Initial Storyboard

 

Me, Peter, and Courtney first decided to make the plot of what the movie would be so then we can decide what the intro would showcase. We decided that the movie would be about Theresa and Peter, the two baseball players, and their journey of moving on from high school baseball to college baseball and Florida Gulf Coast University. Our movie would be about Theresa and Peters experience at FGCU and playing a college sport. We all agreed on naming the movie "The Next Level". Then we started planning our movie intro. We all said that it should start with Peter and Theresa at their high school and that the intro would show how they got to play at college. 

The first clip is going to be Peter and Theresa walking out to get to the field and getting ready to warm up and practice. There will definitely be an establishing shot to show the main setting. The next clip will be in the dugout and show all the equipment. Some camera angles that will be used will be close ups to make it seem dramatic and a high angle shot to make sure the angle shows all of the equipment. Next is Theresa and Peter playing on the field and there will be full shots of us throwing to each other. Next scene is when we realize the lady (Courtney), sitting in the bleachers. There will be a far shot showing Courtney and then a two shot of Theresa and Peter talking and looking confused. Then, the next scene is all 3 of the characters talking and Courtney explaining how she is a college coach and wants to recruit Theresa and Peter. Then the final scene is Courtney sliding a scholarship package to the athletes and then the screen goes black to create drama. 

We decided that there will be background music throughout the whole intro and also a voice over at times through certain scenes. We all worked well creating the story board and split the work and were able to work together. 

Movie Opener Brainstorming & Research

 1. Rise- 

- Many various shots

          - Close ups and extreme close ups

          - The camera follows the soccer players movements 

           - Upbeat music that engages the viewer

           - Changes in music creates suspense

           

2. Offline-

    

           - Creepy music

           - Lowkey lighting to creep the viewer out

           - Drama

           - Contrast is shown by showing the girl in the cage and then her daily life.

          

3. Dear Lover-

    

           - Happy music

           - Romance/Romantic

           - Voice over creates connections towards the audience

           - The ending draws the viewers attention.     

4. Dare to Thrill-

            - Upbeat music

            -  Film opening was action packed. 

            - Confusing at the end

5. Always watching- 

            - Has some suspense 

            - Gave a lot of information for an opening scene

6. The Blue Boar

            - Good costumes

            - Good music and lots of different camera angles.

            - Happy tones

            - Symbolism in the end

7. White Coat

           - Quick cuts are used well, show characters confusion

           - Sound and music fit very well

           - Pulled the viewer in

8. Stalker

            - Sound effects created suspense

            - Could be drama and/or horror

9. Nostalgia

            - Camera cuts are used very well

            - Cuts between painting and people

Summary- 

Overall all the movie openers had a good amount of different camera angles and shots. I also feel like all the openers choice of music fit well and played a big part in the videos especially the horror/drama movies. My favorite one was "Rise", because it kind of had the same ideas that me, Peter, and Courtney had, of it being based off sports and starting off with skills of the sport. This movie opener also helped me start creating our story board and all the other videos as well gave me some ideas and inspiration.

Semester Exam - Film Opening Analysis of Black Mirror (season 3, episode 4, San Junipero)

 In the movie, “Black Mirror”, there are many film elements shown within the first couple minutes. Within the first five minutes I was able to understand elements such as editing, sound, mise-en-scene, and camera shots. Also, within the beginning of the movie, I was able to get a quick understanding of the three main characters, Yorkie, Wes, and Kelly. With all of these elements, it gives me somewhat of an idea of how the movie will play out.

To begin with, sound played a big role in the beginning of the movie. Automatically in the first minute, when the people pulled up in the car you can hear music which was digetic sound. This helped me understand the time frame this movie is taking place in. Because I could recognize the song, I knew it was most likely taking place in the 80s. Another form of digetic sound I noticed was the music inside the club, which also hinted to it being the 80s. When Yorkie was first walking on the street outside the club, you can hear the music coming from the club. The sound is muffled and that tells the audience how loud it is and could represent that it is so loud that she can not hear herself think, which is why the sound is muffled. Also, because the sound is muffled it makes it seem like Yorkie is nervous or scared of going into the club. Also, the music inside the club showed sound perspective. This showed how loud the music actually is. I also noticed synchronous sound. This is when Kelly is walking into the club and you can hear her heels clicking on the sidewalk. Sound also played a big role of the friendship that was being created between Kelly and Yorkie. Kelly came over and was talking to the guy she came with getting him to leave so she can talk to Yorkie. This can be seen as symbolism later in the movie if their friendship leads to something. 

The next film editing strategy that I noticed is mise-en-scene. I specifically noticed the costume first. As soon as the people came into the shot I saw their outfits and how they don't look modern and how their outfits are outdated. This gave me another clue that this movie is taking place in the 80s. This established a theme right away. Also regarding costume and the characters' outfits you can tell the difference between people. For example, Kelly’s outfit is more in your face and loud, while Yorkie's outfit is a lot quieter and makes you realize she will be quiet and shy.  A big part of mise-en-scene that I noticed as well was the lighting. In the demonstration of the lighting, the whole movie so far was lowkey light and the main lighting was in the club with the bright flashing neon lights. 

Regarding editing and camera shots, there were only a couple noticeable editing techniques that I found. First, there was a contrast from when the film starts. The woman is outside the club and it seems very dull and quiet. Then quickly, the editing strategy is a quick cut into the club with loud music and people talking very loud, so it was a very different location and setting. Also, in the club when Yorkie is playing a video game, another character comes up to her and asks to play a car game. There is a camera shot used while showing the video game. The shot is a close up and it zooms in on a car crashing in the game. Yorkie sees the crash and it shakes her up and she gets weirded out and looks like it affected her. The music changed to a fast paced sound which symbolizes that she experienced something or something traumatizing is happening or happened. Another camera shot I noticed was a dolly shot which followed one of the characters in the club. This linked to a panning shot / establishing shot which showed the whole setting and gave me an understanding of the club. An editing technique noticed was a cut shot. This was a cut shot from when Yorkie was on one side of the street and then Wes, and Kelly were on the other side of the street. 

Overall, in the first five minutes I noticed a bunch of film elements including sound, mise-en-scene, shots, and editing.These contributed to the movie in several ways and will most likely make another appearance later in the movie.

My film opening project- Genre and group members

 For my film project I will be working with Courtney Odell and our genre will be comedy.

Film Opening Research #2- Paul Blart Mall Cop

How many titles are displayed during the opening sequences to the film?

There are 3 titles displayed in the opening sequence to the film. The first title displayed is "Columbia", the entertainment company. Next is, "Happy Madison Productions", the production company. Finally, the 3rd title displayed is the title of the movie, "Paul Blart Mall Cop".

What images are prioritized in the opening sequence? 

The image that is prioritized in the opening sequence is the badge, which clearly looks like a type of officer badge. This shows that the movie will be about a cop associated with the title.. Mall Cop.

What connotations do the images carry? 

The connotations that image carries is that the movie and characters will probably be dramatic in a comedic way. This is because the movie is already taking the mall badge very seriously even in the opening sequence. 

How is genre reinforced through symbolic and technical codes from the outset? 

Comedy is reinforced right away in the beginning of the movie. It shows men training to be a police officer, and it shows strong tall men and then zooms into Paul Blart, who is a lot bigger but shorter than the other men. It then shows him passing out during the police officer course. He then becomes a mall cop and their is comedy here by him going from training to be a police officer to becoming a mall cop. There are symbolic codes here because the movie started by showing a very serious looking badge but then he is a mall cop. 

How does the film establish an enigma from the outset? 

The film establishes an enigma from the outset because at first the audience does not know what type of cop he is. Then when they show all of the super fit men becoming police officers, the audience assumes he is a police officer but then the camera shows Paul Blart who does not look like someone who can complete the course. So there is a question of what is this guy doing here and why is he considered a cop. 

What strategies are used to ensure the film appeals to its target audience? 

One of the strategies used is the use of the actors. Kevin James is the main character/actor in the movie. He is well known in the comedy industry and using him as the author attracted the audience that likes comedic movies because they know it will be funny if Kevin James is in it. 

How has technology been used effectively? You might want to consider camera angles, transitions and editing techniques. 

Technology has been used effectively especially with camera angles. For example, while showing the men in the police training program the camera shot is an eye level shot showing all the men side by side. Then when it gets to Paul Blart, it is a high angle shot shown from above to show the difference in height between Paul Blart and the other guys. This use of camera angles was comedic and fit the film well. 

Film opening research #1- Murder Mystery

How many titles are displayed during the opening sequences to the film? 

The first and only title displayed is "Happy Madison Productions." This is the production company that produced the movie. This movie doesn't display the the movie title "Murder Mystery."

What images are prioritized in the opening sequence? 

In the opening sequence, the images that are prioritized is first, 2 men walking down the street. This shows that these 2 men are going to be main characters throughout the movie. Another opening seen is that a female is doing hair at her job, a hair salon, and she is talking about how her husband promised her a trip to Europe 15 years ago but they have never went. Then, the camera zooms into a picture on her work desk of Europe, which her husband gave to her. 

What connotations do the images carry? 

The first scene, with the 2 men walking has the connotation of it being gloomy and dark outside, this goes with the title, Murder Mystery, and builds a little suspense. Also right behind where they are standing is a New York Police Department car. In the next scene, the connotation carried is it brings in humor letting the audience know it will be a comedy. In the scene in the hair dresser there are a couple dry jokes made. Also, it showed that this movie would be based around the trip to Europe. 

How is genre reinforced through symbolic and technical codes from the outset? 

The genre of horror comedy is reinforced through symbolic and technical codes. For example, technical codes are seen with the zoom in of the picture of Europe. Also, the comedy genre is noticeable especially in the hair salon scene but is also present when the two men are walking. They make quick one liner jokes, what Adam Sandler is known for. 

How does the film establish an enigma from the outset?

This film establishes an enigma from the outset by creating a question of are they going to Europe or not. Also what is going to happen in Europe if they do not go. Also, in the beginning of the movie, when the two men are walking and talking, one of them mentions that they didn't pass a certain test and that the wife will be mad. So another question/puzzle arises of what was the test, why did he not pass, and why would the wife be mad. 

What strategies are used to ensure the film appeals to its target audience? 

One of the strategies used is using popular and well known actors that younger people around the age 16-30 would know. Also the use of actors go very well with the movie being a comedy movie. For example, the main actor is Adam Sandler who is well known for comedy and also younger people are aware of him. Another actor that appeals to the audience of the younger population is Jennifer Anniston. Also, in the begging there is upbeat music which is a strategy for most comedy films.

How has technology been used effectively? You might want to consider camera angles, transitions and editing techniques. 

Technology has been used effectively in the opening of the movie. For example, the camera is following the two men walking while also showing the background with a darker lighting. While the two men are walking the camera angle used is an eye level shot. This is used to create emotion and create a connection with the characters. Also there are frequent zooms in the first 2 minutes of the movie. This is using a tight shot camera angle. This is when the camera zooms into the phone when the husband gets a text message, and also when the camera zooms into the picture of Europe. Transitions and editing techniques are seen when the scene is changed and a quick cut is used to change scenes.

My favorite genre- video