Audience Research

 

 

 



     Based on our audience research, we have found that people have mentioned different genres that intrest them, but most importantly, we have highlighted from our audience research that people enjoy enigma and want the opening sequence of a film to leave them wanting to watch on. A student also said that they find in many opening sequences there are far too many, probably more than neccessary, opening credits, therefore we are considering to include the main opening credits which are usually the director, producer, cinematgrapher, editor, and finally the main actor(s)/actress(s).
        We have concluded we will stick with our genre, psychological thriller, to create that enigma that people enjoy in an opening sequence.

Group Blogs:
Jordan- http://jordanrhill.blogspot.co.uk
Paul- http://psosaofficial.blogspot.co.uk

Audience Research

 

 

    Questions to be asked in audience research video:

 

1. What type(s) of media do you enjoy and why? (e.g Film, TV Shows, Music)

 

2. What is your favourite film genre and why? (e.g Thriller, Horror, Comedy...)

 

3. What is your most memorable opening sequence and why?

 

4. What makes a bad opening sequence, do you have one?

5. What was the last opening sequence of a film that you have watched what did you think of it?

 

 

 

 



Title Sequence Analysis of the movie 'Secret Window'

Time: Titles included in the opening of the film:

0:34- Distribution Company, Columbia Pictures
0:38- Production Company, Pariah Production
0:41- Main actor's name, Johnny Depp
0:47- Title/name of film, Secret Window
0:54- Other actor's name, John Turturro
0:57- Actress's name, Maria Bello
1:02- Actor's name, Timonthy Hutton
1:05- Actor's name, Charles S. Dutton
1:09- Actor's name, Len Cariou
1:14- Casting Directors, John Papsidera and Pat McCorkle
1:18- Costume Designer, Odette Gadoury
1:22- Music Director, Philip Glass
1:26- Editor, Jill Savitt
1:30- Production Designer, Howard Cummings
1:34- Director of Photography, Fred Murphy
1:38- Executive Producer, Ezra Swerdlow
1:44- Producer, Gavin Prolone
1:58- Film based on, "Secret Window, Secret Garden" by Stephen King
2:10- Screenplay by David Koepp
2:16- Directed by David Koepp

Total Titles included: 20

Opening Sequence Analysis of the movie 'Seven'

          
    As our genre is psychological thiller, I have decided to analyse the opening sequence of 'Seven' as it represents the main events that occur in a psychological thriller, in this case a serial killer and his gruesome crimes.
    It establishes the genre of the film by showing the works of the serial killer, the process of him planning his inhuman acts towards his victims. In the video we see him creating a scrapbook of crimes he has committed and crimes he will be committing throughout the movie. The serial killer is clearly the antagonist in the movie and with every antagonist there always has to be a protagonist. The audience immediatley know he is mentally deranged and psychotic.
    In this opening sequence, we are only introduced to the serial killer but not fully as we do not see his face, he is only introduced through his hands and what his intentions are. We see this through a point of view shot as we see through his eyes but we see the corrupt side of his plan whereas he obviously believes he is doing the 'right' thing.
    The story or narrative of the film is established through the opening sequence when significant small details of the serial killer's unlawful acts are shown, for example, when he is glueing graphic images of his victims being tortured or killed, into his scrapbook. We can assume the possible events that will occur throughout the movie, such as grotesque scenes showing how each victim is killed and how the police (protagonists) hunt down this serial killer before he captivates his other victims.
    This creates a suspense mood-like atmosphere for us especially as his identity is unknown. This construsts enigma as the opening sequence continues, persuading us to watch on. Tension is also devised due to the dim surroundings (low-key lighting) and dark colours, specifically black, which could be used to foreshadow the slow, excruciating deaths that will follow, which we can predict from the repulsive images of the serial killer's victims.
   At the beginning of the sequence, the non-digetic sound is slow paced which is building up the impact towards the end of the opening sequence which is more quick paced and alarming. In addition, the camera shots are more longer than in the middle and end of the sequence which is in sync with the sound as they both progress in speed throughout the sequence. The sounds are similar to that of a machine, like heavy steel chains rotating and initiating that creepy noise which usually symbolizes danger.
    The font of the titles shown in the sequence is similar to the handwriting of the serial killer when it shows him writing in his scrap book (at 1:14), it is quite unsteady which could represent how emotionally unstable and demented he is.
    The mise-en-scene in this sequence are disturbing as unhygienic conditions are shown through the serial killer's filthy fingernails and hands, however what is most tormenting is his evil behaviour which is displayed through his wicked scheme by various actions like scraping the skin off his fingernails and flicking through images of victims, one with a iron rod through his head.
  

      As we have decided to do psychological thriller as our genre for our project, I have found movies with the same genre to generate ideas for our opening sequence. These psyhological thrillers can be focused on serial killers and how their minds work as they are mentally, emotionally or even physically damaged. 
      Movies of this genre include:
>The Bone Collector
>The Stepfather
>Psycho
>Seven
>Secret Window

Preliminary Task:

Script:  Paul- "How you doing? You alright?"

         Jordan- "Yeah, I'm alright."

         Paul- "Yeah, did you watch the match last night?"

         Jordan- "Yeah, did you see the goal he scored?"

         Paul- "Yeah, that goal was sick!"

The video includes a series of jumpshots while Paul is walking along the corridoor, match on action shot when Paul walks through the door from one side of the door and then walks through the door into the room, shot-reverse shot when lines are exchanged between Jordan and Paul using over the shoulder shots when each of them are speaking, so the audience can see their faces.

Preliminary Task - Final Version edited

Group Roles Confirmed:

Producer: Jordan

Editor: Paul

Cinematographer: Myself (Amna)

         As a group we have confirmed that our genre will be a psychological thriller. This means we will be focusing on case studies such as Seven focusing on serial killer movies for ideas on our opening sequence.


Links to group blogs:

Jordan - http://jordanrhill.blogspot.co.uk
Paul   - http://psosaofficial.blogspot.co.uk

Group Roles that need to be discussed and confirmed:
>Producer
>Cinematographer
>Editor

>Producer- in charge of whole preliminary task and oversees cinematography/editing work of the video.

>Cinematography- in charge of camera angles and the video overall.

>Editor- after video has been filmed, editor adds in credits, cut shots if necessary and overall puts whole video together, after filming.
  

AS Media Coursework

G321- AS Media Coursework

Types of Genres to consider:
-Comedy
-Horror
-Thriller
-Action
-Rom Com
-Drama