Mark scheme annotations
This article tells us that an opening sequence must be engaging for its target audience however not give away too much detail so that the audience can guess the narratives entirety too early on. The article then gives us examples of strong opening sequences and why they were effective. This article has been extremely helpful during our production as we have been able to refer back to it as guidance so we are always aware of what is effective so we can apply it in our sequence.
This article tells us that unique opening scenes can be highly effective, this is because The Hurt Locker begins in a very untraditional fashion as it jumps straight into the action, known as in media res. It has been criticised for not containing the presence of the main protagonist in this opening scene however displays the effects of war in a different light and gives us an insight into how the rest of the film will pan out without giving too much away, keeping us engaged. This article has been helpful to refer to as it gives us an idea on how to create a unique film opening.
Hurt Locker, Kathryn Bigalow, 2008, opening sequence -
Film Openings
During this lesson, we looked at two film openings and discussed and analysed the characters, genre, narrative.
The opening sequence of The Breakfast Club gives us insight into the type of characters we will be paying attention to throughout the entirety of the film and how the variety in the types of people and the opposing personalities will shape the narrative as we can only assume there will be conflict between the characters due to the different personalities. This is because we have a “princess”, the “nerd”, the “athlete/jock” etc. meaning they will have differences to overcome and this causes us to be entertained as we enjoy watching the drama that comes with conflicts.
Trainspotting’s opening scene also gives us insight into the characters as it portrays the main character as though he is ignoring all social norms and values in society and replacing what the vast majority of people in society consider normality with heroin that ensures his ignorance to that so-called ‘normality’. This suggests his vulnerability to the fast-paced world around him as he cannot cope with the pressures of everyday life so is forced to find a replacement.
My own analysis -
The contrast that occurs when the sharp tension building non-diegetic soundtrack is almost cut off by the sounds of the waves is almost quite hopeful as it connotes the idea that the dramatic event has been prevented by peace and tranquillity. There is another contrast when we are first introduced to the main protagonist (Dom Cobb) who is washed ashore, this is quite an unpleasant idea however the sight and sounds of the children playing, although just figments of his imagination, could be providing him with an element of comfort and the want to fight through. Finally, due to the fact Dom was only carrying a gun and the spinning top means the audience are subtly introduced to the significance of the spinning top early on however means they will realise just how significant the prop is later on in the film.
Narrative
Todorov
Izetan Todorov, a Bulgarian structuralist linguist, working on narrative from the 1960s.Todorov suggested that conventional narratives are structured in five stages:
1. State of equilibrium.
2. Disruption of equilibrium by some action.
3. Recognition of disruption.
4. Attempt to repair disruption
5. New/reinstated equilibrium.
A perfect example of a film narrative that uses the Todorov theory is The Wizard of Oz:
30-seconds bunny theatre portrayal of The Wizard of Oz:
Titanic also uses Todorov’s narrative theory. Here is the 30-seconds bunny theatre portrayal of Titanic:
Other narrative theorists:
Vladimir Propp – He proposed that it was possible to classify characters of fairytales and their actions into clearly defined roles and functions. For example, Star Wars fits this theory.
A few examples of Propp’s character roles:
Hero (seeks something, is a saviour)
∑ Villain (opponent of hero)
∑ The princess (reward for the hero, damsel in distress).
Roland Barthes – A French semiologist that suggested there are five different codes in narrative that help the audience make sense of it. His five codes are:
∑ Action – Resolution through action.
∑ Enigma – Tease for the audience. Riddle to be solved.
∑ Symbolic – Connotation.
∑ Semic – Denotation.
Cultural – Device audience can notice as being a part of a culture.
History of the Thriller Genre
Early thrillers in the 1920s-1930s used techniques that even today, are still recognised as codes and conventions of the thriller genre and thrillers in this time period are considered to have played a key role in the development of the thriller genre over the years.
In the 1950s Alfred Hitchcock (who I will be analysing in my Iconic Thriller Director section) made a huge change to the genre. He added technicolour to his thrillers meaning they were no longer in black and white, this added more detail to his work as we could see intricate details much more clearly. An example of his technicolour thrillers is Strangers on a Train (1951).
Hitchcock has played a massive part in the development of the Thriller genre and his first film ‘The Lodger’ was the foundation for all thrillers and has codes and conventions still used today.
There have been many changes made to the genre over the decades for example the modern twist to stereotypical plots. Although still used, they are more often than not situations relevant to society and current events going on all over the world. For example ‘Taken’ (2008) is based on the government and a human trafficking.
Also, advanced technology is now available to thriller directors so are able to add in dramatic sounds, lighting effects and colour to build suspense. The use of Computer-Generated Images (CGI) is also now available due to living in a society that seems to thrive from technological development.
Subgenres of a Thriller
Action Thriller - uses physical action to create suspense within the film. E.g. Die Hard (1988).
Psychological thriller - incorporates elements of drama and mystery film. The suspense comes from the mind, rather than from a physical threat. E.g. Memento (2001).
Political Thriller - the suspense centres around a bureaucratic figure and/or a dangerous political event. E.g. JFK (1991).
Typical codes and conventions of thriller
∑ Low key lighting – adds dramatic effect.
∑ Quick cuts – supports fast paced narratives of a thriller.
∑ Shadows – ensure a creepy atmosphere.
∑ Fast paced instrumental soundtrack – builds tension and suspense.
∑ Diegetic sounds such as breathing – add a sense of realism.
∑ Protagonist at mercy of antagonist – stereotypical but a convention we all seem to love.
Iconic thriller directors
Alfred Hitchcock – Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock KBE was an English film director and producer referred to as "The Master of Suspense". He initiated many elements of the suspense and psychological thriller genres.
Hitchcock’s most notorious film is Psycho (1960) adapted from a novel based on the case of Ed Gein, the demented murderer from rural Wisconsin who became the first and most legendary – of all modern serial killers that centres around the meeting between a secretary, who ends up at a secluded motel after stealing money from her employer, and the motel's disturbed owner, and its aftermath.
Hitchcock's films are full of such tension building sequences. He loved getting audiences sitting on the edges of their seats. He rarely used graphic violence: following one of his most famous sayings, "Suspense is like a woman. The more left to the imagination, the more the excitement."
Christopher Nolan – Christopher Edward Nolan is an English-American film director. He is one of the highest-grossing directors in history, and one of the most successful filmmakers of the 21st century.
Some of his most famous thrillers include Memento (2001) and Insomnia (2002).
Christopher Nolan's films are very relatable in the sense he includes real human emotions, real characters, and themes most can identify with. Additionally, he pays attention to detail, and includes intricacy that your mind only subconsciously registers.
What people believe makes Christopher Nolan great is his handling of very basic human emotions and themes, and the finesse in which he portrays them in his films, similarly to Alfred Hitchcock.
Here is an article I found that compares Alfred Hitchcock and Christopher Nolan and how they are similar:
This article analyses all the similarities Hitchcock and Nolan share such as preferred genre, use of quick cuts and audience perception.
Iconic sounds –
This non-diegetic soundtrack is a fast-paced instrumental that builds up tension and suspense for the audience suggesting it supports a fast-paced narrative. The use of the violin adds quite an eerie feel to the track supported by the percussion instruments that add dramatic beats throughout. We could use this as inspiration in our film due to this.
This soundtrack however is quite slow however has the same effect and builds tension. Although it adds more of an emotional side I feel due to the slow tempo. We could also use this as inspiration for our film.
10 Cloverfield Lane, 2016, Dan Trachtenberg
Although the font is quite simple, I like how the ‘L’ in ‘Lane’ stretches up all the way to the top of the image emphasising an element of escape. The simplicity of the font also contrasts with the difficulty of the main protagonist’s escape.
The darkness of the background contrasts with the white font, white is often labelled quite a dull colour especially when it comes to posters however to me, it implies light, a sense of hope for the protagonist. Light at the end of the tunnel.
Also, the font of the tagline helps us realise that the films subgenre is Sci-Fi as it is quite a digital font, giving us insight into the genre and almost some potential events to take place.
Vertical Limit, 2000, Martin Campbell
I like this font as it is unique and gives us the adventurous feel to it as it is quite bold and out there adding to the genre of the film and giving the audience insight into what may occur throughout whilst still not giving too much away.
The colour red is often associated with danger and a sense of foreshadowing suggesting the storm is likely to cause a lot of damage and that the team must stick together.
Secondary research
Secondary research involves the collection of existing research for particular investigation e.g. newspaper articles, rather than primary research of which is collected firsthand.
Madeleine McCann
As our film is based around the idea of child abduction I decided to do some research based around the abduction of Madeleine McCann who was taken from her family on May the 3rd 2007 whilst on a family holiday in Portugal. I found an article by The Telegraph written April 2016 with the latest ideas regarding whether we are any closer to discovering the truth about her disappearance and printed, highlighted and annotated the first couple of pages, below:
Here is the whole article:
This article suggests that even though it may not be the case that as the parents were deemed suspects almost immediately that her disappearance may be the result of something a lot closer to home than we realise. This is essentially what we want to portray in our film (not though close relatives like parents) but through the idea that it can be close to home in a neighbourhood and that you should even be careful of the authorities.
After reading and analysing this article I was inspired to watch a special episode of Crimewatch based on the disappearance of Madeleine (link below) and it was very interesting to see the shows reconstruction of what they believe happened and their version of events on the night if May the 3rd.
This collection of secondary research on Madeleine McCann proved very helpful in the production of our film as it gave us a real insight into a child abduction and how it may have happened so we were able to apply that to our film.
Semiotics
Semiotics is the study of signs and symbols and their use or interpretation.
Icon – Pictorial representation of something physically resembling what it is.
Index – sensory feature that correlates with the icon.
Symbol – Words used as evidence to support the Icon and Index.
Signifier – Denotations of the above.
Signified – Connotations of what the signifier suggests/insinuates.
Semiotics sheet I completed in class:
Further film poster analysis of semiotics:
Happy Gilmore, 1996, Dennis Dugan
Icon – Golfing hole, golf ball, golf club, Adam Sandler.
Index – Posture – confidence, Facial expressions – no element of worry.
Symbol – Tagline suggests the main protagonist is amazing at golf, or alternatively ruins the sport, leaving the audience to wonder which it is. Actors name – audience might have seen more of his work and automatically be attracted to the film.
Signifier – Dark edges, light in the centre.
Signified – Dark edges suggest a chain of bad events however the light in the centre implies a sense of hope.
Central Intelligence, 2016, Rawson Marshall Thurber
Icon – Two main protagonists, weaponry – guns.
Index – Guns suggest violence. One protagonist looks confident with the situation and the other does not, proven by facial expressions, posture and body language.
Symbol – Title – suggests investigation into a crime. Tagline – emphasis on the actors taking on the lead roles – fans of these actors will want to watch the film.
Signifier – The colour yellow.
Signified – Yellow is a colour associated with the FBI so we get an insight into the genre of the film.
Brainstorm of Final Idea
Primary Research
Primary research is the collection of original primary data by researchers themselves e.g. Surveys/questionnaires.
Primary Research Techniques
Primary research can be collected in two different types of data, quantitative data and qualitative data.
Quantitative data is data that can be measured numerically for example a questionnaire received through mail or over the telephone or e-mail etc.
On the other hand, qualitative data is data that cannot actually be measured, it is data that is not numerical.
There are multiple advantages and disadvantages to the collection of each type of data:
Quantitative
Qualitative
Advantages
∑ Easier to measure.
∑ High reliability
∑ Less time- consuming.
∑ Deeper insight into people’s thoughts and opinions.
∑ Personal subjectivity provides detail.
∑ More information through ability to gather open answers.
Disadvantages
∑ Impersonal – not insightful.
∑ Only applicable to certain things.
∑ Leading questions – people can be led to answer a specific way.
∑ More time-consuming.
∑ Can be expensive.
∑ Social desirability bias.
∑ Investigator effects.
We conducted a questionnaire based on the re-release trailer of Blue Velvet, David Lynch, 1986 -
Storyboard:
We based it on this film as Lynch has portrayed his narrative extremely well and has done it in a very unique fashion through the use of contrasts and underlying messages for example the contrast between the non-diegetic soundtrack and the nature of the film as the soundtrack is upbeat and has quite a feel good tone to it whereas the film is based around perversion and psychopathology creating a very eerie and foreboding atmosphere.
Here are the questions that were asked to our classmates:
The successes of this questionnaire are that the use of open questions meant we could gather deeper insights into the respondent’s opinions about Lynch’s work and I believe the questions were based around very important features when talking about Lynch’s work.
However, not everyone understood what was meant by a few of the questions such as question three thus meaning I could have rephrased them to ensure they were as simple for people to understand as possible so we could achieve better results.
This questionnaire will help our film as we got an insight into how people enjoy work by one particular director and his techniques so we are potentially able to apply them to our film and be critical of what they said they did not enjoy quite so much about Lynch’s work.
Synopsis
Article on the four types of synopses:
My Individual Synopsis
Adrian Finchley, a successful detective, risks turning his whole life upside down due to the taking advantage of his role as a detective. However, his authority is proven almost ironic for this reason. Charlotte Bromley, a single mother, is forced to live life without her only child because of Adrian, the corrupt cop.
Treatment
Article about what makes a successful treatment:
Script
First draft of our script annotated by each of our group members to evaluate what needs improving and what is successful about the script so we were able to make any improvements we agreed were necessary:
Final draft of our script:
My individual annotations (based on the first draft of the script) of the script with the shots we intend to use in our opening sequence:
Final detailed shot list (in order):
Storyboard:
Logistics:
Casting
Jordan Sollof Shannon Gibbons
Role: Adrian Finchley Role: Nancy Biggins
Eye Colour: Blue Eye Colour: Blue/Green
Hair Colour: Dark Brown Hair Colour: Blonde
Height: 5ft 11 Height: 5ft 6
Molly Blake
Role: Charlotte Bromley
Eye Colour: Green
Hair Colour: Brown/Blonde
Height: 5ft 7
Locations
Location for the house of Charlotte Bromley
Locations for the offices of Adrian and Nancy
Costumes
Formal business wear (Adrian and Nancy) – symbol of authority and power as vital members of the uniformed services. Responsibility – ironic for Adrian as he has taken advantage of his role as a detective.
Dressing gown, leggings (Charlotte) – lacks the energy or motivation to even get dressed when the detectives arrive. Just lost her child – looking anywhere near decent is not a priority.
Props
Detective Badges
These were made as identity of our authoritative protagonists however Adrian’s badge proves to be more significant as you get further into our opening.
Certificate of achievement
Used for dramatic irony – highlights Adrian’s successes when the film centres around his dark side. Nancy also has one of these certificates as she is Adrian’s partner.
Steadicam
We used this for our Point of View shots throughout our opening scene to ensure shots were not shaky and kept as steady as possible.
Canon 700D Camera and microphone
This is the camera we used during our production to film our shots, it is a decent piece of equipment so our shots are clear. However we had some trouble with the microphone so had to dub our dialogue over the top of the footage.
Elf on the Shelf
Used in our film as a dramatic device. The way in which Adrian holds and stares at the toy is seen on screen to be quite sinister.
Logo and Institution
Brainstorming potential ideas
Logo I came up with to match our chosen institution name that I also annotated:
We did not choose this as our final logo as we agreed it was not dark or eerie enough.
This is our final logo as it is dark and symbolises a sinister atmosphere. It also represents a contrast as birds are often associated with freedom whereas our film is based around the complete opposite, engaging our audience and making them wonder about our decision.
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