Maisie L (7100) Evaluation

Ella T (7163) Evaluation

Final Sequence

Possible Opening Sequence Titles

During a group meeting, we discussed possible title's for our opening sequence. Here are the ones we have come up with so far;

• The Shadow
• Karma 
• Revenge is Sweet 
• Falls Upon Deaths Door
• Extinction
• Reminiscing 
• Knock on Effect
• The Loser Always Comes Out on Top
• Birds will Tweet

Research - Credits

Below is an extract taken from 'Wikipedia' that we found during research into opening sequence credits that we thought was useful and would help us decide on what to include.

Common opening credits order

While there are numerous variations most opening credits use some variation of the basic order^[4] noted within:

• (NAME OF THE STUDIO)

Name of the studio that is distributing the film and may or may not have produced it (Buena Vista, Columbia, Lions Gate, Universal, etc.).

• (NAME OF THE PRODUCTION COMPANY)

Name of the production company that actually made the film or name of the investment groups or companies that financed a substantial part of the film (usually credited as "in association with" or "A (studio name) production.").

• (PRODUCER NAME) PRODUCTION or/and (director only) A FILM BY (DIRECTOR NAME)

Director's first credit, often "a film by XY or "a XY film".

• STARRING

Principal actors, (Sometimes the stars' and director's credits will be reversed, depending on the star's deal with the studio; sometimes, as in the Rodgers and Hammerstein films, or as in all three film versions of Show Boat, or, as in many of Disney's films, the title of the film will be shown before the names of its actors).

• (FILM'S TITLE)

Name of the film.

• FEATURING

Featured actors.

• CASTING or CASTING BY

Casting director.

• MUSIC or MUSIC COMPOSED BY or ORIGINAL SCORE BY

Composer of music.

• PRODUCTION DESIGN or PRODUCTION DESIGNER

Production designer.

As a variation some of the below may be noted:

• SET DESIGN
• COSTUMES or COSTUMES BY or GOWNS (older movies)
• HAIRDRESSER
• MAKE-UP ARTIST
• SOUND RECORDING (older movies)
• VISUAL EFFECTS DIRECTOR or VISUAL EFFECTS BY

• EDITOR or EDITED BY

Editor.

• DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY

Director of photography.

• PRODUCER or PRODUCED BY, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

Producers, co-producers, executive producers, 'also produced by' (credited for various reasons according to contracts and personal scrutiny of the principal producer). Often, though, the name of the producer will be the next-to-last opening credit, just before the director's name is shown.

• BASED ON THE BOOK, (PLAY, GRAPHIC NOVEL etc.) BY or FROM A PLAY/BOOK BY (older movies)

If based on a book or other literary work.

• BASED ON THE CHARACTERS BY or BASED ON THE CHARACTERS CREATED BY

If based on characters from a book or other media.

• STORY or STORY BY

Person who wrote the story on which the script is based, gets "story by" credit, and the first screenplay credit, unless the script made substantial changes to the story.

• WRITER(S) or WRITTEN BY

Screenplay writers. The Writers Guild of America allows only three writing credits on a feature film, although teams of two are credited as one, separated on the credits by an ampersand ("X & Y"). If each works independently on the script (the most common system), they are separated by an "and". If more than two persons worked on the screenplay, the credits may read something like "screenplay by X & Y and Z and W" X and Y worked as a team, but Z and W worked separately.^[5]

• DIRECTOR or DIRECTED BY

Director. The Directors Guild of America permits a film to list only one director, even when it is known that two or more worked on it. Except in very rare cases (a death in mid-production) there is only one directing credit.^[6]

Working Version - Production Identification

Re-shoot

After going through all of our footage during a group meeting, we noticed minor errors in the filming, such as reflection of camera equipment and operator as well as misplaced props i.e phone. Although we could have ignored these faults,  we decided it would be more professional to correct it as we want this piece of work to show our skills in media to our highest ability.

Filming Mistakes

We could not use this clip because the actor was without a significant prop - the cardigan, this would have a big impact on the opening sequence as it would have confused the audience, because she had previously been seen walking up the stairs wearing it and the shot following she was wearing it again. 

We was unable to use this clip also because the tap got stuck, this caused the actor to generate humor, which is the opposite effect we wanted to create.

In this clip the secondary actor; who did not appear and was only used as a voice on the phone, spoke when not required to as well as the actor being out of the frame.

Our actor walked out of the shot causing her to no longer be the main focus. To fix this problem we marked an 'x' on the floor so she knew where to stand.

In this shot we filmed with the light on then realised this did not look scary enough, nor did it make the character seem intimidated so we re-shot.

We could not use this clip because the camera operator did not follow the actor's movements at a fast enough pace. The key also got stuck in the lock and took to long to open.

Group Meeting - Sound

Below are photo's from two of our group meetings of us working on our soundtrack which will accompany our opening sequence. The first session was us choosing which pre-recorded sounds we will use. In the second session we were checking through the sounds and creating our own using the keyboard. 

Conventions of Sequences Checklist

This diagram is very useful and contains information you need to create a great opening sequence! I use it as a referral to check every now and then that our Opening Sequence fits the criteria of a published, successful and earning one.

Editing of Title Sequence

The above scan shows the sketch I drew of the routine/ pattern I intended the 'Bouncing Ball' to follow during our Title Sequence. We are using a programme called Adobe Flash to create this. I believe the introduction to the film production company is a vital competitor present in Opening Sequences, as a good one of these at the beginning of any film immediately intrigues the reader therefore having an good affect on its audience. Although the Title Sequence we create may not be of the high standards for example that of 'Universal Studios' or 'Warner Bros' possesses however it will be to the best of our ability!

First Working Progress of Opening Sequence.

Linking to Our Audience and Genre

Our opening sequence introduces the main character very well and shows parts of her characteristics. It also briefly introduces some other characters that would feature in the rest of the film.

Aswell as showing glimpses of the genre from the beginning of the opening sequence, the genre is shown very clearly towards the end of the opening which will leave the audience in an enigma, asking themselves many questions about why things had happened, who that is and what is that meant to mean? That is what an openin sequence is suppose to do. They want their audience to want to watch on and enjoy it.

Using Final Cut Express

We have been using Final Cut Express on the Apple Macs to edit our opening sequence. At first were a bit confused to how it worked but quickly got use to it and have only experieced a few minor difficulties with it, which were easily solved. It is allowing us to do all the effects that we need to do to get our sequence how we have imangined it to turn out. By being able to do everything we want to do on this software, and getting further and further through the production of our sequence is making us feel very happy with our work so far and excited to see the final result.

Footage

After watching through all of our footage, I am extremely pleased with it. We had made sure we took all shots from different angles to give us choice when editing and to also show our knowledge and ability. Im glad we spent the length of time we did when filming to ensure all clips that were needed were shot and of a high standard. We chose our main actor specifically to produce a higher quality opening for our film and we also used a HD camera to get the best possible quality, all helping us to achieve the highest possible mark. Although we shot the clips in a different order to how they will be shown in our opening sequence they all seem to be fitting together well during the editing stages of production. I am also glad that we havent had to re shoot any of our clips because problems could occur, such as; weather, matching props and costume, location/setting and getting clips to fit together.

Discussions about edits and sounds

Me and Ella agree on most things which is very helpful when trying to produce an opening sequence to the best of our ability. We work as a good team and consult eachother with any queries. All filming and editing so far has been done together and we plan to carry on in the same way. By working together on everything, with less disagreements, will hopefully result in a better final product.

Check Point - Editing of Opening Sequence

In terms of editing the Opening Sequence, the cutting of all small clips has been done and they have been merged into one large sequence that we are reffering to as our first draft. The more I watch the sequence the more small flaws I am noticing that need to be cut out because either they don't fit or they are un-neccesary, which we will do when we return from Half-Term. Another improvement that needs to be made is the decision of what needs to be cut that doesn't have any faults, this needs to be done because currently it is an on-going sequence that shows every single movement ect. In order to create a more successful, and modern Opening Sequence, as I have noticed through the studying of similar Opening Sequence's, every movement does not need to be shown for the audience to understand.

Group Discussion

As a group we have previously spent two hours deciding apon different sounds that will be added to our opening sequence. We are very pleased with the sounds with have chosen; both digetic and non-digetic. Once we have organised all of our clips and are happy with our progress so far we will insert each sound clip into our sequence. We are both pleased with the fact that so far during editing we have not come across any problems such as missing clips, or bad filming and have not had to do any re-filming, which is great. It makes it a lot less stressful and much easier to edit when no problem occur.

Editing of Opening Sequence

Currently in the very early stages of editing via 'Final Cut Express' - so far so good. Extremely pleased with the quality of the filming, (due to the use of HD Camera.) No group disputes have yet occurred! Slowly progressing in how much of our completed Opening Sequence has been edited. Still a long way to go though, decisions on what clips to use (as we shot the same scene quite a lot of times for safety and to allow us to have a wider variety of different angles, levels, proximity to choose from.) have been keeping us busy!

Filming of Opening Sequence...

The filming of our Opening Sequence generally went really well. Would have liked to have more time, (perhaps started slightly earlier) and probably would have been a good idea to film at the weekend rather than mid-week, as towards the end, both director (me), camera operator (Maisie) and actors (Shauna, Freya, me) were exhausted and gradually becoming agitated. But apart from that, enjoyed it very much. Haven't yet discovered any faults in filming during editing resulting in the re-shooting of that particular scene so touch wood! I expected there to be minor complications such as family being in the places we needed to film in the house, however was proven wrong! Overall, great success.

Group Discussion

There is to be a group discussion on Monday the 14th Feb to elaborate on any editing done so far, and to share any worries or new thoughts.

Filming our Opening Sequence

Filming took place on Thursday 3rd February. It was very successful, I think that we got all of the shots we needed. Our opening sequence is set at night, therefore it needed to be dark. We were filming at my house with Shauna Caroll being our main actress and Ella and Freya Catmur-Hill also playing parts, I was filming it. They all got to my house and we started filming. Although we filmed it all in a different order to how I will be shown, I am very pleased with our footage, we also managed to film it in HD which has made it of a much better quality.

Editing

After we had trasfered our clips from the memory card on to the computer we had to convert the files so that we could start our editing. Once that was done we could start editing, Over the last 3 lessons (3 hours) we have managed to get about half way through cuting our clips and putting them in order, however we still have a long way to go before our opening seqence will be finished. Ella and I are very pleased with how our opening sequence is looking in the first stages of editing.

General Planning

Presently planning to meet at Maisie's house at 7 (to ensure the setting in terms of weather matches the story that begins at night, in a dark street). It was decided to use Maisie's house as the location as it was suitable in regards to the surrounding streets as well as being convenient for us and easily acsessable.

We have shared the responsibility of providing the different props, and equipment. For example I am supplying the HD Camera and costume whilst Maisie will have the tripod and crucial prop that is the house telephone. I am currently in charge of the Production Booklet therefore I will be bringing that to enable the completion on it during shooting.

Shauna (our main actor) is going to meet me at my house before we make our way to Maisie's where our secondary actor will join. Actors have been carefully chosen to suit the requirements of the roles.

We hope to have all filming done in no longer than 3-4 hours, as it could  be difficult to replicate the positioning of props, weather conditions, actors make up/hair ect.

Check Point - Editing

LIST OF THINGS NOT YET ACHIEVED;
(I hope to complete by 11/03/11)

-finish putting clips into order and cutting mistakes/ clapboards.

-correct any lighting errors or jumps

-add sounds both diagetic/non, on-screen/off, sound bridge, and finally foley track (perhaps will extend completion date for)

-titles/credits

Notes for Filming and Editing

Short hand version of the general order and vague details of the going-ons in the opening sequence to keep nearby when filming. And then again when editing to save time.

Filming Date

Filming was suppose to take place Sunday 30th January, however due to complications with various factors such as unavailable actors and unsuitable weather, therefore it has now been postponed to Thursday 3rd February.

Blog Checklist

This is a checklist I wrote to ensure we would have everything we need to on the blog and know exactly what needs to be done. I also gave a copy to Ella so she also know what we needed to do as a group and give our best efforts to get the best grades possible.

Script

This is the script I prepared for both the actors (to learn in advance dialogue) and the Camera crew/ Director (for other purposes such as knowing where to be and where to shoot from) to use when rehearsing and filming our Opening Sequence.

Film Production Guide Booklet

The following scanned in pages show what was completed during the Pre Production stage.

(INCLUDE SCANS HERE) :)

Personal Group Meeting notes

A few notes to help initiate the points I wished bring up in the discussion.

Group Meeting - Narrative

We had a meeting to discuss any changes we wanted to make to the storyboard and a final confirmation on props, actors and other elements of filming before doing so.

Prop Lists

Each character is going to need different props;

'Abbie' will need:

• Red clutch bag
• Heeled shoes
• Keys
• Wine
• Wine glass
• Radio
• House phone
• Hairbrush
• Hair clip

Mysterious Man will need:

• Knife

Character List

Shauna Caroll is playing our main character 'Abbie'
'Abbie' is fun and rebelious - the dare-devel of the group

Ella Trainor is playing 'Sydney' and the mysterious man
'Sydney' is a good friend of 'Abbie's' and they have been out at a party together.
Not much is known about the mysterious man

Freya Catmur-Hill is playing 'Charlotte'
'Charlotte' is also a friend of 'Abbie's' and has been at the party with her.

George Cox is playing 'George'
'George' is 'Abbie's' boyfriend, however he is not seen during the opening sequence but does have multiple phone calls with 'Abbie'

Costume Lists

To be able to film our opening sequence to the best of our ability, we have come up with a costume list so no items get forgotten causing filming to be delayed because we want to start editing as soon as possible.

Shauna - Main Character - Abbie

• Dress
• Heels
• Clutch Bag
• Dressing grown

Ella - Friend and Mystery Man

• Dress
• Heels
• Hooded Tracksuit
• Black Trainers
• Hat

Freya - Friend

• Jeans
• Heels
• Going out top

Filming Checklist

This is a brief checklist for our filming. It tells us what we need to remember when preparing to film and during filming. This will ensure nothing is forgotten.

Storyboards

Research - Production Company Identification

These are some examples of popular and successful Production Company Identification's that we found during research and are going to use for inspiration when making our own.