Evaluation 1-7

'The Awakening' - Opening Sequence

Final Soundtrack

This was how the final audio part of timeline looked on the final version of the Opening sequence.

From this snapshot you can see the different audio files used as well as their relationships to each other and how they all come along to form one piece of audio that was used in the final product.

Soundtrack - Different Sounds used

I believe soundtrack is a vital part of any opening sequence in order to establish and create better sense of characters' moods, surroundings and feelings to the audience.

This video shows variety of different sound files that have been used while producing the soundtrack for the opening sequence and how they fit together.

Snapshot of the final audio in timeline will be available soon , audio will be available once the opening sequence is finished through the video of final product.

Location Reece

Locations We Have Used for Our Opening Sequence

Titles Used in Opening Sequence

In the top picture you see tittle with use of tracking in order to ensure that text is to look like its positioned on top of the wall. Colour of text was also slightly offset from white to blend in with environment more naturally.

On the bottom three pictures you see the second tracked title, tracking is used to keep text along one part of the bed next to the protagonist meanwhile the camera moves left to right. This creates the effect that shows text as if the text is physically there, part of the surroundings. Often seen in similar genre opening sequences.

Canon 600D Practice

This video shows some of the video files that I've captured in my spare time in preparation to filming our groups' opening sequence using the Canon 600D provided by school that will also be available for use during the filming of the opening sequence. Some of the things learned during the production of this video was focusing the camera much better on the desired subject, as at the start I've had trouble focusing especially in dark environments. As you can tell with the opening of the video seconds 0:04 to 0:08. After that shots are fairly well focused when camera is moved at reasonable speed.

Film shots and framing

Each cinematographer and director has a slightly different definition of framing and shot sizes, but the definitions are similar enough to the following list of traditional shots:

- Wide shot (which also can work as an establishing shot)

- Medium shot

- Two shot

- Close-up

The wide shot

A wide shot reveals where the scene is taking place. Also referred to as a long shot or master shot, a wide shot helps orient the audience. A wide shot also gives the actors room to move within a shot, without the camera having to follow them. Medium shots and close-ups are often cut into a wide shot for variation.

Medium shots

A medium shot in film making is a standard shot that usually shows a character from belly button to slightly above the actor's head. A medium shot is more intimate than a wide shot, but provides more breathing space for the actor than a close-up. A medium shot in film also is used when you have an actor holding something in the frame or elaborating with his hands.

Two-shot

A two shot can either be a form of a medium shot that has two actors standing or sitting next to each other or an over-the-shoulder shot where one actor's back or profile is closer to the camera than the other actor facing the camera. A two shot can save time and money when you have a dialogue scene between two actors by having them both in the frame as they carry on their conversation. The audience diverts their attention to each actor as they speak, instead of having the camera cut to individual shots of each actor speaking. This is also effective when two characters are walking and talking side by side in a two shot. 

Close-up

A film-making close-up shot is usually from above a person's chest or the nape of her neck to just slightly above the top of her head. If you get in closer, so that the actor's head fills most of the frame, you have a tight close-up. Going in even tighter, to a person's eyes or mouth, gives you an extreme close-up. Close-ups create a sense of intimacy and the feeling that you're involved in the scene. They also reveal emotion in the eyes or the hint of a smile. 

It is important for us to know these shots and how to use them effectively in order to gain the maximum effect on the audience as well as being able to tell the story fluently through out our opening sequence.

Opening Sequence Questionnaire - Completed

Opening Sequence Questionnaire

Costume and Props list

Scene 1

The first scene replicates the final scene in terms of costume and props. This is because the first scene foreshadows what is going to happen later on in the film and the opening sequence.

- Gun

- Briefcase

- School Bag

Naglis is wearing a black, mysterious looking jacket, alongside further dark attire, such as a non hooded jumper and trousers. The overall costume is similar to a spy like presentation. The protagonist, Ben is wearing casual designer clothes such as a Jack Wills jumper and super dry jeans. This shows our protagonist to be vulnerable to large brands, and presents an image of consumerism at its most graphic.

Scene 2

This scene is mainy focussed on the home lifestyle of the protagonist, and will therefore be filmed at his house within the film.

- Grey alarm clock

- Bran flakes cereal, alongside blue cereal bowl, and almost empty bottle of milk.

- Black, manual toothbrush.

- School bag

- Paper, scrunched up pieces being flung into a plastic bin.

- The protagonist will be the only character to feature in this scene, due to the focus on his lifestyle. He will be wearing nightwear initially, for example, a white t-shirt and sport shorts, alongside a black dressing gown and slippers. In the latter stage of the scene, after the toilet aspect of the scene, the protagonist will be seen walking out of a room putting on a Jack Wills jumper, alongside with the rest of the clothing indicated in the latter scene.

Scene 3

This scene goes back to the scenario shown in the initial scene, so the props are similar, the only difference in props is indicated below:

- Brown folder within briefcase.
- The costumes will be the same as shown in the initial scene.

All these props will help to create the effect of a dull, tedious, repetitive life that is no longer bearable for the protagonist in our opening sequence.