Thursday, 28 November 2013
Wednesday, 27 November 2013
The influence of Saul Bass
Saul Bass was an American graphic designer and Academy Award winning filmmaker, best known for his design of motion picture title sequences, film posters, and corporate logos.
During his 40-year career Bass worked for some of Hollywood's most recognized filmmakers, including Alfred Hitchcock, Otto Preminger, Billy Wilder, Stanley Kubrick and Martin Scorsese. Among his most famous title sequences include the animated paper cut-out of a heroin addict's arm for Preminger's The Man with the Golden Arm, the credits racing around what eventually becomes a high-angle shot of a skyscraper in Hitchcock's North by Northwest, and the configured text that races together and apart in Psycho.
Saul Bass designed some of the most iconic motion movie posters off all time, including that of The shinning, Such good friends and The fixer, all of which intrigue the audience into learning more about the picture. Here are some of the sketches Bass created whilst working on the hit motion film, The shinning...
As Media Trip Report
My special day at the BFI in south bank London. Peter Frazer introduced us to a wide range of ways to improve our blogs and enlightened us on opening title sequences.The first thing he did was talk about 5 aspects which included genre, narrative(enigma) creates a reaction from the audience and questions the audiences mind so that they want to see the rest of the film. Structure and atmosphere. Some of the films included, Dawn of the dead, Napoleon dynamite and catch me if you can. It was decided that atmosphere potentially one of the key factors in epically films such as Dawn of the dead which genre was clearly thriller. We then analysed student films and talked about showing too much of the plot there by demonising any enigma. We were told to add as many as 22 credits into the film in order to express all the different area productions to make the film fit with conventions.
Sunday, 10 November 2013
Textual analysis of opening sequences
Textual analysis of opening sequences
1) James Bond
An opening sequence is used to introduce both the movie/media text as well as introducing the cast and production team who have devised the movie.
As we see during the classic James Bond films its distinctive unique title sequence is recognised world wide, implying that the James Bond franchise has created a both memorable and intriguing title sequence. This famous title sequence highlights the films genre and relation to thriller.
The heavy focus placed on the main character along side the contrasting backgrounds, provokes a audience response, mainly directing them towards to introduction of the dripping blood. The inclusion of weaponry and addition of blood, produces the first hint that the film would be based around the genre of 'Thriller'.
1) James BondAn opening sequence is used to introduce both the movie/media text as well as introducing the cast and production team who have devised the movie.
As we see during the classic James Bond films its distinctive unique title sequence is recognised world wide, implying that the James Bond franchise has created a both memorable and intriguing title sequence. This famous title sequence highlights the films genre and relation to thriller.
Textual analysis of opening sequences 2
Textual analysis of opening sequences
Se7en
The title sequence to Se7en is another classical stereotypical thriller sequence which depicts connotations of thriller and motions related to crime within the first few seconds of the scene. An example of this is the clear reference to murder with the camera focused on the thick black markings and swirly lines, highlighted on what appears to be a police report, whilst a misty red descends upon the screen.
The slow-motion capture of led chipping away from an in motion pencil signifies a harsh reality present in the content with the addition of various effects such as bold flashing lights which could again canoet crime scene like surroundings or even that of helplessness and danger.
Many contrasting colours are also used which clearly indicates that information which is presented to the audience about small background information about the film. For example, the case report on what seems to be a murder and also the pictures of violent acts, devising uncanniness amongst the audience.
The producer has used a rather small and messy font, perhaps used to signify a hand-written like effect during the title sequence which is rather unusual given the basic fundamentals of a opening title sequence include providing the audience with information such as, the creator of the film along side the main actors ect.
Se7en
The title sequence to Se7en is another classical stereotypical thriller sequence which depicts connotations of thriller and motions related to crime within the first few seconds of the scene. An example of this is the clear reference to murder with the camera focused on the thick black markings and swirly lines, highlighted on what appears to be a police report, whilst a misty red descends upon the screen.
The slow-motion capture of led chipping away from an in motion pencil signifies a harsh reality present in the content with the addition of various effects such as bold flashing lights which could again canoet crime scene like surroundings or even that of helplessness and danger.
Many contrasting colours are also used which clearly indicates that information which is presented to the audience about small background information about the film. For example, the case report on what seems to be a murder and also the pictures of violent acts, devising uncanniness amongst the audience.
The producer has used a rather small and messy font, perhaps used to signify a hand-written like effect during the title sequence which is rather unusual given the basic fundamentals of a opening title sequence include providing the audience with information such as, the creator of the film along side the main actors ect.
Monday, 4 November 2013
Log Line
Log Line
A log line or logline is a brief summary of a television program, film, or motion picture.
Logline #1 - The extraordinary story of a thoroughbred racehorse - from his humble beginnings as an under-fed workhorse to his unlikely rise and triumphant victory over the Triple Crown winner, War Admiral.
Logline #2 - A 17th Century tale of adventure on the Caribbean Sea where the roguish yet charming Captain Jack Sparrow joins forces with a young blacksmith in a gallant attempt to rescue the Governor of England's daughter and reclaim his ship.
Logline #3 - After segueing from a life of espionage to raising a family, Gregorio and Ingrid Cortez are called back into action. But when they are kidnapped by their evil nemesis, there are only two people in the world who can rescue them... their kids!
Logline #4 - Toula's family has exactly three traditional values - "Marry a Greek boy, have Greek babies, and feed everyone." When she falls in love with a sweet, but WASPy guy, Toula struggles to get her family to accept her fiancée, while she comes to terms with her own heritage.
Logline #5 - A young man and woman from different social classes fall in love aboard an ill-fated voyage at sea.
Answers:
1. Sea biscuit
2. Pirates of the Caribbean
3. Spy Kids
4. My Big, Fat, Greek Wedding
5. Titanic
A log line always places a question in the viewers mind to help intrigue them into watching the film.
A log line or logline is a brief summary of a television program, film, or motion picture.
Logline #1 - The extraordinary story of a thoroughbred racehorse - from his humble beginnings as an under-fed workhorse to his unlikely rise and triumphant victory over the Triple Crown winner, War Admiral.
Logline #2 - A 17th Century tale of adventure on the Caribbean Sea where the roguish yet charming Captain Jack Sparrow joins forces with a young blacksmith in a gallant attempt to rescue the Governor of England's daughter and reclaim his ship.
Logline #3 - After segueing from a life of espionage to raising a family, Gregorio and Ingrid Cortez are called back into action. But when they are kidnapped by their evil nemesis, there are only two people in the world who can rescue them... their kids!
Logline #4 - Toula's family has exactly three traditional values - "Marry a Greek boy, have Greek babies, and feed everyone." When she falls in love with a sweet, but WASPy guy, Toula struggles to get her family to accept her fiancée, while she comes to terms with her own heritage.
Logline #5 - A young man and woman from different social classes fall in love aboard an ill-fated voyage at sea.
Answers:
1. Sea biscuit
2. Pirates of the Caribbean
3. Spy Kids
4. My Big, Fat, Greek Wedding
5. Titanic
A log line always places a question in the viewers mind to help intrigue them into watching the film.
Conventions of Opening Sequences
Conventions of Opening Sequences Movie titles & Appropriate
The title of the movie will also appear in the opening sequence, letting the audience know what they are about to watch. The opening clip may also have genre suited music, which could be used to bulid up atmosphere or tension for the first scence. This also gives an insight as to what genre the media text is.
Cast & Crew Names and images of the cast and crew can appear in an opening title sequence, although not all of the crew will be listed in the credits. Main actors and crew members such as the producer and director,amongst many ithers will appear at the beginning. The sequence will also contain any production companies.
Characters & Setting A main setting will be introduced in the opening sequence,along with one or more characters. These characters are sometimes the main roles, although there could be other characters displayed.
Mise en Scence & Editing The audience will be introduced to the mise en scence, including costumes, settings and props ect. Editing will be apparent through the opening sequences, either in the form of a linear narrative or non-linear.
This could also could also contain a montage of shots from different times and settings Cinematography & Camera Work The sequence will include a variety of shot types such as close ups to show details, and a master shots to show everething within the scence. There sgould be a range of different angles and camera movements, all to help build up the genre and give an insight into the film.
The title of the movie will also appear in the opening sequence, letting the audience know what they are about to watch. The opening clip may also have genre suited music, which could be used to bulid up atmosphere or tension for the first scence. This also gives an insight as to what genre the media text is.
Cast & Crew Names and images of the cast and crew can appear in an opening title sequence, although not all of the crew will be listed in the credits. Main actors and crew members such as the producer and director,amongst many ithers will appear at the beginning. The sequence will also contain any production companies. 
Characters & Setting A main setting will be introduced in the opening sequence,along with one or more characters. These characters are sometimes the main roles, although there could be other characters displayed. Mise en Scence & Editing The audience will be introduced to the mise en scence, including costumes, settings and props ect. Editing will be apparent through the opening sequences, either in the form of a linear narrative or non-linear.
This could also could also contain a montage of shots from different times and settings Cinematography & Camera Work The sequence will include a variety of shot types such as close ups to show details, and a master shots to show everething within the scence. There sgould be a range of different angles and camera movements, all to help build up the genre and give an insight into the film.
History of opening sequences
History of opening sequences
A title sequence is the method by which cinematic films or television programs present their title, key production and cast members, or both, utilizing conceptual visuals and sound.
Early Title Sequences,
Early title sequences often created by lettering artists often employed by major studio-typically presented white type on a black background as the colours were contrusting thus producing a clearer picture. Soon after, they included some minor decorations such as lines, outlines,or small drawings. Some title sequences or title 'cards' worth mentioning are the ones created by pioneer director D.W.Griffth. These title cards could be considered one of the first examples of branded title cards in that Griffith included his name as a signature at the edges of each card. Because early movies were silent, the title cards often had an additional function: They displayed displayed dialogue that was essential to comprehending the story, and they set the time and place for individual scences.These cards were first photographed and then edited into the main movie.
Since the invention of the cinematograph, simple title cards were used in silent film presentations in order to identify both the film and the production company involved, and to act as a signal that the film had started and then finished. In silent cinema title cards were used throughout for dialogue and plot and it is in some of these early short films that we see the first examples of title sequences. This remained the convention for many years until the advent of television forced the major film studios to invest in developing cinema in order to win back a diminishing audience.
As cinema's title sequences grew longer we begin to see the involvement of graphic design such as Saul Bass, which directly influenced the 1960s television predilection for creating strong graphics-led sequences for many shows.
A title sequence is the method by which cinematic films or television programs present their title, key production and cast members, or both, utilizing conceptual visuals and sound.
Early Title Sequences,
Early title sequences often created by lettering artists often employed by major studio-typically presented white type on a black background as the colours were contrusting thus producing a clearer picture. Soon after, they included some minor decorations such as lines, outlines,or small drawings. Some title sequences or title 'cards' worth mentioning are the ones created by pioneer director D.W.Griffth. These title cards could be considered one of the first examples of branded title cards in that Griffith included his name as a signature at the edges of each card. Because early movies were silent, the title cards often had an additional function: They displayed displayed dialogue that was essential to comprehending the story, and they set the time and place for individual scences.These cards were first photographed and then edited into the main movie.
Since the invention of the cinematograph, simple title cards were used in silent film presentations in order to identify both the film and the production company involved, and to act as a signal that the film had started and then finished. In silent cinema title cards were used throughout for dialogue and plot and it is in some of these early short films that we see the first examples of title sequences. This remained the convention for many years until the advent of television forced the major film studios to invest in developing cinema in order to win back a diminishing audience.
As cinema's title sequences grew longer we begin to see the involvement of graphic design such as Saul Bass, which directly influenced the 1960s television predilection for creating strong graphics-led sequences for many shows.
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