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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
"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.
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.
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.
The title sequences opens with a man jumping from a set of stairs. The location of this particular scene looks as if it is based in a prison. The typography that is used is embedded into the scene; this is because it is in mid air. When the man falls to the ground he clashes with it, this is effective as it draws the audience attention to the typography.The audience are able to see a person wearing an orange prison uniform, this could connote that prisoners are to be kept away from but also is ironic as it’s a zombie wearing the uniform and the people would want to keep away from them. The use of a worms eye view provides the audience with an idea that he person falling has fell from a high position.
The next scene is of a zombie spitting blood out, by this point the audience has already grasped a possible genre for the film. They have done this because of the iconography used, for example blood could equal horror genre, zombies symbolise zombie genre. In the background of this scene the audience are able to see cars. The cars are motionless; this could imply that the town/city is a deserted location. The typography that is used is red this indicates a possibility of a variety of different meanings these include red for blood, horror, danger and death.
Following the last scene a women is running away from a zombie. From here the scene is set in a local town. There are railings shown this could connote the imprisonment that the humans have as they are unable to go anywhere due to the zombies. Also a long two shot is used; this is used in an effective way because it shows a zombie chasing a women t. This shows the women’s expressions and the situation that she is going through at the present time. Through out the title sequence the audience have a visual of fire, this indicates the danger and the destruction in which the zombies have caused. The audience can discover the storyline from the title sequence, they can refer this film to previous film that contain zombies. The typography that is used is in capital letters, this could have been done like this so the audience are able to read it. The non-diegetic sound that is used is fast paced, this is synchronised with the fast pace movement of the humans and zombies. Drums are used in the music this type of instrument is heavy and makes a lot of noise; this could link in with the destruction of the town. The man breaking the glass with a crowbar shows the damage that the zombies have done and like the glass the damage can’t be repaired. Close ups of the zombies show the lack of emotions and lack of life that they have inside their body.
This is my PowerPoint presentation that I constructed; I decided to base my case study on a French title designer called Laurent Brett. I chose him in particular because he had done many films which I had never heard of, as well as a famous film I knew called Hostage which was released in 2005. I enjoyed constructing my case study on Laurent Brett, this was down to me learning about how he got himself into the film industry but also learning about how title sequences are produced. When I was researching Laurent Brett and his films I discovered that he helped create the title sequences to transporter 3. As well as these films he is well known for producing title sequences for French films.
"Words and lettering played an enormous role in films of the silent era. Film titles made their appearance in the earliest silent films, along with letter cards (or inter-titles), which provided context. These cards were the responsibility of the lettering artist, who collaborated with the scriptwriter and director to create narrative continuity so that audiences could follow what they were seeing. Distinct from these inter-titles was the film’s main title, a vehicle of particular concern to film producers because of the legal, copyright and marketing information this footage had to bear."
I have chose to post this because I found this interesting, this is completely down to it showing the history of title sequences. This shows that when films originated they were underprivileged and couldn’t' use sound in there production. The film producer’s didn’t have the chance to use diegetic sound, non diegetic sound and dialogue. This shows how society and the film/media industry has changed, it provides the idea that technology has evolved the way in which the audience can relate to a film.
"The main title from the American release of “The Cabinet of Dr. Calligari” (1920) is much less expressive than the title from the influential original German film (restored original version):"
I find his interesting because it again shows hoe the film/media industry has changed. One the right is an original main title from the film 'The Cabinet Of Dr. Caligari' and one the right is a new version that has been restored. The use of typography in the restored version is effective; this is because it hints at a possible genre. The typography that is used is horror like typography so this could indicate that the genre is horror. The original version has plain typography this is less effective as it doesn’t inform the genre unless the audience watch the whole film. The restored version uses the colour green as the background he colour green could symbolises jealousy or poison. The original is black and white so this don’t indicate on symbolise anything, this doesn’t allow the audience to gather any meaning from it.
"As movies grew more popular, their titles evolved."
This is true and interesting; this is down to the more money that the film/media industry produce means they can spend more on upgrading thing. For example they can use higher profiled celebrities or upgrade equipment. The more money used could encourage better equipment meaning the designer is provided with software which supplies the designer with more features. The more features used could be used to reach a wider target audience. Also the higher a celebrity profile means the more people might want to see it, this can lead to an increase in profit and again more equipment will be used. This is what has happen over the past century, the designers have been given better equipment this has made there title better and more presentable. "Breakthrough ideas in titling, such as timing the typography to interact with metaphorical imagery or to create its own world, were largely innovations that came from outsiders to the Hollywood studio system. Figures such as Saul Bass, Pablo Ferro, Maurice Binder and Richard Williams arrived on the scene in the 1950s, at a time when the studios were starting to flounder in their fight with TV. At that time, independent filmmakers made commercial headway by doing things differently, spreading utterly fresh ideas about the possibilities of title sequences. This is the era in which the discipline of film title sequence design was actually born."
I find this interesting as it informs be about how titles were getting predictable and the way in which people changed this. This provides me with information that the film titles were becoming second best compared with TV as they were loosing there fight of becoming better. It shows me that the new ideas that were thought of came from people outside Hollywood. It informs me that the likes of Saul Bass, Pablo Ferro, Maurice Binder and Richard Williams prevented Hollywood from going out of business as they added a different dimension and came up with ideas that amazed the audience. "Every sphere of contemporary life — and especially the film business — has been affected by computers."
This point is true and this is interesting as it shows how technology has changed the way in which title sequences are displayed to the audience. When the films originated everything including dialogue, credits and sound were presented using letter cards, now everything is created and edited via a computer or some sort of technology. This has affected the film/media industry because these changes have generated more funds and money for that industry. Also the advance in other types of technologies has aided the way in which films are show. The new technology gives the designers more freedom to experiment new things whereas when they were originated the designer’s didn’t have that privilege.
1920 - Saul Bass was born in Bronx District of New York
Bass studied at Art Student League in New York and Brooklyn College under Gyorgy Kepes, a Hungarian graphic designer.
1946- Saul Bass moved to Los Angeles to get away from creative constraints imposed in him in New York.
1950- After freelancing Bass opened his own studio, workig in advertisement
1954- Otto Preminger invited Bass to create a film poster for the film Carmen Jones. Otto was so impressed he asked him to create the opening sequence.
1955 - Bass created cut out arm for the man with the golden arm.
How is the genre of the film constructed? The genre of the film the dawn of the dead is shown through the characters and the iconography. Iconography such as blood which relates to the horror genre, virus killing people can show the survivors as a victim. In horror there are always a victim in this case it is the human survivors. In the film the zombie are recognisable this also indicates a genre which is the zombie genre. The typography in this film is red and when it disappears its like blood being washed out with water, this also indicates a horror genre.
What do the opening titles show visually? The opening title in dawn of the dead shows zombies creating havoc and making people lives hell. It bring the question to the audience why are the zombies there?
How is the narrative enigma created here? The enigma is created through the audience’s curiosity of why/how the zombies are here and also what the final outcome is going to be?
Why has Kyle Cooper chosen to use news footage? Kyle cooper has decided to use news footage to involve the audience so they can relate themselves to the situation. Also it has been used to create tension for the audience.
Where do there shot position viewers? Due to the news footage being used it encourages the audience to empathise and take into consideration what it would be like to be in that situation and actual watching news footage as the zombies were present.
Regualr flashs shows it could be physchological film
Title sequence shows low tech use looks old fashion
Whilst studying title sequnece I learnt the order of the title, this is useful because when it come to me producing one i then know what order they go in and how to construct one.
Whilst participating in the continuity editing project the member of my group was Luke and Billy. In my group Luke and Billy was the actors and I was camera man who was filing the action.
During the Project there were a few difficulties including the story idea and the filming. When we were planning the project as a group we found it difficult to come up with a concept, we had many ideas but after a discussion as a group we decided the idea we come up with wasn’t going to work. After hard thought and more discussing we came up with an idea of a rivalry between the two characters. Once we completed the planning of the idea we produced a storyboard and started filming. During the filming we found it difficult to get a variety of different shots but this was only down to the lack of space we had to work with. The room that we used was a confined meaning that we were unable to get the best shots available.
Even though it was difficult to film in the confined space I still enjoyed using the camera. The reason why I enjoyed filming is because I learnt things to do to make the filming better, for example when doing an over the shoulder shot it is better to get the camera to eye level making it more effective. Another thing that I learnt when I was filming is how to track even though I wasn’t good at it I enjoyed learning how to use the equipment to get the best out of the filming.
If we were to redo the project again there would be a number of changes as a group we would do to make our continuity editing better. The first thing I would do is choose a bigger room , by doing this it would be it be easier for us to work and means that we would get better shots. Also I would learn how to track better as when I tracked in the project the film was jerky meaning that the filming was bad.
