Film Opening: Final Cut

Film Opening: Evaluation

How did you attract/address your audience? 



Who would be the audience for your media product? & particular social groups represented? 

BBFC 12A Classification

The target audience for our film was aimed at the 12A classification rating, we researched it further on the BBFC website and read through the typical features which are included within in each age rating and decided that 12A suited it the best; the summary of the rating can be seen here in detail:  http://www.bbfc.co.uk/what-classification/12a-and-12. The components of our film opening match the film certification of 12A, for example, the film as a whole includes upsetting scenes which could be disturbing for a young child to watch without an adult by their side.The genre of our film opening was based on a thriller theme, which features conventions such as low key lighting and quick cuts etc. creating suspense that keeps the audience engaged. The type of audience we were aiming for were teenagers around the same age range as us, as it will appeal to them the most due to the similarities of their lifestyle which are apparent to the audience. 

British Location

Overall, the film was aimed at both genders but appeals more to girls as it's easier for them to understand the scenario with the image in mind, that they can relate to the situation and problems highlighted by the main character. The main character is a victim of a past disaster. As the nationality of the film is British, the image is very gritty looking, as it's made with a low budget and set in England. British actors are used, as well as common British locations to emphasize the culture of origin. Our film would appeal to the niche market, as it is an Independent British movie, made with a low budget. Regarding the particular social groups which are represented in our film opening, we highlighted the stereotype of a typical troubled teenage girl, through the clothes she wore in the mise en scene and the body language she encountered, making it apparent to the audience, how she is feeling. The main character (Crystal) is 16 years old and appears distant and confused after the impacting accident in her life, presenting the characteristics of her personality. 

What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why? 

In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms 
and conventions of real media products? 



Screen caps to visually portray typical thriller conventions included in our film opening:

Low Key Lighting.

Not revealing the characters at first.

Close-Up Shot.

Flashback & Fast Cuts.

Extreme Close-Up Shot.

What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product? 

In terms of filming, I have learnt a wide range of camera angles which are used for specific shots in scenes. As we used digital cameras, I learnt how different lenses were used for particular shots: it includes 3 types of lenses [35mm, 50mm and 75mm] which enable you to capture a long shot, mid-shot and close-up shot for your frame shot in the scene. Using the DSLR camera's resulted in clear, quality footage giving off a professional look and high resolution. We also used a tripod to keep specific shots steady and additionally used the handheld camera method, generating enigma in the scene as it makes it look more realistic to the audience. In addition, for most of our scenery shots we used the steady cam, as the camera glided along the location smoothly, resulting in a professional finish. This was my first time using a steady cam and it was interesting to see how metal weights balance the camera, composing a smooth glide. 

Steady Cam on Set

Creating Animation Video

The microphone attached to the camera enables HD quality sound to be recorded, in our case we wanted to capture ambient sounds such as the river flowing in the background, however, we didn't go ahead with this idea as it didn't fit in with the rest of the film opening, with the continuity. Editing the film opening was intriguing as I developed my knowledge on Final Cut Pro as a software, I learnt how to edit: colour, lighting, transitions, titles/credits, music/arts and editing with HD footage. In particular, colour grading each scene to make sure all the colours enhanced were relatively dull, connoting that depressing tone and mood. Furthermore, for research we used You Tube as a search engine discovering past film openings with the similar genre, picking up ideas and combing them together. 


I also learnt how to compose animation video portraying our storyboard in a slide show form, generating a clear view of how the film opening will follow. Digitization allows our film opening to go onto YouTube, distributing it on a viral level using the [below the line] method, which opens it up to a potential wide audience as. With the development of digital technology, we were able to make a film for free and distribute it. 

Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product? 

Slow Motion on Final Cut Pro

Sound Adjustment

During the preliminary task, I learnt the basic filming techniques and how each scene continues from one another using clear continuity throughout. I have learnt all the different types of angles which can be used in a shot, signifying different emotions and power over different characters, for example, a high angle shot shows a character who is weak and hopeless. As the character in our film opening was a vulnerable person we wanted to portray that using a variety of techniques. In comparison, filming the film opening was much more efficient as opposed to when I was doing the preliminary task because as a group we were very organised and worked together as a team to elaborate how to get it to the best standard possible. There was definite development in the way we filmed as it was more detailed and relevant towards the theme of our film, emphasizing the genre of a physiological thriller. I increased my knowledge on how to edit, learning new effects and tools which are used to enhance the clarity of the film itself and also how to convert a file to quick time and upload it to YouTube, where it would eventually be distributed on a viral level. In addition to this, I learnt how to create a slow motion effect on the footage and how to fade out the tone of the sound/music at the end of the scene.

Audience Feedback:

Anoop Johal:
Positive: The setting helped feel the emotions of the character.
Negative: Some dialogue would have helped understand who the character is.

Danielle Bui:

Positive: There is emotive music which made me fear the unknown.

Negative: Needs more interaction between character to show relationship between each character. 

Film Opening: Editing

During the process of editing our film opening, I have learnt a range of new skills which I will take forward with me. In this image, it displays the way my group and I used the colour grading to turn coloured footage to black and white. We had to use the colour corrector tool which then came up with a colour wheel and some buttons which you use to adjust the specific colour. As we wanted to turn this particular part of the footage black and white, we turned the saturation down and made sure the contrast levels were balanced.We decided to use a black and white format for the 'flashback' scenes because we felt it made it seem more real like your going back in time, making it evident for the audience to understand clearly. 

We also added a slow motion effect to this footage by changing the speed to 65%, adding to the enigma being created.I also learnt how to put a letterbox format onto the footage, which presented it in a wide screen format, where the image is displayed in approximately its original proportions across the middle of the screen, leaving horizontal black bands above and below. In addition, I also learnt how to fade out music using a specific tool which enabled me to control the audio levels and choose where I wanted the music to fade out. Moreover, The font we used is called Calisto MT and we decided to use it because it had an elegant effect but slight edge to it, connoting the theme of our story. Our teacher recommended that we use the same font throughout the whole film opening to portray clear continuity. We positioned the titles in various ways throughout the film opening, spreading out the duration of each credit appearing to display a smooth flow. 

Research & Planning: Risk Assessment

In the film industry, risk assessments are often written out to ensure health and safety actions are pursued and helps the film crew identify hazards and control the risk they create for those involved in the production of the film or even people in the public. The process requires you to take time to look at the location's surrounding area and decide the hazards which are present on set, you then have to assess the risk of people being exposed to these hazards and find ways to either eliminate or control them.

Research & Planning: Renaming Film Title

Our original name for our film was called "Amnesia", however we were recommended to change it because it sounded too Hollywood and we are producing a British film; therefore, we needed to make the title longer. As a group we all contributed ideas towards the new name for the titles, we combined out thoughts and eventually came up with the title: "The Forgotten One". I like this title because the girl (crystal) suffers from amnesia and as she reacts to the death of her sister during the story, she slowly fades away, acting and being presented as a person who will be forgotten. 

Research & Planning: Film Opening Analysis: Inception

Inception
In my group, this was one of the first openings we decided to look at as inspiration regarding our genre and the specific type of story line. This movie is a psychological thriller and keeps you guessing until the end which is what makes it so engaging. The film opens with a close up shot of the waves flowing with speed in the sea, you can hear the diegetic and ambient sound of the water in the background; creating enigma. This specific shot sets the scene and mood of the movie with the parts of the location and scenery shown. A panning shot is then used to reveal parts of a character who is laying on the shallow part of the coast by the water and it shown through a relatively blurred shot as you cannot see him sharply, leaving the audience confused. Next, the back of a young boy is shown playing with the sand and laughing which creates tension as the two shots contrast from each other, keeping the audience engaged. It then goes back to the character laying down, building the character up by using different shots is effective and i want to pursue this in our film opening. Another character is then introduced who is a little girl playing with the boy and laughing, contrasting emotions towards the man laying down who has a tortured emotion shown through his facial expressions. After this, a low angle shot and point of view shot is used to introduce the group of men who have guns, this portrays them as having authority and power over the character laying on the coast, also creating suspense as audience become shocked and worried. A long shot is then used revealing more of the location, the scene then cuts straight to a new setting inside a building, the colours and lighting are dark and low key generating a mysterious atmosphere. An over the shoulder shot is used to introduce another character from the view of someone else in the background. The close up shot of the object spinning creates tension and enigma as it can have a range of meanings behind it, leaving the audience clueless. I like the way a small object has such a big impact and foreshadows the rest of the movie, the way the story unfolds slowly is really effective because it plays with your mind.

Research & Planning: Shotlist

Research & Planning: Animatic Storyboard

Research & Planning: Storyboard

Research & Planning: Music & Sound

On Thin Ice - The Dark Knight Rises Soundtrack: We chose this song as an inspiration towards the type of music that we wanted for our film opening. It has various elements including the pitch, volume and dynamics of the music and sound which links to the upsetting tone and mood of our film in general. The music in this specific song slowly builds up to a climax, creating enigma for the audience and also makes a big effect to the way the film opening will possibly flow. It fitted well against the footage that we had, as it had quite a slow pace but a beat which drove the film opening forward. However, we found this song too late nearing our deadline for the first cut and were unable to ask for permission to use it in our film opening, so we decided to search on other sites where there may be a similar song which we can use with no authority.

We researched further into the music which was similar and enhanced the genre of a thriller. Our teacher recommended a website formed by Moby Gratis [http://www.mobygratis.com/], where a wide range of independent music for film was accessible and free for us to use. We searched and listened to most songs, playing it against our footage and made assumptions of which song worked well the best. Finally, the song which we all thought was most well suited for our film opening was called "Live Forever". We downloaded the song off the website for free with a licensed copyright label enabling us to use the music with permission. After we received the music file, we formatted and converted the 'aiff' file to an 'mp3' file, ready to be edited into our film opening on Final Cut Pro. Here is a link to the song:
 http://www.mobygratis.com/catalog?title=live+forever&field_album_tid=All&field_instrument_tid=All&field_tempo_tid=All&field_type_tid=All&field_mood_tid=All&field_genre_tid=All

Research & Planning: Titles

To get an insight into the correct font and style which will be needed for our film opening, we looked at a range of opening sequences of films which just have the titles and credits playing to see how they format the titles and lay it out on the screen. For our chosen genre (thriller), the type of font which is expected is something quite elegant but has an edge to it, making it look more appealing to the audience, where as for another genre e.g. romance you would expect a more smooth faced font which is curved. While editing we originally used a very mainstream font which looked very messy and unprofessional, which is why i wanted to research further into film openings which used typefaces that gave an impact to the structure of the sequence.

Out of all the film openings we watched regarding 'titling' we felt that the "Man Of Steel" opening sequence was the most effective, therefore we used it as inspiration and a guide towards the font we wish to pursue. The title sequence for "Man Of Steel" is very simple but has an effective element which keeps the audience engaged. A sharp, small and bold font has been used with all of the text and is in capital letters emphasizing each word which is displayed. Another element that makes the opening sequence striking is how smooth it flows with the titles and credits fading in and out in a refined and formal way. I want to use a similar font for the credits of our film opening, to give it a smooth flow making it look efficient and professional. We also liked how each scene cut to a new frame when a different credit was displayed on the screen. 

Film Opening: Filming

When we went out to our location to film our footage on Saturday, overall we had a successful day capturing a range of footage which can be used and deleted while editing. The lighting was perfect for our shots as the sun was out reflecting as natural light for our scenes. We had already shot some footage previously before and the we needed the lighting to be the same to show clear continuity through out the film opening. In my group, we all took turns in using the camera and equipment available, shooting different shots from various angles so that we had a wide range of footage to choose when it came to editing. Additionally, we made most of all of the equipment, for example, we used the tripod to keep specific shots steady giving off a traditional and professional film style look and on the other hand, we had handheld shots which were slightly shaky, but also came across as adding to the tension and suspense which was created. We used the steady cam to make the panning shots smoother and adjusted the cameras various lens to establish each different shot that we had, for example, we used the 75mm lens for our close up and extreme close up shots. For our mid shots, we used the 50mm lens, to reveal elements of the character and for our long shots we used the 35mm lens to establish the setting and location.

Research & Planning: Film Production Name

Image of a Blurred Path as inspiration

After researching various film productions companies, in particular British ones, as a group we contributed our ideas together to think of an original and unique film production name, which also had aspects of professionalism within it. Formerly, we had the name called "Alumination Productions", which I personally thought was too mainstream and was already an existing company in the film industry, therefore as a group we decided to change it. Our new ideas included names such as "Skyline Productions" & "Nightfall Productions" but throughout our research they were already taken and visible on the interest with copyright labels. However, we had an idea of basing the film company on the genre of the movies that they make; in our case it would come under the thriller genre. Eventually, for our film production name, we came up with the company name: Blurred Path Productions. We kept it simple but it's effective and unique, easy to remember, standing out to the audience. In terms of font and the way its displayed, we figured having a mini logo or photo would look quite effective with a elegant font which had an edge to it, linking to the genre of thriller. Ultimately, we want to keep it looking simplistic and professional, making it efficient for it's purpose. 

Research & Planning: Commands

In the lesson, we learned the commands which are used in the film industry, we can use this in our main task for a professional effect when filming:

Commands:
- Standby
- Roll Camera (pushing record button)
- Say "Camera Rolling"... "Action"
- Action finished... "Cut"
- 'Pause' at the beginning of the take and afterwards

Research & Planning: Model Screenplay & Script

To get a better understanding of how to write a screenplay, as a group we researched into various film scripts to see how they are written and adapted from them. Using this twilight script as a model, we used it to help us review the main conventions of a screenplay and script, for example the layout and (terminology) key terms which are used. 
http://www.imsdb.com/scripts/Twilight.html

EXT: external
INT: interior
DAY: during the daytime

Research & Planning: Screenplay

BLACK SCREEN (diegetic sound of river) 

STRAIGHT CUT (non-diegetic music)

EXT. Jubilee River - DAY

Sunlight is reflecting on the river, silhouette of trees, sun in the sky

Tree tops with bright blue sky

Vanishing point of bridge 

White  sunlight glowing through the leaves with river in the background 

CRYSTAL 

Hand lying on grass with sun glistening on bracelet
 
Flashback/vision of bracelet being handed to Crystal (black and white format)

Eyes flickering with confusion, flashback/vision of her sister on the bridge 

Gradually getting up from the ground unstably near the river and bridge

Feet stumble on wet grass 

Hand in hair, looking around dazed with disorientation 

Walking towards the broken fence and climbing over, puzzled of her previous actions 

CRYSTAL POV

Walking away, looking around, quick glance at bridge 

Walks onto bridge feeling weak and walks away

Research & Planning: New Film Synopsis

A girl wakes up at an unknown location confused.

A 16 year old girl suffers from amnesia after being involved in a tragic accident. Her parents died in the car crash, due to the impact of the accident it resulted in her to suffer from amnesia. The girl is always confused and unsure of what she is doing. She now lives with her aunt who works long night shifts as she is a nurse. She is drawn to this bridge location frequently as she keeps seeing visions of her sister who committed suicide at the bridge. The girl does not have much knowledge of her sister due to her condition but learns more about her everyday through her aunt and the visions she has. The girl wears a bracelet which she received from her sister, however she does not know the full meaning of the item, but has strong feelings towards it being significant and an element of completing her as a person. Her aunt is concerned about her, therefore she recommends her to see a therapist to help her out with her memory. As time goes on, her memory starts to improve however, when she goes back to school she wanders off  with frustration and ends up hurting herself. As a result of hurting herself, she wakes up in hospital confused, not remembering the previous events that occurred. At the hospital she is put through some brain tests but the doctors are unable to diagnose her with anything but give her some medication anyway and advises her to continue on with her therapy sessions. The more time goes by, her memory deteriorates even more, she feels empty as there is nothing in her life to live for and she feels like she is dying inside. Due to the pain of seeing the frequent visions of her sister, it drives her to commit suicide at the bridge like her sister did.

Research & Planning: Location Shots

The photographs below are some of the shots I took of our filming location while on set. We chose this specific location due to it's overall eerie and enigmatic atmosphere which was created by the surroundings, as our genre is thriller; we thought it was great. This setting is very isolated and confined which links to our story as the character is detached from the world due to her condition of amnesia. 

Research & Planning: Actors, Costume, Lighting, Props & Target Audience

Research & Planning: New Ideas

As a group, we decided to think about a new idea which is more structured and had more depth about the character how this particular character can be established during the film opening. Our idea's revolved around the theme of it being based on a teenage girl who suffers from Amnesia. To develop our idea, we researched into previous films which had a similar theme and adapted how they revealed a character and the general conventions of a person who suffers from memory loss. I created this mind map displaying all of the different aspects of our new idea and summarised the specific parts which are important to consider in terms of making this film opening.