Final sequence + thoughts

 

This is how our final sequence has ended up looking like. I am so proud of the work that our group has done and couldn't be happier with the way the final sequence has turned out.

Looking back at my initial hopes for this project i can safely say that i have satisfied everything i planned on doing. I have improved my camera work through practise and have aquired many editing skills such as the ability to track motion in shots. I am certainly proud to say that i have completed this piece of work and look forward to showing people what we have created.

Opening sequence rough cut feedback

After having teacher feedback and audience feedback our group is very satisfied with the quality of our rough cut. The music needs to be re-done and a few sound effects put in but apart from that it is almost complete. The only things that need to be changed in my opinion is the final fight scene because it currently has a few continuity issues. This is why on our re-shoot we will only re shoot the final fight scene and a few other shots.
Overall i am very happy at this stage of the project and feel that i am meeting my objectives very well.

Analysis of opening sequences

i) What forms can opening sequences take? Can you list the conventional features of opening sequences?

Opening sequences always take on a different form. They are each unique and relevant to the film they are trying to introduce. Some work better than others but they all stick to the same conventions in order to achieve the desired effect. The main conventions of opening sequences are as follows:

Characters - The main characters are usually always introduced in an opening sequences. The hero/heroine is usually focused on more than any other character in order for the audience to connect with them. Details about the main character are established that will hint on events that may happen later in the film.

Setting - A wide establishing shot is usually the first thing seen in an opening sequence in order to establish the setting of the film. This is extremely important so the audience can can be drawn into the film. It also can give a massive hint to the genre of the film.

Plot - A key feature of an opening sequence is to introduce what may happen in the narrative of a film. Hints have to be made throughout to start get the audience guessing to as what may happen later in the film. This makes the audience hooked and makes them stay to watch the entirety of the film which is probably the main function of an opening sequence.


ii) What narrative functions of opening sequences can you identify?

Functions of an opening sequence:

• Establish main characters
• Establish genre
• To hook the audience
• Give hints to what may happen later in the film
• Establish the equilibrium at the beginning of the film

iii) What do audiences gain from watching the opening sequence?

Audiences gain many things from watching an opening sequence. The first is a general idea of what the film is about. This includes the genre of the film and an audience member will easily be able tell if they are going to enjoy the film or not. A second gain from watching an opening sequence is for the audience to start relating to the characters. Emotional links should be made between the two so the audience can relate to the hero/heroines actions. Audiences also gain the ability to guess what may happen later in the film. This is key because they need to have something to look forward to/be scared of later in the film.

iv) What do film-makers gain from including an opening sequence?
From including an opening sequence the film maker gains the ability to hook the audience to their film in a short space of time. This makes the audience consume the entirety of the text and therefore film makers have achieved what they aim to do. Without an interesting opening the audience may quickly get bored and not watch a film leading to low ratings for the film and poor reviews from critics.

Opening Sequence - Applying Todorov's Theory

The main antagonist is clearly shown in this opening sequence. He is introduced right at the beginning with the name of 'Sauron'. He is shown to be clearly evil in many ways. The narrator introduces him as 'the dark lord' and he is shown surrounded by fire and darkness. The protagonists are only shown towards the end of the opening sequence. The first, 'Bilbo Baggins', is introduced with a name and can been seen as a protagonist due to the innocence of his nature. The second is not introduced with a name but can be seen clearly as a protagonist because of the peace and bliss that surrounds him in the establishing shot. The title of the film is also shown as the first shot of him is shown which indicates it will focus around him.

This opening sequence is not very conventional because it first shows how things will be due to a disruption because it is narrating a past story. The equilibrium is only shown at the very end. The last shot is an establishing shot of a forest area. The protagonist is sitting by a tree and the camera pans round. he is calmly reading and the area is very luscious. Birds are tweeting and everything represents bliss and calm. Another shot shows a CU of the ring. This is significant because it shows that the equlibirum exists when the ring remains untouched. The lighting in this shot is very dark and everything about it looks very gloomy, this perhaps suggests that even in the equlibrium things are definitely not perfect.

The disruption is greatly hinted at throughout the whole opening sequence. The narrator tells a story of evil forces taking over the land due to a ring. This ring is found at the end of the opening sequence so we can assume that the equilibium is broken due to conflict arising again. The audience is made to think that the story the narrator told is bound to repeat itself and there will perhaps be more war.

The heroes journey can only be assumed to be a quest in which the protagonist must restore peace somehow. We can guess that this has something to do with the ring but we can't be sure of deatils or how he will go about doing this. From what we can see in this opening sequence i am guessing that the new restored equilibrium will be exactly as the first (peaceful lands with no war) but with many changed lives. Every hero will have completed a journey which will have perhaps changed their perception on everything. Maybe new alliances will be formed in order to restore this equilibrium but nothing is given away in the opening sequence.

Opening Sequence Comparisons

Comparing the opening sequence of 'Legally Blonde' and 'Seven'

Legally Blonde

Shot Types

• ECUs on different parts of main character - she is revealed bit by bit
• Occasional LS to get a feel for the area that the film is set in
• MS of the main character at the end to clearly show her to the audience
• CU shots of her materialistic possessions such as the Prada bag to show her wealth
• Overhead shots of the campus give us more of a sense of where this movie is taking place and helps establish the film

Character Information

• Hobbies and Personality of Main Character revealed through the many possessions shows in the opening sequence
• Name of main character is revealed on the card that is passed under her door
• Looks very popular due to her many friends that rush to sign her card
• Everyone is wearing pink and are all doing make up which strongly suggests that they are all very 'girly girls'
• Everyone seems to be extremely wealthy due to the large house they are in and the posh looking area that they are in

Narrative Expectations

• Upbeat music suggests that this is probably going to be a lively, fun film
• Shot of main character's boyfriend at the end shows that the narrative will probably be focused around relationships
• probably a very stereotypical film due to the characters already shown

Seven

Shots

• Initial LS inside to establish the setting of the house
• MS of two main characters so they are instantly recognisable and some of their personalities can be revealed
• CU of some of Morgan Freeman's personal possessions such as his glasses and metronome, these show that there is something different/mysterious about him
• LA shot showing Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt walking with rain pouring down, audience aren't on the same level as the characters and having the rain pour down on the audience creates a sense of misery

Character Information

• Freeman seems very isolated from everyone else, he is told that people don't want to be working with him anymore
• Wearing a trench coat which shows he is just like an old fashioned detective
• His morning routine is shows which shows that his character is very precise and likes to do things in a particular way
• Brad Pitt is wearing very casual clothing and chewing gum, shows he probably has a relaxed personality
• The way in which Pitt speaks to Freeman shows he has a lot of confidence

Narrative Expections

• Clips of newspaper filings and photos suggesting a murder mystery
• All colours are very grey and dark which hints that this could be a dark miserable film
• Most of the opening sequernce is silent which creates an eerie feel to the film
• Some inital conflict between Pitt and Freeman suggesting there may be more further in the film

Overall Comparison

'Seven' and 'Legally Blonde' both are completely different opening sequences. 'Legally Blonde' shows a bright, happy, almost unrealistic world where every boy and girl are ahppily getting along. From this it is easy to see that this film will be very lighthearted and joyful. 'Seven' starts off with dark miserable colours with a lot of silence which connotes an eerie depressing film. This contrast in the opening sequences is essential because both films are different genres. The genre of thriller/mystery comes across extremely well in 'Seven' and 'Legally blonde' is easily identified as an upbeat girly comedy.