Sub-Genre Romance

We have decided as a group to have romance as our sub-genre the reason for this is we believe it will help to widen our audience in order to make the best opening sequence we possibly can. We also believe it is the right idea/choice to add romance sub-genre as we feel we enjoy and know enough about romance to be able to include the genre and make it effective. Additionally I really enjoy watching action films with a hint of romance as I believe it makes the audience intrigued and widen the audience. This is because stereo typically women love romantic films therefore this may lead them to watch action films as they are watching something they enjoy with something a little different to what they usually watch. Furthermore, a sub-genre such as romance can add that little bit more excitement to a opening sequence as it may lead the audience to think the film could end in many ways therefore they become more intrigued and want to carry and watch the rest of the film.
For example: Focus

This film is an action film with a sub-genre of romance it starts off when will smith who plays the actor of Nicky Spurgeon is in a night club and spots Jess Barrett and they then pretends they've been caught by her jealous husband. Nicky advises them never to lose focus when faced with unexpected situations. Jess finds him in another nightclub a few days later and convinces Nicky to become her mentor. Nicky tells her about how his father, a con man named Bucky Spurgeon, was forced to shoot his grandfather when a con went wrong.

Throughout the film there is moments which intrigue the audience even more because if it’s not Smith blowing up or seeking for revenge in some way, we are intrigued via Nicky and Jess becoming a couple as they reunite on a couple of occasions. This film is very clever at engaging the audience because as well as being an action film it does have a narrative to it which is very intense at time which keeps the audience intrigued and want to carry on watching more and more. Also, this film is very intense because it includes Nicky at 5 times having to hide away from people and spying so this engages the audience as it makes them wonder if he will get caught and/or what will happen, this is important and key to add as it implies tension for audience so they don’t get bored. By adding a sub-genre romance makes it even more engaging because it makes the audience wonder if Jess with get caught and /or if she gets lost or caught what would happen and how the plan would then work. By adding a sub-genre romance also implies that the main character on his case Will Smith who is seen to be the dominant character as he is shown to take power which is firstly and immediately evident in the picture of the advertisement of the film as he is in front of jess to suggest his power and his hierarchy over Jess,. However, by Smith having Jess by his side implies she is his companionship therefore he might not be as powerful as we all think, Overall, I belive it is more effective and important to include a sub genre as it widens the adueince which has been evident with the findings of audience’s across this film and also it creates even more tension in the film which will engage the audience.

I personally really enjoy this film; therefore I think it is important we add action genre with a sub-genre of romance to our opening sequence. I believe it is important to add a genre which you are interested in especially what you enjoy watching as you will pick up key ideas whilst enjoying leisure time.

Evaluation of Preliminary Task

As a group we feel we have planned effectively and worked well as a team, the reason for this is we have collaborated together on a number of occasions to expand and explore new ideas our own preliminary openings sequence along the way.  By making our opening sequence effective we followed our storyboard step by step to make sure we were including everything we had planned previously.

However, we did picked up on a few faults along the way but we did correct ourselves shortly after, for example, we filmed some of our opening sequence portrait when it should have been landscape to fill the whole screen when coming together and putting it all together. Also, we realised we had filmed things differently than  how we planned on our  storyboard so we again shortly after corrected ourselves and filmed again in the way we planned to do on the storyboard.

 We included a shot/reverse shot, match on action and the 180 degree rule we decided to add those three areas specially as we believe it’s what makes an effective opening sequence and shows what skills we can use and how we go about exploring then. The shot/reserve shot was used in our preliminary task when the camera was a close up on Jess’ face and then switched the phone and so on, we believe this is effective to include as it allows the audience to feel a sense of anxiety- as what will happen next- which will hopefully intrigue them.










Also, the 180 degree rule was used when Jess and I were having a conversation after I had walked in and sat down opposite Jess. We believe 180 degree rule is effective as it allows the audience to have a clear indication of the characters emotions and how they are feeling which intrigues the audience.

This leads on to match on action shot was used when jess rang through the door from sitting down and having a conversation with me.

When putting the filming together into one short opening sequence, Beth, Jess and I came together and worked on the Macs which allowed us to access Final Cut Pro. As we are still learning how to use Final Cut Pro, we are still expanding on our knowledge on how to use it correctly which will hopefully  which will make us quicker and more efficient when editing in the future as we are practising along the way. Once, we had collaborated all the individual filming into an order which matched to our storyboard order, we added transitions and sound effects which was interesting to do so as we were expanding our ideas on what sound effects to use as we explored all the different types of sound effects which we were accessible on Final Mac Pro.

Then, we all watched the opening sequence we had filmed and edited to use how ad if it needed to be improved in any particular way. We thought this was an effective way of editing as it allowed us to acknowledge what we thought was good and what we thought wasn't so good, for example, we decided we didn't like some transitions we used so we took then out as we decided to looked more effective without.

However, I do believe our opening sequence would have been more effective if we used both a male and a female this is because it may lead to a wider audience or people may perceive the filming differently if we included a male and a female. Also, in the future I think it would be more effective if we used more than one use of costumes for each character and different settings as it portrays our genre which is action, by including a number of settings in the opening sequence by using match on action shot could help to make audiences aware immediately that our opening sequence is an action genre.

Additionally I believe that OCR require AS media students to make a preliminary task and add evaluation ect because it allows us especially myself to become more familiar with filming and not only that but getting involved and aswell as being told about different media techniques actually setting out there ourselves and doing them ourselves. I believe this is a very effective way of learning as it helps pick upon skills along the way. Therefore in the long run I believe this will benefits all in the main task.

Openings Sequence - Preliminary Task

Storyboarding - Preliminary Task

Recently my group and I collaborated together to create a story board for our preliminary task, whilst collaborating we decided to add action/adventure in our opening sequence. During coming together as a group and discussing ideas we decided to add all different varieties of shot types and transition's that we could include. We thought it was appropriate to relate our preliminary task to our additional main task, this is because we thought it was key to explore and expand on our knowledge towards action films.

So, firstly we came together will all of our individual ideas to collaborate them all together so at least some point of the opening sequence our was an own individual idea was included. At that time, we discussed it would be a good idea to add a character running in the opening sequence - which was a member of our team Jess, who was the main character. This is because we believe it is important to make sure we reinforce what our man task is going to be about, which is action. Throughout, the discussion we was thinking of different shot types which causes tension which would hopefully engage our audience which is 12 years old and above. For example a close up shot is effective as it portrays fear, this is important to include as it only focuses on the characters face therefore the audience have no choice but to look at the character's face and be led in by there emotion.

Additionally, we decided to include a range of settings and transitions such as the character sitting down in a classroom - which again was a member of our group Jess -  in silence to the character running out and opening a door using the use of a match on action shot. We also agreed that the use of 180 degree rule would be effective this is because it reinforces the characters emotions during a discussion - the conversation was between myself and Jess, this can help to make the audience feel involved within the opening sequence. Whilst using a variety of shot types we more often than not included close up or wide shot which is added as it portrays the characters emotions and how they react to certain things , especially in conversations.

Once, we began filming we looked closely at our storyboard to ensure we added very key detail as possible, as we went along and filmed we picked up on new ideas and shot types. So we added our additional ideas along the way, I believe it is important to add new ideas along the way as it shows you are expanding and exploring on your knowledge on action films and what to add towards them. I find creating the preliminary task very useful and beneficial this is because I believe it is helping we acknowledge what I need to work on and what I have now understood - its also a fun and productive way of learning new ideas.

Overall, I believe as a group we have improved and acknowledged new skills and ideas since creating our first video which was the kit kat chunky video. I personally, believe that creating this second opening sequence has allowed me to improved and become familiar with more media terms and terminology in order to create the best possible opening sequence in the near future. I hope each time I create aa small video such as an opening sequence I improve each time and begin to see the improvements whilst progressing.

Decission on certification of our opening sequence

As a group we have decided that our film/opening sequence will be a 12, firstly the difference between a 12 and a 12A is a 12A requires an adult to accompany any child under 12 seeing a 12A film at the cinema, whereas a 12 rating film does not require an adult. This is because in a 12 rating film you are allowed to include strong language as the BBFC's Guidelines state that strong language (e.g. 'f***') may be passed at 12 or 12A, depending on the manner in which it is used, who is using the language. But you must ensure discrimination is involved as the BBFC states any discriminatory language or behaviour will not be authorised by the work as a whole, aggressive discriminatory language (for example homophobic or racist terms) is unlikely to be passed at 12 unless it is clearly condemned. Also, sex may be briefly and discreetly portrayed at 12A or 12, verbal sex references should not go beyond what is suitable for young teenagers. Furthermore, sex and sex references must be treated the same irrespective of sexuality. Also, dangerous behaviour (for example hanging and suicide) may be present in 12A or 12 works but will not dwell on detail which could be copied or present those activities in a manner that children are likely to copy, anti-social behaviour should not be endorsed, there may be infrequent sight of drugs misuse in a 12A or a 12 but the portrayal should not be glamorised. Additionally action sequences and weapons may be present at 12A or 12, and there may be long fight scenes or similar. Weapons which might be easily accessible to 12 year olds (such as knives) should not be exaggerated in 12A and 12 works.

Therefore, to ensure we involve all of the above we will make sure we understand there is everything to know about 12 rating films. We will do that by researching all different types of BBFC ratings and compare them all to a 12 rating in order to understand what is allowed and what is not allowed to be included in a 12 rating film. Also, this will help maximise our knowledge on different ratings including the one we have chosen which is a 12 so in the future we will be more advanced at choosing and gathering the research for our BBFC rating of what is required of us next within the future in exploring our skills.

Current certificates

UNIVERSAL – All ages admitted. There is almost nothing unsuitable for children aged 4 years or over

PARENTAL GUIDANCE – All ages admitted, but some certain scenes can be unsuitable for young children. They should not disturb children aged 8 or older. May contain mild language or sex/drugs references. May contain moderate violence if justified by context (e.g fantasy). A parent may wish to check the content before they let their children watch it.

12A – this category applies to cinema only release since 2002. Films under this category is considered to be unsuitable for young children. Cinemas in the United Kingdom are only permitted to supply tickets to see a 12A film to children under the age of 21 if they are accompanied by an adult, aged at least 18 or older. However, it is unlikely to be suitable for children under the age of 12.

Films under this category can only contain mature themes discrimination, soft drugs, infrequent strong language, very strong language (introduced in 2015) and moderate violence, sex references and nudity. Sexual activity may be briefly and discreetly portrayed. Sexual violence may be implied or briefly indicated.

12 – this category applies to cinema releases from August 1989 to 2002, and home media since 1994. Only suitable for people aged 12 or older. It is illegal to supply a VHS, DVD, Blu-ray disc, UMD or video game with a 12 certificate to anyone under that age.

(12A related films are usually given a 12 certificate for the VHS/DVD version unless extra material has been added that requires a higher rating. The content guidelines are identical to those used for the 12A certificate.)

15- Only suitable for people aged 15 or older. It is illegal to supply a VHS, DVD,Blu-ray Disc, UMD, video game, or film tickets with a 15 certificate to anyone under that age.

Films under this category can contain adult themes, hard drugs, regular use of foul language and limited use of very strong language, strong violence and strong sex references, and nudity without graphical detail. Sexual activity may be portrayed but without any strong detail. Sexual violence may be shown if discreet and justified by context.

18 – only suitable for people aged 18 or older, which means adults only. It is illegal to supply a VHS, DVD, Blu-ray Disc, UMD, video game or film tickets with an 18 certificate to anyone under that age.

Films under this category do not have limitation on the foul language that is used. Hard drugs are generally allowed, and explicit sec references along with detailed sexual activity are also allowed. Scenes of strong real sex may be permitted if justified by the context. Very strong, gory, and/or sadistic violence is usually permitted. Strong sexual violence is permitted unless it is eroticized or excessively graphic.

R18 – can only be shown at licensed adult cinemas or sold at licensed sex shops. It is illegal to sell a film with this rating to anyone under the age of 18, and it is also illegal to supply a film with this rating by mail order.

Films under this category always contain had-core pornography, defined as material intended for sexual stimulation and containing clear images of real sexual activity, strong fetish material, explicit animated images, or sight of certain acts such as triple simultaneous penetration and snowballing. There remains a range of material that is often cut from the R18 rating: strong images of injury in BDSM or spanking words, urolagnia, scenes suggesting incest even if staged, references to underage sex or childhood development and aggressive behaviour such as hair-pulling or spiting on performer are not permitted. Moe cuts are demanded in this category than any category.

Audience Profiles and Theories