Conventions definition.

Conventions are an unwritten set of rules which films of the same genre follow - what is expected to be seen/things you typically see in a certain genre.

Opening titles analysis - Music.

Reservoir Dogs (1992).

Upbeat, catchy song - lyrics/beat rhythmic to introduce characters - creates impression of characters.

Halloween (1978)

Music establishes dark/horror mood - links with images on screen.

Builds - gets more intensive as it goes on - build tension/suspense

Vertigo (1958)

Music used to direct viewers' attention to the visuals.

Sets a mysterious mood.

Four Lions (2010) opening tiles analysis.

Sound.

Diegetic sound is used to focus the attention of the audience on what is happening on the screen - all of your attention gets put on the characters.

There is a 'grainy' audio quality to match the home video, which switches to a higher quality afterwards.

There is no use of background music (or non-diegetic sounds) until almost 3 minutes in, when the titles first come on screen.

The non-diegetic sound is composed to fit the mood set by the characters, for the transition between the opening sequence and the titles.

Lighting/colour tone.

The initial setting uses a dark, enclosed room which is mysterious, but at the same time focuses the demographics' attention on the character on screen.

Editing.

The editing used shows the clips cohesively from minimal angles (the 'home video' angle, close up on other characters and a wider shot of all three characters). No transitions have been used between different shots, makes the scene more intense.

Iconography.

Some props used include: A gun and Eastern type backdrop sheets - both of which suggests crime and extremists. 

Se7en (1995) opening titles analysis.

Sound.

Non-diagetic - beat of music coordinates with names on screen for emphasis.

Build to a crescendo - signal for beginning of film - tension - excitement.

Music intentionally composed to create a mood of darkness & intensity.

High volume - audience feel emersed/ bombarded.

Lighting/colour tones.

Dark shadows/earthy/sepia tones - mystery - enigma.

Editing.

Quick cuts in succession - linked images.

Shots with longer screen time - highlight importance/significance.

Cohesive shots - repeated - hint at narrative & create cohesion.

Iconography.

Gun, razor blade, crime scene evidence - violence/crime scene.

Demands of a film opening titles

An opening title sequence needs to

• Persuade the audience that the film is worth continuing to watch.
• Rise above other distractions that might occur whilst watching on TV/Phone/Tablet/PC.
• Establish genre, setting and production values of the production.
• Introduce key characters.

Task Brief

To produce the titles and opening of a new fiction film. Must be 2 minutes long. It is worth 30% of our final grade.

Preliminary video exercise

Here is the revision of my preliminary video:

I filmed and edited the continuity task video, incorporating filming and editing a character opening a door, crossing a room and sitting down in a chair opposite another character, who then exchange a few lines of dialogue. This demonstrates match on action, shot/reverse shot and the 180 degree rule.