Unit G321 – “The titles and opening sequence o a new fictional film”

Tayla Powell, 6100.

In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

• First of all, as a group we began to look through the various types of genres and sub-genres and finally came to a final decision of our chosen genre ‘Fantasy/thriller’.

• Doing this, allowed us to develop our knowledge and understanding of the conventions brought forward in this specific genre. We conducted research which I focused on the ‘Horror’ and ‘Action’, Chloe examined ‘Thriller’ and ‘Drama’ and Nicola overlooked ‘Romance’ and ‘Fantasy’. Therefore, this enabled us to gather relevant information based on each genre that appealed to us.

• We discovered that the genre ‘fantasy’ films are usually stories that are not realistic. Typical fantasy films are considered to be fairytale-like which can include, dragons, fairies, ware wolfs, witches, vampires etc. The sub-genres are: romance fantasy, modern fantasy and dark fantasy. Typical fantasy films allow the ‘Levi Strauss’ theory which is also known as the 'binary opposition.' This theory consists of opposition and binary pairs meaning one thing is always more valued in contrast to another, enforcing stereotypes and dominant cultural ideas. The typical codes and conventions of this genre are: going on a quest, but take the longest route possible, using un-natural areas and objects.

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• Whereas the genre ‘Thriller’ shows the purpose of thriller films is keeping their audience alert and on the edge of their seats. This film genre can interact with many different sub-genres, such as: action thrillers, crime thrillers, supernatural thrillers, science fiction thrillers, conspiracy thrillers and political thrillers. The codes and conventions of thriller films are that there is always high pitched music, dark lighting, and quick transitions, fast paced; often change of camera angles, dark colours, exaggerated sounds like a heartbeat etc. They can often involve domestic violence and psychological thrillers. This enabled us to identify that thrillers are supposed to make the audience keep guessing the storyline.

• Our aim was to bring two dissimilar genres together which would definite us from other products.

• We really admired how these two genres are so different, yet we want to channel our experiences and create someone so unique and enigmatic to other products being created.

• We like how the codes and conventions in both genres are dissimilar that will create a contrasting, ambiguous and questionable meaning.

• We had chosen this type of genre because we liked the idea of re-making our own fairy-tale with a thriller essence.

• This came to mind after Chloe analysed the film ‘Red Riding Hood’ and I analysed the film ‘Alice in Wonderland’ and found these 2 huge inspirations for conducting our film as we loved the mystical, thrilling essences about them. We liked the idea of putting a dark twist on a childhood story which many people are familiar with.

• Other genres we looked at were: ‘Horror,’ and discover that films based around this are uncomfortable, disconcerting movies that are attempting to draw the emotions of the audience, creating unwanted fear and hatred.

• Discovered that ‘action’ films are usually using an imaginative character struggling against action-packed situations with the ‘hero’ involving physical feats, careless fights and distraught chases. Each action film is likely to include life-threatening situations using ‘the propp theory.’ Although, most action films also include the ‘Todorov’ theory’ and the ‘gratification theory’ which is very common.

• Discovered that ‘drama’ that these are usually stories based on life situations which are realistic and the audience can relate to. This includes characters in conflict with each other.

• Discovered that ‘romance’ films generally light hearted and has an aura that surrounds falling and being in love. Typical romance films will follow the Todorov’s narrative theory, which consists of equilibrium, a disruption, recognition of the disruption, an attempt to repair the damage and a new equilibrium. Most or all romance films apply either the hypodermic syringe model theory or the uses of gratification theory.

• After coming to a final decision of our chosen genre ‘Thriller/fantasy’.

• Alice in Wonderland: - Dark and mystical- Long journey to an unknown area- Mise en scene is similar to what we wanted

• Legion:- The darkness of the film is how we wanted ours to be portrayed- Quick jump cuts at the beginning to tell a story/flashback was

similar to our opening.

• Snow White:- Main inspiration- Fairytale influence

• Seven:- Quick movements- used dark lighting and jagged music

• Chloe analysed: Red Riding Hood, Snow White and Harry Potter and Nicola analysed: Mr and Mrs Smith and The Twilight Saga.

• I also looked into 4 different fantasy/thriller opening, focusing on the music.

• Seven:- Our music came from this soundtrack inspiration- Jagged- Chilling , low pitched

• Psycho:- very suspense - Starts of calm and suddenly becomes from fierce

• The Twilight Saga:- mysterious and daunting- creates an alive atmosphere

• The Pirates of the Caribbean - The Curse of the Black Pearl:- A young girl singing which is creepy- Very slow and enigmatic

• My aim was to get an understanding of both ‘thriller/fantasy’ music openings, then find a sound track which incorporated both thriller/fantasy atmosphere and effect to the opening we are creating. Each opening sequence I looked at were extremely helpful and enabled me to get an understanding of what I need to add into the product I am creating to capture something the audience recognise.

• We had chosen to re-make ‘Disney’s a Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs’ but adding a thriller essences to the opening. We came to this decision by researching into other quick storyline we could base our opening around and in addition, this was the best. As Snow White was made in 1937, we wanted to add a modern/up-to-date feel onto the opening which can relate to many individuals interests, using actor/s instead of being animated and give it a new life by adding an obscure twist. Therefore we have challenged the conventions by using the character as the victim as well as the villain.

• In the thriller genre there is a lot of use of quick jump cuts which is what we used because it creates a disturbance, keeps the audience awake and guessing what happens next. We decided to allow ours to last around 5 seconds, as it will allow the audience to also see what Snow White is doing. However, analysing fantasy films I discovered that the camera is more calm and engaging which we incorporated during the first 30 seconds.

• It was my job to find some music and sound effects for our opening sequence, so after examining 4 different movie openings – focusing on the music. I discovered that during fantasy openings the music is very mystical, imaginary and delusional. Whereas, thriller music openings usually starts off quite becoming louder and more aggressive as the opening sequence develops, which sounds misleading, uncomfortable and alarming.

• After doing some research, I found the soundtrack entitled ‘Dead Silence’ which is originally from the famous 2007 film called ‘Dead Silence’. This music is played within the opening of the 2 minutes. I really like this music for our concept as it begins with a child-like sound which can relate to our child-like storyline, however, the song has a twist to it which is similar to our opening.

• Nicola and I made a ‘DO NOT EAT’ apple sign – right - from cardboard and paint to easily portray that the apple is deadly although, the audience don’t know why, a hand held mirror and bought two packs of dark red apples which is the main concept of the storyline and emphasizes a world of fantasy.

• We decided to edit the opening on ‘Final Cut Express’ and ‘Text Live’ and our aim were to create a darkened, unwelcoming opening. I tinted each scene to become darker and dull to capture the distorted, in-danger and disturbance of the main character as when filming, the sun was low and very bright. I discovered this from my primary research of analysing ‘Alice in Wonderland’.

• And my secondary research was online sources. We also put a voice over for the first 30 seconds during the establishing shots similar to the opening ‘Twilight Saga’ which inspired us as it sets the scene and gives a chilling vibe to the story as the audience has to listen closely to the narrators voice.

Our opening in 9 key movements:

References: Genre Definitions:

http://www.cuebon.com/ewriters/definitions.html

Opening “SEVEN”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEZK7mJoPLY&feature=player_embedded

Opening “Psycho”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Tek8QmKRODw

Opening “The Twilight Saga:”http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=abAMyKdPVwM

Opening “The Pirates of the Caribbean - The Curse of the Black Pearl”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=2TzbpUl8DvU