Choice of fonts

Choices Of Fonts

As a group we were asked to each pick two fonts, which we think would look good enough to be our main title for our title sequence. Once we all choose two fonts our group will come to a main decision and pick the font, which we think is going to look the best for us and also more appealing to the audience.

The website I have used to find these fonts are:

 http://www.dafont.com/

 

This is one of the fonts that I have considered for our group to use as our main titles. It is called ‘LondonTwo’. I like this font because it is bold and stands out. It also fits our genre very well because all gangster/crime films use these fonts they also include capital letters.

Here is the title for the movie ‘pulp fiction’ it is a similar genre to our movie and the fonts used for this are similar as they are also bold and stand out to the audience.

This is another font that I have chosen to be our main title for the title sequence. I like this font because it is bold and stands out. This font is also very straight and isn’t rounded which is what we want for our title sequence.

 

The font that I have chosen is similar to the fonts used in ‘Boardwalk Empire’ as they are bold and simple but look effective for Crime/Gangster related movies.

Preparing Props

Preparing Props

Props

Harry and Charlie went back to his house to start making the props we need in our title sequence. I couldnt attend this as I was revising elsewhere.   They cut pieces of paper to the exact size of a £50 notes and dipped it in tea for three seconds and left it to drip dry. When dry the paper will be more crisp and look like real money. They made one stack and need to do 11 more stacks we are hoping to get most of that done tomorrow on Tuesday 18th December. In the title sequence we are planning to burn the 12 stacks of money in a briefcase. firstly, we need to buy a briefcase to use and i am hoping to get this filmed soon.

Order Of Titles

Order Of Titles

The order of the titles is very important in a title sequence because it is essential that the main actor’s names are included before any off scene cast in the title sequence because it is the actors that will help sell the movie. It is also to key to include the film title because the audience will need to know the name of the movie for the title sequence they are watching.



Here is a good list which we will be following when creating our title sequence:

·        Studio Logos

·        Production Company presents

·        Film Title

·        Actors Names

·        Any of the following, Casting, Production designer, Costume, Make-up, Special effects, Music and Sound editor.

·        Line Producer

·        Exec Producer

·        Producer

·        Editor

·        Director of Photography

·        Writer(s)

·        Director

Filming Of Title Sequence

Photos from filming

Here are some photographs what we took on our first shoot at Harry’s house. The photos show how we set the table up to look like it was a casino. The photos also show how group members are participating and getting involved with fixing the camera to the tri-pod and also writing on the playing cards which was our first idea. The photos show some of the props that our group made ourselves for example the money.

Storyboards

Storyboards

Before we start shooting our title sequence it is important to plan so that we have a clear and visual structure to follow. Our group all designed the story boards and we all contributed with valuable ideas that we felt would fit into out title sequence. The storyboards will consist of pictures that will represent what we will film , timings of each shot specifically and also the name of each shot. The storyboards are what we are going to follow when filming but if any necessary changes need to made during the shoot we will then apply them.

Journal Post

Journal Post 14.12.12

Today we went to Harry’s house to get some filming done which will feature in our title sequence. The filming that we did was the playing cards which featured the actor’s name written on them. When we arrived we had to set up the camera correctly on the tripod and also adjust the lighting so that it looked perfect.  We used a pool table but unfortunately it was blue therefore we used a green poker mat to lay over the top of it to give the casino style look. We also used poker chips and money that we had created to also make it look more like a casino. Our first idea was to write the actors names on the playing cards using a pen and as they were dealt the actors name would appear vertically and horizontally on the card. As a group we come to the decision that this idea looked quite unprofessional and scruffy and decided that with a little more effort we could adapt this idea to create playing cards on the Macs using Photoshop.

Film Studios

Film Studios

Aims

To be able to indicate how films are produced.

List of famous Studios:

As a class we was asked to try and name as many film studios as we could:

Universal

Warner Bros

Dreamworks

Fox

Pixar

Disney

Paramount

Lionsgate

MGM

Orion

Marvel

DC

Pathe

A film studio is a company that produces and/or distributes motion pictures.

The main six studios:

Walt Disney

Paramount

Universal

Warner Bros

Sony/Columbia

Fox

Each Studio will own sub divisions which specialize in niche films. This is normally based on genre and budget.

Synergies

 Via Com own Paramount and all of these different companies:

Paramount Digital Entertainment

Paramount Home Entertainment

Paramount Pictures International

Worldwide Television Distribution

Paramount Famous Productions, direct-to-video

Paramount Films Group

MTV Films

Nickelodeon Movies

Insurge Pictures, micro-budget film distribution (March 2010 – present)

Paramount Animation (2011–present)

Paramount Vantage

Republic Pictures

This shows how the Producer, distributor and theater earn money. It also shows how the audience earn no money but are paying the money and the distributor earns the most.      

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

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The distribution company is in charge of getting the film out to audiences, this involves organizing for the film to receive an age certificate by regulation bodies, such as the BBFC and MPAA; arranging exhibition outlets globally and DVD/Television rights; arranging for prints of the film; and marketing, publicity and promotion of the film.

Year 12 Media Studies Blog Checklist

Year 12 Media Studies Blog Checklist

This is what you should ALL have on your blogs thus far:

Green – Completed

Orange – In the process

Red – Not yet attempted.

1. Continuity sequence and evaluation of it

2. 'The Art of the Title' homework task (Leanne)

3. Saul Bass write-up and independent titles analysis

4. Presentation on a title sequence designer of your choosing

5. Pitch video, presentation, feedback sheets and summary of feedback/comments on what you think of it

6. Zombieland analysis

7. Analysis of a title sequence of your choosing

8. Genre notes and analysis of a sequence of your genre

9. Class notes written up, including codes conventions of title sequences and Sound

10. Video of your fight sequence and explanation of what you did and evaluation of what you learnt through the process

11. Audience profile for your film

12. The order of the titles & importance of typography, to include analysis of Se7en/Catch Me if You Can/Lord of War covered in lesson.

13. Write-up of film industry work completed with Shaun.

14. Video feedback from Leanne/Shaun with your comments as to how you are going to address the feedback for improvements.

To move on, you will need to complete the following:

a) REGULAR JOURNAL POSTS - weekly for the rest of the project, detailing decisions being made, problems, successes, revisions to your original plans etc.

c) Typography ideas for your titles & final chosen typography.

d) A production plan - what will you do, when, what will you need and where will you go. You could also add costings and potential issues which may arise and how you will resolve them.

e) Location shots (recce)`.

f) Music/sound research and final soundtrack decision.

g) Film studio research and decision about who would produce/distribute your film so that you can include their logo at the beginning of your sequence.

h) Audience research/feedback on your idea and necessary adjustments made.

Feedback From Mr Grimsley

Feedback from Mr. Grimsley

The feedback I received from sir was overall quite positive but his main criticism towards my blog was that I should improve some of my posts by making them longer and including more detail. Since I received this feedback I have tried my best to improve my posts and make them more detailed and descriptive, my analysis for Zombie land has also been improved. I still need to improve my Forest Gump analysis and over the next few weeks I will get it done.

Since the feedback I received, my attitude to the course has changed as I have gotten my posts from a total of 9 to 17, which is a good improvement and has helped me realize the importance of the blog as I can now look back and see what work is outstanding and what work still needs to be done. It has provided me the opportunity to consider posts that I was not told to do but that I think will be beneficial to my project.. My aim for the rest of the course is to try to keep my blog up to date and try to include as much detail in my posts as possible.

The importance of Typography and Design

The importance of Typography and design

In todays lesson we learnt about the importance of typography and how it can totally change how a title sequence looks and how the audience can interpret it. The fonts used have to fit the genre specifically otherwise it will not look right and may give a different impression to the audience about the movie.

When analysing a title sequence there are five Things to consider:

·      Genre

·      Style/mood

·      Possible narratives

·      Production values

·      Themes

Catch me if you can

The fonts used in ‘catch me if you can’ are all very rounded. These fonts are very simple but effect this may indicate a genre that is going to be quite comical but maybe serious at the same due to the use of sound, which is mysterious, and spy like. The titles role down into ladders and ropes this looks as if the character is trying to escape somewhere. The titles also look like doors this also represents a spy like theme as we constantly see the character changing occupations looking for someone else. This shows that he is trying to disguise himself whilst looking for another character, which we may be introduced to in the movie itself.

 When we see the titles of the job roles in the movie they are written in the font of a typewriter this may signify an occupation in the job and also a time period.

Se7en

The typography used in seven is very distorted and flashes up on the screen which signifies an element of thriller. The words look like they have been scratched/carved by a razor blade or even a knife this also suggests a genre of the movie to be horror/thriller. The titles are constantly moving and flashing on the screen this may suggest that character is in a mental state of mind and the flashing of the titles are representing his persona.

Fight Sequence

Foley Sound

For a homework task we was asked to create a fight sequence within our group. For our fight sequence we decided to add a comedy element that makes it more humorous to the audience. We included lots of Foley sound to make our fight scene sound a lot more realistic. We punched meat with creates a good punching sound effect which we then included in our sequence. In class we also snapped carrots and cracked nuts that sound like bones are getting snapped. When we included all of these sounds into our sequence it makes the sequence as hole more convincing and life like.

 By including all of these sounds it shows how important it is to include Foley sounds in a sequence to make it a lot better.

Title sequence Analysis of Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

Title sequence analysis of ‘Kiss Kiss Bang Bang’

The film ‘Kiss Kiss Bang Bang’ fits into the genres of Action, thriller and also crime thriller. The style of the title sequence is very 1960’s and is animated. The title sequence looks very similar to pieces from Saul Bass due to the strong use of simple shapes to great effect, also the good use of animation which in this case is more effective than using real life actors. The title sequence is showing a man escaping over a wire fence which signifies to us that he is escaping from somewhere this straight away creates an enigma for the audience as we are automatically thinking who is he? Who is he escaping from? From these we guess that he is going to be the main character of this movie as he is the first character introduced to the audience. A woman is also introduced into this sequence which makes us as the audience try to think how she can be interacted with the man either if they are enemies, partners in crime or love partners? We also see a gun introduced in the title sequence, which is the first crime related object which then suggests to the audience that this mysterious character is living in a life of crime. When the gun is shot it releases lots of leaves and branches which then takes us through more braches and then arrives at a mysterious location in the middle of no where. By the gun shooting out a mysterious setting may foreshadow that a death may have or will occur in this woodland like setting.

  When the camera arrives that this mysterious setting there is a party going on in the party are all smartly dressed men and women. The men are in suits which may signify that they are also living in a crime/gangster lifestyle and that they may know the main character that we are introduced to.

The setting that is being established throughout the title sequence is America we can guess this due to the fire exits at the back of the apartments seen at the beginning of the title sequence and also the highways which we see during the middle of the sequence these specific things signify to us that the setting is a city in America.

 The title sequence is shown in one long continuous shot in with each scene changing one after another.

The music used is also in sync with the animation, which creates a good sense of atmosphere and also creates a suspense for the audience as they are now engrossed with the plot which we are guessing is a crime/thriller.  We see blood splats also introduced in this sequence, which then signifies that deaths will occur throughout. The title sequence uses three colours only, which are red, black and white. The colour red automatically signals to the audience blood and death and danger but also we could relate the colour red to love and that maybe there is a love relationship between the male and women character that we are introduced to. The colour black signifies death, corruption and also a mystery but also creates a dark atmosphere for the audience. The colour white represents purity and innocence and in this title sequence we see a women die this may suggest that she was an innocent women and got killed for the wrong reasons.

  When the female character then hits the floor the volume of the music increases to emphasis how hard she hit the floor. This then suggests that women are being shown as the weaker character opposed to men.

 Books then appear on screen with blood splats on them this may suggest that they are trying to puzzle together how the deaths have occurred and how can they work out how to solve the problem?

 Overall we can clearly see that the genres portrayed through this title sequence is crime/thriller and also elements of romance. The choices of colour have also proved to be important as it allows us to make an impression of the characters and their personalities. The good use of animation and backing track creates effect for the audience as it gives the sequence a mystery secretive style to it.

Planning of title sequence

Planning of title sequence

In todays lesson we put our ideas together to create a spider diagram of our thoughts in which we think would be good for our title sequence.  We focused on thematic ideas and then all decided on the overall idea. In our title sequence we want to include burning money to show that Anton as a character doesn’t want his life to be bought into corruption and doesn’t want to live the life that his dad did. Another idea we want to include is to zoom into the map of London, which will establish the setting of our film.

Editing:

Fading into shots throughout the sequence.

Ticking clock in the background throughout the sequence until last scene.

Heart monitor machine beeping in last scene throughout to signal the death of his father.

Voices going into Anton’s head.

More ideas:

Playing Cards

Street signs

Exchanging of money

Guns & knuckle-dusters

Glass of alcohol

Flashing police lights

Books with blood

Burning of money 

First Shoot

These are some photos from our first shoot. The scene that we was filming is going to be the last scene in our title sequence. It takes place in a hospital and we decided to film it in school and use the science corridor as we felt that it looked very similar to a hospital waiting room. Thabo acted as Anton Lewis and played the part very well. When this clip is edited and the soundtrack is also added this piece will be very effective.

Lesson on sound design

Sound Design

Lesson Aims:

To be able to indicate what the three different types of sound design are.

To create a Foley track for the fight sequence that you should have filmed.

What is sound design?

Diegetic (Can be heard by characters)

Non-diegetic (Characters in the film cannot hear it)

Sound Track – A piece of music used in a movie which characters cannot hear.

Sound effects – A recording or imitation of sound used in film.

Dialogue – Words/Conversation exchanged in a movie between characters

Foley – The reproduction of everyday sounds which are recorded preproduction.

The creation and layering of dialogue, background noise and other sound effects to create a sophisticated aural environment.

E.g : In a scene where the setting is a rainforest , the sounds of various birds and animals would be dubbed in afterwards to enhance the scene and make it look and sound real.

There are 3 types of sound creation:

Realism, Hyper realism and Unrealism/ surrealism.          

During the lesson we got a chance to make our own sounds. We used meat which created a good punching effect as it sounded very lifelike, we also used carrots and nuts in which we snapped and cracked to make it sound like bones and body parts were being broken. We then put all of these sounds into our fight sequence to make the sequence as a whole more realistic.         

Dan Perri - Title Sequence Designer

As a group we had to choose and find out about a title sequence designer. We chose Dan Perri who has done many famous title sequences over the years. In the presentation we included information about Dan Perri and about some of his most famous work. We also researched in to Dan Perri to find out that he created many screen logos for some of the most famous film studios.

Zombieland Title Sequence Analysis

As a class we were asked to create an analysis for the title sequence of the movie ‘Zombieland’. I created a presentation and based it on the acronym ‘STINCS’ to help me break down my analysis. In my analysis I looked closely at the Setting, themes, iconography , narrative , characters and style and made sure that I had included some key information about each of these.

Codes and conventions of a title sequence

Codes and Conventions of a title sequence

·     Details of cast and crew.

·     The film title.

·     An introduction to characters or character type.

·     Indication of place.

·     Indication of historical period.

·     Information regarding mood and tone.

·     Introduction to signature theme tune – leitmotif.

·     Information about genre.

·     Enigma- The question that needs an answer.

·     Patterns and types of editing.

·     Mise-en-scene and cinematography that will be echoed or elaborated upon later in the film.