it. The main production companies logos are included as well. If the film has a well known director, their name is usually noticeable at the beginning as well.

An example of this is the film Fargo. The film begins by showing the iconic sequence of the lion from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayor (MGM) which many people recognise. It is then followed by the logo sequence for one of the main distributors PolyGram Filmed Entertainment. After these are shown the opening sequence to the film begins showing a pale blue background. The credits are shown in a spaced out black font which is eye-catching and rememberable to the audience. Once again PolyGram is shown which shows that they must have had a big part it disturbing the film. Although 3 companies are shown to have distributed Fargo only two of them are show. After this the people starring in the film are shown to the audience. Although the film is written and directed my the Cohen brothers who are well known in the film industry there names are not shown at the beginning which is unusual.

Credits to include: Name of film, main stars, supporting actors, cinematographer, production supervisor, art director, set director, film editor, sound, casting, make-up, music, screen play, producer and director.

(The producer and director are usually in a bigger font)

What does a title sequence look like?

The title sequence is very different to the rest of the film as it usually uses different shot types and a different pace to the rest of the film. This is the first thing the viewer sees so it has to hook them so they continue to watch the rest of the film. It sometimes has a slower pace to lead the viewer into the world of the film while introducing the characters and allowing the viewer to become familiar with the setting and tone of the film. Other films begin with a fast pace sequence which puts the viewer right in the action to put them on the edge of their seats and capture them in the unusual event that is taking place.

Many films use close ups to shows the audience the main things that are needed to understand the film and sometimes gives them clues to what will happen at the end. Some films like romantic comedies start with a montage of things that happen to the main characters over a period of time which sets the atmosphere of the film. The opening sequences of films often consist of many beautifully composed shots which grab the viewer.

For example The Brothers Grimm (above) consists of many well composed shot in the first 3 minutes. This will hook the audience and interest them into watching the rest of the film. The beginning of this film uses a mixture of long shots and close ups which introduce the setting and locations of the film. The second to last image shows the two main characters on horses with there face covered up. This will make the audience want to carry on watching the film to see the

the actors as they are well known ( Matt Damon and Heath Ledger).

Title sequence VS trailer.

Understanding the difference between an opening sequence and a trailer.

Movie trailer

• an overview of the plot
• grab our attention
• action- the 'good bits'
• who is staring in it
• voice over
• details
• no giveaways
• montage editing
• fast pace
• loads of shots
• persuade viewer to watch

Movie opening sequence

• got to hook you
• familiarize view
• setting/ establish setting
• slow paced
• lead into narrative
• introduce characters
• shots of characters and titles
• establish mood or tone
• creates an atmosphere
• soundtrack (theme)
• music helps set tone
• viewers need to feel curious/ engage and have questions they want answers to.

The Brief

'To create the titles and opening of a new fiction film, to last a maximum of two minutes.'

Peer evaluation

What Went Well:

Good use of match on action (bin sequence)
180 degree rule and eye-line match was effective
Shot reverse shot
Continuity was good at the beginning when Katie walked into the room.


Even Better If:
The background sound had bad continuity as Kayleigh was typing loudly in one shot and in the next you could not hear it
There was no master shot and needed a greater range of camera angles
The shots are too similar.


I will use this feedback in future tasks to improve my work by working on my weaknesses and using my strengths. For example I will use a greater range of camera angles and shots and focus more on the continuity of the sounds not just the clips.