In our groups' preliminary video, we used Poppy and myself as the actors whilst James was in charge of filming. In the task, we had to include the use of 180 degree roll, match on action and shot reverse shot:
180 degree rule - This is a guideline in film making that states that two characters in the same scene should always have the same left/right relationship to each other. If the camera passes over the imaginary line connecting the two subjects, it is called crossing the line.
Match on action - This is a technique of continuity editing where an action commenced in the first shot is completed in the second shot, or an action in the first shot is mirrored by an action in the second shot.
Shot reverse shot - This is a film technique where one character is shown looking at another character, then the other character is shown looking back at the first character. This is a classical style of Hollywood continuity editing.
The task was to make a short, basic video of ourselves entering a room, walking across to the other side and having a conversation.
We wanted the video to have a range of shot types and angles, which I think we managed to complete well. After filming the video, we used a software called Final Cut, to edit and cut the shots.
If we were to do the video again, I think we would use different actors, even though the task was just for practice to get an idea of why these shot types are important and how they effect the flow of the video.
Sunday, 30 September 2012
Wednesday, 26 September 2012
OpeningEG7: Slumdog Millionaire
Slumdog Millionaire (Danny Boyle, 2008)
PRODUCED BY: Celador Films, Film4, Pathé Pictures International.
DISTRIBUTED BY: Warner Bros, 20th Century Fox, Channel 4 (click here to see the full list).
BUDGET: $15m.
BOX OFFICE: $141m (USA), £31m (UK).
RATINGS: 8.1 (IMDb).
I am going to analyse the opening scene of this film. It begins at 00:40 (after idents) and ends at 1:53.
Apart from the idents, there are no other credits. They are all shown at the end of the film.
The very first shot is a close up, over the shoulder shot, of whom we gather to be the main character. He is sweaty and dirty, and it is set in a dim, orange coloured room, filled with smoke. The close up shows the emotion of the characters face and the over the shoulder shot tells us that he is not alone and that someone is sat opposite him. There is background noise, however it is not clear what it is and there is no dialogue so at this point, we only really know what the main character looks like. At 00:50, there is a shot reverse shot, as the camera switches to look over the first characters shoulder, at the man sat opposite him, and then back to the first given shot. The impression we get from this second character is that he isn't very nice, by the way he is blowing smoke into the first characters face. He is also sweaty and dirty, giving the audience the idea they have been in that room for a long while together.
At 00:57, a date and place appears on the screen in the top left corner. The font is fairly small and simple. It says 'Mumbai, 2006', which gives the audience some information about what to expect, and where it all takes place. At 1:00, some more writing appears, releasing even more information to the audience. It tells us a name and a situation, however it still is not clear who this name belongs to and who is in this given situation. It also asks a question, making the audience get involved and to perhaps suggest that somehow there is police involved. At 1:02, the man blowing smoke hits the first character across the face. It becomes clear that the first character is under some sort of interrogation, linking the name and situation with the police.
However, we're still not entirely sure as there has been no dialogue.
After this scene, 4 possible answers to the question asked previously appear, in the style of 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire'. The theme tune to the game show has begun to play in the background. There is a montage, of someone dropping a lot of money into a bath tub, and the first character. From this point, we can figure out that the first character is waiting behind the set of 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire', therefore confirming that he is the name given (Jamal Malik) and he is in the given situation; he is one question away from winning 20 million rupees. However, the questions says 'How did he do it?' which contradicts the previous statement. This questions suggests he has already won the money whereas the statement above suggests he has nearly won it...
From this, we can also figure that the film has gone back to how it all began, as he has already won the money. We can then work out that the 2nd seen character is interrogating Jamal, after, we presume, winning the money.
Whilst the music is playing, there is someone introducing the game show, telling us what is going on. At 1:27, we get the first bit of face to face dialogue. The shot type is a close up, however the lighting is poor and dull. A new character is asking Jamal if he is ready, and as Jamal replies, a spot light flashes on and off of him. This effect enables us to briefly see the characters face and emotion. He looks quite nervous and seems to be staring at one place, perhaps trying to calm his nerves. At 1:44, Jamal and the new character walk onto the stage. The shot type is a two shot, with the unknown character looking up at Jamal smiling, but Jamal is still looking else where with a nervous expression. We can figure out that the new character is the host of the game show, but we are still wary about him as we have not been given any information about him.
At 1:48, there is a birds eye view of the stage on which Jamal, has just walked onto. This gives an all round view of the setting. The opening scene effectively ends as the music comes to an end. Jamal has sat down in the hot seat and is about to start playing the game. The effect of the game show theme tune playing is a clever way of introducing the start of the film and also the start of the game show, even though there are flashbacks, despite the fact that we do not discover that they are flashbacks until later on in the opening sequence. The dimensions of the screen are long and thin, cutting the top and bottom halves of the characters faces off.
PRODUCED BY: Celador Films, Film4, Pathé Pictures International.
DISTRIBUTED BY: Warner Bros, 20th Century Fox, Channel 4 (click here to see the full list).
BUDGET: $15m.
BOX OFFICE: $141m (USA), £31m (UK).
RATINGS: 8.1 (IMDb).
I am going to analyse the opening scene of this film. It begins at 00:40 (after idents) and ends at 1:53.
Apart from the idents, there are no other credits. They are all shown at the end of the film.
 |
| 00:35 |
 |
| 00:43 |
 |
| 00:50 |
 |
| 00:57 |
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| 1:02 |
At 00:57, a date and place appears on the screen in the top left corner. The font is fairly small and simple. It says 'Mumbai, 2006', which gives the audience some information about what to expect, and where it all takes place. At 1:00, some more writing appears, releasing even more information to the audience. It tells us a name and a situation, however it still is not clear who this name belongs to and who is in this given situation. It also asks a question, making the audience get involved and to perhaps suggest that somehow there is police involved. At 1:02, the man blowing smoke hits the first character across the face. It becomes clear that the first character is under some sort of interrogation, linking the name and situation with the police.
However, we're still not entirely sure as there has been no dialogue.
 |
| 1:12 |
After this scene, 4 possible answers to the question asked previously appear, in the style of 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire'. The theme tune to the game show has begun to play in the background. There is a montage, of someone dropping a lot of money into a bath tub, and the first character. From this point, we can figure out that the first character is waiting behind the set of 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire', therefore confirming that he is the name given (Jamal Malik) and he is in the given situation; he is one question away from winning 20 million rupees. However, the questions says 'How did he do it?' which contradicts the previous statement. This questions suggests he has already won the money whereas the statement above suggests he has nearly won it...
From this, we can also figure that the film has gone back to how it all began, as he has already won the money. We can then work out that the 2nd seen character is interrogating Jamal, after, we presume, winning the money.
 |
| 1:27 |
Whilst the music is playing, there is someone introducing the game show, telling us what is going on. At 1:27, we get the first bit of face to face dialogue. The shot type is a close up, however the lighting is poor and dull. A new character is asking Jamal if he is ready, and as Jamal replies, a spot light flashes on and off of him. This effect enables us to briefly see the characters face and emotion. He looks quite nervous and seems to be staring at one place, perhaps trying to calm his nerves. At 1:44, Jamal and the new character walk onto the stage. The shot type is a two shot, with the unknown character looking up at Jamal smiling, but Jamal is still looking else where with a nervous expression. We can figure out that the new character is the host of the game show, but we are still wary about him as we have not been given any information about him.
 |
| 1:44 |
At 1:48, there is a birds eye view of the stage on which Jamal, has just walked onto. This gives an all round view of the setting. The opening scene effectively ends as the music comes to an end. Jamal has sat down in the hot seat and is about to start playing the game. The effect of the game show theme tune playing is a clever way of introducing the start of the film and also the start of the game show, even though there are flashbacks, despite the fact that we do not discover that they are flashbacks until later on in the opening sequence. The dimensions of the screen are long and thin, cutting the top and bottom halves of the characters faces off.
 |
| 1:48 |
Tuesday, 25 September 2012
Opening EG4: Dead Mans Shoes
Dead Mans Shoes (Shane Meadows, 2004)
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| DVD cover |
PRODUCED BY: Warp Films, Big Arty Productions, EM Media, Film4.
DISTRIBUTED BY: Optimum Releasing, Ascot Elite Entertainment Group, Magnolia Productions (click here for a full list).
BUDGET: £723k
BOX OFFICE: $6k (USA).
RATINGS: 7.7 (IMDb).
This film has appeared in many lists of all
time greatest films, despite not getting a UK cinema release or making very little in the US. The music in non-diegetic, as it is imposed music. The first scene is like a documentary. The footage shown is home video, and the crackling effect and washed out colours of the film make it seem old. There is a flashback montage, from the present day to these videos. In the present day, there are two boys walking together on a bleak and lonely moor side. There is use of narrative enigma here, as there is no dialogue and we have only seen the back of the two men. There is a down beat song, which suggests tragedy, and an audio bridge to create a link between these present day videos and old home footage. These jumps in time are called ellipsis, and are very significant. The auteur portrays a certain style and certain messages, and this film also says 'A Shane Meadows Film' giving the impression the director is the creator. This is done as part of the marketing. After the flashback montages, there is a fade into black transition, to signify the ending of the opening sequence. It ends at 4:16.
Opening EG3: A Room for Romeo Brass
A Room For Romeo Brass (Shane Meadows, 1999)
PRODUCED BY: Alliance Atlantis Communications, Arts Council of England, Big Arty Productions (click here to see the full list).
DISTRIBUTED BY: Alliance Atlantis Communications (UK), Momentum Pictures (click here to see the full list).
BUDGET: £3m
BOX OFFICE: $18k (USA).
RATINGS: 7.5 (IMDb).
This film was funded by The Arts Council of England and the BBC. These companies tend to fund a lot of low budget films like this one. The opening take lasts for 1:10, which tells us it is going to be a drama as there is a lack of editing. The shot is an extreme long shot, to show the rural area. 'A Shane Meadows Film' appears, which reflects the auteur theory. This emphasizes the director as the major creator of the film. In the next shot, the mise-en-scene shows a run down area. Although the setting looks dull, the non-diegetic music playing is happy and jolly which brightens the mood. There is a use of audio bridge here as well, which links the different scenes with the music. The introduction ends at 5:39.
PRODUCED BY: Alliance Atlantis Communications, Arts Council of England, Big Arty Productions (click here to see the full list).DISTRIBUTED BY: Alliance Atlantis Communications (UK), Momentum Pictures (click here to see the full list).
BUDGET: £3m
BOX OFFICE: $18k (USA).
RATINGS: 7.5 (IMDb).
This film was funded by The Arts Council of England and the BBC. These companies tend to fund a lot of low budget films like this one. The opening take lasts for 1:10, which tells us it is going to be a drama as there is a lack of editing. The shot is an extreme long shot, to show the rural area. 'A Shane Meadows Film' appears, which reflects the auteur theory. This emphasizes the director as the major creator of the film. In the next shot, the mise-en-scene shows a run down area. Although the setting looks dull, the non-diegetic music playing is happy and jolly which brightens the mood. There is a use of audio bridge here as well, which links the different scenes with the music. The introduction ends at 5:39.
Monday, 24 September 2012
Opening EG2: 24/7
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| DVD Cover |
PRODUCED BY: British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Scala Films.
DISTRIBUTED BY: Pathé, October Films, Bedford Entertainment (click here to see the full list).
BUDGET: Unknown.
BOX OFFICE: £175k (UK).
RATINGS: 6.9 (IMDb).
The first shot is an establishing shot. It gradually becomes a mid-shot, as the main character advances towards the camera. The mise-en-scene chosen is an old abandoned train track, with a black and white sheep dog, which is traditionally associated with British culture. There has been a black and white filter applied, to make the film seem older than it actually is.
 |
| First shot, establishing shot |
 |
| Mid two shot, showing the relationship |
This shot is a mid two shot. It shows the two characters interacting, and the audience gather that they know each other from the dialogue used. There is a beer bottle in the second characters hand, which signifies he is drunk, and the hut he is found in suggests he has been living rough. The first character seems keen to help him.
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| Close up, showing the emotion |
This is a close up. The way the character is leaning his head against the window shows emotion. He is exhausted, yet it is hard to tell whether he is happy to have been found or not. He seems unfazed and unaware of what is going on, perhaps suggesting he has been in this position before.
 |
| Long shot of the hut |
This next shot is a long shot which shows the hut in which the second character was found in, but in a better condition. This tells us we have gone back in time. There is graffiti on the walls, which is traditionally used in many of Shane Meadows' films, to represent how the building has been un-cared for.
 |
| High angle |
This is a high angled shot, which makes the audience feel like they are experiencing the characters emotions.
 |
| Slight high angles establishing shot |
This shot is another establishing shot. It shows a typical British estate from the 1980's and 1990's. The houses are basic and simple, with no character. This tells us that this is a poorer part of the city, and that people may struggle to cope.
 |
| Mid shot |
This is a mid shot. We have gone back in time even more here, as this is the second character before he became homeless. He is happy and well presented here, which is a big contrast to how he was first presented to the audience. From this, we can guess that later on in the film, something dramatic happens. The music here is happy and he is dancing around.
Opening EG1: This Is England
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| DVD cover |
PRODUCED BY: Warp Films, Film4, UK Film Council, EM Media, Screen Yorkshire, Big Arty Productions, Optimum Releasing.
DISTRIBUTED BY: Optimum Releasing, NetFlix, Canal Film (click here to see the full list).
BUDGET: £1.5m.
BOX OFFICE: $328k (USA), £1.3m (UK).
RATINGS: 7.7 (IMDb)
BUDGET: £1.5m.
BOX OFFICE: $328k (USA), £1.3m (UK).
RATINGS: 7.7 (IMDb)
 |
| Roland Rat |
Shots:
1 - The very first scene we see is of Roland Rat, who appeared on the television network TV-am in 1983. Music begins to play. Credits appear in relatively small font, which appears rough and 'dirty'.
2 - We then get medium close up footage of Margaret Thatcher in a digger of some sort, wearing a hat and shouting. This suggests Shane Meadows dislikes her, as it is not a very nice or glamorous representation of her.
3 - We then get more footage of an old fashioned version of space invaders.
(The way in which the shots are set out, there is footage then a credit, then more footage and another credit etc.)
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| Credits |
5 - At this point, the scene changes. There is an unsteady tracking shot, suggesting the camera is hand held and possibly driving past in a car. The mise-en-scene selected shows council housing, graffiti, a vintage car and a run down neighborhood.
6 - When the title 'This Is England' appears, the camera shows a tower block, which is very different to what you would expect to see in a Hollywood film. The mise-en-scene is a stereo typical old fashioned Britain, and from this we can tell the film is going to be a social-realist.
7 - The next scene is of a group of skin heads walking up a flight of stairs. These skin heads are a major part of the film, and have a special significance.
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| Title appearance |
8 - From this point, the footage continuously changes. It is all footage that is significant to Britain, such as Princess Diana's and Prince Charles' wedding, which was global news. There is a lot of footage on this event, as it was a special moment for the British nation. There is also a lot of footage on women campaigning for women's rights. The footage is very mixed, with concerts, rememberence days, advancing technologies, racist attacks and riots. After all this, there is a lot of footage on the Faulklands war, as this was a major part of British history, and Britain is well known for it. After this comes more footage of Margaret Thatcher.
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| Princess Diana and Prince Charles |
9 - There is then a fade out into the film.
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| Soldiers |
Sunday, 23 September 2012
My Favourite Film
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| DVD cover |
Step Brothers (Adam McKay, 2008)
PRODUCED BY: Columbia Pictures, Relativity Media (click here to see the full list).
DISTRIBUTED BY: Sena, Forum, fX Network (click here to see the full list).
BUDGET: $65m.
BOX OFFICE: $100m (USA), £13m (UK).
RATINGS: 6.7 (IMDb).
I have watched this film many times and it never fails to make me laugh! It is a well known American comedy, written by Will Ferrell and John C Reilly, who are also the two main characters of this film. They are the perfect duo for a film like this!
Here is the trailer:
Thursday, 20 September 2012
The Brief
Main task: the titles and opening of a new fiction film, to last a maximum of two minutes.
This is an excellent opportunity to pick up new skills - plus of course provide an outlet for your imagination. There is a substantial degree of written work to accompany these texts, to reflect your grasp of theory and to set our your reasons for the creative choices you make. You record progress as you go in an individual multimedia blog, which is how the exam board assess your research, analysis and productions.
This is an excellent opportunity to pick up new skills - plus of course provide an outlet for your imagination. There is a substantial degree of written work to accompany these texts, to reflect your grasp of theory and to set our your reasons for the creative choices you make. You record progress as you go in an individual multimedia blog, which is how the exam board assess your research, analysis and productions.
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