In order to help us succeed in our coursework, we was looking through past AS movie openings to ensure we had some inspirations and ideas. Using the marking criteria, I have evaluated some previous AS movie openings based on their strengths and weaknesses. We can then further use this as guidance to ensure we use the strengths as inspiration and avoid the weaknesses. I have chosen three movie openings in particular to evaluate.
Inner Evil
Inner Evil
Judging by the iconography of blood, stalking and music, we can clearly see that the convention is a thriller. There has been appropriate material used throughout the sequence. The Mise En Scene was heavily supported by the iconography. There are lots of conventions of a thriller which I really enjoy about this opening. For instance, the face covered with blood in the beginning was really effective with the makeup. It didn't seem amateur or unprofessional like using fake blood. The target audience I would presume is to older teens and adults since thriller's don't tend to be aimed at younger viewers. Titles are also presented interestingly by having them fade onto the screen. It is very similar to the opening sequence of "Gone Girl", a thriller movie. The institutions are displayed at the correct times which is a good, but there are some flaws in this part of the criteria. The use of the word 'starring' is incorrect since this is only used in television production. As well as this, the title is displayed at the end of the sequence which appears to be more like a trailer rather than a movie opening. Apart from these minor flaws, the titles appeared very clear and interesting. Sound was mostly non-diegetic, so it would have been better to use some non diegetic noise rather than purely relying on one melody. However, the song was very effective as it was not chart topping or known. It was atonal which allowed it to build suspense and intensity for viewers which I found interesting. The editing was excellent, the faded filter really set the scene of the production as it wasn't bright and colorful. This aspect also supported the Mise En Scene. Some scenes however, the camera wasn't very controlled and it had the tendency to shake about when doing tracking shots. The tracking shot was the only interesting angle used in the sequence. In my opinion, a wider variety of shots would have made it better. Finally, I particularly liked the transition used between the girl having her throat slit with the key and her standing on her porch. It gave the impression that she was having a vision as the transition flashed brightly when changing scenes which I found intriguing.
Mark Out of 60: 51
Blitz
Blitz
This is another thriller from the G321 AS opening sequence category that I thoroughly enjoyed. The sound in this clip is particularly effective and interestingly used as there is a combination of diegetic and non-diegetic sound. You can distinctly hear the prime minister speaking on a war basis in the background and it has been edited in this specific way to support other sound effects in the background such as the air raid signals and bombing. The panning of the camera around the bunker is also very high quality, the camera doesn't shake at all and high quality equipment was clearly used here to see in the darkness and to fully focus on the torchlight. The layout of the room presented at the beginning of the opening sequence really supported the Mise En Scene, a small enclosed spaced with minimum lighting represents a nuclear bunker. There are also war posters and children's toys which show that people are perhaps trapped in the bunker. The camera remains consistently focused throughout each shot which makes it a much higher quality. To be totally honest, there isn't much I would improve on this project. Maybe including some more interesting shot styles like tracking, match on action etc. The titles are spot on to when they are suppose to appear on screen. I couldn't see a flaw in this aspect of the sequence.
Mark Out of 60: 59
The Edge
Mark Out of 60: 59
The Edge
The opening itself is very fast pacing, which would lead me to believe that this is a huge action convention. The opening sequence as a whole appeared very professional with high quality filming, excellent incorporation of titles within the Mise En Scene such as when the men in suits are coming up the stairs and the use of smooth transitions which were edited in. The use of adults in the sequence makes it unique since the majority of examiners will watch teenagers in most of the opening scenes. This opening however uses two adults and a teenager escaping which gives a variety in acting. Finally, the location was very suitable for the filming since the framing was very appropriate for the scene, there were no disturbances of people or weather as the car park was virtually empty. I felt as if however, there could have been more diegetic sound used since the soundtrack dominated most of the sequence. Perhaps using Foley for the roller-skates across the car park and perhaps some speech would have been suitable for the shouting when he was escaping. This would have balanced the sound use and therefore accessing high marks.
Mark Out of 60: 58
