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.

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.

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.

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.

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.