Opening Sequence Analysis - Quantum of Solace James Bond

Quantum of solace is a full on action film. In the opening sequence it again like the other two sequences has music in the background this music gives a feel that the film is a serious film, the sequence shows the genre by using an explosive scene in the first couple of minutes that involves guns and fast cars, this shows that this film is violent. The credits are at the end of the scene and have they have only told us the who plays the main character (Daniel Craig) this may be because  Daniel Craig is the only character from the film that's in the opening sequence so the audience will immediately want to know who that is and who he is character is f they haven't seen the film already. It shows the production companies (Sony pictures, Columbia).at the beginning of the sequence before the film has started.

Analysis Opening Sequence - Taken

Taken is also a crime/action genre film. Similar to the fast 6 opening sequence it has music in the background although in this sequence the music is quite simple, the first minute it is focused on the daughter as it shows clips of her from when she was young this shows that the story may be focused around her and it also focuses on the dad so its easy to tell who the main characters are. The credits are all put into the opening but very discretely, this tells us what kind of film its going to be. It only shows the main characters name "liam neeson" and the production companies etc.

Opening Sequence Analysis

Fast and furious 6 is a crime/action movie with also a bit of comedy, because its the 6th film in the franchise the opening sequence is a recap of all the previous films from 1-5 to show whats happened. The soundtrack in the sequence was recored specifically for the film called "we own it". It fits the conventions of sequences because it shows all the credits during the sequence and then the title at the end, it starts off by showing the the production company then moves on to the cast starting from the main characters to some small characters and then towards the end shows costume designer, music by etc. So in this sequence they have shown all significant credits at the beginning and the story so far and where the film ended so it leads us into the next story.

Preliminary Sequence

Preliminary Sequence Evaluation

What went well?

I thought our  shots and cuts were very accurately done and we had a variety of shots to make the scene more interesting and to bring the audience in. The close up/tracking shot of the trainers i thought was a unique shot as the audience gets to see a completely different shot to what they would have expected. The phone conversation went well I'm my opinion as we cut between scenes to see each of the characters reaction to whats being said. The lighting is also done well as its clear, we used natural lighting so we didn't have any problems with things not being seen in the shots.

Criticisms?

One criticisms that we received form our classmates is our continuity is not on point, as we filmed over two separate days the characters had different clothes and hair styles and the weather is completely different e.g the first day of filming it was sunny and the second day was very rainy and dark. Another criticism is that the walking scene of Katie was too long and so we should have cut it down more. 

Do you agree with the Criticisms?

i completely agree with the criticisms that we received back, as while we were filming we noticed that we didn't have the right clothes but we didn't have time to re - film and the same with the walking scene  when we sat down to edit we noticed that the scene was dragging on a bit to long but we didn't have time to re-film it. When we do our opening sequence we need to think about our clothing and the weather and make sure we film early so if need be we can re - film.

Organisation - planning, time keeping?

I thought our organisation was adequate, as we were organised but we could've been much more, however the time we had to plan and film the pre lim is a big factor in our organisation as we didn't have long to plan the script and storyboard, we had approximately 1-2 hours. Because knew we wouldn't have time to finish we went ahead and filmed without a complete plan and improvised along the way, at this point we then had to become more organised as we had to think of our next scene and get it done immediately.

How to Improve?

I think we have to improve by looking at the continuity and making sure it matches up e.g the clothes the actors are wearing. We could also look at the tracking shot of Katie walking and cut it down to make it shorter.

Opening sequence Ranking

Teacher/Examiners Ranking - 1.E10 the slayer 2.E8 The Deception 3.C6 Abduction 4. C7 Swings 5.B2 Snakes and ladders 6. B1 Bacterium 7. E7 Run down  8. A2 Chroniker 9. B6 The resistance 10.C7 Graves 11. E9 1962 

My Ranking Order 

1. Deception - It has a very clear storyline,

2. Slayer - Clear storyline, good use of long and panning shots but didnt like the music

3. Abduction - The camera work was very good, CCTV was a good idea but went on for too long and titles weren't as good as they could've been.

4. Swings in Roundabouts - Titles were very cool and creative but could've gone on for longer as they ended to suddenly. Made us feel very tense and anxious so gave us an idea of what genre it is and the music also contributed to how we felt and was right for the genre.

5.Rundown - Plenty of good quality action shots, music matched the action scene at the time and also showed us what the genre may be. The sequence ended to sudden and at the wrong time.

6. Graves - Voiceover was effective and the storyline was clear.

7. Snakes and Ladders - Titles were very good but looked more suited to a tv show, at tmes the camera was shaking and the storyline was very confusing.

8. Bacterium - Didnt like the music as it didnt fit with the video, went on for too long so started to get less interesting. Music was too overpowering.

9. Resistance - Camera was very shaky, conversation shots didnt work.

10. Chroniker - Titles very bland and music didnt fit in with sequence and went on for too long. The split screens were a good idea but didnt understand the purpose for it and the storyline is very unclear. The pan and tracking shot towards the end were shaky and blurry.

11. 1962 - Using the same shot twice,

Steps Of Production

The steps of production

1.     The preproduction

The first step in production is looking for inspiration using books, newspapers; they then pitch the idea to each other and talk to the producer about the film ideas, look at finances to see the cost.

2.     Development Finance

Next you present the pitch, then approach the film production and apply for a grant either public or private.

3.     Script Development

This is the production part, you need to produce a synopsis, write a draft to send to the finances and do the final draft.

4.     The next step is to look for actors to fit the specific roles for the film and then you need to find the actual cost of the film to see if it is affordable.

5.     Travel to look for investments on the film, you need to draw up contracts for the film so that all the deals are sealed and you need to make sure that all of the findings are done.

6.     Make sure all actors have been found and that the full cast have been hired, detailed preparation for the shots have been done.

7.     The next step you need to make sure that everything is kept to schedule with acting, camera, lighting, sound and effects are done so that you don’t run out of time and rush the making.

8.     Post Production

By this stage you need a rough cut of the film has to be done, you need to begin looking at the sounds, effects, titles, then final cut is done.

9.     You need to then sell the product, make and release and trailer and if there is enough money in the budget to then do a high profile screening.

1 .  You then need to do a press and media coverage and you need to advertise to selling the film to cinemas.

1    .  Distribution

This is the final step where you release a premiere date and then finally release the actual film.

Secrets and Lies Analysis

Favourite Swede/Mr Phillips

I chose this as my favourite swede as it replicates the film very well, it uses famous catch phrases and the costume is done well. There is also a variety and good use of camera shots, out of all the swedes i have seen this is the best one

Camera Movement

Pan Shot - This shot is used to see whats around the setting

 Tilt - a tilt shot  is used to see the object that is focused in the camera from top to bottom

 Aerial Shot -This is used to see large landscapes, it would be shot from a high point in the air (helicopter)



 Zoom In - a zoom in shot is used to focus the audiences attention on the object it also lets us see clearly the facial expressions on the characters or what a certain object someone maybe holding


 Whip Pan - A whip pan shot is used to make the audience seem like the characters and in the same place when there actually in completely different settings. It also adds a feeling of suspense because of the quickness of the shot as the audience don't know what there going to see next.



 Tracking Shot - this kind of shot can be used in many ways, it can be used to explore the environment in the film, it is used to give a detailed tour of the situation that may be going on and it can also be used to follow the characters for example in this clip we follow the character around the room so we can see what's around him whilst still following him.



 -  Crane Shot - This shot is filmed from a crane it is used to show the actors from above or to move away from them, it is commonly used at the end of films this may be because as its moving away its given us the impression that the story has ended.


   Pull Focus - This shot is used to change the focus during a shot. In this clip the camera is focused on the man and then gradually starts to focus of the object he is holding, this is used so that we can clearly see what the character is holding in full detail.


   Zoom Out - This shot is used to make the audience feel like there leaving the scene and moving on to the next one. This shot doesnt require the camera to move it only needs to alter the length of the lens.

 Handheld Shot - This shot is not on any tripod or  any stable object it is simply held by the camera man this makes the audience feel like there in the scene, it adds a sense of realness to it.


   Dolly Shot - This shot is similar to the tracking shot but it also moves in and out (closer/further away from the subject). A dolly shot is very natural but it can create suspense which is why it is good.


   Steadicam Shot - This make the shot smooth especially when going over an uneven surface or moving quickly

Framing/Shot Distance

 Close up - This shot is taken at a close range and focused on a certain subject which takes up most of the frame. A close up of a person will show the emotion in their face and what their feeling at the time. In this shot you can see the emotion in which this character is feeling, the water in her eyes is very significant as it shows the audience the upset and even fear. The make up on the character is very detailed as its done perfectly which shows this character may be a love interest and very girlie.

(Liam Neeson) Extreme close up - This is a shot that is used in film, photography or television. It shows great detail  and can also show the emotion coming from the subject. This shot from the film 'The Grey' is used to show the audience the determination in the characters eyes but also the fear of what he;s about to face. It also shows the detail in the cut on his face and the frost, this is giving us the impression that he's been through dark times and had to be aggressive.

(Reese Witherspoon) Medium/close up shot - This is between a mid shot and a close up. It shows the actresses face without being too close and intimate but at the same time shows an action they may be doing. In this shot you can see the fear in her eyes, it also shows her talking on the phone which could imply that she may be talking to a dangerous/threatening character. The background is what seems to be the characters house with the fear on her face imply s to me that she is alone in her house.

(Spiderman)Medium shot - This shot shows mostly upper half of the character and also shows a good detailed background which shows the audience what is going on. This shot shows us what the character is going through and what state he is in, although you cannot see his face this shot shows his actions with his arms which shows he is in some sort of distress and who is causing this, this is very significant.

Long shot - in this shot the subject is still the focus/target in the frame. It also shows us what is around the subject and still shows the body language so we can see what the character is feeling but not in much detail which leaves the audience wondering.