This is visually what I would like the small child 'Abbie' to look like in the film. Happy stereotypical small child that is in danger the 'princess' in the narrative theory which connotes to the audience that something is going to happen, which I think helps develop the audience to establish that the genre is a Psychological thriller.
We want 'Abbie' to wear a red and white school dress, which connotes innocence and has connotations of blood and death. By choosing the age of 6 we feel that on camera when we use a long shot, it make 'Abbie' look vunerable and an easy target on camera instantly showing the audience she is in danger.
This is what I think the mother should look like, calm collected and a professional appearance, clean, well presented. This connotes to the audience that she is the 'hero' in the narrative theory, the person which helps the film to reinstate the equilibrium.
We want her to be middle aged and responsible for her children while the father is at wokr shoing that she is domestic. We want to show the show the audience she is the provider for her family and has dominance over many og the characters shown.
This is an ideal image for the older brother. Smarlty dress ready for a day at college. We did not want a stereotypical view of the youth in the media as most are represented as badly behaved or 'chavs'.
This is one of the props we intend to use in our opening, this however is a stereotypical aspect to the teenager, as he is constantly on his phone texting.
The are the style jeans and top we would like the the teeanger to wear, as we wanted to show the audience in terms of class that the family were comfortable financially and a middle class family
Although this picture shows a clean shirt, this is the style we would want the villain to wear, but would be darker and dirty. In our opening we intend to only show the villian for a brief second, so the only piece of costume that needs to taken into consideration thinking about mise-en-scene is the shirt he is wearing.
Comparing this film to my film idea, they are two completely different idea's. 'Shadow of a doubt' (1943) can be assumed of a theme of fake identity, murderers establishing themselves as people who they are not, to murder wealthy widows and to also seduce them. Charlie the female protagonist refuses to believe her uncle is a murder until her uncles behavior has become noticed as suspicious.
Comparing institional logo's the first ones shown 'Universal' at 00.01 and in our opening 'Blue Productions' 00.01 are both animated, the second logo 'Skirball Productions' and in ours 'Moonlit Productions' are both still how ever towards the end of the logo ours zooms into the moon.
Although both idea's are original both have the same theme or overcoming and solving a problem by goign through a journey, both usng 'Toderov's' theory of equilibrium.
Athough a horror genre, we gained inspiration from 'Dawn of the Dead'(2004) to create a motage of newreporters and evidence of what is occuring in the film during our opening. Although the storyline is a complete contrast to our opening we though applying the idea to our film opening would be a good idea as we wanted an orignal idea and we have found no physchological films that in the opening contains a montage.
What I have learnt researching the opening titles and there timing is how to incorporate timings within my opening and also that the titles run roughly for 3seconds.
I have noticed the difference between an opening than a trailer that the title is shown towards the beginning of the opening whereas in a trailer it is shown at the very end.
Institutional Logos: 00.06-00.09
A sam Peckinpah (Director): 00.10-00.13
Director: 00.14-00.16
Film Title: 00.17-00.20
Daniel Melnick Production: 00.21-00.24
Actors: 00.25-00.44
Copy Rights:00.45-00.49
Director of Photography-00.50-00.53
Production design Consultant: 00.53- 00.57
Music by- 00.58-01.01
Screenplay- 01.02-01.06
Produced by -01.06-01.10
Director: 01.11-01.14
Comparing the two together, there is a big contrast in how long the titles run. In 'Straw Dog' (1971) the titles only run for 01.14 whereas in 'Silence of the Lambs' (1991) last for 05.03. Through research into pyschological thrillers I have noticed that titles in the openings of psychological thrillers has become quicker, and the actors names are not shown for as long. It is clear that as time and technology has progressed the quality of the titles has increase also.
This is a contrast to the other two openings, as it immediately shows a situation with blood which connotes death but also contradicts as the female protagonist is wearing white which connotes innocence.
Genre
The genetic conventions throughout the opening suggest that the genre is a psychological thriller as well as the research on this film.
Character
We are immediately introduced to the female protagonist on the bed, and then we are shown a close up of a female protagonist and many others in a working environment of an interior office setting. The main characters are unclear except from Carrie who we assume is the female protagonist on the bed, and the unsociable school girl.
Atmosphere
The atmosphere contradicts as the image of the female protagonist denotes (knife) that she has been stabbed. This can be known as the hypodermic needle theory as it is a piece of information or image that has been consumed by the audience.
Settings
The settings involve, a bedroom, an office and a school, all of which are interior settings.
Sound
The non-diegetic sound contradicts the scene, as it is slow and light hearted, it is similar to a lullaby which can can cause the audience to question as the opening non-diegetic sound is of a baby crying.
Narrative
Troubled school girl.
Title
Institution: MGM
Title 0.34
Actors name appear after Title.
I chose to analyse 'Bad day at black rock' (1955) as it is an old film and wanted to see the contrast between old and modern day Physiological thrillers openings. I found that analyzing an opening at a time where they did not have the technology we did today gave me and my group a chance to explore different ways of planning our opening.
I watched up to 2.20, as that is the length of time that we have to roughly produce for our opening.
On my research on this film, it was established that it was a Physiological Thriller, however watching it based on the opening it was unclear, from a perspective of an audience member I would have placed the film under a Western genre.
Character
No characters were established during the first 1minute and 20seconds when the titles ended, although there were many what appeared to be male protagonists, although their character backgrounds and why they were there was unclear. All appeared to be wearing similar costumes, i.e 'Cow boy hats' 'Boots' 'Shirts' and 'Trousers' again connoting a Western genre.
Atmosphere
The atmosphere is fast paced and relatively light hearted and considered 'easy viewing'.
Setting
The opening is set in a desert, and also at a train station.
Sound
The non-diegetic sound is light hearted and easy to listen to, it flows with the train fitting the light hearted setting and characters.
Narrative
It has an open narrative as is it has no scope as to what the plot develops into.
Titles
Institution: MGM
Actors names appear after 20seconds.
Title appears at 28 seconds.
The titles are shown fast paced, which fits with the non-diegetic background music and the pace of the train.
This is the opening to 'Rear Window' (1945) I chose to analyze this as I wanted to research into various openings including those from the 1940's to see a vast range of options and idea's that we could incorporate into my film opening. I did want to just look at modern day films as I wanted to show a contrast between modern day and older Psychological Thrillers.
Characters
The first male protagonist is shown through a close up, this can imply to the audience viewing that he is the main character. The protagonist has sweat on his face and looks as though he has poor hygiene connoting that his is lower class. The second male protagonist shown is wearing a white vest which is a stereotypical view of a middle age lower class 'blue collar worker'. The lack of hygiene and self image connotes that the male is uncomfortable financially Also the male is seen to have shaving cream on his face, connoting that he is then going to shave his face, the media show middle aged 'blue collar workers' to be unclean and have a bad self image the male protagonist fit in with the stereotype well. It razor cuts to a couple waking from a mattress on the balcony again showing the characters to be lower class and in a poor living interior environment although sleeping outside. The camera then pans over to a female protagonist putting on her bra, this is shown through the male gaze theory (Laura Mulvey).The female is slim and blonde and pretty again a stereotypical view of a sexy women in the media.
Atmosphere
The atmosphere is built up by the non-diegetic background music. The sound track develops a mysterious atmosphere as it changes specifically as each characters are introduced. The atmosphere is fast paced and light hearted (easy viewing).
Setting
The main and only setting in the opening are a block of flats each with their own balcony. However the flats are not luxurious and are not in great condition connoting that each character shown and again as I mentioned earlier not comfortable financially. Through the use of pathetic fallacy the grey sky connotes the setting in a negative light.
Sound
As the non-diegetic music progressed the music reveals insight into the characters. When the first male protagonist is introduced the pitch lowered and became repetitive connoting mystery. When the second male protagonist is shown the diegetic sound of the radio plays 'Are you over 40? Do you wake up in the morning and feel tired and run down and have that listless feeling...' the male protagonist changes the radio station which connotes he is unable to accept his age and how he is physically and chooses to ignore his image and lifestyle. The non-diegetic music when the female protagonist is introduced become more high pitched and seductive connoting the women to be sexy. The music if listened carefully is vaguely similar to a whistle again connoting the female to be sexy.
Narrative It has an open narrative as is it has no scope as to what the plot develops into.
Titles Institutions : Universal and Paramount, these institutions show that the film is mainstream. The actors names start to appear at 0.27 the main actor 'James Stewart' first. The title comes in at 0.30 The non-diegetic sound begins after the second institutional logo.
Through research into other openings both from modern day and in previous years from 1945 onwards, the development of pyschological thrillers has devloped greatly by revealing more in the opening. I feel that this has prgoessed as technology has advanced. However I also feel that the films from 1945 onwards, they have more of an open narrative than others, although not as gripping for the audience, it leaves a better result at the end of the film.
This is the opening to 'Butterfly Effect' (2004)
The genre is a Psychological Thriller.
A phrase of text is shown before the clip, which plants a philosophical seed in the audience's mind as it reads 'It has been said that something as small as a butterfly's wings can cause a typhoon halfway around the world', this creates a spiral of thoughts and leaves a hint into the film, how one small thing can create a huge situation.
The translucent image as the protagonist/antagonist pans along the shot, (It is unclear whether the protagonist or antagonist is make or female as they have not been established yet) creates a blurred vision for the audience, leaving them questioning where the protagonist/antagonist is about to do or what is to happen. The genetic convention from the outset suggests it is a Psychological Thriller.
Characters
The characters introduced are unclear, but what is shown is a male protagonist/antagonist running and hiding from a male/female protagonist/antagonist (it is unclear).
The male protagonist/antagonist was established to me as a patient.
Atmosphere
The atmosphere is suspicious, tense, eerie and confusing. Suspicion is highlighted to the audience as it is unclear of to what is happening. The audience is shown an unclear circumstance leaving the audience questioning and for them to guess themselves what is going on, which is what a typical Physiological thriller does according to my research.
Setting
The setting is shown to be in an office type area, a professional environment. The desk, paperwork, water fountain connote the working area.
Sound
The non-diegetic sound. is tense and has a slow pace, creating an eerie and confusing atmosphere. There are short gaps between the back ground non diegetic sound that instantly gives space for audiences to feel and guess what is going on, it helps add to the mystery and suspicion of the scene.
Narrative
Hiding and chasing
Title
The title, comes after the scene revealing the butterflies creating a second image which is a skull which connotes to the audience that the male protagonist/antagonist could be a mentally ill patient.
This think shows the opening credits to 'Spiderman 2' (2004)
Genre
Analyzing the Mise-en-scene within the text, connotes the genre of 'Spider man 2' (2004) to be a Action/Sci fi. The use of the comic book opening, with the words 'boom' and cartoons of villains fighting, with various shots of kicks and punches connote the Action genre.
The characters are introduced via the actor or actress who plays them in the titles.
The non-diegetic sound is fast paced which makes the audience watch with intensity and follow the titles at the same pace. A lot of red and black is used in the opening which connotes danger blood and death. The generic conventions of this clip from the outset signify that 'Spider-man 2' (2004) is a Action/Sci Fi.
The difference between 'Spider-man 2' (2004) and 'Se7en' (1995) is that 'Spider-man 2' (2004) tells a story throughout the credits of the previous film, retelling the first film 'Spider-man' (2002) through photo's of key moments throughout the titles and also sticking to the same theme of spiders and webs, and which also had a signature theme tune. 'Se7en'(1995) introduces the villain first, which is clever as i have watched the film to research, the criminal is not revealed until the end so the beginning shows a slight insight to the criminals plans.
This is the opening to '50 First Dates' (2004).
Genre
Within the text the generic conventions of this clip from the outset show it to be a Romantic Comedy.
From the non- diegetic music of the Hawaiian theme, it is possible for the audience to guess that it is set in Hawaii. However the romantic view of the sunset in this beautiful country and slow rhythmic music connotes romance. Then the contrast of the female protagonist discussing their 'dates' and then the audiences realizing all have dated the same man it adds a humorous aspect to the clip suggesting the genre to be a Romantic Comedy.
The main character 'Henry Roth' is subtly introduced through the female protagonist discussing him, but he is shown to the audience as a 'player'.
Analysing the mise-en-scene within the text, connates the opening of 'se7en' (1995)to be a horror. 'se7en'(1995) being a modern day horror. The characters being introduced to the audience appears to be the 'criminal'.
The mood within the text, is dark and sinister and connotes a misterious atmosphere surrounding to alleged 'criminal'.
Character
When the antagonist is sorting through photo's of dead victims and shaving the fingerprints of their fingertips, connates death and also organised crime, this helps establish that 'se7en' is a horror.
The generic conventions of this clip from the outset signify that 'se7en' is a horror.
The males hands first seen flicking through a book could be recognised to either a protagonist or and antagonist. This creates an element of mystery to the open of the film.
It is unclear whether each set of hands are one character or a completley different character although both sets of hands appear to males. The actors names appearing after each piece of text is shown also help establish that the main characters are male. As the opening develops it becomes more apaarent that the character is an antagonist. As a viewer I think that the set out of how the characters are introduced are clever, as it does not reveal much of the characters but allows you to see what they are seeing through the Point Of View shot (POV).
Atmosphere
As an audience viewer the music helps to build the tension aswell as the text shown. From a viewers perspective it makes feel uncomfortable and hard to watch. The pace is slow and as the shot is 'POV' it increases the dark sinster astmosphere as the male protagonist shaves of his skin from his fingers.
Setting
Te use of photography and research into the suspects within the text, connote the criminal to be in a room of some sort of warehouse/dark room.
The setting is unclear
Sound
The non-diegetic repetative and both low and high pitch noises, this connotes mystery as it could signify repetitive murders in the film. The creaking in the non-diegetic background music creates an eerie feel to the text being shown, making the text emphaisised, and hard to watch. The non diegetic sound is consistant all the way through there is no sudden change in music. Nearer the end of the titles, the music increases in pace, although the footage is slow, over the pace increases.
Narrative
The opening ends on an open narrative.
Titles
New Line Cinema Presents: Institution Logo :00.03-00.05
Title: Actors: 00.13- unclear as the director etc are not clear as they are not named.
Title: 00.24-00.28
