Initial Ideas

After watching real opening sequence's to films and students own opening sequences my group and I came up with a spider diagram full of initial ideas for our own opening sequence. We discussed things like story plots, settings, camera shots, music etc. and decided to focus on the horror/thriller genre. This enabled us to put down everyone's ideas and create a visual idea of what are opening sequence could be like. We will now be able to break down ideas from this and produce a final idea that will enable us to plot our final opening sequence.

Evaluation of Students Work

In class we looked at some examples of students work from our school and other schools. I made some brief notes on what was effective and what didn't work so well. This gave our group some ideas which we could incorporate into our final piece. It allowed me to understand different camera shots and how efficient they work along with sound and editing techniques. Additionally we discovered key point which we need to focus on and make sure we get right to create a successful opening sequence.

What was effective?
The main features that stood out as effective was the camera movements especially in the interval where the tracking shot moves down the road showing the setting. I will incorporate this feature within my own opening sequence. 








Another effective feature was the way the credits were incorporated within the shots. The most effective was The Edge where they placed the credits along the stairs as if they were in the scene.

The props the students used have been well thought out and presented effectively to fit in with the genre and setting of the sequence. Exemption featured a broken glass and The Interval a hammer.

What was not so effective?

Although most of the opening sequences were good there were some weaknesses. For example the music in did not flow with the piece and the camera work was a bit jumpy. Additionally poor lighting and editing due to not having the right equipment.
Some I saw had too much detail leaving no narrative enigma making it like a trailer instead of an opening.

Opening Sequence Analysis #3

Insidious

Title:

The red in the Insidious title connotes danger and represents blood. When it pops up on screen the light shakes making it stand out even more. This is usually conventional in a horror genre as it highlight the main titles. 

Setting:
This opening sequence is set in a isolated house which

is segregated from surrounding houses.  The first shots are inside the house and then we are shown the outside of the house. Each room we are shown is filled with boxes and looks empty. The whole sequence is in black and white signifying the spooky and uncomfortable events that may occur.

Lighting:
Throughout the opening the lighting is low key suggesting a mystery. The lights used are lamps and candles shown throughout. This shows that the family living are unaware of the events that are going to occur. 
Colour:
All of the opening scene is filmed in black and white as the connotations of black is evil and the white signifies pure and innocent giving the idea that this film will clash between good and evil. This allows the tiles to stand out as the bold red connotes danger and blood which gives an insight into the film.

Characters:
Only two people are shown in this opening sequence the Antagonist and the Protagonist. No dialogue is used but we can tell which character is which by the way the director has shown them. The Protagonist is the sleeping little boy we see at the start, seeing him asleep suggests he's peaceful with no troubles. However the Antagonist is the ghostly women outside the house holding a candle. We are shown a close-up of her during the opening sequence to see her face. She doesn't look like she should be there which coveys to the audience that she's the antagonist.

Camera shots/movement:

 

Various shots are used throughout the opening sequence. At the start the camera spins showing the room which a young boy is in bed sleeping. The use of the spinning camera creates questions within the audience confusing there eyesight and minds forming enigmas. We then get lead through the dark house slowly to see a shadow in the window. The camera speeds up and zooms in to the shadow. When the camera speeds it attracts the audiences glare and makes them look for unusual aspects that may occur. it puts them on edge.

Additionally a aerial shot is used when looking down the stair case creating a mystery giving the audience questions.

Sound:

Non-diegetic music is heard throughout the opening sequence starting at a low echoing sound which increases in pitch when we see the shadow. It then again goes quiet in the close up but shoots back up when the title shows to jump scare the audience.

Opening Sequence Analysis #2

Woman in Black Opening Sequence

Opening Sequence Analysis #1

Ghost Ship https://youtu.be/0hzksXbfDW4

The opening to Ghost Ship contradicts the typical horror opening scene. This is shown by using classical party music which gives a calm romantic feel to the movie. It’s deceiving as there is no clue that the film is in the horror genre. Also the title, which is shown early on, is in a pink scripted font; challenges the conventions of a horror film as we usually see the colours red and black within horror titles. 

The majority of the characters in the opening scene are high class citizens which are presented as wealthy by the costumes they wear. The clean smart long dresses and diamond necklaces represent how wealthy they are and how they take pride in the way they look. They seem to not have any struggles as they are shown dancing on a boat  which makes the audience feel confused. The camera mainly focuses on two characters; the women singer dressed in red, which could connote passion, and the young girl in a light blue which signifies innocence and purity. These two characters contrast eachother. Using close-up shots of these characters show the audience they are important to the story so feel more connected to them.

However, the mood quickly changes when we are shown a mystery man pushing a lever. The horror genre then become clear. The camera shots become quicker and the lighting becomes more low key and de-saturated with a hint of blue which signifies the coldness making the audience tenser. The movement then turns into slow motion creating tension and building suspense.

A shallow focus close-up of the wire appears with the people dancing behind showing they are clueless to what is happening. Following the lights breaking and the explosion we get a scene of white and pink flowers being split in half.

The white and pink signifies innocence and peace which is now being destroyed. Everyone stops dancing and we get a close-up shot of the old man showing his emotions. The audience then follow the wire in a fast pace as it happens making sure they know the damage the wire has caused. It’s very gory and graphic which is typical to a horror genre and contrasts massively to the beginning where there was nothing going wrong.

The same shot of the wire is used as before but unlike last time the wire is covered in blood emphasising the impact that it has caused. The vibrant red colour symbolising the death and power the wire had on all of their lives. The squeaking of the wire creates an eerie mood along with the emphasis of the glass smashing and the moans from the victims.

Being eye level with the little girl in the man’s arms, watching the bodies fall around her, allows us to connect and share the emotions she’s feeling. We keep going back to this shot making the audience aware that she has not been affected and is all alone. Scene of blood and body’s breaking recreates the genre of horror. The high angle shot showing everyone dead with just the man and girl showing they are vulnerable and weak. When we see the man die it shocks the audience as they know the young girl is going to be alone. Her facial expressions allow us to connect and share emotions and the cries and scream emphasize this.

Horror Genre

Codes and conventions
After analysing a number of horror films, I have noted that there are a number of conventions that are usually featured in horror films. They are used because they  have a strong effect on audiences while adding to their enjoyment of the film.

Like the opening of most films, horror films will usually begin with institutional information relating to the film; the companies most involved in the making and distribution of the film. These will be presented in a way that suits the film; the logos may be made darker and more gothic. This is usually necessary, especially if the institutions involved are not specifically involved in the horror genre.

The main codes and conventions that feature throughout horror films are;

Soundtrack

The soundtrack is usually very slow and eerie, usually made this way through the use of classical instruments. Many horror films will have the music playing at a very low volume to start with, then increases when the action happens. There is also the use of sudden, sharp music at points  where suspense is being built up. This puts the audience on edge, and when the action appears it comes unexpectedly making them jump.

Lighting

The setting is usually very dark using low-key lighting which can be effective to create shadows. This is used because it creates a strong feeling of terror. The audience can sympathise with how little the characters can see and feel the tension this causes. The opening of the film jaws is very dark with the girl only being shown as a shadow creating enigmas within the audience creating suspense.

Characters

The most vulnerable characters in horror films are usually females. This is because they are stereotyped as the weaker sex, and make for the easiest victims. Males are usually portrayed as the stronger and more rational character, who has to protect the female. In Scary movie the women becomes the victim having to protect herself which seems to fail. When looking for a weapon she picks the banana instead of the weapon emphasising the 'blonde' dumber stereotype women have.

Editing

Jump cuts are the most common way of changing shots in horror films. This is because it creates a feeling of tension and disorientate the viewers creating a sense of confusion for the audience, positioning them to be scared when it is necessary in the film.

Setting

The setting can help add tension and make to audience understand and feel involved within the film. Most common setting is a small, isolated area which makes the characters feel lonely and the audience sympathies with them. Most likely set in old cabins, abandon buildings or dark streets. The cabin in the woods is set in the woods away from everyone portraying the segregation.

Shots

Most typical shots used in horror films are long shots and high angle shots . The long shots are mostly used when showing the murderer or victim where as the high angle shots are used to show the victims being at a disadvantage when faced with the murderer.

Fonts

The films title and the credits are usually in black and bold capital letters in either black and red. The black and red signifies blood and danger which allow the horror genre to be conveyed.  
 

Horror Sub-Genres                              Conventional Actors

Action Horror                                              Jack Nicholson

Comedy Horror                                              Brad Dourif

Gothic Horror                                                Kane Hodder

Psychological Horror                                  Robert Englund

Science-fiction Horror

Slasher Films

Zombie Horror

Why audience enjoy watching Horror Films?

Horror films add a element of entertainment and enjoyment. Audiences choose to watch horror films because they have the 'thrill factor' which brings excitement and allows them to escape their life.  

Conventions of an Opening Sequence

The purpose of an opening sequence is to entice the audience into watching more of the film. it should ideally introduce the main characters and establish the films genre. 

Title of the film 

 The title will appear in the opening sequence, letting the audience know what film they are about to watch. The title could also be used to show the genre of the film.

In this opening sequence the Se7en film title appears to show the thriller/horror genre through the flickery/ scratching of the letters. 

In contrast The Love actually film title appears in a small font at the bottom of the screen in a red colour which initially tells the audience its within the romance genre.

Credits 

 The  cast and crew that contributed to the movie will appear in the opening sequence to thank the people involved and gives them publicity. Also having major actresses and actors that are in the film engage the audience as they will watch it for the cast.

The Love Actually films contains many famous actress and actors that people around the world will know. One of these would be Hugh Grant who is famous in the romance genre, so this would engage the audiences.

 

Energy of the state is another example that uses credits in the opening sequence. Will Smith is another name people will recognise and go to watch a film that he features in.
Settings 

Throughout the opening sequence the audience will be introduced to the setting the film will be placed in.

The Breakfast club opening sequence consist of different shots of the Maine North High School which the whole film is based in. This allows the audience to familiar themselves with the setting and makes it easier to follow the different storylines within.

The film LOL is based in a American school. The opening sequence consists of a tracking shot following students around the outside grounds of the    school. It then focusses of the front entrance which the main characters exit from.

Introduction to Characters 

 Throughout the opening sequence the audience will be introduced to the main characters in the film.

 An introduction to the characters doesn't always consist of speech. In the opening sequence to Kidulthood we are shown different shots of different groups and by their body language the audience can gather information about their character without them speaking. 

However the opening sequence Easy A contains a voiceover delivered by the main character which introduces the storyline. In addition we are shown the main character being knocked over giving the audience an insight into the characters.

Studio Logo's

Films of all genres contain the studio's logo at the start to ensure the audience know which corporation was responsible for making the film. It could suggest what genre the film falls into.

An example of a very bold and recognisable logo is the Walt Disney logo as its very distinguishable among others. It contains a soft tune suggesting the films going to be magical. The colours suggest the film will be more for children and families.

Sometimes studio logos are edited to suit the film itself. For example the Harry Potter extract contains an edited Warner Brothers logo containing low key lighting which dominantly present within the film.

Sound

There are two types of sounds found in an opening sequence; diegetic and non-diegetic. Diegetic sound helps set the setting and non-diegetic sound helps establish the genre.

The film Lord of War contains both Diegetic sound and non-diegetic sound within the opening sequence. The song 'For what is worth' plays alongside diegetic sounds of machining and manufacturing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LUEiKs2UAo

The Casino Royale opening sequence contains just Diegetic music allowing the audience to recognise the fast-beat sound played in all James bond films.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YXVY5IuWNc

Enigma

The enigma is what draws the audience in leaving the audience's questions unanswered making them what to watch on.

The saw opening sequence creates many narrative enigmas like; why the men are chained up? Who killed the man? Where are they there? Who are they? These questions will be answered when watching the rest of the film.

Citizen Kane is full of enigmas that don't have immediate answers for example why are there monkeys? Where is that big house? Why does he die?