Experimental with shot types

Mid shot 

Director is enabling the audience to understand/become more familiar with their character and becoming motivated with the character as they are able to see characters facial expressions. 

Close up 

Enables the director to focus on the character and their emotions at that time.

Extremely close up 

Very intense for audience as they see ONLY the characters facial expressions.

High angle shot 

Gives the audience a sense of the characters vulnerability.

Low angle shot 

Gives the audience a sense of characters power which could suggest audience fell vulnerable towards this character.

Camera shots

Analysis of The Matrix opening sequence

Firstly, by introducing audiences to film by a dialogue suggest mystery as there is no proof of who is speaking and why they are speaking. Therefore, this immediately intrigues the audience to question ‘why’ they are introduced with numbers on screen which would be stereotypically used in a spy film. Linking back to dialogue the tone of voice begins to change, this intrigues the audience as it suggests everything is not as it seems and something is going to be relieved.

The non-digetic sounds such as the background music is used after the dialogue has finished suggesting drama and mystery as its very; intense, sci-fi and dramatic, helping to draw the audience in. The music also helps to build up tension to prepare the audience for what’s to come which may help to make them feel involved/apart of the film therefore they will feel guided along with the narrative and want to carry on watching.

As the background music begins to slow down and be less intense we are introduced to what is implied to be an important character. This is because characters who are involved in close up shots are seen to be significant as it helps the audience to be feel/see the character’s emotions. This is also important as its not only the first person we see in this opening sequence it is also the first prompt we see to suggest violence – the gun. This may shock the audience as they are so led on by the music to expect something else such as a dramatic movement.

As the background music begins to fade we are led away from the close up shot creating it to be a wide shot with artificial lighting used such as torches and spotlight on the man with the gun. This may draw the audience to feel excitement as to what is to happen next as they know violence is about to occur as the gun stereotypically and most often than not suggests violence. On the other hand, the gun can also suggest power and strength as it could also be used as a guard if you like, to help the man with the gun as it may make him feel more powerful and more masculine. But in this wide shot it is shown the man is not alone as he is joined with other men with torches, this also draws the audience in as makes them think ‘who are they’.

As the camera angle begins to zoom into the other men it appears they are police officers, which may change many audiences perspective on what’s going to happen. This may intrigue the audience as they have predicted the men with the guns are the ‘bad guys’ this is because stereotypically the man who is usually introduced with a prompt such as a gun is stereotypically after someone or seeking revenge in many action opening sequences. Therefore this suggest this film is trying to avoid predictability although some predictability is good as it allows audiences to have a range of genres to watch as that’s how genres are mostly categorized.

The setting of the opening sequence is very dark and gloomy which could foreshadow death or violence as the connotation of black represents death. Therefore, audiences are informed that is film is action also encouraged with other hints such as prompts. It is clear both natural and artificial lighting is used within this opening sequence as the natural lighting sets a dull tone to the opening sequence. However, the artificial lighting such as the torches could suggest to the audience that this action film isn't going to be as they seem but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Also, it is implied this place where they are is old therefore, this could suggest for whatever reason that the police are there it isn't safe and they aren't meant to be there which sets a mysterious tone.

The use of non digetic sounds such as door creeping and gun firing suggests violence which builds up tension or in some circumstances excitement for the audience as they are intrigued to find out to see what happens next. We are shown by this wide shot of a women dressed in black sat in a chair in darkness is unusual therefore this once again draws the audience in to want to know ‘why’. This wide shot is effective as by showing the women’s surroundings suggests this film it’s trying to make a bond/connection with the audience as they want the audience to become familiar within the surroundings of the film. Also by the women being dressed in black is effective as the colour black connotes death, therefore, this may get the audience to think if her costume is foreshadowing her death or another’s throughout the film.

Again, using a close up shot of the women’s face could also suggest her importance within the film and to reinforce her emotions towards what is to come. This can help the audience to establish who’s who, especially with all the police men with their torches on her could imply a spot light which may encourage towards the audience believing she is a significant character as all eyes are on her.

Analysis of James Bond Skyfall opening sequence

We are instantly informed in the first few seconds that this opening scene is an action film we are shown this by Bond drowning whilst being led into hole as this portrays he could be being led to violence which may end in death. Also, by the use of prompts such as the cardboard cut out of Bond which red coming of him which indicates blood as red connotes action and violence.

The sharp contrast of transition’s used, between the wide shot into a close up onto the hole in the cardboard cut-out of Bond then becomes a close up of the women under the sea. This portrays there is going to be sharp contrasts within the film including behavior and scenes. By the use of a Bond girl undressed under the water looking directly at the camera suggest she isn’t afraid to hide anything. Also suggests she is very confident as she glares into the camera which intrigues the audience to want to know ‘why’ as its usual to see people underwater in an opening scene so immediately this gets the audience thinking as they want to know ‘why’ she is there and ‘how’ she is there.

Similarly, the prompts used imply violence such as guns and swords, as stereotypically they are used in action films for violence when fighting or killing another person. The special effects used to portray the prompts are special lighting such as article lighting as the bright light is shining down onto the prompts it wants to focus in on in this case the guns and swords.

Likewise, Bond is portrayed to be the heroic character as he is portrayed the most throughout the opening sequence and is shown to be the dominant mysterious character we are shown this by Bond’s costume such as a suit whilst being contrasted with prompts used as it’s not stereotypically what you would assemble together. The use of a big close up of Bonds eyes suggest mystery as it suggests he may have something to hide as he isn’t showing his whole face, which may get the audience thinking ‘why’ which intrigues them in the first minute of the opening sequence.

Linking back to the use of special effects such as lighting, both article and natural is use in this wide shot as Bond is shown to be fearful as he has a gun in his hand whilst circling which implies he need the gun to feel powerful and have more strength. Artificial lighting is used as there is a very bright light shining down towards Bond which could suggest weakness of Bond as he is being over powered by lighting. The natural lighting used is the shadow of Bond by using 3 shadows of characters with their hands up could however suggest his power implying he can take anyone on and isn’t afraid to be on his own against others.

Additionally, in the sharp contrast of editing/transitions Bond is shown to be alone under the water with his Bond girls. However, this all changes when a wide shot is shown of a shadow appealing as a men with a gun which suggests violence as it’s a stereotypically violent prompt. Also, this wide shot could suggest Bond is not alone this may intrigue the audience as they may be drawn in to what to know who else is there with him. Likewise, as this shadow of a male pointing at the camera shows he is not afraid therefore this may suggest he is confident and will take Bond on.

The colour red connotes blood and death therefore this is effective as it implies to the audience that this films is going to involve violence and it could also imply death. We know this by the image of the red smoke which indicate blood cells implying this film is going to get your adrenaline high and your heart beating fast. Also, by the image of a red skull implies death as it could foreshadow many deaths within the film, which also implies violence.

Contrasted, with a wide shot of fireballs suggests violence as the connotation of fire is violence and harm. Therefore the audience are informed within the first few minutes of the opening sequence that this film is an action film by the hints such as prompts and images. Also, when the camera zooms into the fireballs they are James Bond cut outs on fire which we saw earlier on in the opening sequence floating under the sea. This is effective as it implies to the audience that there is going to be sharp contrasts between plot lines and characters which will intrigue action genre target audiences.

By the use of quick transitions including Bond girls dancing in colour format seems all happy however there is then a sharp contrast between colours as they are then shown in black and white. This also suggests violence as the connotation of white suggests fear in relation with black which suggest death and pain. This is also hinted as an images of a gun, swords – in a cross shape- appears to again suggest violence and that bad things/consequences are to come such as death.  Also the black and white wide shot of a grave guard could foreshadow the death/murders of what is to come as they is many graves in the grave guard suggesting more than one is going to die.

Again the shot of Bond eye close up is portrayed this is used as it distinguishes to the audience that he is the main character. By using a close up in this matter it implies his emotion and fear in his eyes of whats to come which may help to intrigue the audience., in the first few minutes of the opening sequence as they have already witnessed a lot of different animations. This may suggest this plot line is different to others as it includes a variety of different prompts and plots. As the camera confuses in on Bonds eyes this may make the audience feel unaware of Bonds surroundings and begin to make then question why he is shown in that way and what is his importance. Therefore this intrigues the audience as it will make them want to know and find out what his importance really is.

Overall, hints are being thrown everywhere that this is an action film such as the prompts used and the soundtrack used. The soundtrack used is effective as the words link to what is happening within the opening sequence, it is also effective as the music becomes dramatic at stages which could suggests this film is going to be like a roller-coaster which implies audience’s need to hold on and watch as they won’t get bored.

Initial anaylsis of codes and convenions using Indiana Jones

The genre which belongs to this poster is action/adventure, we are aware of this as the images shown such as snakes on the side to suggest a jungle and stereotypically once you’re in a jungle it’s an instant maze and an adventure to get back out. It also portrays action as also stereotypically jungles are portrayed to be a chase for example usually often than not if you are in a jungle your more than likely to be joined by creatures such as dangerous ones; snakes, monkeys.

The dominant image of Indian Jones shows he is heroic image as it’s a direct confident stare into the camera to suggest he isn’t afraid. Also by the use of exotic location in a dessert to suggest a mysterious scene.

However, this poster does play with conventions of devil and angel this is because stereotypically in most films the devil is known to be a man and an angel is known to be the women. As men are usually seen to be more dominant then women especially in action films, as there more often than not the more superior bond between the two as they are portrayed as masculine therefore stronger and more powerful than women. But in this case, the woman is the devil we imply this as the women has prompts such as a sword which suggests violence, in comparison to the male who has a prompt such as a motorbike which also portrays adventure.

A theoretical perspective such as Rick Altman as he believes genres are linked by producers because they are constructed for an unknown/guaranteed audience, they use repeated storylines and stock characters. Also, they allow the re-use of sets, prompts and actors financial savings which influence towards the budget and financial return are easier to predict. Audiences like genre because they know what to expect, they can plan viewing with certain expectations, they enjoy subtle variations within a particular framework. Also they can engage quickly because of the easy and recognisable plot and characters.

https://prezi.com/agoldjrxbhjg/copy-of-copy-of-untitled-prezi/

                                                        Collaboration
The other day, my group and I met up to discuss and develop on our ideas towards action genre films, we did this by collaborating our ideas onto a mind map. In order to do so, we watched other action opening scenes to create a wide range of ideas.

Firstly, we discussed using a car chase in our opening scene as we all agreed that we find the most exciting opening scene's include a car chase (I am a legend, James Bond) as we believed it intrigues the audience straight away. We decided that the costumes for the characters in the car chase we thought it would be a good idea to create a plot twist and therefore go against some action conventions. This is because we hope to engage the audience in a way which isn't necessarily the stereotypical way to represent characters in action convention films, therefore we believe this will make the audience more shocked by the narrative as there is a twist so they have to work out the plot almost for themselves. For example, we have decided to place the antagonist in a black suite to foreshadow death which meets Propp’s theory of the narrative been driven by semiotics. Also, by twisting the stereotype of the character’s appearance causes a shock effect to the audience as it suggests they weren't expecting what they saw.






Placing the antagonist in a black suite could cause a 'who's who?' effect as characters are dressed in a way that they are not stereotypically usually portrayed. In fact, the total opposite as the antagonist is most often than not shown to dress formally, this also impacts on engaging the audience as it makes them have to question who is who. Again, as a group we have decided to go against the stereotype of women being less dominant than men as we have decided to use a female dressed in a black suite as the black reflects death and mystery. In contrast to white as most women stereotypically wear in action convention films, the colour white suggests innocence which goes again the final girl theory. We decided to make the female look more powerful as we thought it would be a good idea to have a big dog as a companionship and loyalty, however this is also playing with the audience’s mind as they could stereotypically believe that because the female has a big dog she is evil as they are mostly portrayed in a dangerous lime light, therefore we are again going against stereotypes.



Then, we discussed setting we believe the most intriguing setting for a car chase is a road with no traffic as we believe it creates a mystery effect. Also by creating this effect on a derelict road makes the audience focus on one main thing which is the car chase which portrays its significance which could possibly foreshadow what is to come.



We discussed a variety of diegetic and non-diegetic sounds such as dialogue and dramatic sounds such as car wheel spinning or speeding. To ensure violence is portrayed instantly within the opening scene we have decided to use a non-diegetic sound of gun fire shot, so the audience have an effect on what's to come without even knowing the film is action convention in some cases. When it comes to diegetic sounds we discussed dramatic heavy breathing would be effective as it could create a sense of toughness in that certain situation.

Analysis of the opening sequence to Gladiator:
Genre

Genres do try to avoid predictability because the audience will begin to lose interest therefore stop watching that type of genre and then this will conclude to genres losing money and eventually not becoming as popular.

Applying the genre action to this opening sequence of Gladiators it is suggests by the semiotics that there is a leader: Russel Crowe, as he is seen to be the dominant character. We can see this in the first few seconds of the opening scene because he is the one and only character we first see, also because the camera focuses directly on him suggests he could be a significant character. This links to an action film immediately as stereotypically all action films have a leader/hero. Therefore, this makes this film in particular seem predictable as it suggests to the audience in the opening scene that they may have established the narrative of the film that the hero ‘Russel Crowe’ is there to save the day.

Although predictability is seen to be negative some is good this is because if the film was not predictable it may cause the audience to have to think about to story. So this may make audience’s loose interest as they may want to watch a film when they have came home from work for example and not want/have energy to think about a narrative, they may want a linear narrative based film as its in chronological order and an easy flow.

The sounds used in Gladiators opening sequence 

The non-diegetic sound used in the background is very smoothing which implies the aim of this music is to help the audience feel relaxed.  However, then there is a sharp contrast, when the flow begins to move onto the battlefield, as there are diegetic sounds such a horses running and men shouting which is a voice over from the non-diegetic sounds. Which therefore conveys this film could suggest drama and sharp contrasts between characters. 

Shot types

The shot types used in gladiator’s opening sequence vary such as a close up shot is then used to give the audience a clear understanding of Crowe’s facial expressions helping the audience to become familiar and motivated by their character.

 

Also, by the use of an establishing shot suggests an interaction with the audience as it gives the audience an indication of the surroundings. Therefore, this makes the audience feel involved as it allows them to feel familiar with the narrative and in some circumstances the characters.

Analysis of Gladiator opening sequence

In this opening sequence we perceive within the first minute that this film is going to be an action film, as the characters props, such as the clothes they are wearing suggests violence. This is because stereotypically men wore in the olden days on the battle fields. Also, the horses suggests fighting or war because again they are stereotypically used in battle as that's how the Roman's travelled from a to b. In addiction other props used such as shields and spears also suggest violence as it implies they are preparing for battle.