Opening Sequence - Scream

Scream doesn't introduce the antagonist like most films, we only hear him which creates a sense of mystery, although they do introduce the stereotyped 'Damsel in distress'. The mysterious voice we hear captivates the audience and the tension which is created. Core themes are introduced via the conversation on the phone by the antagonist explaining to the 'damsel' about her boyfriend. You can tell that this is a horror movie and that murder will take place and run throughout the movie. The camera movement is particularly important as it uses different camera angles and shots so the audience can read her emotions. Her facial expressions change and you can clearly tell that she is in distress.

There are also close ups on other objects which perhaps show and emphasize their importance in this scene, for example the close up on the knife may suggest that the knife will be used or could be an important object in this scene, or even it could just be used as a sign post.

The film also smartly uses dialogue to signpost the genre of this movie (horror) by talking about other horror movies such as "Nightmare on elm street" and "Halloween" which are well known horror films renowned for the killing that takes place.

Opening Sequence - Fast 5

The opening of Fast Five manages to establish four of the main characters and it does by by switching between close ups one each of these characters. This opening sequence introduces and tells the audience about the core themes which underpin this film, the fast sports cars suggest illegal sports cars will be a major focus alongside crime, which is shown as one of the main characters is detained on a bus on his way to a prison, wearing typical prison clothes. The clothes he is wearing, and the cars are major signposts of the genre. As you see the cars pulling up on the side of the truck, in front and in behind this captivates the audience and gains their interest as they want to know what they're planning and what will happen next.

The pace of the editing here is significant. The editing is at a fast pace with frames usually last two seconds, i think this helps as it is interesting and it also compliments the fact of speed, the cars are moving at speed and the editing is at a speed to match that and two emphasize the speed which the cars are travelling at.

Camera movement is used here well as it ranges with a variety of different shots, long shots, close ups, etc.. the long shots are effective as they use it to establish the location and allows you two see all four vehicles in the frame at once, and the close ups are used to look at a particular character so you can read their facial expressions. The close up on the cars also is effective as it allows you to identify the brand of the car. in this case a dodge charger, this is effective as you would associate a charger with this genre it is another signpost of the genre.

Opening Sequence - The Dark Knight

This opening scene is extremely effective as it uses the conventions of a typical opening scene as you would expect but uses them to great effect.

The first shot you see is an establishing shot which is great as it establishes the location of the movie which seems to be inner city in America. The next shot is a medium close up of an character with a mask which draws a sense of intrigue as he seems to be up to no good. Directly after this camera solely focuses on one character, who is clearly connected to the previous one as they are dressed in the same manner, But this person seems to be standing with more authority and power which establishes him as perhaps the leader and the main antagonist. Core themes are introduced as well, such as guns, crime murder but there is also a scene where someone takes a stand, which is most definitely a running theme throughout this movie.

The soundtrack to this is significant as it creates the atmosphere for the opening, the soundtrack has a sinister sound to it which compliments what is currently ongoing on screen.

The camera movement in the opening scene is important, close ups are used quite regularly as well as shot reverse shots, this creates a sense of tension throughout the conversations which are being held and the it highlights the importance of the characters.

Individual reflections - 2

We have got our footage and moved onto the editing of our sequence, we have now developed our ideas for  a soundtrack for our piece. We want to be able to finish soon, but we are still moving pretty slow at the moment however we feel that if we put our heads to it we can finish soon.

Opening Credits

We had an idea with the opening credits that we would use these to establish the characters when they first appear on screen, we would use a font which stands out as well as a colour which is suitable.

Our title will appear at the end and we said that it would fade in slowly, but it would cut to black first, and we would put the title on there. We said we would do this as it would instantly catch attention.

Filming progress

Our progess has moved slow, we have almost finished our filming and have edited the majority of what we have so far, we should be finished by tuesday next week.

Opening Sequence - Pulp Fiction

Firstly you seen an establishing shot of the two characters, they are introduced to the audience. They have also established the location as you can instantly tell they are in a cafe/diner.
There is a shot reverse shot as the two characters engage in conversation, this is effective as you can see the emotion in peoples faces. You can also see the reactions between the two people as they speak about potentially robbing the diner. There is a certain enigma as you wonder what these two charcaters will do next. The core theme of the film is introduced with the robbery, from this point on you know that the film will be an crime/thriller film. During this scene there is an ongoing coversation which is used to create a sense of intrigue due to the fact it is not like the typical opening scene which usually establish the narrative structure, this also helps in captivating the audience and holding their interest. They use dialog to establish core themes which underpin the film, such as crime for example.

Although this is now an iconic movie, when it was first released as it was released there was no iconic moments which instantly revealed the genre of the movie, although the opening scene has now become iconic when the female makes a scene by attempting to rob the diner. This does reveal the genre of the movie as you expect that crime will occur throughout the movie.

 The use of title, credits and soundtracks are used effectively, the soundtrack and credits are brought in right at the climax of the robbery, which is signposting the genre significantly.