Journal: Lesson 7

In lesson 7 each group presnted their own title sequence in which they produed for the film Groundhog Day. Each grouppresnted it and they had to answer question related to the title sequence. One of the question that could be asked was What shows that the film is going to be British? Once the groups presented there idea the class were given the opitionty to mark each groups title sequence out of 10 and then provide constructive critisism. This then meant that the groups could then acknowledge things that they could improve when it came to making there own. I believe that when Luke and i presnted our idea to the class it was successful. When it came to answering question about it Luke and I took it in turns. When it came to the class providing us with feedback , most of the feedback was good but there were a few thing that the class said we could improve , this included the that the background was white, but we explained that we done this to carry a British theme. I have come to a consclusion that from this lesson i have improved my presntationa skills and also learnt that if we done it again we can improve a few aspects.

Once everyone presnted there title sequence the class then were allocatd into there coursework group. In which as a group we had to come up with a film idea. This film that we decide in then have to be advanced and made into a title sequence. Ech individual in the group provided there own ideas for a possible film, with this final infomtaion we created a brain storm in which i have previously posyed on my blog and named title sequence ideas. During this lesson as a group we decided we wanted to produces a black comedy. We listed possib;e ideas as well as examples, this then could help as as we can look at these films to get ideas.

Journal: Lesson 6

Lesson 6 was a blog lesson; this meant people who needed to create more post had the chance to do this. I was up to date with my blog, so in this lesson I went through my current posts and looked at thing in which I could add to them. In addition to this is also made a few new posts which included posting lesson notes and a PowerPoint in which I had produced. I wrote a few lines about each post so the people know a bit of information about it. This lesson was helpful as I was able to make sure my blog was to a high standard and it allowed me to add thing that were necessary.

Perfect Pitch

Perfect Pitch

What is your film about? 

You need to create a pitch - A pitch us a concise verbal

First the pitch should be brief: One short sentence is perfect

Second, people shouls already understand the building blocks of the pitch: Buses, bombs, jaws, space, the seven deadly sins

Film pitch should have what the films about but also what it's really about.

Research

What is your genre?

What other films in this genre has inspired your film?

What other films are similar to yours?

Who is your films target audience?

When will your film be released? 

How much money will you film cost?

How much will your film make?

Who will star in your film?

Who will direct your film?

Journal: Lesson 5

In lesson five the class was split into half, this was done so that each half could be put into groups. Half of the class was going to be a film company and the other halves were film makers. Once this was done each half was split into three groups this meant that there was going to be three film companies and three film makers. The film companies were given a sheet of paper, which contained questions that they had to answer about different film companies.  The film makers were given a company they had to aim there film at the company didn’t know which film was there’s. The filmmakers had to pitch their idea to al of the film companies, in there pitch they informed the film companies of their films name, genre, target audience, plot, cast and crew, cost and revenue and release date. Once this had come to a climax the film companies had to pitch who there company was things about them. I was with Jason and the company that we were given was Paramount Vantage, in out presentation we included the history of the company, types of films, genre of films they tend to produce and the relations we have with other film companies. At the end of the presentations the film companies had to guess which film was aimed at them. This was a good lesson as I learned about different types of from companies and the sort of things inserted in a pitch.

Typography Ideas

These are possible film names ideas that our group has come up with. We all sat around a table and wrote down notes to try to come up with a name.  Each member of the group came up with a few ideas and we chose a handful that we believed will work best. Once we believed that we had a sufficient amount of names we then produced these that are above on the Mac's. We used a variety of different fonts and lay outs. We used different fonts and lay out so that they don't all look the same. 

Title Sequence Storyline

New Plot/Narrative

The film takes place in a ordinary british comprehensive school, where we see ordinary outcast Ronald Bateman attempting to survive his social class. This was about to change as his is turn inside-out as he accidentally killing both fellow student and teacher. This creates a massive dilemma which then sparks a accidental killing spree which is provoked by revenge, innocence and girls. He has more problems than he needed which means that exams are not the only thing to worry about this year. With a mixture of dark humor and brutal deaths, this will surely be a film that should not be missed.

Film Pitch

This is our groups PowerPoint presentation that we constructed together. It is our pitch presentation which informs people about what our film idea is and things that are important and need to be known. The film pitch consists of film synopsis, the genre, similar films, target audience, release date and film budget and profit. This is useful information, this is because if we were going to sell the film to different film studios. This information is vital as it can help them deiced if the film I worth buying. The film synopsis will inform the film company about the outline of the film, this is important as this can determine whether or not the company will buy it.  The genre of the film is major as certain film companies only produce certain genres. When choosing the film company to pitch to we have do decide the correct company. By informing the company of the genre it then creates understanding that the film is aimed at them. By having similar film it shows the films our film follow is or have relation to. The target audience slide informs the film company the sort of advertising techniques and the time they need to advertise the film. Release date also can help film companies find the correct techniques to advertise as if you are going to advertise at Halloween you would advertise it different from Christmas. The profit shows how much the film company can get from the film an also the amount of money spend on it.

Title Sequence Ideas

School Comedy

-        Puberty

-        Social Groups

-        Uniform

-        Dumb Blonde

-        Other Teachers

-        Nerds

-        Stereotypes

-        Class Room

-        Restricted Locations

 Horror 

-        Killing

-        Weapons

-        Blood/Gore

-        Final Girl

-        Frightening Place

-        Misfits of Society

-        Villain/Monster

-        Social Slaying

-        Hero

Idea Notes 

-        Morally Wrong

-        Contrapuntal Sound of boy walking to school with fast cuts to brutal murders with screaming and blood

-        Possible name similar to Sex, Drugs and Sausage Rolls

-        Accident killing – Therefore has to kill suspicious teenagers or teachers.

Plot Outline 

-        Teacher and student role playing murder

-        Nerd sees this and believes it’s a real murder and tries to hit the teacher’s. In a result to this he  accidentally kills the student and kills teacher because she is a witness.

-        When people are suspicious he kills them.

Film Name Ideas 

-        Books, Babes & Brutal Murders

-        Bod, Babes & Brutal Murders

-        Books, Babes & Brutal Deaths

-        Big Mistake

-        Name of Character: Grade A Killer

-        Secondary Psycho

-        Secondary Scoundrel

 Location 

-        Woolwich Poly School

-        Welling School

 Death Ideas 

-        Deep fat fryer

-        Pen in the eye

-        Javelin

-        Football goal

-        Books fall on top of someone

-        Electrocute

-        Slip over on wet floor

-        Freezer

-        Chair

-        Photo copier

-        Keyboard

-        Chemicals

-        Bunsen Burner

-        Piano 

Journal: Lesson 4

In lesson four people presented their title sequence designers case study. People in the class chose a variety of different designers so that not everyone done the same person. Whilst people were presenting their PowerPoint I took into account the feed back that they were given. The reason why I have done this is so that I can make my presentation the best that it could be. In this lesson there wasn't enough time for me to present my PowerPoint to the class. Also in the lesson we had the choice to either work in groups or individually to produce an opening title sequences to the remake of Groundhog Day. Luke Shelley and I decided to work with each other on the task of the title sequence. When producing it we had to consider mentioning vital information this included the name of the production company, the actors and the name of the film. The reason why we done this, firstly we showed the production company because the audiences then wouldn’t know who created it and the type of film it would be. In addition we use three major colours, this is to represent the British theme. In this lesson I learned how to use a numerous different feature on Photoshop. I learned how to insert pictures and alter them. I enjoyed this as I now can add Photoshop to one of my skills.In lesson four people presented their title sequence designers case study. People in the class chose a variety of different designers so that not everyone done the same person. Whilst people were presenting their PowerPoint I took into account the feed back that they were given. The reason why I have done this is so that I can make my presentation the best that it could be. In this lesson there wasn't enough time for me to present my PowerPoint to the class. Also in the lesson we had the choice to either work in groups or individually to produce an opening title sequences to the remake of Groundhog Day. Luke Shelley and I decided to work with each other on the task of the title sequence. When producing it we had to consider mentioning vital information this included the name of the production company, the actors and the name of the film. The reason why we done this, firstly we showed the production company because the audiences then wouldn’t know who created it and the type of film it would be. In addition we use three major colours, this is to represent the British theme. In this lesson I learned how to use a numerous different feature on Photoshop. I learned how to insert pictures and alter them. I enjoyed this as I now can add Photoshop to one of my skills.

 

Dr Strangelove Title Sequences Analysis

Dr Strangelove Title Sequence





When researching films which consist of the same genre of our film I found many films. The genre of the film we are constructing is a black comedy. The film in which I found was called Dr Strangelove, this is a title sequence to a film called Dr Strangelove. From the start of the title sequences the audience are presented with the sight old footage. From the beginning the audience are shown the film production company, by showing this it can shown a possible genre or give the audience a rough budget. From the footage the audience are able to tell that the film will be in black and white, this shows the time period inn which the film takes place. From the footage the audience are able to see a rocket and in words it has 'US Army' written  , this could indicate that the film is about Army or war. The typography that is used is plain again this can show the time the film was set as they didn't have the technology to create unique typography. When it dissapears it explodes this can connote the film could contain explosions.

Film Distributor Powepoint

Distributor

This is a Powerpoint presentation in which I constructed it with Luke Shelley. For this Powerpoint we were set the task to choose a film that has not yet been released, find out the film distributor, find out information about the distribution company, find out why they distributed the film?, who the target audience are, the cast, crew and the USP and similar films that the cast and director have been in. The film that we chose to find these things out on was Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol. Luke and I decided to create the powerpoint together rather than each person doing a part each, we chose to do a few slides each so that we both done the same amount of work. I found this interesting as i discovered that Paramount Pictures distributed the whole mission impossible series.  In addition i leant different ways in which film distributors try to promote their film to there consumers.

Journal: Lesson 3

In lesson 3 as a class we looked an existing title sequence. We looked at the title sequence to the film called ‘Dawn of the Dead’, we analysed the title sequence to see what sort of features that a horror title sequence contain. and also existing pre title designers, I found this interesting because this is the start of the film which has to draw the audience in and entertain them before the film starts.  Otherwise if they don’t succeed and entertain then the audience might walk out before the films starts. This showed me that it is an important and hard job as the success is on the hands of he designer. Once we looked at these we looked at well known title sequence designers these included the likes of Saul Bass and Kyle cooper. Eve though we looked a Kyle Coopers work we didn’t look at him and his life, whereas we looked at Saul bass life and the work he produced.  We looked at Some of Saul Bass most famous title sequences such as Oceans Eleven and the man with the Golden arm. We looked at the title sequences and discussed as a class the codes and conventions that they contain. Once we finished this we were allocated the task to look at other title sequence designer and create a case study on the person. We were provided a website link called ‘watch the title.com’ which gave us a list of designers. After I looked through them I found a man called Laurent Brett and decided to produce my case study on him. The reason in which I chose him is because when looking through his work he produced title sequence to films I have heard of but also films I have never heard of before. 

Film Production Company Powerpoint

Paramount Vantage

This is Jason Clarke's and mine powerpoint which we produce. The topic in which we were following was a production company called Paramount Vantage; this was a task that we were set by Mr Grimsley. This is the task that the classes were put into groups, half were film producers and the other half were film director. We were given a sheet which stated the film production company that we were in this case we were Paramount Vantage. On the sheet it gave us a number of different things that we had to research about the company for example a Brief History of the Company, Industry Hierarchy, Box office Revenues, Do they have any relationships with the filmmakers/Producers? If so who? and What the company/studio/studio division best at producing? To find all this information we used the Internet, this is because the Internet is bombarded with all types of information. So that Jason and I were able to both add our own contribution to the Powerpoint we shared out the research between us. Once we both finished we added our slides together to get the finished presentation. After we finished we then pitched who we are to the class.

Notes: Audience and Institutions

Audience and Institution

Aims: To be able to indicate how films distribution works. To begin to understand the difference between the US and the UK film system.

Key Words

Producer

Distributors

Exhibitor

Studios



A film distributor is the link between the producer and the exibitor ( the cinema chains, TV networks) ; their aims are to get as many people as possible to see the film.The distributoe markets the film abd develops an appropriate advertising campaign. To market sucessfully the distributor has to target the appropriate audience. This can be easy if there is a star, but harder is the case of a low budget independent film.

Black Comedy: Cherry Falls (2000)

Cherry Fall

A psychotic serial slasher starts a bloodthirsty murder rampage at Cherry Falls high school that only kills the local high school virgins. This leads to the local teenage population organising a sex party in order to lose their virginity and thus no longer be targets. By IMDB

This is a trailer of a film called Cheery Falls which falls in the genre of black comedy. We found out about this film via a website called Internet Movie Database, which provides information about all films, actor, actresses, TV series and other media related things. Once we looked at the film we instantly came to the conclusion that this film could help us as a group to expand on our idea.  Once we watched the trailer as a group we discovered that the film has a similar narrative to our idea, this is because the film is located in a school as well as it containing a killer. This fits into our idea as we came up with a serial killing teacher.

Black Comedy: Big Nothing (2006)

Big Nothing (2006)

Charlie is an ex-teacher turned reluctant call center employee who gets fired on the first day. Distraught on being unable to provide for his daughter Emily and cop wife, Penelope, he is suddenly contacted by Gus, an aspiring scam artist who presents Charlie with a seemingly snag-free plan to make some cash: Blackmail Reverend Smalls a man of the cloth, who's frequently turned up in the company database of visitors to illegal porn-sites. Gus plans on extorting Reverend Smalls, with the intention of publicly exposing his secret shame, should he refuse, with this scandal potentially destroying the man's career. Normally cautious Charlie, is keen on participating in this scam, confident that with this money maker he'll garner from the deal and will finally help turn things around for him and his family. Joined by one-time teenage pageant queen Josie McBroom Gus's ex, the plan goes ahead. By IMDB

This is the dvd cover to the film "Big Nothing". From this , the audiences are provided with am possible genre. From the the image the audiences can see the one of the characters (Simon Pegg) is holding a gun, from this it could provide the audiences with a idea that the genre could be a action/ crime film. Also in the background there is a women holding a gun this also indicates that the genre could be action/crime. The typography that is used seems fits in with a action genre , also blood is used this also symbolizes a bad happening or something is going to go wrong such as a death. The clothes that the characters are wearing are ones in which a audience member would associate with posh/ wealthy so this can show the sort of people that the characters are , but this can also provide an idea that the film could be set in the streets. From all this information the audience believe they have successfully guessed the genre, but the pink background contradicts the actual genre this now gifts the audience the the genre isnt action/ crime as the colour contrast the objects in the background.

Black Comedy: The Cable Guy (1996)

Cable Guy 

The Cable Guy is another prime example of a black comedy. Steven Kovak has been kicked out of his apartment by his girlfriend. Steven has a new apartment, and decides to slip the cable guy (Chip) $50 for free cable. Steven then fakes an interest in Chip's line of work. However Chip takes this to heart trying to become Steven's best bud. When Steven no longer wants to be Chips friend the man who can do it all goes on an all out assault to ruin Steven's life. In the backdrop is the delicate sub-plot of the trial of a former kid star for murdering his brother. The Overview is a lonely and disturbed cable guy raised on television just wants a new friend, but his target, a designer, rejects him, with bad consequences.  By IMDB

This is the title sequences to the film "The Cable Guy" which is a black comedy. This is the genre of the film in which my group are constructing so we are going to analyse it to see what feature/ codes are conventions are used. The title sequences opens with the Columbia production company logo, this is one of the things that have to be shown during a title sequence. It then changes to a static, television this could indicate the  storyline as this could be linked with the title of the film "The Cable Guy".  The typography that is sharp and this could connote the twist the story line or the bad happening. The lack of colour in the start could symbolise the dark side to the film.

Black Comedy: Very Bad Things (1988)

Very Bad Things





Days away from his wedding,Kyle and a group of his friends decide to go to to Las Vegas for a bachelor party.Things take a turn for the worst when a prostitute is killed. Soon, the bodies are piling up and the friends find themselves turning against one another as the coverup builds.


As a group we looked at different dark comedies and in this case the film was Very Bad Things. I believe that looking at these different trailers it provided us with an incite to the sort of story lines that black comedies follow. From this film in particular we took ideas from the film to put towards our own. We took the idea of an location that is't associated with crime/ death which was a bachelor party. This is normally a happy/enjoyable event but is turned into an horror/unenjoyable event. We took this into account and used this sort of perspective for our own film. The location that an audiences wouldn't usually associate with crime/death would be a school, this is the location in which we will use.

Black Comedy: Beetlejuice (1988)

Beetlejuice

"Adam and Barbara are a normal couple...who happen to be dead. They have given their precious time to decorate the house and make it their own, but unfortunately a family is moving in, and not quietly. Adam and Barbara try to scare them out, but ends up becoming the main attraction to the money making family. They call upon Beetlejuice to help, but Beetlejuice has more in mind than just helping"  By IMDB

This is the Trailer to the film Beetlejuice which is a black comedy, this film in particular isn't related to the type of film that we are going to produce but we were looking at it to see what features different types of black comedies contain. From the trailer we were provided with information that all black comedies contain a situation which in today's society is'n amusing and is made funny. For example this film is about ghosts who hire a bio exorcist to try to scare away the humans who have moved into there house. In this films case this isn't something that would usually happen in todays society but its a situation that is made funny. From watching this trailer our group has grasped the concept of what black comedy is and the things that are used to make them amusing.

Title Sequence Ideas

Journal: Lesson 1 and 2

This is my journal in which I will comment on my ideas and thoughts that I have on the work in which I underwent. In my journal I will be discuss what I found interesting and what I learnt during each lesson and comment on possible ideas which I could construct from new information which I learnt.

In the first lesson we were taught what a title sequence and their purpose in a film. I discover that a title sequences is a method used which cinematic films or TV programs present title, key production and the cast members, or both, utilizing conceptual visual and sound. I found this interesting because  I learnt that a title sequence is one of the most important thing in a film. This is because it provides the audience with an insight to what the film will be about. The reason in which this is one of the most important things in a film is down to it having to entertain the audience. If it doesn’t then the audiences won’t want to watch the film and leave before it has began. This means that it has to interest and appeal to all of their target audience. A title sequence is important because it introduces the genre to the audiences, provides the setting, informs the audiences of the atmosphere/tone and shows possible characters that will appear. As well as this we discover the codes and conventions of title sequences which are guide lines that the designers can follow when constructing theirs. I found learning about these interesting; this is down to when it comes to me constructing my own title sequence it gave me a number of things to include such as all the cast and crew to inform everyone who participated in  the making of it. Also that it has to be entertaining otherwise the audience will get bored.

In the second lesson we looked at existing title sequences and the use of typography. We began to analyse title sequences such as se7en and catch me if you can. As well as taking note of the uses of codes and conventions in these title sequences, we also analysed why certain thing are done. In se7en I discovered that the typography has been scratched/written, this could indicate that the genre crime as it could link to writing on a prison wall. Also the images through out the title sequence symbolises the genre. From Catch Me If You Can I discovered that the typography is fluid and it carries on to the next shot, this shows that everything is linked together. The typography used looked like it was constructed using a typewriter this indicates the time the film was set. I enjoyed and found looking at existing title sequences interesting this is because it provided me with ideas which I could put forward when creating my own title sequence. Another thing that I found interesting was that whilst analysing title sequences I found something common, this was that the sequence hinted and showed that audience a possible genre. So when producing my title sequence I will take this into account and try to use the codes and conventions that are necessary.

Groundhog Day Title Sequence

This is my title sequences produced for the film Groundhog Day. On this production I was working with Luke Shelley. We were given information that we had to insert to our title sequence, this included name of actors, name of director, name of production company and the country it originated from which was Britain. We took this into consideration and constructed this around the information  given. We decided to keep a British theme so we decided to use a white background, blue typography, blue characters , blue props and red characters throughout the title sequence. Due to the film relating to time I came up with the idea to embed a clock into the typography.