180 Degree Rule.

The 180° rule is a basic guideline that means that two characters in the same scene should always have the same left/right relationship to each other. If the camera crosses the imaginary line, the new shot from the opposite side is known as a reverse angle. We have ensured that we followed the rules and did not cross the imaginary line. 

Split Screen Experimentation.

Last lesson we experimented with split screening. We started by filming multiple shots, using a variety of different camera angles, including a point of view shot as well as a simple mid shot. We then edited the footage, splitting the screen into 4 and 2. This helped us to get an idea of what the finished product will look like.


After watching the footage, we decided that following our characters footsteps with the camera rather than having them film themselves with a point of view shot will be more effective. This will also allow us to vary the distance of shots,and transitions between them.


We will upload the footage as soon as it is edited... 

Filming Dates.

We currently have 2 weeks left until the final deadline (March 9) for our Opening Sequence. Unfortunately, up until now we have been unable to film due to a shortage of equipment.
We plan to begin filming as soon as possible. When filming is complete we plan to use the remaining time to edit the footage. We estimate that filming should take no longer than 3 days, leaving us enough days to edit thoroughly. 

Sneakbo - The Wave (Remix)

Cameo - Candy (Remix)

Music Inspirations.

In order for our opening sequence to be effective and believable, our characters will have to contrast each other in as many ways as possible, e.g clothing. To ensure that we achieve this contrast, each character will have a different 'soundtrack' for their walk. Here are some of our music ideas...

Filming.

We plan to film 4 different boys in 4 different environments, ultimately arriving at the same destination. To achieve this we will have to find 4 separate locations to film in. These locations should all somehow differ in order to portray the characters personalities.  
To ensure that our opening sequence catches the attention of the audience we will have to film from multiple different angles. This could include a point of view shot and a high angle. 
Towards the end of the sequence we will include an establishing shot as the characters come together to show where the remainder of the story line would take place. 


We aim to film during the day as we feel this will give us the best lighting, and also give us time to make corrections if necessary. 

Reviewing Past Opening Sequences; Exemplar Work.

As the time draws nearer to begin filming, I took the time to look at some past AS opening sequences. I hoped that this would help me to gain an insight into what criteria the examiners will be marking our opening sequence against. 

After watching 3 different opening sequences, of 3 separate genres, it soon became apparent that the criteria is much stricter, and more detailed than first anticipated. Ability is marked as either showing:

-Minimal Evidence.
-Basic Ability.

-Proficient.

OR
-Excellent. 

Examiners review many aspects of opening sequence, including "using titles, sound with images, and editing appropriately" "controlled use of the camera" "variety of shot distance" and "making selective and appropriate use of shot transitions, and other effects". 

In light of this; acting as an examiner, I then watched each sequence, marking them each individually against the specification. This again, helped me to distinguish the "do's and don'ts" to consider when creating an opening sequence such as;
-If a zoom is to be successful, it must fulfill it's job, and not 'ponder' in between close-up and mid-shot.
-Varying shot length and distance is an important factor in determining whether or not the viewer engages with the sequence.
-Maintaining a continuous theme in terms of opening titles and credits is something which is very well received by examiners, and is worth spending a substantial (yet appropriate) amount of time 'perfecting.'
After reviewing the opening sequences I then graded them, taking into account the fact that technology has advanced since the time the videos were made (2009), and the specification determined.

Animated Storyboard.

Our storyboard, converted into an animation using iMovie. This should hopefully give a clearer indication of what we hope our opening sequence will include, such as props, angles etc...

Animated Storyboard.

Our storyboard, converted into an animation using iMovie. This should hopefully give a clearer indication of what we hope our opening sequence will include, such as props, angles etc...

Similar Inspirations.

Inspirations for our story line at this point would be current t.v shows such as Misfits, Skins & Top Boy. They each contain similar modern issues that we want to portray through our film.

Main Aims.

The main idea for our film is to achieve a story line that appeals to teenagers so that they can relate to it. We are currently thinking of using a story line with the theme of drugs in it...

Split Screen Ideas.

This is a brief explanation of what we hope to achieve by splitting our screen during our opening sequence.

Saul Bass.

Saul Bass (May 8, 1920 – April 25, 1996) was a graphic designer and filmmaker, best known for his design of film posters and motion picture title sequences. Bass became widely known in the film industry after creating the title sequence for Otto Preminger's 'The Man With The Golden Arm' (1955). 
The subject of the film was a jazz musician's struggle to overcome his heroin addiction, a taboo subject in the mid-'50s. Bass decided to create a controversial    title sequence to match the film's controversial subject. He chose the arm as the central image, as the arm is a strong image relating to drug addiction. The titles featured an animated, white on black paper cut-out arm of a heroin addict. As he expected, it caused quite a sensation.

"You remember that the film was about drug addiction, and the symbol that is the arm, in it's jagged form express the jarring disjointed existence of the drug addict..."- Saul Bass.

"North By Northwest" - 1959.

"PSYCHO" - 1960.

"Not With My Wife, You Don't!" - 1966.

These examples of Saul's work show how he uses the genre of the film as the base for it's title font and format of the sequence... for example, "PSYCHO", the suspense/horror by Alfred Hitchcock is dark and disjointed, representing the plot to come. This is in stark contrast to the titles of "Not With My Wife You Don't!" a comedy starring Tony Curtis, which uses vivid colouring and animated characters to liven it's opening titles.   

Storyboard: Part 2.

This is the second part of our storyboard.