Itunes Advert:Eureka

You would think that after all the research and editing that we have done that we would realize that the large majority of iTunes adverts are almost exactly alike to what we are trying to create, in terms of the super-bad opening effect which involves colours and the use of a green screen. If not for our teacher almost jokingly relating our opening to that of the iTunes adverts we would have never known the great similarities between them and our opening sequence idea.

This was a large boost and really helped us as it meant we had even more videos to look at and could learn, make comparisons and take ideas from the adverts.

“Eureka .. Eureka!”
― Hergé

Saul Bass Practical - Anatomy of a Murder

Here the class learnt how to produce a stop start animation. I worked in a group of three and we cut out pieces of paper to match the shapes of the body shown in the original anatomy of a murder title sequence. Above is my finished edit from the pictures we had taken. I used final cut pro to join an array of photos, in order to create a full video opening. I also used text and fonts that were as similar as that of the original opening sequence.

WWW - What Went Well
 I was very proud with the opening we managed to do and I felt we managed the continuity of the images best, allowing a smooth run of the opening. I also felt we used the accurate amount of images in order to produce a free flowing sequence that was neither to quick, nor to slow.

EBI  - Even Better If
Although i feel that the overall creation of the opening was successful, I was disappointed with the fact that we were unable to completely finish our rendition of the opening sequence. We also struggled with our focus of the camera and managing how to keep even the smallest parts of the body in focus. 

Title Sequence: Institution Research

Text Analysis

Text Analysis

My Favourite Title Sequence

After doing some research and looking at title sequences that I enjoy, whether it be their style i like or maybe the abstract effects they use, I was able to choice my favourite title sequence and analysis it in depth, while also presenting the PowerPoint i had created to the class and demonstrating why i liked the title sequence so.

Here is the PowerPoint presentation I created about my favourite title sequence for the film, "Catch me if you can":

Catch Me if You Can (My Favourite) (1)

Here Is a video of me presenting my powerpoint on my favourite title sequence to the class:

Film Synopsis

This is a brief, initial idea of what I want my film to be about.

Soundscapes

My Notes - Samuel Bamfo

Soundscape - Ambient sound that we can hear in a scape, for example: birds, clock ticking, e.c.t

Clapperboard - Is a device that is used in both film making and production. It is used to assist the synchronizing of sound and picture. It marks a point in the scene that can easily be identified in editing so that both the sound and picture can be cleverly put together to form synchronous sound.



Dubbed Sound - sound that is added later, over the top of the picture

Foley Artists - Person that creates and adds background sounds and noises later on in the editing. This allows sound to remain clear and avoid background interruptions.

Contrapuntal Sound - Sound that doesn't match the action/scene

Wild Track - Ambient Background noise that you would expect to hear, for example, wildlife.

Sound Bridge - connects or link to pieces of sound over two scenes.

Score - specifically composed music or sound for a film, unlike song which already exists and is chosen not created specifically.

Timeline Comparison

The images to the left both show opening credit timelines, the first being of the movie "panic room" and the second from the film "the bourne identity". 

The opening credits to the movie "panic room" are 1 minute and 44 seconds long. It begins with the institution and has between 23 to 24 title shots. The music for the institutional logo also bridges with the music of the main title sequence and fades out to police sirens. It gradually builds and drops from frame to frame. The sequence also giving the setting for the scene, as there are a range of buildings shown with the credits. This connotes that the scene is likely to be of a city, most likely a city like New York. There is no action for the title sequence either. Finally the sound bridges between two frames towards the end of the opening credits. As the original score sound fades out and the talking of people comes in.

Unlike "panic room", the music for the opening credits of "the bourne identity" starts from the very beginning excluding the sound for the institution logo and its animation. The score sound is rather awkward and hard to figure out. This creates a sense of mystery or enigma that may relate to the tone and genre of the film. The opening sequence of the bourne identity is 1 minute and 40 seconds long, 4 seconds shorter than "panic room". There are no bridges of sound here and the sound is very consistent, however towards the end of the sequence the sound does fade out slowly until it is no longer heard. The sequence however (unlike "panic room"), doesn't set the scene of the film, but does show what looks like fingerprints. This is also an enigma code and sets a sense of mystery and identification. 

The two films do however use music that has been specifically made or suited for the opening, rather than use an already in use soundtrack.

The Pink Panther

9 Key Frames

Conventions

Saul Bass

The purpose of a Title Sequence

Themes and Styles

Definitions

Theme: A theme is the idea that exists in a subject that act like the base or foundation for a particular piece, whether it is work, art or another medium. The below video is a game intro that uses the theme of location and the location of miami city. This city is associated with the rich, high life and living on the edge. The video also suggests that there is a theme of crime and violence. This is evident as in the video we see gangs and bikers and these groups of people are usually associated with committing crimes and participating in violent activities

Style: The style relates to the method or aesthetics used when creating a piece. It is symbolic to what is being created, whether you use specific camera angles, editing techniques, e.c.t. In the below video the intro portrays a 70's, retro style. This is evident from the use of grainy quite deteriorated effects. There a flickers of black dots and white strips. These are often seen in old movies as the technology wasn't there to create high definition products so in using the effect in the intro they relate to and create a 70's style.

Whereas the theme relates to the actual contents of the video, the style is to do with how the piece is presented.

Enigma code: mystery that is connoted through shots used, editing, e.c.t.

Cold Opening: Where at the beginning the piece goes straight into the action.

Title analysis

The Themes presented in the opening sequence of the TV drama Dexter are ones of death, horror, thriller and crime. This is a result of the many connotations to blood, used in the opening. Parts were materials and props such as ketchup, link to blood and to a larger extent death. This is also use of enigma codes, as it draws the audience to have to make assumptions and conclusions about what the show will be about and why they have used these connotations of blood. Symbolic codes are also used as the audience recognizes that the elements of blood are being portrayed in the sequence.

The style that is portrayed, however, is one of mystery. This is something we would usually associate with crime and detection, Mystery. So in the opening sequence it is evident that they have tried to show this as best as possible. For example, the text for Dexter is blurred and in what seems to be blood. The style is also modern and based around the present time. This can be connoted from the scenery and the clothing of the character, seen at the end of the sequence.

CSI South Norwood

CSI South Norwood Task

In this task we attempted to make a replica CSI opening however for South Norwood in london, hence the name CSI:South Norwood. I believe it was successful as i have not only learnt editing techniques but also recording techniques in order to produce a professional looking opening.

Below is the CSI:Miami video we used for inspiration when shooting and editing our clip.