Target Audience

Target Audience
The target audience for our group is males and females under the age of 25 years old. We decided on this target audience as we have decided that we are going to make a modern opening sequence, and we have found out from our research that younger people, like to watch the new horror movies. Where as middle aged people like to watch the classic horror films.



By carrying out research on our target audience, it allows us to develop a deeper understanding of our audience. Thus allowing us to meet their specific needs when creating the opening sequence to our horror film.









For example, from this research we found that most of the people that like horror movies are politically left wing rather than right wing. It also shows us what other films they enjoy. As well as their
job, income and interests.


















































In the example of The Purge: Anarchy. There is a clear pattern showing that the people who like this film have a large tendency to enjoy other fiction/fantasy/sci-fi movies. Clearly stating the genre of film they like.

Horror Conventions

Ginger Snaps - Opening Sequence

Catch me if you can - Structure of title sequence

Title 1: 0.05 - Creator

Title 2 & 3: 0.10- Production

Title 4: 0.19 - Director

Title 5- 6: 0.24 – Main Cast

Title 7: 0.44 - Title

Title 8- 18: 0.50 - Cast

Title 19: 1.30 - Casting

Title 20: 1.34 – Co-Producer

Title 21: 1.37 – Based On Book

Title 22:1.45 – Music Producer

Title 23: 1.51 – Costume Designer

Title 24: 1.55 – Film Editor

Title 25: 1.58 – Production Designer

Title 26: 2.02 – Photography Director

Title 27- 30: 2.07 - Producers

Title 31: 2.30 - Director

Legally blonde

Camerawork

The very first shot that we see is a close up of Elle's blonde hair while see is brushing it. This almost gives a "Barbie" like appearance, which could be more evidence for her "perfect" life. Soon after, there are several close ups of a letter addressed to Elle, the fact that this letter is the main focus of a few different shots indicates its importance. Finally, a birds eye view shot is used while a girl is walking up a large spiral staircase, this shot captures the wealth these girls must have to live in such a place. Therefore, indicating that the majority of these girls are from upper class families.

Editing

The editing effect "cross cutting" is used between Elle getting ready and the letter making its way to her hands, thus linking them to one another, and letting the audience know who Elle is from the start. Without anyone actually saying her name. Moreover, "slow motion" is used when one of the girls walked through the front door which could represent "the wow factor" that the house possesses, or how they do not want to "perfect day" to end. Finally, the letter itself is linked together with several "match-on-actions" which follows the continuity of the sequence and doesn't break it.

Mise-En-Scene

The titles themselves are pink written in very stereotypical girly writing. Indicating from the titles alone that this film is aimed towards girls. The use of props in Elle's bedroom demonstrates that she is a rich girly girl. This is due to the pink glittery diamond hairbrush, followed by the dog pictures of her Chihuahua. The use of high key lighting demonstrates the happy mood that everyone appears to be in while staying at their sorority. Finally, the location of the opening sequence is in a high class sorority, which shows they are the girls that like to go out and have a good time.

Sound

The song that they have used throughout the opening sequence repeats the words "perfect day" many times over, showing that all these girls have nothing to worry about whether that be financial or day to day life, And how their lives are "perfect". When the camera passes the girls in the sorority house, all the girls are busy chatting away, which fits the stereotype of teenage girls perfectly. The song that is used in the opening sequence has a very girly/cheesy beat to it.

Wallander

Camerawork
An establishing shot is used to introduce the setting of the sequence, in this case the shot is from a helicopter flying over the countryside by the coast. This lets the audience know straight away where the opening is being set. Soon after there is a close up of the cab driver, showing his severe injuries. By using a close up it allows the audience get an accurate description of the injured man. This makes you ask the questions, how did he get hurt? Was it the girls? Furthermore, there is a 2 shot of the girls from behind them at the start, not revealing much information from them. Keeping them as a bit of a mystery. However from this we do find out that they are together and most probably close.


Mise-en-scene
The constant use of low key lighting shows that, this this a serious and dark scene which is backed up by the grey clouds and lack of light. While both the girls are in the back of the police car there Is also low key lighting which makes the girls appear more hostile. Moreover, the style and colour of their clothing suggests that they are rebellious, due to the blacks and the red highlights in the older girls hair. She is additionally wearing a razor blade necklace, further showing her rebellious and dangerous side. Finally, the make up of blood used shows the severity of the injuries inflicted upon the cab driver.

Sound
When the two girls are walking away from the car, where they just stabbed the driver repeatedly, you can hear their deep breathing. Indicating that they may regret what they have just done, or perhaps that they are scared to be caught. Additionally, when the older girl drops the knife ,that she used to stab the driver multiple times, a sharp sting is used which makes the audience feel uncomfortable and uneasy, reflecting the situation the girls are in.


Editing
During this sequence from wallander there are fade out and ins used, which could resemble the driver who is seriously injured slowly slipping away. Moreover, the pace is extremely slow due to long takes throughout the sequence. Making the audience watch in anticipation, also creating a tense atmosphere. Furthermore, the use of cross cutting between the injured man and the girls walking away shows that they are clearly connected, leading you to believe that the girls were the ones who gave him them injuries.

Sixth Sense

Camerawork:

Throughout the opening sequence of Sixth sense camerawork was used to create an array of meanings. For example, starting from the start of the sequence, there was a close up of Malcom and his wife conveying their emotions of joy onto the screen. However this is contrasted later in the sequence when things take a turn for the worst, leading to an escalated stop to the opening sequence. Moreover, when Malcom confronted the distressed man there was a slight shaking of the camera, showing his fear towards the situation he was in. It could also demonstrate how unstable the man was standing in front of Malcom. The use of focus was used later in the sequence when Malcom was looking at his notes. The camera only came into focus on the parts the director wanted you to read, the rest of the writing was slightly out of focus.











Mise-en-scene

The typography in the credits themselves set the seriousness of the film, before the first scene you had the impression that the film would not be a light hearted family film. The initial scene at the begging of the sequence, when Malcom's wife went down into the cellar was when you thought something bad was going to happen, if anything happens at all due to the spooky look of the set. The cellar was also very dark with low key lighting emphasising the scary, creepy feel of the set. The use of props helps et the scene from the start of the sequence, as the award he won showed his profession (child psychiatrist) and his location (Philadelphia).

Editing

In the credits the effect used on the text fading in and out further indicates the sinister feel of the film, and setting the eerie theme from the start. When Malcom gets shot by the crazed man, the film starts playing In slow motion showing the seriousness of the attack, demonstrating his life is in danger. Soon after he gets shot, the image fades into black, then the text "Next fall" fades in. Showing the change in time, to around a year after Malcom got shot.

Sound

During the opening credits there are multiple eerie sound effects to create the creepy serious mood, a certain effect which stands out the most, is the 'sting' during the title of the film. These effects make you feel uneasy and quite uncomfortable in fact. Additionally the backing music in the credits was creepy as well. Throughout the opening sequence there was non diegetic music, apart from the silence the occurred one Malcom and  his wife realised there was an intruder in their house. The effect of the silence was to create tension and keep the audience on the edge of there seat.

All things considered I would say that this opening sequence was successful at luring in the audience and setting the mood of the film.

What is an opening sequence?

So far I have found out that the main purpose of an opening sequence is to introduce the main characters, set the theme of the film and make the audience ask questions about the film. Also, you have to include the titles (the company that made the film, actors, people behind the scenes, ect...) 

The Brief

The brief: "To research, plan, create and evaluate the opening sequence and titles to a new fiction film that lasts no longer than 2 minutes."

So, We need to develop our understanding of film openings, then use this new found knowledge and put together our own 2 minute long opening to our fictional film.

Preliminary Project

For this preliminary project, in a group of 3 we had to create an opening sequence to a film. This opening sequence shows some technical aspects such as; Match of action, shot reverse shot and sticking to the 180 degree rule. We demonstrated match on action through the motion of walking through the door. Followed by shot reverse shot and the 180 degree rule when 'Coach' and 'Jack' sat down talking.

WWW:

• The match on action flowed through the cut well, keeping the continuity of the sequence.
• We included a eyeline match when 'Jack' looked at the phone.
• We did not break the 180 degree rule.

EBI:

• The shot reverse shot was too rushed.
• If we added background music during the titles.
• Use lighting more effectively for moments of greater suspense.

Introduction

George Burgess, 17

I'm Studying Media Studies A-Level OCR, as i want to learn more about the media industry.