Analysing Opening Sequences: Don't Look Now

Don't Look Now

Recently in class we looked at the opening title sequence of Don't Look Now, directed by Nicolas Roeg. Here is the clip we looked at:

The camera starts off with the close up of the water which is an evident theme throughout and also link to the drowning at the end of the clip. This shot also 'pulls' you into the water, giving the image of drowning. There are many establishing shots of lots of characters which allows the audience to know where she is and also how far away she is from her parents making the scene seem dangerous. There is also a lot of foreshadowing going on using establishing shots of the girl in the water. For example, when she throws the ball in the water for the first time, we see the girl's reflection in the pond.

The editing in this clip is also significant. The little girl throws the ball and the shot immediately goes straight to the mother catching something making a link between the two characters. There is also use of match-cutting when a glass breaks in the house and it cuts straight away to the mirror being smashed outside. Another example of this is when the mother puts her hands to her mouth and it immediately cuts to the little girl with her hands by her mouth, making a link.

There is a lot of tense music being played throughout this scene which gives it atmosphere and a dramatic mood. The humming from the man throughout also gives a sense of pathetic fallacy and makes you question the storm and rain and what's about to happen.

The little girl is wearing red throughout which adds to the overall mise-en-scene, hinting that there could be danger ahead. The title of the film in the water is foreboding and a warning to the audience 'don't look now' but in doing this, entices the audience to watch. Suddenly it stops raining just before she drowns, which could symbolise the calm before the storm. Another signifier could be the broken mirror, as this often symbolises bad luck.

Analysing Opening Sequences: The Shining

The Shining

In class, we watched the opening sequence of The Shining, directed by Stanley Kubrick. Here is the sequence we watched:

This is a very intriguing opening sequence. Nothing much happens but the overall mise-en-scene allows the audience to fully know the location and setting of the film in the first three minutes. This means the audience goes on the journey with the car, making the audience feel as if they are in the film, or maybe that something is watching the car from above, giving it a foreboding factor. However, the eerie music played over the beautiful landscapes allows the audience to understand the genre, and that perhaps the film is going to be mysterious and scary. It is also interesting how the camera never goes into the car in this sequence, providing something to be discovered later on in the film.

This opening sequence does include important factors like the names of the actors, director, music etc. which most films have and should have. However, this sequence does not tell you very much about the film, but adds to the mystery of the film, and the intricate details of the story the audience anticipate to discover.

Filming a short sequence.

Storyboard sequences.

We were given a preliminary storyboard, in which we had to prepare to film it.
This is the storyboard:

 

This was filmed using the Sony NX5 that we were taught to use a few weeks ago. This is still in the editing process in which we are using Final Cut Pro. We learnt some important terminology and here are a few:

 

Rush Bin: This is the folder in which everything that is filmed is placed.

 

Log Bin: This is the folder in which the useful clips are put.

 

We also learnt a lot of shortcuts on the keyboard, for example:

 

'i' that is where you want the shot to start, and 'o' means that is where you want the clip to end. You find where you want to start and finish using the arrow keys to control the scrubber.

 

You can then drag the picture on the screen to the timeline and can cut by pressing 'b' for blade and dragging it somewhere else using 'a' for arrow.

 

We also learnt how to check in and out of the particular system we use at Hurtwood. This taught us how to access the server and our work from any computer.

 

Hopefully this short film will be posted soon.

 

 

 

 

 

What is a thriller?

The dictionary definition of a thriller is 'a book ,play or film that has an exciting story, often about solving crime.' Many thrillers fit this definition as ultimately, what the audience are looking for in this genre of film is excitement and suspense.

A thriller, in my opinion, should provide thrills and keep the audience on edge throughout the film as the plot develops and we find out all of the secrets the film possesses. There should also be dangerous situations, evil motives and mysterious characters in order to create a full on thrilling movie.

A quote from James Patterson's book Thriller:

"Thrillers provide such a rich literary feast. There are all kinds. The legal thriller, spy thriller, action-adventure thriller, medical thriller, police thriller, romantic thriller, historical thriller, political thriller, religious thriller, high-tech thriller, military thriller. The list goes on and on, with new variations constantly being invented. In fact, this openness to expansion is one of the genre's most enduring characteristics. But what gives the variety of thrillers a common ground is the intensity of emotions they create, particularly those of apprehension and exhilaration, of excitement and breathlessness, all designed to generate that all-important thrill. By definition, if a thriller doesn't thrill, it's not doing its job."

This quote offers a basic insight into what industry professionals expect to see in a thriller and I am going to attempt to include many of these things within my opening title sequence at the end of the course.

My Second Camera Lesson

Actually filming something.

In this lesson, we set up the cameras as usual, but this time there was something new, actually recording something! We learnt how to use the record button and also all the right terminology the directors, actors etc. use on set. Here are a few:

Standby: This is used by almost everyone on set to show that you are ready. The director says it first and other important people like the actors, special effects etc. ensue.

Turn Over: This is said by the director when he/she wishes to start recording. This is the cue for the camera to press the start button.

Rolling: This is said by the camera man to let the director know he is filming.

Action and Cut: These are said accordingly at the beginning and end of a scene.

We also learnt how important continuity is, and that women are usually better at this (whoop). We also know now to shoot a scene several times at different shot sizes all the way through, which can then be edited to make a shorter and more fluid scene later on. 

Shot Sizes

Shot Sizes

Today in Media we learnt all about Shot Sizes. These are different ways a scene can be filmed to portray emotion, time period, location etc.

Here they are:

                                                            
Extreme close-up (ECU)
                                                           
This is used to portray close up emotion
and to show the audience what the
character is feeling. Here, Will Smith 
demonstrates a look of obvious confusion and anger.

Close-up or close shot (CU)

This shot only reveals the actors head and 
 shoulders. This is used for revealing 
 important moments or increase audience
 identification with a character.     

Medium close-up (MCU)

This only show the head and shoulders until
the upper chest. This is useful to portray
all kinds of stories.

Mid Shot (MS)

This is a shot only to the waist. This can
be used to portray a sense of time period
through costume or body language.

Medium-long shot (MLS)

This includes everything from the knees
up. This provides more physical information
but less detail emotionally.

Long Shot (LS)

This is the whole body of the actor. This
contextualises the location of the film or
TV programme. This can be used to show 
loneliness through distance.

Wide Shot (WS)

This is an establishing shot which means
a location could be revealed and this is
normally used at the beginning and end 
of a scene. This can also be used to 
set up an atmosphere.

Over the shoulder (O/S)

This allows the audience to see what a
character is seeing. This can suggest 
someone is being watched by an invisible
presence.

Two shot, three shot (2/5, 3/5) etc

This means framing two or more characters
providing a relationship between them, usually
a good relationship or a family bond. If characters
are in separate frames, it normally means they 
don't get on.

Point of view (POV)

This shot provides perspective from a character's
point of view. This allows the audience to see
as one of the characters.

High Angle

This is a shot filmed from above and normally
depicts low status to the character it is
filming.

Low Angle

This is a shot filmed from below and normally
depicts a character with high status or
importance.

   
                                                

My First Camera Lesson

An Introduction to the Sony NX5

The other day I had my first lesson in practical camera skills. I have never done anything like this before and therefore I was obviously quite apprehensive. We started off with the basics of this camera, as any beginner should.

The tripod is a simple gadget, and easy to stand up. The next, slightly more challenging part was attaching the camera to the tripod, which takes care. Then insert the battery, and wait for that satisfying click and you know you're set to turn the camera on.

There are four main essentials for a good quality picture, and here they are:

1) Zoom- this is used to control the mise en scene. It is controlled by the second wheel from the lens.

2) Focus- this is controlled by the first wheel from the lens. This is used to create a pristine picture. You use the zoom wheel to zoom in on one part of the picture fully, you then adjust the focus wheel to get a sharp image.

3) Exposure- this is used to control the amount of light that is taken in by the camera. It is controlled by the third wheel from the lens.

4) White Balance- this is controlled by a small button on the left side of the camera, and is pressed when you wish to balance the colour of the picture. To do this, you have to zoom in on something white so it fills the screen, you then press the button and it automatically balances the colour. Another feature is colour balance is the ND Filter, which is controlled by a switch and allows different amounts of colour and light to be taken in by the camera lens.

So there you go, the essentials of working a camera. 

Me.

Hello

I'm Claudia and welcome to my blog. There are many things you don't know about me, most of which you never will know, but the most important fact you should know is that I love films. I think I first got this love of films from my dad who forced me to watch such films as Psycho, Vertigo, It's a Wonderful Life and all of those glorious 'oldies'. I'm currently studying Media Studies at Hurtwood House along with other subjects such as Theatre Studies. Acting, singing and dancing are also things I'm passionate about.

Here's something you don't know, and don't need to know. Did you know that it would take 12 honeybees a lifetime to produce one teaspoon of honey? (I'm also a lover of random information if you can't already tell.)

So this is just the beginning of my blog, and also just the beginning of my education in the world of Media. I hope you enjoy the ride.