Memento Opening Sequence

This Youtube clip does not show the opening sequence from the very beginning however it begins with a black screen as a background for the names of people who had produced the film which is shown in a simple blue Times New Roman font that fades in this gives a cold, dark feel to the film as the icy blue font brings a certain atmosphere that would cause the audience to feel uncomfortable and uncertain about the things that are about to take place. The title font is quite smart and serious this may be to portray a formal side to the film, it is placed in the centre of the screen to avoid any loss of focus also to make it stand out.

My first screen shot shows the title, 'Memento' when the background image begins to fade in showing a close up of a mans hand holding a polaroid image.

The following shots remain as a close ups, giving the audience a clear view on the image that is disappearing on the polaroid. It then goes on to show the rest of the titles with the same font on top of the close up of the polaroid. My fourth and fifth screen shots show that the film clip has been reversed as the man is shaking the polaroid however it is becoming faint and the image is disappearing. Although the shots are in reverse it sets the scene in a remote, deserted area which happens to be a murder scene . With the shot in the reverse it gives the viewer an idea that the first scene may be a flash back or will be in the past. I believe these shots are very important to the opening sequence as they show that it has gone back in time and this event is something that will happen towards the end. My final shot shows a close up of the photo paper going back into the camera which proves that the shots are defiantly going in reverse.

The polaroid image is the key prop to the opening, this is clear due to the use of the close up. This has been used as the opening background as it is the main theme to the film, throughout the film the main character is using and producing further polariod images. It also is an anchor to the title, as the images are the mementos that are used during the rest of the film. This is also the reason for the opening relating to the rest of the film as the main character pulls out a polaroid picture on many occasions to remind himself of things that have happened in the past.

The music is quite slow and soft however when the word 'Memento' is shown across the screen and the audience is shown a murder scene it becomes louder and the pace increases slightly causing the atmosphere to be awkward and tense.

Panic Room Trailer and Opening

Trailer:



This trailer begins slowly with shots that dissolve into each other, however it then begins to speed up, using flashing shots that increases the pace tension. The camera zooms in and out of many things causing the trailer to become thrilling and exciting. There are many panning camera shots in this trailer, these show the action and set the scene of the film.
The music begins as being calming and soothing, there is a soft melody playing quietly in the background. This however increases pace and becomes louder and more violent. This gives the trailer a thrilling, tense atmosphere causing the audience to be on the edge of their seats wanting to know what happens to the people that own the house. The lighting in the trailer is very dark and eerie, making the audience question themselves on what is in the house.

Opening sequence:












In this opening title scene the background shown is the city, they use long and mid shots to show the buildings that are in the area of where the film is set. The camera also pans across some of the buildings to reveal the names of the actors and actresses. There are many high angle shots suggesting the people of the city have control and power over what happens in them.
The buildings are shown to have light over them, parts of them are lit up, connoting the content or structure of the buildings have a positive effect on the people in or around them.
Although the music in the opening sequence begins quietly and softly it is also quite cold and harsh however when the title 'PANIC ROOM' is shown in the shot the music increases pace and becomes louder. As you can see in the sixth screen shot of the contact sheet when the film title is shown the lighting becomes darker and it also a shot from straight on where as the rest are taken from high/low angles also from a side on view.

Taken Trailer

This trailer is different from Se7en and Sixth Sense as it isn't as fast paced and they use a different technique of editing to show the audience what is happening at different places in one time. The trailer mainly shows the main happenings in the start of the film that are the lead up to the main events. There are no giveaways in the trailer therefore the viewers want to see the full film as they do not know what happens to the girl in the film once she is taken from her hotel room. The quick flashing clips bring tension and anticipation whilst watching. They use tense trilling music.

Sixth Sense Trailer

Trailer:

This trailer is different from the Se7en trailer as it doesn't use a voice over however the story outline is told through the diegetic sound of dialogue in clips that are taken from the film and put together using, jumpcuts and dissolving. This trailer is slower compared to se7en however it was faster paced when flashing fast paced cuts were used. The trailer shows many action shots that are left cut which persuades the viewers to watch the full film and find out what happens.

Se7en Trailer and Opening

Trailer:

This trailer has been composed successfully as it contains the right aspects to make the viewers want to see more. The trailer is fast paced due to the jump cuts used, showing small amounts of different sections from the film. Towards the beginning there are fast cuts used showing flashes of action, although they only show tiny amounts of it they are thrilling and effective, causing the viewer to want to see what else is in the following shots. The trailer has many parts that have been created by using montage editing. There is a voice over throughout different parts of the trailer explaining the storyline; giving the viewer an idea on what it's about, it doesn't give away any of the main parts therefore the audience feels forced to watch the full film in anticipation of what happens. There is the non-diegetic sound of music, this benefits the continuity aiding the trailer to flow however it also brings a tense atmosphere to the viewers.

Opening:

The opening it very artistic and creative with a much slower pace compared to the trailer however the clips that show the actors names are shown using flashes and fast cuts. This open automatically sets an awkward, eerie atmosphere with it's flashing shots. There are many shots that dissolve into each other and also flash over. The opening is in contrast to the trailer as it isn't in need of a voice over or dialogue, the non diegetic music in the opening sets the audience to be on edge as it is made up of strange scratchy and creaky sounds.

This opening sequence has the majority of key conventions of an opening sequence, it has the titles, some of the shots are slowed paced however it does feature some quick cut shots that increase tension. They do not use any dialogue or introduce any characters it is mainly just titles, however this is the main reason for an opening sequence. The music is fast paced and edgy making the audience question what is going on and why is there scratchy eerie sounds.

The audience will also question the action; as the opening is made up of a range of close ups nothing much is revealed, no setting or characters can be seen apart from their hands. The close ups do show that the hands of these people are putting things together, it gives clues to research or findings out on things/people there is alot of writing and images/sketches of humans.

This particular opening sequence sets a very strange atmosphere, it is dark and eeire also quite tense due to the fact that it is quite busy and the viewers know something is going on but they cannot quite tell as they aren't shown a full picture eg long shot or mid shot. I think this is successful as the viewers will be hooked, wanting to watch more to find out what is happening and what the people are putting together.

Film Opening Sequences and Trailers

Film trailer techniques:
Overview of plot
Has to grab the audiences’ attention, make them want to see more
Action clips – good bits
Shows the main actors
Shows who it was made by
Voice over explaining
Film details – release date
No giveaways!
Uses montage editing pieces from different sections fast paced editing, many shots
Persuades viewers to want and watch more

Film Opening:
Has got to hook the audience, for them to want to watch it until the end
Familiarises the viewer with setting, uses establishing shot
Slower paced than the trailer
Uses narrative
Titles
Narration
Establish a certain mood or tone
Creates an atmosphere
Has a soundtrack
Viewers need to feel curious/engaged and have questions they want answered to view more

Deadwood is an example of a successful film opening. It reveals to the viewers certain settings there are a few establishing shots for example the third screen shot which shows a desterted woodland area which would make the audience question what will happen there? Who is going to go there? All the titles are shown eg. character names, producers and editors also the film name 'Deadwood' A simple font it used which doesn't give away too many clues as to what will happen however it is in an old fashioned font suggesting it will won't be set in modern day. A cold, disturbing mood is set due to the dark and shadowy shots. The close ups will also make the viewers feel quite tense as the people and places cannot be seen, for example the sixth shot with the man at the door will cause the audience to wonder; who he is, what he is doing there and why he has opened the door. These questions building up will encourage the viewer to become hooked into the film wanting to watch more. The close up of the dripping blood will also engage a viewer as it is unknown where it is coming from and whether it is self inflicted harm or if someone has done it to another person. Due to there being no body parts shown viewers will wonder if the person is dead or not.

Brief:

Create the titles and opening of a new fiction film in groups of three which is to last a maximum of 2 minutes.

Peer Evaluation

My peers in my class evaluated my preliminary task and this is my feedback.

What Went Well: We had a good storyline with creativity and innovation. Our continuity was well composed as we used the 180 degree rule well also shot reverse shot and match on action. Our cinematography was good, which includes various shot types.

Even better if: Our improvements would be to cut the clips or have a shorter film as it dragged out and the walking shots were too long. Also we needed to add in a master shot, as this would show a wider range of continuity editing.

I will use this feedback in order to improve my filming and editing when I come to create an opening to a thriller film. With this information I know to keep shots and action shorter in order to keep the audience interested.