Jelly Baby Activity

Jelly Baby Activity

During lesson we had the task of making a storyboard for a movie of our choice. We had to draw pictures and write titles on each sticky note. For the people in the movie instead of drawing then we were tasked to replace them with jelly babies instead. Our group decided to do “The Shining”.  

 

 

 

We did this activity to help us for when we would plan our own film opening. This activity was to help us see how other movies had timed titles and in what order it had been done.

 

During this activity I learnt that in order to keep the audience engaged film openings try and only give a sense of genre and storyline whilst not giving away too much away and leaving the audience asking many different questions.



Genres and Generic Conventions

Genres and Generic Conventions

Action:

Action films are one of the main genre of films and tend to include a protagonist that overcomes physical feats in order to stay alive or save someone. Action films tend to get to the conclusion of the film through a series of gun fights, chase scenes and explosions. The protagonist of these movies tend to be male since these films tend to be aimed towards males and are designed to be exciting to watch.

Some example of action movies include…

·         James Bond films (e.g. Casino Royale, Skyfall)

·         Die Hard series

·         The Bourne Films (e.g. The Bourne Identity)

Comedy:

Comedy films are designed to entertain the audience by having an emphasis on humour. Generally this is accomplished by having realistic characters or personality traits exaggerated to make it humorous. These films tend to have a happy ending, but it can also be bad if the film is listed as “Black Comedy”. This genre is one of the main ones and tends to be aimed at both males and females. Some comedy films are spoofs of other films, for example the “Johnny English” films are based off the James Bond film series, but Johnny English films are aimed at a younger audience and tend to include the protagonist making a fool of himself.

Some examples of comedy movies include…

·         Johnny English

·         Anchorman

·         Hot Fuzz

·         Jump Street series

Thriller:

Thrillers are also a big genre and tend to include moments that invoke suspense, tension and excitement. They also tend to be adrenaline-rushing and fast paced. Thrillers tend to be realistic and normally the audience is meant to connect with the main protagonist. Generally plots consist of a villain that drives the narrative forward by putting obstacles in the protagonist’s ways that he/she most overcome in order to complete a certain objective or just stay alive. Throughout the movie the protagonist generally runs into sudden plot twist and sometimes the movie will end in a cliffhanger to leave the audience in suspense and therefore letting the audience make up their own mind on how it should have ended. Thrillers tend to go well with action or horror as well as having common sub-genres such as psychological thrillers, crime thrillers and mystery thrillers.

Some examples of thriller movies include…

·         The Silence of the Lambs

·         Seven

·         Inception

·         The Dark Knight Rises

Horror:

Horror is also a main film and tends to scare audience by dealing with their fears or nightmares. Plots tend to involve an evil force, event or supernatural element being put into the everyday world. Normally the horror genre include ghosts, aliens, vampires, werewolves, demons, gore, torture, vicious animals, evil witches, monsters, zombies, cannibals, and serial killers. These films always tend to have a scene that startle the viewer by having something jump out followed by a loud sound effect that makes the audience jump.

Some examples of horror movies include…

·         The Exorcist

·         Alien Series

·         Scream

Adventure:

Adventure films are a lesser known genre of film. Unlike action films, action scenes in adventure films showcase exotic new areas. These scenes tend to drive the narrative of adventure films forward. Generally adventure movie plots consist of quests for lost places, a jungle and/or mountain and/or desert. As well of this they normally portray a heroic character searching for the unknown.

Some examples of adventure movies include…

·         The Indiana Jones Series

·         Captain America: The Winter Soldier

·         The Lord of the Rings Series

·         The Hobbit Series

Drama:

Drama is one of the most well-known genres and is used regularly in both film and TV. Drama is the most realistic genre and shows how characters deal with emotions. Themes such as alcoholism, drug addiction and moral dilemmas are very common and show how the characters react and deal in the society the drama is set in. Dramas normally revolve around families. The Drama genre is broad and therefore is not aimed at males or females in particular.

Examples of drama movies includes…

·         The Shawshank Redemption

·         Forrest Gump

·         The Godfather

·         Schindler’s List

Romance:

Romance is a well-known genre and is aimed mainly at females. Plots for this usually revolve around two protagonists and generally shows love at first sight, but this genre shows issues with love as well such as forbidden love, love triangles and sacrificial love. The tone of these movies varies but a generic convention of romance films is that they have a happy ending.

Examples of romance movies includes…

·         Titanic

·         The Notebook

·         A Walk to Remember

Individual Research – Impact of Certification on Film Openings

Individual Research – Impact of Certification on Film Openings

Certification impacts film openings by limiting what they can show and who can view it. Certification gives each film an age rating and therefore limits the audience who can legally see it in the cinema.

Directors must carefully decide what audience to aim their movie at since each age rating has different requirements. This affects both content in the opening scene as well as the audience that can view it inside the cinema. For example if they aim their movies at 12 they should not include detailed/graphic violence in it. This would be an inappropriate audience, a better option for this film might be 15 or 18 since this is around the age where people may not be affected by the graphic content of the film.

Legally people under the age BBFC sets for a movie are not allowed to see it. Employees that don’t enforce these rules can be fired from their job since ID must be presented if the employee isn’t sure the customer is of the correct age.

These are the main two factors of film opening that are impacted by film openings…

·         Audience

·         Content

Notes on Certification

Notes on Certification

Certification is a system that is used by the BBFC that limits audiences of different ages from watching movies. This means every film has a rating and is used to stop kids from watching certain scenes in movies. It helps decide who can watch certain movies and is based around age. This system is seen as a law when you go into a cinema therefore if you are under the age rating of the film you are not legally allowed to watch it in a cinema this also applies for buying it as a DVD, but when watching it at home these are seen as guidelines and it is at the parents discrepancy if they want to let their child watch it or not.

Universal (U) – Suitable for All

Films given the “Universal” rating are suitable for children of the age of 4 over. If the film is aimed particularly at pre-school children this will be indicated by the BBFC.

 

These films tend to be positive and should not promote violent or evil actions. These movies shouldn’t contain any discrimination, use of drugs (unless for education purposes or an anti-drug message), imitable behavior, language, nudity, sex, horror or unsettling sequence, violence.

 

Parental Guidance (PG) – General Viewing (some scenes may be unsuitable for young children)

Films given the “Parental Guidance” rating should not unsettle a child aged 8+. In the cinema children aged 8+ may see it unaccompanied by an adult, but parents should consider if the content is suitable for their children.

 

These films may contain discrimination if in an educational or historical context, drug if in an anti-drug message, imitable behavior if not promoted, mild language, implied sex, brief frightening sequences, mild violence (without detail).

 

12A/12 – Suitable for people age 12 and over

No one younger than 12 are allowed to watch movies rated 12 in cinema unless with an adult, but if the viewer is younger than 12 the parents should consider whether this is suitable for their child. To help parents decide parents are recommended to look at the BBFC insight on the film.

 

These films should not contain aggressive discriminatory language, glamorized misuse of drugs, promotion of potentially dangerous behavior, strong language (moderate language is allowed, crude sex references, long horror sequences, strong violence (with detail).

 

15 – Suitable for people age 15 and over

No one younger than 15 may see/rent this movie in a cinema.

 

This movie can contain discrimination (but it must not endorse it), the taking of drugs (but not promote it or give clear instruction on how to use it), dangerous behavior (without detail), strong language, nudity (in a non-sexual context), sex without strong detail), strong threat and horror and strong violence.

 

18 – Suitable only for adults

No one younger than 18 may see/rent this movie in a cinema. Adults are free to choose their on entertainment with only minor exceptions such as…

·         Material in breach of criminal law

·         Material or treatment appears to us to risk/harm an individuals

·         Explicit images of sexual activity

 

Sex education videos may show explicit images, but videos with a main purpose of sexual arousal are not.

 

R18 – To be shown only in specially licensed cinemas or supplied only in licensed sex shops to adults

The R1 category is a special age rating that is primarily for explicit works of consenting sex or strong fetish materials involving adults.

 

The following content is not acceptable…

·         Material in breach of criminal law

·         Material likely to encourage sexual violence (this includes dialogue)

·         The portrayal of sex with no consent

·         Infliction of pain

·         Penetration of any object associated with violence or physical harm)

·         Sexual threats

 

All guidelines are applied regardless of sexual orientation. Of the activity portrayed.

This will help me create my own film opening since I can now consider what age rating it will be and I now understand what the BBFC take into consideration when they rate a film.

Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark – Opening Credits Timeline

Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark – Opening Credits

Time	Title
0:00 – 0:04	Lucasfilm L.T.D
0:06 – 0:11	Indiana Jones Raiders of the Lost Ark
0:13 – 0:22	Starring Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman
0:22 – 0:30	Production Manager Norman Reynolds Associate Producer Robert Watts
0:27 – 0:37	Editor Michael Kahn, A.C.E Music John Williams
0:38 – 0:48	Executive Producer George Lucas, Howard Kazanjian
0:49 – 1:10	Screenplay by Lawerence Kasdan Produced by Frank Marshall Director of Photography Douglas Slocombe

 

This timeline will help me by showing me that titles can be done in interesting ways that keep the user engaged while not giving any of the timeline away but still giving a clear idea of the genre.

Drive – Opening Credit Timeline

Drive – Opening Credit Timeline

Time	Title
0:05 – 0:10	Ryan Gosling
0:15 – 0:21	Drive
0:24 – 0:26	Carey Mulligan
0:29 – 0:31	Bryan Cranston
0:33 – 0:36	Christina Hendricks
0:37 – 0:40	Ron Perlman
0:41 – 0:45	With Oscar Isaac
0:46 – 0:49	With Albert Brooks
0:52 – 0:55	Casting by Mindy Marin, C.S.A
0:56 – 0:59	Costume designer Erin Benach
1:00 – 1:04	Music by Cliff Martinez
1:06 – 1:09	Production Designer Beth Mickle
1:11 – 1:14	Edited by Mat Newman
1:15 – 1:19	Director of Photography Newton Thomas Sigel, A.S.C
1:40 – 1:43	Executive producers Bill Lischak, Linda McDonough, Peter Schlessel
1:44 - 1:48	Executive Producers David Lancaster, Gary Michael Walters, Jeffrey Stott
2:02 – 2:05	Produced by Marc Platt, Adam Siegel, John Palermo
2:06 – 2:10	Produced by Gigi Pritzker, Michel Litvak
2:12 – 2:15	Based on the book by James Sallis
2:17 – 2:21	Screenplay by Hossein Amini
2:24 – 2:30	Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn

This timeline will help me learn the order of titles and how long they tend to stay on the screen for. It will also give me a impression on how long opening titles are on other films.

Student Film Analysis - Remorse

 

Student Film Analysis - Remorse 

 

Genre: The genre is made very clear in the opening from both dialogue and music. It sets the tone and pace of the movie giving audience members a clear idea of what themes may be included in the movie. The genre of drama was chosen well since the situation they present the protagonist being in is very realistic and may have happened to people in the audience before.

Editing: Editing in this opening is good and supports the pace, genre and tone and movie has. The cross fade transition supports the pace and the smooth transition help the shots and narrative move forward. This means they are no jump cuts or strange editing choices that may confuse the audience. This means that the storyline is very clear.

Sound: Sound is made up of two key elements in this opening music and dialogue. The music helps support the pace and overall tone of the piece since it is slow and makes the audience feel sad or sorrow for the protagonist. The dialogue gives the audience an idea of how the character feels and therefore supports the themes and tones for the movie. Sound overall is very clear and of a good quality.

Camera Angles: Camera angles in this opening are very varied and show that the location that the opening was filmed in is very big. The majority of camera angles used in this piece are very wide this means that when shooting the opening the directors thought clearly about framing and where the titles would go in each of the shots. A negative to this aspect is that you rarely see the characters facial expression therefore you may not feel such a personal connection since each shot is so far away from the actor.

Mise: Mise in this opening has clearly been thought about. It is clear that the location chosen is good since it is empty therefore connoting that the protagonist is lonely and has no one left in the world. The costume has also been thought about since it gives an idea of what the character may have been doing before the opening starts (e.g. going to the funeral). On top of this the cloudy sky helps support the tone and dialogue in the opening.

 

Titles: Titles have been thought about when they were framing each shot since they the wide shots all contain enough space for a title. None of the titles are in the way of the protagonist or a crucial part of the scene therefore making the narrative clear. The font is fairly strange and I think could have been through about or research slightly better so it fits the tone of the opening.

Character: There is only one character in this opening and his feelings and personality is clearly shown during the opening. The main negative about this opening is that you never really see his facial expression and all the shots are from fairly wide angles therefore you never really connect with the character emotionally.

Positive
- Location/Mise is good
- Pace is good
- Framing has clearly been thought out
- Titles in good places
- Genre is clear

Negative
- You never see the protagonists face and therefore his facial expression
- No connection between audience and character

 

 

 

 

Student Film – The Assignment

Genre – The genre of the opening is made clear by the music and the fast paced shots. The genre is clearly action thriller. It is clear it is a thriller since the narrative is fairly confusing and the opening leaves many questions for the audience unanswered. It could also be seen as an action since there is a gun is a few of the shots which is a generic convention of the action genre.

Editing – Editing is fairly fast paced and each shot is around 5 seconds long. This is good since it helps the support the genre of the opening. Additionally the editing of the CCTV camera shots are very impressive since they helps move the narrative forward but at the same time seems more realistic then a floating camera.

One of the negatives of this opening is that the logos at the beginning don’t fit the genre. This distracts the audience from the narrative and may confuse some members since the genre of the film can be unclear at times.

Sound – As the opening scene progresses the music gets more intense until the shot of the gun is seen. This is a good since it builds up to a climax without revealing too much about the narrative. This fits the thriller genre and makes the opening more effective.

The noise of the gun loading is also quite significant since there is no music over the top. This connotes that this object is quite significant to the storyline and is a simple shot that helps the opening stick to the genre

Camera Angles – There is a variety of camera angles during the opening they are each quite narrow and don’t show much of the background. The person in the biker helmet is fairly mysterious since the audience never see his face. He is also mostly shown in high angle shots making his efforts to get inside the house futile. This is a good use of camera work.

Mise en Scene – The costumes used in the opening are good. The bike helmet makes that character seem mysterious since you never see his face. Additionally the man wearing the suit is also fairly mysterious and not many traits of his character are shown throughout the opening.

Titles – The titles in this opening are done well. They are placed in good locations and it is a good idea that the colour of the roles and the names are different therefore showing a clear difference between the two. Some of the titles are integrated well into the scene, for example when the camera is from the point of view of the CCTV the titles at the bottom read “Gecko Productions Presents”. This is a clever place to place it since it does cover any critical aspects of the scene and its placement is fairly realistic since there would be text in that area of the recording.

Character – The two characters in this scene are very mysterious and don’t have any dialogue. During the opening neither character is explained, this helps elevate the mystery of the opening.

Positives
- The genre is very clear
- Costumes fit the genre
- Titles are in clever positions
- Sound effects are very significant

Negative
- Logo doesn't fit genre