Wednesday, 25 September 2013

Film Plot 3

Title - Intern-ational

Genre - Action/Comedy/Romance

Characters -
The Main Character - Samuel
The Intern  - Lauren
The Boss - Mr Korsak
The Best friend -Tommy
The Assassin - Francesca
The assassins clumsy helper - George Johnson


Setting - Set in Boston, Scotland and Russia.

Brief Plot Outline -
Whilst on the mission of a lifetime to take down on of the worlds most recognised assassins Samuel's boss (Korsak) gives him a new intern to train (Lauren) who throughout the film is seen as one big harassment and impossible to train to become a 'assassin hunter' (like a bounty hunter but not a bounty hunter). We then follow as, off the clock, intern Lauren ends up meeting and falling in love with the assassin's clumsy helper 'George'. All of these disasters then unveil to reveal the real identity of 'Francesca' to be Samuel's high school sweetheart. However, can all be forgiven for the one you truly love? Even after she's killed 100's, killing Samuel's best friend Tommy, in the process.

Film Plot 2

Title - EARTHQUAKE!

Genre - Natural disaster

Characters -
Teacher - Mrs Hunt
Student 1 - Jackson Thorne
Student 2 - Julia Star
Student 3 - Adam Luther


Setting- In a school in the mid-west of America (Ohio)

Brief Plot Outline -
As the school year starts and a new class arrives, it's clear from the beginning this day won't go down without a fight. It's half way through English when Jackson askes to be excused from lesson. Mrs Hunt unwillingly allows him out of the class room. However, as quick as Jackson closed the classroom door, the earthquake began, 6.2 on the Richter scale, and the ceiling was coming down quick and hard. As the class follow protocol and protect themselves under tables from the falling debris Mrs Hunt goes in search of Jackson. Worried about their friend and with a 'no man left behind' policy, Julia and Adam go after the two once the earthquake has stopped. Only to find themselves lost, with no school left to search though.

Film Plot 1

Title - Love is all you need.

Genre -  Romantic, Comedy

Characters -
Sasha Grey - American (News Anchor)
Jason Greene -  (Student)
Sarah Greene  - (Nurse)
Jonathan Basset - (Vicar)
Frankie Torres - Italian (Chef)
Arizona Harmon - American (Lawyer)


Setting - London.

Brief Plot Outline - Film opens with Frankie proposing to Arizona, on the rooftop of his restaurant. Throughout the film we then follow the couples relationship until we get to their wedding day. Meanwhile we follow Jason falling for his American neighbour 'Sasha' and his sister Sarah's race against the clock to find a baby daddy. However, the vicar doesn't go forgotten as we also delve into his character as a clumsy, adorable, caring guy who fails to find love everywhere he looks. As the movie comes to an end we see the gathering of all the characters coming together at the wedding of 'Arizona Harmon and Frankie Torres'.

Sunday, 22 September 2013

Pulp Fiction opening scene and titles

Camera Work -
> Shot reverse shot
> Two shot is used to show the relationship and equality between the two characters
> Mid shot is used for the majority of the opening scene to make the audience focus on the characters and their actions/reactions
> Close ups are used on the characters to show the conversation between the two
> They are also used to show the intensity of the situation.

Editing -
> Credits are made to stand out
> The background is made black so that they audience can't be distracted by anything else
> The names of the cast and crew are made to stand out
> This shows their importance in the making of the film
> Certain names are made bigger than others. E.g Quentin Tarantino; John Travolta; Samuel L Jackson; Uma Therman etc because they are what sells the film (make it a hollywood hit).

Sound -
>There are two songs used through the titles
> Both of these songs are upbeat songs
>This shows the irony of the film itself, although it is about criminals all in all it's quite a cheery and happy film
> The songs used are quite old school and give off a 70's vibe
> As does the rest of the film, this is common in Tarantino films as he likes to give them that edge
>This music also gives of a rebellious feel. which again fits in very well with the story line and the characters
>In the opening scene we also hear, in the background, the sound of plates and cutlery clanging about
>This gives an added feel of being in a diner, without the audience even realising it.

Mise-en-scene -
> Detailed decor in the diner/coffee shop
> Windows behind the couple show the outside of the diner to add to the realism of this scene
> The body language of the two characters seems oddly comfortable and relaxed for the topic that they are talking about
> The lighting in this scene seems to be quite sarcastic in that it is always bright and the sun is glaring outside of the diner
>This contrasts with the real situation where the two are planning chaos and pointing guns at innocent people.

1.) What's interesting about the camera work in the diner?
Throughout the diner scene we mainly see the two characters together in a 'two shot' and it revolves around the mid-shot used. The way the camera is angled at the edge of the of the table to make the audience feel like they could be sat in the diner, listening to that very conversation, being in that situation.

2.) What genre of film would this be classed as?
In my opinion this film would be a kind of hybrid genre, mixing in some crime, action and comedy. Tarantino is know for his crime/action comedies and therefore is also know for creating 'hybrid' films with a little bit of a few different genres involved.

3.) How does the film appear to be satire/humerus?
Although this film appears to be quite dark and serious crime/action. It soon becomes clear that this film is much more comedy that you first think. It is clear that the comedy that Tarantino is portraying in this film is far from 'slap stick' comedy.

4.) What is the significant's of the opening titles?
The opening titles are clearly supposed to be a very important factor for this film. The screen is turned black so that all the audience are able to focus on is the names of the majority of cast and crew members. The names of the more important people in this film are made slightly bigger to show their importance, for example: Tarantino; Danny DeVito; John Travolta; Samuel L Jackson and Uma Therman etc.















Thursday, 12 September 2013

Actors

Although many actors inspire me I am most inspired by actors and actresses that work with in fantasy and action films. For example: Robert downey Jr; Chris Hemsworth; Scarlett Johansson; Cobie Smulders; Dwayne Johnson etc. This is because I think it takes extra care and detail into making these kind of characters come to life and act as though these things are dramatic and unrealistic things are really happening to them.

However this is completely different for the actors and actresses that I love, they tend to be in more romantic comedy kind of films. For example people such as: Jennifer Aniston, Katherine Heigl; Simon Baker; Melissa McCarthy; Sandra Bullock; Eric Dane;  Gerard Butler; Zac Efron etc. This is most likely because these actors and actresses tend to be more 'advertised' and therefore are more well known and can be better related to.

Sunday, 8 September 2013

Harry Potter - Opening Credits

This sequence begins with the classic Harry Potter theme song as we are taken, along with the camera, through the clouds and over houses until we get to Harry Potter's house, on Privet Drive. Along the way we also see the Warner Brothers sign and of course the title of the film 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets'. We first see Harry Potter through his bedroom window, going through an old magical memory book where there are moving pictures of his past mom and dad and his best friends, Hermoine and Ron. This sets the tone for the magic which goes on throughout the Harry Potter films. Whilst he is flicking through the pages of this book, there is uplifting, powerful music in the background which emphasises the momentos that Harry is looking at and gives the audience a chance to empathise with Harry over missing his real family and friends. We then see Harry disturbed by his 'Uncle' where we then follow Harry to the kitchen of his uncles house that he is staying in to be greeted by his extremely old fashioned and disrespectful family. The whole house and his families clothing suggest that they are all quite old fashioned at heart. We then see evidence of this old fashioned nature when we see his aunt in the kitchen finishing off the cake whilst Harry's uncle and cousin are in the living room getting all dressed up before the neighbours come round for dinner. From this we see how poorly Harry is treated by his extended family and how bad it is that he is forced to live with these people after the tragic accident which caused his mother and father to die.  This therefore instantly puts the whole audience on Harry's side and therefore sets the tone for the rest of the movie.

Grease - Opening Credits

The beginning of Grease starts off with Danny (John Travolta) and Sandy (Olivia Newton-John) on the beach together, we then watch them act quite playful together as soft, quite old fashioned, romantic music is played over the top. This kind of montage along with the music could be representing the character of Sandy and how she in herself is quite old fashioned and has quite old fashioned standards. It then goes into the animated title sequence where we then follow over exagerated versions of the main characters as they prepare for school. This then sets the subtext for the movie before it has even properly begun. The colours used are all quite bold and happy colours to show that this is a happy and uplifting movie. The music used for the sequence is 'Grease is the word'. This song is so iconic and so important to the film, this adds to the feeling of the movie and sets the tone of happiness and enjoyment.

Friends - Opening Credits



Because this is a sitcom which revolves around the 6 main characters, the title sequence does just that. It revolves around the six main characters, portrayed by Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matthew Perry, Matt Leblanc and David Schwimmer. This sequence is know for being fun and kind of interactive. Throughout the sequence we are shown mini clips of the characters from the season; dancing and just generally having fun. The song used for the sequence is 'The Rembrandts - I'll be there for you.' This song is now a classic to those who watch the show, even now, ten years after it's final episode. The song itself revolves around friendship and looking out for each other which is why it is such a perfect song for the show. Throughout the sequence we also see a lot of clips of the cast sitting on one very specific sofa, to this day this is one of the most iconic pieces of furniture used in 90's television.

Pretty Little Liars - Opening Credits

Seen as this is a 'teen drama, mystery-thriller' the opening titles are mysterious and alike to the program it revolves around the four main girls who appear to be at a funeral, standing over what is presumed to be the body of their best friend who's death is investigated throughout the program. I starts off with showing a girls face, we then watch as the face has make up put on it, along with nail vanish and finally shoes are put on her feet. This could represent the 'pretty' in the title. However make up is often represent as the secret to covering up things, therefore this could show that this body that is being 'covered up' with the make up could be hiding some secrets and lies. The music used throughout the sequence is 'Secrets - The Pierces' This song increases the suspicious-ness of the girls in the sequence, it also adds to the suspicion of their involvement in what happened to this body that we see and what is meant by 'pretty little liars'

Saturday, 7 September 2013

Monsters Inc - Opening Credits

As the creators of the film are Pixar is makes sense that the entire sequence is animated. Throughout the sequence it follows the making of the doors which play a key part in the film. By using the many different colours and designs for the doors this shows that they are each different and bring attention to the details. This also helps to engage the audience as this film is aimed at a much younger audience, who might be easily distracted or bored by a less appealing screen. Throughout the sequence we also are introduced to a few of the monsters from the film, this could be to familiarise the audience with a few of the 'monsters'. We then are taken on a mini journey with the monsters as we watch them going in and out of the doors eating and moving the letters which in turn spell out the creators 'Pixar Animation Studios' and then also following that to spell out the title of the movie 'Monsters Inc' and finally pushing it into the right place and font to make it look like the official Monsters Inc logo. The music used throughout is quite lighthearted and is made to be quite playful by the use of the piano throughout, this therefore advances the interaction and entertainment value of the sequence and the fun and enjoyment the audience are getting from it.

Friday, 6 September 2013

Genres of film

Although all film making is intriguing and interesting to me, I am in particularly fascinated by sci-fi films. Mainly because of all the CGI used within them. For one I find it amazing how an actor can act and react to something that in reality is not there and physically doesn't exist. I also love the fact that the screen writers are able to come up with the crazy ideas that come with sci-fi films. For example, the main focus being on aliens and super humans and just generally out of the ordinary experiences. Although it's great to see a cute rom-com with the classic Katherine Heigl and Channing Tatum character who fall in love and overcome all the obstacles, sometimes it nice to see some physical obstacles being overcome by huge explosions and alien invasions.
Somewhat similar to sci-fi films are disaster films, which i also love and find completely fascinating to not only watch but to see how they are made. For example watching behind the scene footage from 'Twister' with Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton is so amazing just to see how something that in reality looks nothing special and a little like two crazy people throwing theme selves around, turn out to look like an amazing storytelling piece of art.
As a director I am a huge fan of Steven Spielberg and find that all films that he creates are outstanding and are so well made. From films as far back in his career as Jaws, Raiders of the Lost Ark and E.T to his most recent pieces such as Super 8, War horse and Lincoln.
However I am also blown away by the works of other Directors in complete opposite ways; for example, Judd Apatow who has worked on so many films that I love, focusing more on comedy with titles such as 'Knocked Up', 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall', 'Bridesmaids', 'Wanderlust' and more. I completely appreciate the attention to detail that has to go into films like this purely to make them relate-able and funny to audiences. As we all know comedic timing is so important within films such as these and without directors, producers, writers and of course actors with this inner skill it is near impossible to make a great comedy film.

Casino Royale - Opening Credits

This title sequence is more planned out than most and therefore has a bigger impact on the audience. With this sequence it is clear that they have kept with the running theme of the film, as the whole thing revolves around poker and card games and is all round classy; alike to what a casino would appear to look and feel like. The whole of the sequence has been made digitally and uses mainly silhouettes, this shows the discretion of James Bond and in general spies. However this could also represent the impersonal formalities between Bond and his 'victims'. The colours used within the sequence are explicitly red, black and white. Again this emphasises the casino feel within the film itself. It is clearly pointed out throughout the sequence where Bond is and where his foes are, this is deciphered by Bond begin portrayed as being only the black silhouette and anyone apposed to him being in the 'red'. The music used within the sequence is 'You know my name' by Chris Cornell. This song shows the calm before the storm, although the song starts already being quite bold and powerful the music continues to build on itself before the big impact finish. This could also be representing the contents of the film by representing the death of the main villian, which is seen to be the pinnacle moment in the film. The rise in the fullness of the music could also embed the power that Bond has against his enemies because as we all know Bond is one of the most renowned spies in the business.

Mission Impossible - Opening Credits


Throughout this title sequence we as the audience are taken on a journey, along with the spark travelling down a rope to eventually reach a fuse box, causing an explosion. This in itself is a metaphor for the film. Showing the intense, fast pace of the story lines. The way that the sequence is made consists of the camera seeming to be on some kind of track where by it never comes to a halt or stays in one place. This also emphasizes the past and 'mission' that will take place during the film. The music used it the classic mission impossible soundtrack; This indulges the audience in a little excitement and suspense, even before the film has begun.