Just before we uploaded our final production we noticed a small issue that needed tweaking. The blood splatter from the gun shot appeared too splodged. The video will be uploaded as soon as we find a way to create a more realistic effect.
We
have also spotted a small continuity error which can't be changed at this stage. We spent so much time focusing on editing
but managed to miss this error out. In one shot when the hooded man gets out
the car he doesn’t close the door but when we later took some shots from
another angle we failed to spot this important detail.
This is the opening title that will be used in our final movie. We have chosen lionsgate as it is a well established producer of Horror movies, similar to our own. This is the official opening that is shown before all horror films produced by Lionsgate. Then our own logo representing our made up production company will appear (POKA
JOTT).
Experimenting with the software which I found confusing at first but it soon made a 'little' more sense.
This program helped us to create fantastic effects. Jack Madden in particular spent a vast amount of time getting the gun shot just right. We used a plastic airsoft gun as a prop and were able to make it look genuine and realistic with the features of this program.
We are now back at school after a full day of organizing and filming. Fortunately we were very organized therefore everything went smoothly. Luckily Jack's sister was also available and was happy to take part. Now it is time to pick the shots we want to keep and then start the editing.
Below are three opening scenes I have studied and made concise notes on. I was particularly interested in the way shots,sound & editing were utilised in order to create a specific effect upon the audience. In our group we tried to pick different openings so we would end up with a bunch of interesting ideas we can use in our own opening. The results were great, hopefully you will be able to spot a few ideas in our final production.
Film title - Se7en
Use of close-ups/extreme close ups to create a sense of mystery,
confusion, isolation and gives off a feeling of claustrophobia – an enigma code
is created.
extreme close up
Titles appear as if scratched on the film – we see a range
of actors names, production credits, director etc. throughout the sequence.
Music is reflective of the images – industrial, heavy and
unsettling. We hear a scraping noise similar to scratching a tape which sounds
almost like a scream for help.The non-diegetic
sound of the thunder has many connotations, for example fear.
Mise-en-scene is dark and grimy – use of shadows.The whole atmosphere of the film is
established in the opening even though we see very little in terms of character
detail.
Production company titles play at the start of the clip.The titles are in a simple font and are not
played over the action but before it so as not to distract from important
elements.
Use of close ups and very specific light sources create
enigma code – this is conventional in thrillers.The audience’s attention needs to be grabbed.
Mid-shots are also used to help the audience get an idea of the mise-en-scene.
Point of view is used to allow us to see what the other
character is seeing.It puts us in their
shoes. From one of the POV shots, it is blurry. The blurry shot suggests impaired
vision possibly due to the length of time the character has been locked in the
dark.
blur
Editing – the takes are quite long to create a sense of
isolation and to develop the tension.
The sound is mostly diegetic but specific uses of music
emphasise certain elements – the discovery of the body for example. The sound
of the water gave an idea of the situation of a drowned body, creating further
tension for the audience.
Mise-en-scene is very dingy – a grotty bathroom, costumes
are grimy and sweaty.Particular props
are highlighted, the gun, tape recorder etc – these are important to what will
happen.
Film title - Cape Fear
Enigmatic montage of images – creates mystery
Use of extreme close up on girls face implied the importance
of the character and shot. This effect is utilised again once the male
character is released from prison. He walks confidently towards the camera in
the middle of the frame which comes across as intimidating.
Titles look fragmented to illustrate the potential themes
and atmosphere
Long take of the water – indicates it is important to the
story. The focus of the choppy waves creates an unnerving experience for the
audience, a sense of displacement.
Use of red – connotations of blood and danger.
Lighting makes use of shadows – conventional to the genre.
At one point we are able to make out the shape of a muscular tall man but only
one of his bare hands is revealed and the other is hidden. This suggests he may
be hiding something important, possibly a weapon.
This will be our first shot, with the car driving away at a
steady speed. The area will be slightly darker thus making the shot more mysterious. There shouldn't be any snow in our final product.
This time we will see the car travelling towards the camera
before it exits the frame. This is to give the audience a sense of speed and
distance travelled.
This is a close up shot of the centre console of the car. It
is vital that we emphasize the importance of the shot to prepare the audience
for the audio that follows in the form of a radio broadcast.
In this shot the vehicle will reverse and stop in front of
the garage abruptly causing the tyres to skid. If times properly the lighting
should be perfect and give a sense of time passing as the sun begins to set.
This will be just before the hooded man opens his door. The
shot will enable the audience to pick up on the mise-en-scene whilst also
showing the car blocking the only exit of the garage.
This shot shows the likely camera angle that will be used
when the hooded man reveals the girl in his boot before grabbing her.
This is a shot from the inside of the garage looking out.
The natural light will be blocked by the parked car once reversed.
Here is a shot of the garage where the girl will be shot. We
will most likely have her sat in the middle to reduce unnecessary lighting and
to create a more solitary atmosphere with the car taking up some space.
In this shot the vehicle will reverse and stop in front of
the garage abruptly causing the tyres to skid. If times properly the lighting
should be perfect and give a sense of time passing as the sun begins to set.
This will be just before the hooded man opens his door. The
shot will enable the audience to pick up on the mise-en-scene whilst also
showing the car blocking the only exit of the garage. 
Here is a shot of the garage where the girl will be shot. We
will most likely have her sat in the middle to reduce unnecessary lighting and
to create a more solitary atmosphere with the car taking up some space.