This is England

This is England has a very unusual title sequence because a lot of the images used are existing film clips for example there is shot of princess diana. None of the characters from the film are featured in the opening but it succeeds to firstly establish the time period that the film is set in and to show the state of the country during this time. There is quite a few shots featuring Magaret Thatcher because she was prime minister at the time. The union jack features heavily to symbolise the prominence of groups like the national front which the film is centered around. Although I can't use existing images in my foundation portfolio, this opening shows how the use of a few powerful images can establish time period and the mood or subject of the film.

Film Idea's

The gripping story of an 18 year old trying to live with the guilt of running over and killing a pregnant mother to be.

My opening sequence will be a nightmare that my character is having about the woman, but im not sure what will happen yet, and the scene will end with him waking up suddenly.

Trainspotting

Trainspotting is, in my opinion, one of the best film openings ever created. I think it works so well because you are thrown straight into the action and the audience are immediately questioning why the characters are running, therefore they want to see more. It's also effective in introducing the characters because it does it very directly by displaying the characters names on the screen, which may not be the most creative way of introducing them but it makes it clear who the main characters are. The mise en scene is quite dark and dingy and the colours are very unexciting, this represents the grim lifestyle that the characters have. The costumes are very scruffy and it looks as if there is no care taken in their appearance, this all adds up to create the feeling of desperation and despair.

Overall I think this makes a good film opening because it manages to entise the viewers and introduce all of the main characters in the first 3 minutes.

Action plan

Over the next two weeks I am going to carry out interviews with people about their views on film, to get a better idea about what people think makes a good film opening. I will also be looking at some existing film openings to get inspiration and look at the tequniques used in creating them.
Once I have decided on a final idea, I will plan out what will happen in the opening and storyboard it. I can then work out my different shots and start to think about music that I will use and how I will cut it together.

Research for my film

I have decided that for my research I am going to conduct video interviews with friends, family, and neighbours. thought about asking random people on the street but I decided against it because I thought that strangers might be reluctant to answer my questions and the answers might not be as good.
As well as the film interviews, I could create a survey which I could distribute using social networking sites like facebook, and e-mail.

Marking example work.

Voice from the past

Overall it wasn't too bad and the use of music was quite good in creating the atmosphere. The titles at the were very good, but the camera shots at the start were a bit boring and unvaried.

The Case

I didn't like 'The Case' at all. The narrative didn't make much sense and it was hard to follow. The camera wasn't steady for some of the shots and the mise en scene wasn't right and didn't fit in with the story, but by far the worst thing about this film was the sound, they used very fast paced dance music which was too loud and I couldn't really work out why it was used.

Initial ideas for my foundation portfolio.

1. What do you want to achieve in your production work?

I want my foundation portfolio to be a good film opening which engages and entertains the viewer. I don't want to waste my time making a cheesy film and I want to do something which will stick in peoples mind.

2. Do you want to work individually or in a pair?

I would prefer to work individually because I feel that if I worked in a pair, my film would not end up the way I wanted it to because of the other persons input.


I think that I will probably do the film task because the magazine brief is limited to music magazines only and although music magazines are something that appeal to me, I would still rather do the film option because there is more oppurtunity to be creative and my end production would be better because there is less restriction on what I can do.