Examples of opening sequences

casino:
In this sequence I noticed everyone dressed in a similar way mostly wearing professional clothing showing a pattern, such as suits and dressed in a respectful manner, giving them the image of being powerful, connoting wealth and having a high status. I also liked the way the portrayed the people they may be powerful people with high statuses but the way the bought them on stage was different we are able to identify the characters by language which they use full of aggression a lot of swearing , usually associates with street life not educated people this would get the audience wanting to watch more and creates that extra tension which makes it more interesting to watch and just desperate to know what's going to happen next. narrative used in the background I believe gives a personal touch to it which again strengthens the importance of the film and the character as gives them identity - wanting to find out more about these people

 

 

 

Donnie Brasco:

After watching this sequence I found it quite different to the rest that I had watched, the opening at the beginning the main character is seen in deep thought while features of a montage of different images showing the passing of time and development of the place with narrative/over voice to direct the audience, character also summarises the characters feelings drawing and image of this character in the audiences minds. Camera movement follows the main character almost to the extent of point-of-view, until the camera performs a backwards-creep, and reveals the main character in front. This was used so that the audience could clearly see how people feared/respected him by the way they looked in the camera's direction with worried expressions. I found that this sequence was mostly detective based involving personal relationships rather than violence and aggressiveness. I've also taken note of the speech used there is a pattern the speech almost all the character speak in a dark unsettled tone and voice usually with an accent being American or British cockney or Italian accents this can be seen as a form of race that separates them from other gangs/groups. The lightening used in this sequence vary because it associates with the mood, a clear separation between daylight and daytime, also inside public places the lighting is different according to how the atmosphere is this could foreshadow what might happen next in the film for example dark- something bad is more likely to happen, also the idea of alcohol being used and people getting drunk goods being sold and stolen openly shows the pattern of mise en scene being used to portray gangster life.

 

 

The departed:

I found that in this sequence was similar to the other sequences I had looked at, narrative/ voiceover speaking in the back ground telling the audience about his side of the story his personal take on things, giving the audience a sense of his identity. This character was the 'bad guy' he was the one who bullied everyone knowing they could not stand up for themselves and fight back.

However in this sequence they have portrayed gangster differently as to what I had seen in other gangster opening sequences through the costumes used, in this sequence I did not see any professional clothing like suits, however this could be used for several reasons. 1) their way of conveying how they think gangsters are 2) seeing as this film was made a while ago in 2006, maybe this was how gangsters used to dress showing how gangster have changed and progressed overtime from before and have become more modern. 3) also another reason could be used to give a false image of the character meaning dressed in casual jeans and shirt portrayed his innocence although after listening to what the character said at the beginning we clearly and instantly know that he is the bad guy.

Overall after the research I have gathered from the above I have found out a range of information about gangster related films and the their codes and conventions that they stick to which has helped me look at what I should include in my final opening sequence:

- I also noticed there was one main thing that was common in the 3 sequences i researched the language used we were able to identify the charcters though the way they sopke. suggesting speaking  this way was familiar in ganagster life.

- Costume plays a great part as it gives the effect for mise en scene which could represent certain things, depending on how the producer would like to portray their idea for e.g. gangster: suits and professional costumes. Costume could also represent the time period as to when the film was set.

- Speech would be aggressive, violence would be used to show the spiteful behaviour.

 

- Most of the sequences I've seen alcohol is used a lot commonly being drunk in bars casinos.

 

- Also most of the locations are set at bars and casinos or private places such as offices.

 

- Weapons are used such as guns and knives etc..

 

- The roles that are shown include power/control leadership high status.

 

- The colours lighting mainly used are dark dull colours connoting this idea of hatred revenge violence.

 

- The camera movements also create tension they apply to the situation such as close ups/ following actor showing the characters emotions getting the audience in a tensed mood.

 

- The narrator speaking in the back ground/ voice over.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Feed the fish

Evaluation of perlimerenary task:

As a class we had to show each other our sequences and give feedback on what was good and what we think should be improved. what went well: was keeping the camera steady this is because we used the tripod also moving in frame with the character i found was very good as well when we didn't use the tripod it was very steady for example when walking up the stairs following the employee walking into the classroom. we used a variety of different shots: mid shot low angle shots and close ups that gave a great effect as they all matched the situation. however there was a lot of room for improvements if we could do this again, we would need to work on continuity editing for example when it cut it was light then the next cut it was dark that is something we need to concentrate on. we also go feedback from the class that our match on action wasn't that great so that will be something we will need to look at as well, this was the shot were the boss was standing up but the cut didn't match as he was sitting down when it cut, we need to concentrate on using match on action. we also got told that we shouldn't pan, as we panned when the boss and employee were having the interview, pan is mostly used in documentaries it is best if we just used cutaways .when we were editing our sequence we used a lot of fade out's this was only because there were some errors in our filming and that was the only way we could have covered it however next time we will have more time to make change and we also use cutaways as that would have made the shot smoother and look more realistic this would have also added to the mise en scene . To conclude I feel that because our time was limited we were not able to show what we could have done more to improve and the sequence could have been a lot more better however our mistakes that we made this time will help us on our next task and we will have an idea on what we shouldn't do.

Narrative

There are three main narrative theories, these are: Todorov's theory, Levi Straus' Binary Opposition theory and Propp's Narrative theory. I have chosen to focus on the narrative theory of Todorov's theory as it is the most suitable to the film I'm going to apply it to (Shrek). Todorov's narrative theory states that there would be 'equilibrium' until something serious and dangerous may appear which disrupts the narrative and appears as 'disequilibrium', furthermore towards the end of the tale everything is resolved and the equilibrium is restored once more. This theory can be applied to the majority of films, these films may be called 'classic' films or 'Hollywood' films, as this is usually the most popular narrative. This narrative is usually used for films which are targeted at a younger audience such as children. The Walt Disney film companies are an excellent example of an industry who use Todorov's narrative, as it makes the younger audience feel 'safe' in knowing the disequilibrium or disturbance in the film shall be and will always be restored.

Todorov's theory applied to Shrek)

 

Equilibrium: The beginning of the film shows an ogre named Shrek who is perfectly happy and has always enjoyed living in peaceful solitude in his swamps.

                                                                                                                                          

Disruption: Shrek's life is disrupted when fairytale characters appear on his swamps due to being forced by order of Lord Farquad.

 

Recognition: Shrek goes on a search for this 'Lord Farquad in order to demand his land back. Meanwhile Farquad finds out the only way for him to become king is to marry a princess, in which he chooses Princess Fiona. However Farquaad learns he had to rescue Fiona from a castle surrounded by lava and protected by a fire-breathing dragon to marry her.

Repair:  Shrek and Farquad agree that Shrek will save Fiona if Farquad gives him his privacy back. Shrek rescues Fiona and whilst making the journey back to Lord Farquad realises his feelings for Princess Fiona.

 

New Equilibrium: Shrek and Fiona admit their love for each other and share a kiss; Fiona is bathed in light as her curse is broken, but is surprised to find that she has remained an ogre. Shrek calms her by assuring her that she is still beautiful. The two of them get married in the swamp.

 

 

Codes and conventions of a chase sequence

A slow build up in the non diegetic music, rising and rising with the scene until a climax is hit for a bigger impact.

Editing gets faster as the chase or stalk gets more intense, having quick editing during the climax of the scene to create the feeling of a fast and intense chase.

- Quick edits intertwined displaying close ups of both the bully and the victim’s emotions, such as their hands, feet, face and body language to show the bully's scary qualities and angry emotion and the victims vulnerability and scared emotion.

- Most scenes like this are filmed at night, using the lighting to express the mood of the situation. If filmed in the day, the scenes usually kept as dark as possible, using an overcast day for example, to express the same emotion.

- Long establishing shots displaying the width or length of the streets or corridors in which the chase is taking place.

- Tracking shots taken either in front of the victim as they run away from the bully or an over the shoulder shot showing where they are running to.

 - Slow motion used sometimes to increase the tension as the bully either gets closer or the victim makes a lucky getaway.

Breif idea

Today we decided our final storyline which is going to be based on a chase sequence. The storyline would be based on a character getting bullied at high school and attempts to run away from his bullies. However, this doesn't work to his benefit and he gets caught and gets beaten up by the bullies. Consequently the character can't handle this anymore and commits suicide and writes a letter before his death - ensuring that his older brother would find it and take action.

Max payne analysis

Scene number	Technical terms	Effects
-          1	-          The opening of the film -20th century fox.
-          2	-          Sound bridge dialogue(of the man speaking).   -          Diegetic - wind in the background also used as a sound bridge.	The sound bridge introduces us to the character before we actually see him we already know he’s is a man. The wind in the background  could be used to let the audience know he’s outside or in a dark place that we cannot see. the black screen creates a sense of tension warning us that something bad is going to happen.
-          3	-          Diegetic : -          noise of splashing water -          breathing quite close -	The loud heavy breathing of the man drowning draws attention to the audience. The added noises in the background adds to it makes it more intense and gives us feeling that something may happen later on.
-          4	-          Diegetic -          Splashing of water -          Reaching for air -          Sound of the water	Sound changes when he is on top of the water than when hes at the bottom of the water. the silence when hes on top of the water creates tension with the dark colours used, maybe warning us that something bad may happen later on.
-          5	-          Diegetic sound of the water  -          parallel sound of water makes it sound realistic	the splashing sound of the water and gasping for air he is struggling  all emphasises drowning. Questions start to go through our minds such as why what and why hes even there.  parallel sound is used as the sound of the man drowning under water and on-top of the water sounds  realistic.
-          6	-          Diegetic	The man is finally under water the bubbles show him being pulled down he goes even deeper gives it that dramatic effect the sound underneath the water is more eerie than onto of the water. also the awkward silence could suggest  the end with the last breath he releases which is very different to him gasping for air at the beginning
o   7	-          diegetic -	narrator is talking directly at us makes us feel closer to the film the sound when he is drowning  is very sudden and deep speeds up the tension.
-          8	-          Diegetic -          Baby crying -          Jingly sound could relate- could symbolise a baby toy	The baby crying builds up tension. the bright yellow colour coming out from the door contrast to the scene before dark and gloomy this could symbolise heaven.
-          9	-          Diegetic -          Baby crying -          Jingly noise	The eerie music starts to speed up. adds to the tension still waiting for something to happen.
-          10	-          Sound bride	Sound bridge is used as we can still hear the baby crying at the beginning of the scene were the man's crying. bubbles also create a dark image we see the character on the verge of dying.
-          11	-          Diegetic -          Creak of door -          Contrapuntal -          Music seems quite scary as hes entering  a baby's room	The music brings tension as we don't know why the music is quite spooky while hes entering a baby's room.
-          12	-          Diegetic -          Tick tocking	The sound of the tick tocking brings tension and as the camera comes closer to her face the makes us feel scared because she's lying in a dark room with the light wind blowing  gives us the impression that she is already dead
-          13	-          Diegetic -          Clock	The clock is still tick tocking maybe suggesting time is running  out . close shot of his face, sad makes us feel sympathy for him.
-          14	-          Diegetic -          wind blowing -          jingles -          tick tocking	Sound becomes more eerie . creates tension.
-          15	-          Sound bridge of the sirens	Sound bridge is used as we hear the siren before the scene appears. it very dark, the siren shows that help may be on the way but darkness creates a feeling that he may already be dead.
-          16	-          Diegetic -          Sirens	The change in scenery creates a different feel the setting becomes more natural   (ambient sound).