First shoot

 

Tuesday was our first time filming for our opening. We decided to film the exterior of the flats and interior of the building shown in the storyboard however, film the party and bathroom shots in my house due to the need for greater space. By doing so, it will require us to pay heavy attention to the mise en scene and consequently the continuity of the overall two minute opening. The main success of the day was our use of lighting in the party scene, briefly shown above. More details and photos to come...

 

Storyboarding our film opening

Below is a compilation of the individual shots with desired sound effects, a rough outline of our film opening. Though the clip is not the full two minutes, we will be including use of pan and tilt shots which we are unable to demonstrate in storyboarding meaning it is substantially shorter. As well as the storyboarding, this post includes our pitch to provide a deeper explanation of the film and our focuses on lighting to convey an overall focus on state of mind in a character driven film opening. The most challenging aspect of our film opening will be a glitch within the editing to further the idea of confusion and distress. Continuity and focus on the mise en scene when shooting the party scene (shots 2, 4,5,6) will be crucial if the glitch is to be the most impressive aspect of the opening. Therefore, over the half term and after filming, I will need to research how to edit the clips in the most professional way possible. As well as this, I will look into hue and intensity of lighting in both films and television for inspiration in establishing tone and mood.
 
1. A tilt shot of the outside of a block of flats, set in the evening with dim lighting.
 
2.The outside of a front door slightly open, meaning the flashing lights are slightly visible accompanied by the sound of thumping music.

3.Cuts abruptly to the bathroom, my character staring into a mirror clearly distressed, tracking me out into the party. 

4. Shots four and five continuously switch between the two to create the glitch to express the protagonists state of mind, similarly demonstrated through lighting.

6. She (my character) walks back out through the front door but after the character slams the door, the camera will linger on the shot as we saw in a clip from Luther from under the bed.

7.Next, an overhead shot birds eye view running down the stairs, the camera will not track so the only movement will be by character running. 

8. Walking out of the door of the flats.

9. A shot from the top of the stairs  at a high angle watching my character going down the stairs.
 
10. Following that, shot of the girl (played by Helin) looking confused in response.
 
11. In conjunction with shot ten is one from the unnamed girl character's point of view looking at my character at the bottom of the stairs.

12. A low angle shot of me at the bottom of the stairs with the same of deep breathing before beginning the running sequence.

13. The use of a dolly shot following me from behind while she is running. We intend on using hand held at points to convey the panic.

14. A wide shot of me running in then quickly out of the frame.

15. Then a close up of my face still running but then transitioning to the next shot whilst her phone rings.

16. Abrupt cut to a black screen with only the sound of panting and the words "I need your help."

Art of the Title research

Using the website Arts of the Title, I found a number of film openings that have key locations, styling or choices in regard to lighting and editing which could be used in our film opening. Most of the films selected below demonstrate use of low key lighting alongside flashing/alternating coloured lights. Quick cuts in editing in conjunction with scenes in slow motion and fluorescent light as shown in 24 Hour Party People and Gaycation could be used in our film opening to illustrate the protagonist's own state of mind. Wes Anderson's direction in Moonrise Kingdom differs in what I take from it. The long pan across the whole house is something I would love to try and incorporate into a party setting in our own film opening however most likely a shorter shot. Styling as well as  initial location of This is England and hue of lighting would ideally be replicated in our film opening. Gone Girl and Drive demonstrate the most likely way our group would choose to present the titles as the initial action is what we want to draw focus to.

24 Hour Party People

 Drive

Gaycation

Gone Girl

Moonrise Kingdom

This is England

Glue TV Series

Though it was first aired in 2014, which was when I first watched it, I have began to re-watch the E4 series Glue but from a more analytical point of view. The programme follows a group of teenagers dealing with the death of one of their close friends. It's storyline incorporates the separate but complex relationships of those in the programme with use of flashback to illustrate the character Caleb Bray's life before his unfortunate death. The use of lighting throughout the episodes conveys the mood and tone. Below is an example of the use of colour which is something I would like to explore in our opening, specifically within a party setting. Hue and intensity of lighting is something we could incorporate into the contrasting locations of a film opening and also provide an insight into the mind set of the chosen protagonist.

The programme does explore quite adult, yet relevant topics across all eight episodes each relating to a specific characters individual story. The clip below captures the moment after the teenagers have been interviewed about Caleb's death at the police station. The dynamic and status of all the characters is made evident through both choice of camera shots and dialogue. In particular, use of quite extreme close up on the character James' face, saying nothing whilst all the others speak quickly around him provides an insight into his personality. Director's choice for the camera to be hand held involves the audience more deeply, with alternating close ups on all characters making it feel as though the audience (as the camera) is standing with them.