Our Film Opening

Monday 10 October 2016

HW2b - Analysis of Titles in Film Openings

Nerve:


Running Order:

1) Directors
2) Screenplay Writer
3) Based on the Novel and Author of the Novel
4) Producers and Executive Producers
5) Director of Photography
6) Production Designer
7) Editors
8) Costume Designer
9) Music by and Music Supervisors
10) Co-producers
11) Lead Actors followed by Supporting Actors
12) Casting by
13) Institutional Information
14) Titles



Scott Pilgrim vs the World:


Running Order:

1) Universal Logo
2) Institutional Information
3) Production Company
4) Title
5) Lead Actors followed by Supporting Actors
6) Casting by
7) Music by and Music Supervisors
8) Co-producers
9) Costume Designer
9) Visual Effects Supervisor
10) Editors
11) Production Designer
12) Director of Photography
13) Executive Producers and Producers
14) Based on Graphic Novel and Author of Graphic Novel
15) Screenplay Writer
16) Director


Similarities:

  • Both predominantly feature titles against backgrounds that aren't scenes from the movie
  • Both tend to have the titles positioned in the middle of the screen
  • Both have consistent fonts for the text
  • Both credit all the institutions
  • Neither seem to have a definite colour scheme throughout
  • They credit a similar number of actors


Differences:

  • Scott Pilgrim vs the World has an original film score whereas Nerve simply uses a music track
  • Most of the titles in Scott Pilgrim vs the World flash in and out but title effects in Nerve are very random
  • Nerve has more titles
  • They have different running orders e.g. Nerve credits the director as the first title but Scott Pilgrim vs the World does it on the last title

Thursday 6 October 2016

HW3b - Existing Continuity Sequence Analysis


The above clip is taken from Jurassic Park 3, it is a fight scene between a T-Rex and Spinosaurus and I believe the continuity editing to be very good in this scene.

The continuity editing is very good in this clip and makes the viewer think they are seeing continuous action. This is done partly through having consistent lighting, set and character appearances throughout. However, as it is a very fast paced scene these factors aren't as noticeable, and the good continuity editing can be attributed more so to the camera and editing skills as analysed below:

Shot Order: The camera is the bystander and audience in this scene and therefore changes views just how you would expect to if you were in that scene, which is via a progression of shots. For example, not once do you see a long shot cut to a close up as that doesn't make logical sense to the audience and will only disorientate them. Instead you see a long shot progress to a mid shot as can be seen when the characters are running away.

180 Degree Rule: This clip never breaks the 180 degree rule as the camera is always on one side of the action, and never crosses the line of vision between the two dinosaurs. This can be seen very clearly by how the T-Rex is always the one on the left - the only time this changes is at 0:37 but the camera still stays on one side of the direction of motion therefore avoiding disorientating the audience and keeping them immersed in the film.

30 Degree Rule: With every shot the camera changes angle by more than 30 degrees, this gives the audience a different perspective whilst also ensuring there are no jump cuts that could ruin the illusion of continuous action which would in turn ruin the immersion for the audience.

Eyeline Match: Eyeline match is done very well in this clip, not just for continuity but to add realism and danger to the scene. This can be seen in the third shot where everyone is staring up in fear at the T-Rex. This makes logical sense to the audience as the smaller character looking up at the big character is to be expected. This therefore gratifies the audience's needs and lets them view the scene as continuous action.

Match on Action: Match on action is arguably the most important continuity rule as nothing will ruin the illusion of continuous action more than if an action is repeated or if part of an action is simply missing. However, my chosen clip is a perfect example of match on action. There's no repeated actions or missing actions, instead everything can be seen even through the cuts which makes the audience they're actually there seeing everything. An example of a good match on action can be seen at 0:38-0:39 where the T-Rex is dragging the Spinosaurus around.

Shot/Reverse/Shot: This technique is used in the first 13 seconds of the clip when the group of people see the T-Rex and realise the danger for the first time. Doing this makes the audience a bystander and allows them to see the reactions of the two subjects, because the reactions make logical sense this then immerses the bystander and makes it a more enjoyable viewing experience.

Seamless editing is achieved in this clip as all the rules are followed very well giving the illusion of continuous action. The biggest contributor to seamless editing is the match on action as it doesn't make the cuts too obvious . Finally, the progression of shots logically and gradually takes you closer/further which makes the editing seem seamless.