Se7en Opening Title Sequence analysis.

 From the very beginning of this sequence to the end Cooper uses all sorts of effects and techniques to make the audience feel slightly disorientated.Yet, at the same time he is still able to grasp the audiences attention leaving them curious about what they are seeing and although there is no dialog the audience is still going to be able to depict what seems strange as there are many parts to this opening title sequence that seem odd. For example, in this sequence there is no real character establishment or development all that is going on is that some character who has inhumanly small hand writing is flipping between some sort of log full of information and cutting up polaroid films. However, what cooper has done is really cool because in post production he has created all sorts of duplicated phasing type effects which make the audience not only question what they are seen but continuing to make them feel disorientated. 

The titles themselves are constantly flickering or abruptly changing position. The affect that this has, is that the audience are having to look at each individual name as they are flickering almost making it impossible not to look.

The reoccurrence of the book that we see this unknown character taking notes in. Feels as though whatever the basis of this movie is about has something to do with the book. The reason as to why i say this is because the fact that some of these close ups are continuously cutting upon action before anyone from the audience is able to read it makes this book feel as though the contents are secretive. Especially considering the fact that we see the character cutting a photo of someones possible ID and then placing it in the book. What this does is it draws even more suspicion as members of the audience will begin to question as to what has happened. The atmosphere that has been created is rather tense. I say this because the music itself is somewhat thriller based but also the setting that these shots are taken in develop this sequence even more.

180 degree Rule

 In todays lesson we were taught about the 180 degree rule. Essentially what this is, is a line in which the film makers have to ensure not to cross when filming an exchange of looks or dialog between two characters. what this line allows the films makers to prevent from happening is basically making it appear to the audience that one character is either on the left or right whilst the other character is on the opposing side. So long as the shots that are being filmed obey the 180 degree rule the two characters should always appear to be on the same side in the exchange in conversation. However, if the film makers were to cross the line then it would look as though the characters have flipped making it very strange and making the audience confused.  

our task for today was to show three different shots. 

a wide shot 

an over the shoulder 

and a close up 

Kyle Cooper Introduction

 Kyle cooper was born 13th July 1962. He was extremely well known as a graphics designer as he created so many opening title sequences. as now Kyle Cooper is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Art and Sciences whereby he holds the title of honorary Royal Designer for Industry from the Royal Society of Arts. Over the entirety of his career he has been able to pull together seven Emmy nominations and two wins. Kyle Cooper has directed over 350 opening title sequences. 

DEVELOPING OUR IDEAS

 Todays lesson consisted of my group having two teachers reviewing our ideas for our opening tile sequence. We discussed what was good about our ideas and what areas we might struggle with. Our teachers said that we should try and narrow down our options for development and try to figure out what is going to work well for this task. 

A few days later we were then asked by our teachers as whether this opening title sequence is going to predominantly going to be more drama or thriller based. So, as a group we decided that if we take more advantage of shooting during a training sessions we would be able to develop more places to bring in dialog.The reason for this is because we are trying to introduce to the audience that there is also going to be elements of drama in this film and we feel as though on of the main ways for us to include this into our sequence is by showing the players exchanging words/gestures to slightly develop our characters.

Rule of thirds

 In todays pre-recorded lesson our teacher explained the rule of thirds and how you could achieve good lighting with your homes surroundings. But what was really interesting about this lesson was how my teacher was able to visually show us the basis of the rule of thirds. He explained that by placing your character or object in one of the four points of interest you can find that what you are shooting will become a lot more pleasing for the audience and it will develop a more dynamic shot.

by using this principle we can then develop what we are trying to film by creating good lighting with the use of items in your house. For example, monitors, desk lamps, natural lighting from windows. 

idea research

 In todays lesson I was set a task to do research for our idea. Each person in my group is going to research a different aspect of what should consist in our opening title sequence. In our group we all decided what it was that we were going to look in to, and let each-other know to ensure that we are all researching something different. I was told to look into some of the skills/movements that the characters should be doing for this opening title sequence to be a success. 

I started off my browsing on youtube looking for some sort of video that would be able to show me an example of the type of sequence that I am trying to make. However, as of right now I am still struggling to find one. So I moved on and decided to check out what skills we should be getting these players to be doing. For example, I decided to look at this video below to see what it is that Professionals have done in real time football matches in order to manoeuvre past oppositions in order to achieve space. 

In this video there are a number of moments when players have cut the ball back from the opposition in order to get into space really showing each players individual ability. And I think that if we were to show a wide range shots similar to the one below, cutting upon action quickly from one shot to another, could bring a really interesting dynamic towards this opening title sequence. 

The vision that I currently have is that as a group we are going to try and achieve numerous shot showing a whole load of skills ranging from some being in slow motion then  quickly becoming real time so that we can try and emphasise the skills that are being filmed. Below is an example of the kind of shot I would imagine to be the last however it is this sort of dynamic that I am looking to achieve as a group so long as we stick with this idea for an opening title sequence.

reviewing our ideas as a group

 Today in my online class we all joined a group video call and discussed our plans to one another. Everyone in my group thought that we all had good ideas and we weren't exactly sure as to which idea we should all settle with. The main reason behind this is because we all know that if we don't fully evaluate one of are ideas we could fall into issues with planning and organising. So if anything we will find time to discuss which idea will be most likely please our examiner, whilst still being eligible to film and create into a successful opening title sequence.

Idea Feedback

In my media class each and every student was tasked to come up with 3-4 ideas for an opening title sequence. Every student was required to present one of their ideas to the class so that they could receive both positive and negative feedback depending on your ideas Pros & Cons. 

I presented an idea of mine that was about an underdog football team. My teacher said that he really liked the idea that I portrayed to him. However, what he said to me that made me want to revaluate my idea was that fact that my idea may sound easier than it actually is primarily due to the fact that the camera crew might struggle with a-lot of the shots that i had in mind.

Sound analysis 'Kill Bill'

 At the very beginning the audience is introduced to some old western (stereotypically cowboy) music. As soon as the male character closes the coffin we hear and see the other male characters nailing shut lid of it in which we hear pleonastic. For example, in post production they would have added the sustained ringing sound of metal to emphasise the characters hammering down on the nails. The sounds that we are hearing would also be considered parallel sound, due to the fact that these emphasised pleonastic sounds are corresponding with the actions that we are seeing.

It is only once the men reach hammering final nail of the coffin that the music accompanying these scenes comes to an end. In this moment all we hear is the main characters heavy breathing, leading to an entirely black frame which draws the audience into their hearing. We can hear that the men are gradually pushing the coffin and then lowering it. Some of the sounds are panned from left to right. For example, as soon as they drop the coffin we can hear one of the men coughing in the right hand side. What this shows is that they have ensured to take control of the audiences senses and make them feel how disorientating it is to be stuck in her position as all of the sounds that are being heard are being heard from different sides so long as the audience has stereo for the full effect. Otherwise, they will hear these small sounds quietly for effect.

Once the men start throwing dirt over the coffin the sound begins to become muffled as the air over her coffin begins to disappear and she gets buried alive. Each time that a shovel worth of dirt is thrown over the coffin, we hear less each time. Giving the audience the same experience of loss of sound that someone may experience whilst being buried alive.

Analysing the opening of 'Delicatessen'

 French Film

Exposition:

Introducing background information 

Story characters 

Context prior events —time/place 

Set a Tone:

Suspense 

Back humour 

Structure of the sequence:

Discreet 

(Separate from film)

Place - accordion music 

-written text 

Time - establishing shot (thick yellow fog, Broken buildings) 

Cannibalism

Humour - acting editing knife/ title 

Suspense- perspective POV shots 

Exposition:

Exposition is the way in which a film induces background information. For example, in the opening scene of 'delicatessen' the audience is introduced an establishing shot in which we can see a bombed out building and thick yellow fog/smoke that is creating the setting for the audience. Later introduced to context which are prior to the events as well as the time and place. commonly having something to do with the characters in the opening. 

Idea 1

1.The opening title sequence would consists of a dark background with a patch of grass that is lit up with a short depth of field which is blacked out. All of the credit will appear and switch with a football that is being bounced in and out from the top of the frame with water droplets coming off of the ball and the grass.

This film is going to be about an underdog football team that is working there way up the league tables. However, there is constant conflict between the players as some of them are being noticed and offered positions with better teams and the coach has been loyal to his home team all his life (staying with them). It is the escape out of their town to strive for a better future. Yet, there are further issues as the coach ends up having terminal lung cancer meaning that one of the main players decided to stay in his home town and sacrifice his career for the benefit of the others. Allowing all of the starting players to move to different teams and end up playing with or against each-other in the champions league.