Evaluation of Preliminary Task - Ellie Mannix

The planning of our preliminary task was constructed through bullet points of what we planned to do, what shots and dialogue. We then translated this into a storyboard, drawing these bullet points up, of how the film would look - in a still capture mode.

For the preliminary task, I was the main role - I walked through the corridor into the common room to meet Natalie. We then held some dialogue between each other, and then I got up and walked away.
I also helped contribute to what shots should be used and to edit.
We delegated the rolls equally, as other people in my group did not wish to be filmed.

From doing this preliminary task, as a group we have learnt a lot. As our final production, was the second preliminary task we created. As the first one we created, was too complex, too long and did not involve the necessary shots and rules in which would obtain us the 50% of the course.
So as a whole, we learnt that we should not try and over complicate things, as a result we had to re-film the whole task. I felt that doing this was an advantage as we now knew what we had to do in order to be correct, instead of handing in something that was not worthy.


To plan our task, we used bullet points, and then translated them onto storyboards, making sure the shot type, timing, angle and dialogue at the bottom of the drawn image of a still frame so we would be precise when we was producing our film.

When we was filming, we carefully though through where the camera should be positioned in order to create that effect, of establishing the setting, making sure it is understandable, and most of all creating an effective sequence in which the audeince will understand and enjoy what they are watching. We ensured we did the 180 degree rule and the shot reverse shot when filming - this can be seen when Natalie and I are talking. We also used cross-cutting to Natalie in the common room, which establishes the setting and what I was walking too - proving that we abided to the rules and regulations of filming.
We ensured that the area we used would be empty, which would reduce the noise - in order to hear the dialogue at a high quality and reduce the chance of interruptions - this was achieved as we had the common room to ourselves.

For post- production, we uploaded our film from the camera on to the computer using a fire wire. This imported our work into a new task in Movie Maker. From this we edited it, using the cutting tool, swapping and changing shots which were more suitable to that particular part of our film, in order to achieve maximum quality. After it was all edited, we saved the film and then uploaded it onto 'YouTube', and then to our blog.

To edit our clips we took whilst filming, we used Apple Mac iMovie Maker. This is a good programme to edit a sequence, as it has good cutting settings in which you can 'split at radio play head' and adjust in where you wish for it to go.
We also used a video camera, digital film and a tripod to film. We found the camera easy to use, as we only pressed one button to record, and to stop recording, and use the tri-pod to make sure the shots were still and therefore of a good quality.

Drama Film- Catherine Dalton

Drama Films
The conventions of drama films consist of real life situations and portray conflict within them. These conflicts are either between the characters themselves or other forces of nature. The films show humans at their best, worst and everything in between. So the idea of drama films to portray real motion, that happens in everyday life, this will help the audience as they will have something to relate to. The genre drama has a huge spectrum of sub-genres including: - social problem dramas, mental illness, youth and generation conflict and political dramas. This therefore means that the genre film has an the ability to take social views and current events and use them in films, as the conventions include real life situations.


I am going to analyse Chariots of Fire this film is a sports drama film. The narrative consists of two stories, these two stories involve English runners. One of these runners is a devout Protestant and the other is Jewish, it tells the story of their lives and the competing of the Paris Olympics in 1924. Firstly the sequence has a shot of a group of people, and has a voice over “wings on our heels” demonstrating that the speech previously consisted of athletics. After this quote, there is a medium close up shot of the athletes feet running, demonstrating a link between the two settings, this is also cross cutting. The credit sequence shows a group of athletes running along a beach; it focuses slowly on each one of them demonstrating that they may have some importance in the storyline/narrative. Futhermore after the original shot of the feet it moves up showing the rest of the athlete. The music is very rhythmical and peaceful, with the sound of breathing. These conations show that what they are doing is something they enjoy. Then there is a panning shot showing all the athletes and the importance of the main characters is established here, as they are more focused on. The title is portrayed in blue and red, showing the nationality of the athletes and also the red could be seen as passion for what they are doing and blue for the sea. Then there is a long shot of the athletes, with the sound of birds representing the setting. An old man and young boy are also pictured watching them run, showing that the athletes are respected and well known. The final shot is also a long shot of the athletes running towards a large run bricked building, after jumping over fencing to reach the house. These fences may represent barriers that the athletes have to overcome.

Kung Fu Panda opening sequence- Catherine Dalton

Kung Fu Panda- opening sequence
http://www.artofthetitle.com/2008/10/03/kung-fu-panda/
I am going to analyse Kung Fu Panda which is a cartoon film, directed by James Baxter. The opening sequence begins with a blue setting, that then changes to an orange setting with the title Kung Fu Panda, there is also a music change to demonstrate the significance of the name; effectively drawing the audience in. Then there is a shot of the title going and the camera moving down, demonstrating that the Kung Fu Panda is below, also establishing the setting. Then there is a voice over, describing the situation and a close up of the Panda, although he does not show his face. This may represent his power. Then there is a long shot of a building with the Panda in the shot, showing the audience where the narrative is going, this helps to move the narrative on quickly. The sequence then progressing into a fight where the Kung Fu Panda wins, this shows that he is powerful and the bright colours whilst he is fighting portray this further.

During this battle there is a second voice over saying “Get up, you will be late for work” and the shot then shows the Panda falling onto a wooden floor and his surrounding disappearing. This image of him falling, acts as a reality check for the Panda, and demonstrates to the audience that the experience that the Panda had undertaken was a dream.

Overall this sequence uses generic codes and conventions for an opening sequence, as it introduces the narrative, which consists of a Panda’s dream to be good at Kung Fu. Also introduces the main characters, and acts as a cliff hanger, as the audience now are interested to see more of the film.

Lastly I found the site useful, due to the comments on the bottom of each clip and the way that each clip can be easily used. This is helpful as it allowed me to easily click and use the clips around the site, also the quality of the clips were good, making it more enjoyable to watch. In addition to this the wide range of films to choose from, and information about the films aiding the studying and researching of conventions of opening seqences.

Natalie, Catherine, Bridget and Ellie

Our finished Preliminary task

Evaluation as a group:

Our preliminary task was a short sequence of a person walking through a door into a room and having a conversation, the sequence had to contain 180 Degree rule, Shot reverse shot & continuity editing.

As a group, we filmed, planned and edited our short preliminary task. We began by discussing where we would like to film and decided as a group our shot types. We decided on our dialogue which was a girl entering a room and speaking to another, discussing that shed forgotten her folder. They then speak about lunch and the first girl leaves again. We decided on a typical school setting, so we chose the common room.

We then filmed, as a group, Ellie and Natalie were both acting with Catherine and Bridget filming, when Ellie or Natalie weren't acting they helped film.

Once we finished Filming, we edited as a group and decided what worked best. There were few encounters we had which were problems, such as lighting and background music which we had to attempt to solve. If we were to do it again, we would make sure that the lighting was consistent throughout our shots.

We used a range of digital technology such as a digital camcorder and the I-Movie software on the IMac computers. We uploaded our prelim task onto www.youtube.com. By creating and uploading our video we have learnt that it is easy to see how audiences and producers have converged and the gap between them is tightening.

Edward Sissor Hands - Opening sequence analysis By Ellie Mannix

This is many shots from the credit sequence of Edward Sissor Hands. They are still shots taken from the sequence and made into a collage, establishing what is in the opening sequence.

Jonny Depp as Edward

Tim Burton as Director

Casino Royale Opening Title Sequence. Bridget Long

During thursday's lesson we were introduced to the website ArtOfTheTitle.com the website has many opening sequences of movies which are viewable to everyone and comments can be made about them whether it is criticism or praise. I decided to look at and evaluate the opening of Casino Royale as it appears to be one of the more popular opening sequences and also one that i enjoy.

The opening of Casino Royale uses animation however still included the main character not as a cartoon which creates a 3D effect. During the opening we get a sense of what the film is going to be about, what type of genre it is and are briefly introduced to the main character. The gun is a main feature of the opening sequence as it establishes clearly the genre of the film while also providing a launch pad for animation. We are introduced ot the setting of the central city of London through the animation also which informs the audience of the type of area it will be set in. Death and danger is shown in the introduction also by the dripping blood which is a convention to the genre of action thriller, this creates excitement for the audience while also creatin dramatic effect.

I believe that the opening sequence is successful in enticing the audience and preparing them for what it will entale. The music i think also creates effect and makes it even better. I like the animation side as the credits role. I found the website very interesting, enjoyed watching several openings and what other people had commented on different openings, seeing their thoughts and opinions on what they thought had worked well and hadn't.

Catch Me if You can. Natalie Murray

Artofthetitle.com is a website which has a wide range of movie opening sequences which have feedback from audiences giving input and also questions about what they've viewed.
The sequence is also shown in individual clip frames so the viewer can see individual frames of the sequence itself.

The Image on my screen looked like this before i played the sequence.

I will be analysising the opening sequence of Catch me if you can from the website.

Catch me if you can stars Leonardo Di Caprio, Martin Sheen and Tom Hanks. It was directed by Steven Spielberg and the screenplay was written by Jess Nathanson. The movie was made in 2002 and based on the book "Catch Me If You Can: The Amazing True Story of the Youngest and Most Daring Con Man in the History of Fun and Profit” written by Frank Abagnale jr and Stan Redding.
The opening sequence of Catch me if you can is very different to many other opening sequences. It consists of a series of animated images of people silhouetted in black on coloured backgrounds such as blue, orange and green including some other colours like yellow appearing to add interest or draw attention to a specific part of the frame. This adds effect to the opening as it creates mystery and as many opening sequences do, it has an hook or enigma, enticing the audience into watching more. The opening sequence, in essence, sums up the entire plot without giving away what actually happens. Again, the audience will be interested with the element of mystery. The animated sequence creates symbolism for the audience, each image relates to a scene within the film so the opening sequence is very important.
The music begins slow and ends slowly too, with upbeat and a jazzy feel within the main part of the opening sequence. The Jazz element of the music introduces slightly the time the film was set, around the 1960’s. The upbeat music is interesting and keeps the audience amused.
There is a variety of shots used, the shots change as the story progresses in the opening sequence, the shots are interesting as they are continual but are dynamic and constantly catching your eye.
The opening sequence uses some conventions of opening sequences, it uses credits, this introduces the actors and director etc. It also has a hook or enigma. The opening sets the time with the music and the silhouettes are represented in suits and high class wear, although we cannot see any costumes or sets, the symbolic images introduce the era quite well.

The website was relitavely helpful, i think it was quite good as it had almost every popular film opening sequence from Juno to Changeling. I think to make it more helpful it could have some background information such as director and genre as i had to separately visit The Internet movie database, to find additional information. For the sole purpose of the task however, this website is useful and will be helpful in making and researching for our groups main filming task.