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.

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.

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.