ART OF THE TITLE - SHERLOCK HOMES

ART OF THE TITLE - SHERLOCK HOMES 

Art of the title Sherlock Holmes opening scene 

The film opening of Sherlock Holmes conveys certain codes and conventions which match the Mystery film conventions. This title sequence clearly emphasised and showed the well known cast, which will encourage interest and hyped around the film. As for the expectation which comes alongside the well-known names. Within the film opening the soundtrack used creates suspense and drama but also fits in with the old, vintage style of the film set in 1890 London. As well as this the soundtrack is fast paced, with heavy instrumentals which once again helps to gage our attention. Personally I really like the illustrations and the way this was created and edited. The smooth transitions and front of the writing suits the film almost perfectly. The splats of ink and the handwriting highlights the fact that this is a historical genre film. Along with the credits being shown we also see some famous faces from the illustrations made with ink. This is all clearly made with editing software. The ink also moves into live images which were taken from within the film the music reflects the mystery in the film and again the historical era. 

ART OF THE TITLE - SPEED

ART OF THE TITLE - SPEED

Art of the title Speed opening scene 

Speed is a very action packed film starring Keanu Reeves, about a bus that is clocked on a time bomb, and that has to stay a certain speed to not crash. Firstly, the 20th Centure fox introduction appears, which draws attention to audience because it is a popular company that known for producing very good films. the text is in a 3D blue that is very big, to catch attention. The background is a panning shot running down a building which creates mystery and curiosity. We see some live action at the start which is a lift going down, this being a mid shot. The blue lettering separates the writing from the video behind. This catches the views eyes and so its easier for them to read the credits and recognize the big names from within the film which keeps them interested in finishing the film. I personally really enjoy the font. As the elevator goes down a new credit appears this is very slick which reflects the smooth editing and use of technology. We later find out there someone within the elevator. The title is introduced by coming together from different angles into the middle of the screen. 

After the credits, a scene of a man walking out of an elevator and discovering something off in the electronics room occurs. This also ensues mystery and wonder for what will happen next. During the opening credits, there if fast paced music, to show to the audience what type of film you are watching. It represents a faced paced, action packed film with lots of excitement and build up around it. The music is also very slightly mysterious which also represents action, as the mystery is that there could be a mastermind behind the whole film, which there is, as someone sets off the time bomb and has the intention of blowing it up. There is then a long shot going in towards the mysterious item, being a bag, then camera then slowly zooms in. 

PLANNING: FILM TREATMENT

PLANNING: FILM TREATMENT

Write a treatment for your film opening. A treatment will normally contain:

• A title that is dynamic and engaging
• The top line - an 'elegant sentence' that sums up the action
• The big question - what is the cliffhanger? what is the enigma that will unfold?
• The synopsis - one or two paragraphs outlining the plot
• Characters - brief introduction: Adam, 35, a dreamy design engineer.... Lucy, 25, a disenchanted doctor... Mary, 18, an idealistic student...

NEXT 

• After writing the treatment, you create a STORYBOARD  (hand drawn on the sheets that I give you)
• and a SHORTLIST

BRAINSTORM INITIAL IDEAS

• Girl with super brain being stalked by crazy doctor or scientist
• Aimed at a younger audience, that being young adults potential teenagers
• The scientist wants to take the girl completely to study her and take as a test subject 
• Potentially the government after her
• Some potential locations include; a hospital, train station, science lab

We initially brainstormed multiple different ideas and genres to start off with. We have access to a boat house, and therefore thought planning something which involves that location would be successful. 

Locations for Shots:

• London
• Train station 
• Hospital 
• Elevator
• Woods
• Empty car park
• Walking down an empty dark road
• Dark room hacker screens 

Props: 

• Pin Board
• Documents
• Pictures
• Files
• Doctors notes 
• earphones 

Effects:

• Clips from YouTube
• Titles
• Background music/sounds
• Filters
• POV filters

Simple shots ideas:

• Earphones in music playing walking down lonely street, music out silence. Mixed shots of doctor and girl to create following creepy scene
• Dark room with hacker screens and reflecting in glasses 

Behind the scenes:

We printed images of my friend, Millie, then wrote on the images with

with a red pen to look like she's being stalked. 

We used youtube to create these hacking effects on the screen. 

Here Ollie is taking pictures of Millie through the trees, the long shot with 

trees obstructing the view of the camera will create the feel of that she's being watched. 

Liv is taking more pictures of Millie to add the the "stalkers" collection. 

PLANNING: TOP LINE & BIG QUESTION

 

TOP LINE & THE BIG QUESTION

I watched a presentation by Frank Ash who is the creative consultant for the BBC. He has taught story telling and creativity techniques to teams across the BBC and beyond. What I learned form the presentation was how important it was to focus on the audience: what interests them ,how does the film make them want more. 

For Frank Ash film makers need to think of what the top line and the big question is. He calls the top line 'one elegant sentence' that sums up the story. He then says we then need to leave the audience wanting to find out more which is the 'big question'. Having learnt from Frank Ash's video, I have decided to sign up for Film Distribution from on the Future Learn website. 

FILMING AN OPENING SEQUENCE: ALWAYS FOREVER

 

FILMING AN OPENING SEQUENCE

Here is my start of the film exercise that I completed with a group within my class. We came up with a story line which is illustrated through the items/props on the tabletop. We used a range of camera angles including a long shot and a POV (point of view) shot. We had a small section with live action that included the two 'main characters'. I was inspired by the opening sequence to kill a mocking bird, the multiple use of angles, the child humming in the background and the use of props all put together looked truly amazing. I wanted to achieve this for my own opening sequence I was very proud whit how my opening sequence came out and my friends in which I worked with should be very proud too. 

RESEARCH 

We viewed three examples of opening sequences filmed in in a similar 'table top' style. 

Using art of the title, we watched Delicatessen (1991, Jean-Pierre Jeunet) and noticed how its inventive camerawork tells the story and set up the theme. Another excellent title sequence is was that of To Kill A Mockingbird. We also reviewed last years students.We then use these as an inspiration to create an original title sequence in groups by setting up mise-en-scene using props from out prop collection. 

PLANNING 

Before we started filming, we laid out all the props that were elements of our film narratives mise-en-scene on the table. We also research and discussed audio for the soundtrack of the opening sequence. The option for our title sequence uses the soundtrack Always Forever by the Cults. 

FILMMING

We filmed the 'live action' element, uploaded the footage into the editing software in which was iMovie, using this editing software we planned out titles, credits, special effects and the soundtrack. 

My friends participated with some of the acting and I mostly directed and filmed them. 

BEHIND THE SCENES