New Title Sequence Pitch - ENIGMA

Enigma pp


Above is the new initial idea that my group and I have made ahead of our new title sequence; potentially being called 'Enigma'.


Within the powerpoint are many things that an audience will want to know in relation to the title sequence alone. The genre has been identified and it has been justified why we believe our film fits the genre that we have allowcated it to. The target audience has been chosen wisely in order for us to maximise views, and we have chosen actors that we believe can fulfill the requirements of our title sequence well by considering the roles and duties of the actors in previous films. The plot has been made clear so that it can be understood as to what the title sequence is about as well as the financial side to clarify what costs could be if we were to produce, distribute, market and exhibit out title. Prior to this, we had to consider what director would manage our film well looking at the statistics revolving around other previous films.


We believe that this title sequence will be successful simply as it is original and full of tension and suspension, not forgetting to mention enigmas. By this, it should allow those of an audience to remain engaged due to the reoccurrence of enigmas throughout the whole title sequence.

Font Typo Ideas!

Above is my groups first initial idea for the font that our title sequence could use for the title. We believe that the font would be suitable for our film for numerous reasons: The slight blur effect helps establish that the title sequence could well feature missing/disappearing links, and the font looks as if it has been handwritten by someone who has a lot of time on their hands which will link in with our title sequence in that the behaviour of the seen character may seem as if he has a lot of time on his hands referring to experience in the woods.

This is our second font which as presented above, will not be used for every letter in the name of our title sequence. This would be due to the fact that with our idea containing elements of religion, we believed that it would be smart if we could 'EXECUTE' a 'T'/Cross into our title to help the audience to be able to understand that our film is likely to contain some sort of belief, culture or religion.

Journal - 08/12/11

Meeting (mac room)

1. Started at 09:05
2. Discussed title sequence for film
3. Ended at 09:25

This enabled us to fine down our ideas and come to a conclusion as to what can make our title sequence. We have decided that our title sequence will start in a forest which will primarily be used to connote people from the use of trees and bushes in a personified manner. 

The Sixth Sense Title Sequence

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_bONa7aLVo - Link for the title sequence

• Transition of text establishes genre simply as in thriller films, there are always many mysterious things that occur and in this title sequence, text seems to blue when appearing and disappearing
• colour scheme of black and white generates the atmosphere and mood of deviance, awkwardness and abnormality simply as you would not expect to see shades/colours of black and white used these days especially after the introduction of colours to the colour palette
• Fade of shots establishes that not everything in this film will be clear to the audience
• Shots of buildings reveal that the film is likely to be set where you would expect to find people and not in a quiet and isolated location

This title sequence establishes the genre of the film which is obvious that it is thriller. I chose to analyze this title sequence as it shares the same genre that i will be using and so i wanted to identify what characteristics are often used within title sequences to help convey its genre.

Phone Booth Title Sequence Analysis

This title sequence of Phone Booth establishes many things about the film

• Font used for text establishes that the film is likely to contain many elements that will be very bold, serious and noticeable
• Text style establishes that there is likely to be elements in film whereby things you would not expect to happen occur just as you would not expect to see the name of something start with a lower case letter and not a capital/upper case
• Sound - rather slow and rhythmic to perhaps establish the pattern of events likely to occur within film
• Heartbeat image/shot to reveal that there will be a lot of tension and enigmas within the film (why is he scared? why is he in this situation? what will happen to him?)
• Many buildings to establish the location of the film; film to be set in an open and busy place

I looked at this film simply to identify what a thriller film will contain within its title sequence as my title sequence will be thriller also.

Covered Title Sequence Analysis

Covered Film Idea 1

This was originally our first title sequence. This has now changed however.

We originally came up with this idea with the moral of 'in life, there is an alternative to completely everything that an individual does'. We believed that this film could inspire individuals (audience) to understand that there is always another route/path that can be taken regardless of the situation that an individual is involved in. As we summed up the rest of our pitch for this film, we were faced with many comments.

The title sequence was named under the umbrella genre 'hybrid' simply by the mix of elements from numerous genres. This did not seem a problem as with the genre being hyrbrid, there are no set rules to what a film can and can't consist of.

Comments such as our film not being 'original' and 'similar to every other music film' made myself and my group reconsider our whole title sequence idea. We analyzed our current title sequence and agreed with every comment we received and decided to act upon them by recreating a new title sequence.

Extra film analysis

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN

• Flow of title sequence, taking into consideration the amount of people walking could well establish that the film is set in various locations and consists of many physical actions
• Colour scheme could well of been used to illustrate the genre of the film which is comedy simply as blue often connotates what you would expect to see in line with the sourece presented with it
• Font very artisitc which can reveal the regular moods of characters which could well be joyful, confident and high in self-esteem
• Variety of objects may of been used to allow audience to identify what to expect within the film such as the shoe being used as a sexual reference
• Lines could well of been used to make it clear that one theme runs throughout the whole film

LORD AT WAR
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9d0d6qgsvTw&feature=related

• Digetic sound of main source (bullets) emphasizes that film is likely to be based around bullets or the bullets play an important role within the film
• Sharp font suggests that the film is likely to be action packed and serious
• Tempo of title sequence neither fast or slow which could suggest that the film with and against time
• Camera angle tells audience that there will be a lot of tension within the film

Signs in Cinema

We must be clear of what all films consist of. There are 5 elements within all films and each are categorized individually.

• Editing - cuts, match on action, continuity, 180 degree rule, etc
• Sound - contrapuntal, etc
• Cinematography - framing of a shot, angle, lighting, etc
• Performance - tone of voice, facial expressions, etc
• Mise-en-scene - costumes = establish status and job, the society and what culture it is based around, location = can manipulate audience by building certain expectations, props, make up = acts as an indicator to us of character's personality, acting/body language = feelings, lighting = make characters look mysterious, reflect characters mental state/hidden emotions (everything in the scene) - designed to communicate meaning to audience

Within my title sequence, all of the following (above) will have to be included rather thoroughly. I also know that when applying the following within my title sequence, the types and styles used will have to of been thought of carefully. For example, the genre of my title sequence will be thriller and so to have the characteristics of a comedy film such as: bright & cheerful sound, high-key lighting and not many match on action shots, would completely contradict the chosen genre and confuse the audience of my title sequence. 

The signs in cinema in my opinion, are like characteristics that can help label films and title sequences without a genre being allocated. To establish the genre of our film, i must make sure that the characteristics used are aligned to the genre specifically and accurately.

Editing!

Editing is a process whereby sources or materials are arranged to produce a particular affect towards the audience. There are different types of editing involved in title sequences and each produces a completely different effect. Examples of these types of editing are listed below:

• TAKE
• SEQUENCE
• CUT
• JUMP CUT
• FADE
• WIPE
• DISSOLVE
• SUPERIMPOSE
• MONTAGE
• INVISIBLE EDITING/CONTINUITY EDITING
• MOTIVATED EDITING
• LONG TAKE
• SLOW MOTION
• SHOT-REVERSE-SHOT
• DUBBING
• EYELINE MATCH
• MATCH ON ACTION

Each and every type of edit used has a particular effect and purpose which is always taken in to consideration when used. Within my title sequence, I must be clear with what type of editing i use in order for my title sequence to convey itself to the audience. With my title sequence genre being thriller, the edits that I may have to really consider using would be the likes of a long take which is used to establish the setting and environment present. The edit types such as shot-reverse-shot and match on action i believe are normally found quite regularly in action movies and so by featuring a lot of this, the audience may well believe that my title sequence genre is 'action' and not actually 'thriller' causing a risk in how successful my title sequence is perceived to be.

Sound in Camera

Believe it or not, sound is extremely important hence the reason why there are a variety of different sounds. Each sound has its own affect and contributes effectively dependent upon the source that it is involved in. Below is a list of the different types of sound.


Digetic - Inside frame. Both audience and characters can hear sound
Non-Digetic - Only audience can hear. Often used to create tension
Soundbridge - Adds continuity as sound from one sequence carries on to the next sequence
Parallel - Directs attention specifically. Matches what we hear and can see
Contrapuntal - Counterpart to what we see and hear. Mismatch/no link
Leitmotif - Repeated theme or phrase used to suggest an idea or character within story
Synchronous - Sound that matches visual image such as dialogue
Asynchronous - Does not derive from source that is visible
Foley - Reproduction of everyday sounds such as a crash being made from another source


Within my title sequence, non-digetic and parallel sound will be used thoroughly to help establish our genre 'thriller' and create a tensed and serious mood for the audience. This should enable the audience to relate both to our film and the irony behind our title sequence.

Groundhog Day Task

            

These are two recreated shots for the film 'Groundhog Day' in which we were told to do.


The whole idea of both came from behind the intention of wanting to keep the shots rather British (stereotypically) and Hugh Grant like.


The font was chosen simply to represent the 'traditional' handwritten style used back in Hugh Grant's childhood days. I felt that with Hugh Grant being the main character, i could use something particularly in the shots in which could establish who he is or where he is from. To clarify, I would not expect to find the handwritten style in my shots in the era of today.


The images chosen were used completely to contradict beauty that is used within the film. The idea of having clear images were also used as we wanted to have narrative sound simultaneously with the images as there would be nothing to distract the sound. The sound thought of will be very Hugh Grant like whereby thoughts and feelings are made public and not private. This should create an image of complete perfection.


Despite what has been shown to the audience, it was thought that in the next shot, bearing in mind that the genre of this film is comedy,  Hugh Grant could be located in a messy bedroom which would completely contradict the whole image of perfection represented previously.

Saul Bass Class notes

1. Born in the year of 1920 and died in the year of 1996
2. Believed that making a title sequence is similar to making one poster as your objective is to merge many things in to one source
3. Studied at Arts Students League
4. Worked as a freelance graphic designer (commercial artist)
5. In 1950, after freelancing, Saul opened his own studio working mainly on advertising
6. Due to his upgrowing reputation as a designer, Saul was asked on many occasions to design title sequence for the likes of Carmen Jones
7. Known for his psoters that had striking visual images
8. Was not familiar or keen on using faces on his posters
9. Known highly for his use of geometric shapes and symbolism
10. His posters and title sequences had the ability to captive mood from simple shapes and images. This was his preferred method opposed to using photography of film stars
11. Heavily influenced by constructivism (constructivists tried to create works that would make the viewer active of the artwork)

This is relevant due to the fact that Saul bass made numerous title sequences. The difference with his were that they consisted of elements that would be hard to find in any other title sequences. In addition, Saul Bass' ideas were extremely unique and because of this, makes him remembered today.

Bob Kurtz Analysis

Media Presentation


This is my powerpoint that i constructed on my chosen title sequence designer; Bob Kurtz. Presenting this powerpoint developed my analytical skills on title sequences as it was required that i analysed two sequences from my chosen designer. I decided to analyse both 'The Pink Panther' and 'Are We Done Yet' which can be seen above. Doing research in to Bob Kurtz further allowed me to understand who he is, what influenced him in being a title designer, and how interesting it is to be able to understand briefly what a film is likely to be about just from what is seen from a short  a title sequence.


From what I have learnt, I can now expect to make my title sequence as good as title sequences developed by Bob Kurtz. His title sequences basically illustrated what was to expect from the film and this is what i must do within my title sequence. I therefore must ask myself questions when making my title sequences such as 'what is it that my title sequence is trying to convey to the audience?'

Zombieland Title Sequence title analysis

Throughout this title sequence, i believe it is clear to identify what genre the title sequence belongs to.


From the beginning of the title sequence, the font for the typography used helps establish that the title sequence belongs to the genre of 'Horror' for various reasons. One of the reasons which is evident, derives from the embedded blood and red effect used upon the font which i believe was used to help connote blood and reveal to us that this is what should be expected to see throughout the film.


The rock based soundtrack used within the title sequence would not be contrapuntal simply as the rock soundtrack links well with the shots, especially as rock music is often associated with hard hitting stuff often causing danger for an individual or a group of people. This music therefore helps establish that Zombieland is likely to be a film whereby people are constantly endangered.


Lastly, the slow cut editing used within the title sequence puts an emphasis on every movement. It is likely that the direct intention was to help the audience identify that every move within Zombieland is likely to have a direct affect also taking in to consideration what genre this film is of. The slow cut editting is furthermore creating tension for the audience, a state of feeling that should further be expected throughout the whole film.

Storyboards!

Storyboards are popular and are used all the time in the industry of film. Storyboards are seen as ingredients in the fact that they are what make films of today from consisting of diagrams each detailed and specific. Each diagram consists of:

• A sketch of the image
• A brief description of the visual
• Notes for the camera operator/editor
• Sound that will accompany the visual
• Estimate of duration of segment

Before i film for my title sequence, I'll have to have a storyboard present to prevent any issues or dilemmas such as confusion and time consumption from occurring thus affecting the quality of my title sequence.

Codes and Conventions of Title Sequences

There are many codes and conventions of title sequences which in other words, are rules and characterisitcs that must be within a title sequence. These characteristics can be identified within all title sequences. These are as followed:

• Details of the cast and crew
• Name/title of the film
• Introduction to characters and character types
• Indication of location
• Information regarding mood and tone
• Information about genre
• Enigmas (Questions that audiences are likely to find intriguing)
• Patterns and types of editing that will be echoed throughout film
• Mise en scene + cinematography that will be echoed or elaborated later in film

In order for my title sequence to be complete, i must consider all of the above. 

FOOD - INGREDIENTS = NOTHING

Art of Film Title Design Throughout Cinema History Analysis - http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2010/10/04/the-art-of-the-film-title-throughout-cinema-history/

I have read through this article and have found numerous points from it very interesting. The title of the article is 'The Art of Film Design Throughout Cinema History' and it consists of many concepts. Many i can wrap my head around, many i can not. From reading this article though, i have developed my wide understanding of title sequences.


 'The concept of score visualization first conceived by Oskar Fischinger in his film “Studies” anticipates the effects created by Saul Bass in “The Man With the Golden Arm” (1955) and later by Susan Bradley in “Monsters, Inc” (2001):'. This i find rather interesting and that is due to the fact that i find it fascinating how Saul Bass, being born in 1920, can have an influence on a title sequence created in the year of 2001. This therefore establishes how influential Saul Bass is and can well establish that Saul Bass could well remain being an influential man in the decades and centuries to come from his designs.


'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.'  This is interesting in the fact that in title sequences today, it is part of the codes and conventions that there must be some sort of typography integrated with the metaphorical imagery. In additions, it is rather interesting that it was suggested that the timing of typography within a title sequence is important and not as basic as typing a draft of an essay on word. The importance of the timing of typography is now widely taken in to consideration and it is clear that this is due to what the 'outsiders' brought to the 'Hollywood studio system'.


'Kyle Cooper states that while the power of computer graphics is obvious, he still likes experimenting with live action, because there is something special about the imperfection of making things by hand.' Now this, i fully agree with which is why i have chosen to quote what has been said. I am one who completely believes that computers prevent human individuals to problem solve their way through tasks and problems not because of the sophistication of tasks, but because of the computers ability to 'understand absolutely everything'. I further find the chosen source of text interesting as i believe in the whole concept of experience and training equalling skill and skill takes time to perfect and so skill establishes the amount of effort used in order to achieve what has been achieved. By this, i agree with what Kyle Cooper states about the special feeling in perfecting something with hands.


It could be argued that typography lost importance in this era of title design. The imagery behind the credits received a lot more attention. This i am not suprised with as you would expect to find a time whereby individulas had developed an idea or pattern used by others. The world that humans have been living in has been a world where nobody remains happy and pleased with what another individual has bought to the attention of many. The world that us humans live in, is a world where we all have to demonstrate skills and do things that would make us seen as amazing or incredible and not as sheeps but as herds! It could be argued that typography has lost importance, i however believe that typography is just being heavily challenged by imagery.


Throughout the history of cinema, film titles have evolved with the film industry, as well as with social trends and fashion movements. But the measure of a title design’s quality is the same now as it was in the silent era. Whatever function they perform, titles remain an essential part of film. This is as simply as it reads/is written. Despite title sequences changing over time just like fashion, title sequences still manage to serve the same purpose that they served when title sequences were first developed alongside its codes and conventions.

Team Standard Continuity Piece

My group and I where told to film a continuity sequence. Before getting down to filming however, it was made clear to us that we must create a storyboard in order to follow and prevent any time consuming decisions regarding what to film and how to film a shot. This continuity piece was produced by myself and my group with specific rules that we had to abide by. These rules included camera shots that had to be used and a scenario that the shots had to be applied to. These were combined with dialogue.


The camera shots that had to be used were the: match on action shot, shot reverse shot, and over the shoulder shot. These were all made present in our continuity sequence as seen above. Each shot used has its own purpose and because of that, allowed the continuity sequence to flow smoothly. These camera shots were not the only rule that had to be abided by.


Another rule that we had to accept was the scenario which had to consist of dialogue between two individuals of which one enters the room, exchanges dialogue with the other individual and then departs from the room. This, we fulfilled well including scenes of both individuals exchanging dialogue whilst seated. This produced a classroom effect in which the audience can relate with.


I believe that my continuity sequence exceeded all rules and ran smoothly. There was one issue however which did arise and this was due to a sudden departure of a particular piece of equipment that we were using. Because of this, one part of the continuity sequence jumped. This is a weakness identified from my continuity sequence but myself and my group know that if not for the sudden departure of the dolly that we were using, the jump would not of occurred. This is the only recommended improvement i can offer as i feel that our continuity sequence was not too complex whereby there was a lot of issues.