Title Sequences

Title Sequence

Furious 7 : Title Sequence

1.53 - Vin Diesel

1.56 - Paul Walker

2.01 - Dwayne Johnson

2.04 - Michelle Rodriguez 

2.08 - Tyrese Gibson

2.11 - Chris 'Ludacris' Bridges

2.14 - Jordana Brewster

2.17 - Djimon Hounsou

2.22 - Tony Jaa

2.25 - Ronda Rousey

2.29 - Nathalie Emmanuel

2.32 - With Kurt Russell

2.38 - And Jason Statham

2.42 - Sung King

2.42 - Gul Gadot

2.46 - Lucas Black

2.46 - Elsa Pataky

2.50 - Noel Gugliemi

2.50 - John Brotherton 

2.54 - Casting By Anne Mc Carthy & Kelly Roy

2.59 - Music By Brian Tyler

3.02 - Costume design : Sanja Milkovic Hays

3.06 - Visual Effect Supervisors : Mike Wassel & Kelvin McIlwain  

Crime Genre Analysis

Black Mass

Titles

The title sequence begins with an overview of various companies involved in the creation of the film. The first mentioned is Warner Brothers Studios, then Cross Creek Pictures. It then leads onto the usual flow of actor names across the screen.

Music

During the title sequence there is a dark and ominous background track that almost leaves a chill in the viewers spine. It leaves the idea that something quite cruel and gruesome may unfold during this film. The music then subsides for the opening interview scene between the government agent and the informant known as Kevin Weeks. At the end of this interview there a rock and roll track played to cement the upcoming scene which is set in 1975 as we are told on the screen.

Shot Types

The first shot on our screens is a close-up of a cassette recording device, that we soon learn is being used to record information between submitted on gang that Mr. Weeks used to be apart of. It then moves to another close-up, this time of Mr. Weeks face, it highlights the expression on his face that he is not comfortable or happy with what he is effectively being blackmailed to do (inform on his ex- gang mates). Moving on it again shows another close-up, this time of the face of the interviewer (government agent) as he reads out a list of charges against Mr. Weeks and confirms his co-operation in exchange for lesser or no sentencing. These close-ups continue switching between the interviewer and interviewee as they each take their turn to speak. Close-ups of the government agent highlights how serious this situation is and he is holding a stern position in this situation.

Mise En Scene

The opening scene is held in a dull interview room with only a table and two chairs. The costumes featured in the scene are relatively simple, Mr. Weeks the criminal is wearing a dull navy jumpsuit, while the government agent is wearing a plain black suit. This highlights that neither are in place of leisure or complete freedom of expression. These plain and dull colours cement the idea of lack of any emotion other than resent between these two characters.

Recurring Themes and Character Types

There is an obvious recurring theme of hierarchy between the prisoner (Mr. Weeks) and the government agent who complete control over the outcome of the situation. This is known by Mr. Weeks and therefore creates obvious feelings of resentment that we mentioned earlier which can be clearly seen in close-ups of Mr. Weeks. The theme of power is also apparent again, where all the power lies with government agent. The theme of betrayal is also lingering as Mr. Weeks is about to inform his previous boss and gang mates. There are only two types of characters in the opening scene. The first being a criminal which is cemented by him wearing a navy prisoner jumpsuit. Then there is the government agent, we know he is a government agent rather than a normal police officer as he is wearing a suit rather than a standard service uniform.

Focus

Titles

The title sequence begins with the Warner Brothers logo, highlighting their involvement in the creation of this film. There is then a brief mention of Ratpac-Dune Entertainment, in the form of a passing title placed over the opening shot. This then leads the overlay titles of actors names, the first being the well renowned, Will Smith. His name being mentioned first and on its own sparks the idea that he is the main character in this film.

Music

The opening scene features a very joyful, light-hearted song where the word 'sunshine' is repeated. This suggests a possible happy, pleasant film maybe even somewhat exciting. This music continues throughout the opening, only briefly dubbed over by Nicky or another character talking.

Shot Types

It begins with an aerial shot of the city while showing the various companies involved in the production of the film as well as actor names. This shot is used to set the scene of where this part of the film is placed. It then moves onto a wide shot of Nicky (Will Smith) standing on his balcony looking over the somewhat busy night life in the city. This is then followed by a close-up of Nicky, showing him casually eating, this shows an relaxed expression, and brings forth the idea that this character hasn't a whole lot to worry about. There is a track-shot of Nicky casually sauntering into his apartment. This leads into a wide-shot of Nicky calling a restaurant asking for a reservation. 

Mise En Scene

The opening is set in a high-end luxurious apartment, in the busy city. Nicky is wearing a smart casual outfit that would suggest wealth. There is background noise of horns beeping and general busy city life. The luxurious apartment suggests obvious wealth for this character Nicky and possibly answers the question of his lack of worry, as its obvious financial worries would be almost non-existent. 

Recurring Themes and Character Types

There is a theme calmness within Nicky's apartment due to a lack of noise or people around. His apartment also creates a theme of wealth. These themes then create a calm, laid-back middle-aged wealthy man who lives alone in a high-end apartment. The fact that Nicky is very much the primary character in the opening creates the idea that he will be the main character throughout this film.

Shawshank Redemption

Titles

The title sequence was short, it featured actor names as well as the various companies who created the film. Examples of the actors are Morgan Freeman, Tim Robbins, William Sadler, Joseph Ragno etc... The production company featured is called Castle Rock Entertainment.

Music

The majority of the scene features narration by Red (Morgan Freeman) who is to be the primary character in the film. He is giving a brief overview of the prison, what he is able to do for people within the prison and also what goes in within. His narration is briefly broken by a siren blaring across the yard, this is to signal an incoming bus of new prisoners. This is quickly followed by the return Red's narration of tale of him aiding the smuggling of visitor for new prison friend Andy (To put this is context, Andy is one the new prisoners coming in on this bus). There is then a background track of classical music that sets a somber, ominous tone for what may be in store for these new prisoners in particular Andy. Then again there is a return of Red's narration where he is giving us an incite into Andy's background, i.e. why he is in prison, and what he did in his previous life.

Shot Types

As the film opens it starts with a wide shot of the prison yard during their short free time before having to return to their cells. It then leads into a track shot of 'Red' (Morgan Freeman) who is the primary character in the film. This followed by a long aerial shot of a prison bus entering the prison and the of the prison itself. There is then a close-up shot of character Andy, to the effect of highlighting his sorrow and he is brought from his old life to his new life in prison. There is then a track shot following Red as he runs through the prison yard to get to his vantage point with friends in order to view the incoming bus of new prisoners. Leading on their is an over the shoulder shot of prison guards holding weapons, their higher vantage point position has the metaphorical meaning that they are above the prisoners in the hierarchy.

Mise En Scene

There are only really two types of costume featured in the opening, the prisoners wearing plain coloured jumpsuits, then there are guards wearing their uniforms. It is an open dull courtyard where there is an obvious lack of colour and joy. This is to highlight the miserable life of being a prisoner. The opening scene is set on a rather dull day, with relatively no sunshine. Their is a lack of background noise as it has been dubbed over with Red's narration. 

Recurring Themes and Character Types

There are few recurring themes and only a few types of characters displayed early on in this film. The first recurring theme being that of loneliness as there are many prisoners wandering the yard alone. The is then juxtaposed with theme of friendship in the form of Red and his gang of prison mates. The theme of hierarchy is also very apparent with the relationship of master and servant between guards and the prisoners.

Furious 7

Titles

The title sequence is a flow of character names, beginning probably the primary one, vin diesel (Dominic Toretto). These names continue streaming across the screen as there is an edgy hip-hop background track to excite the viewer for the mayhem that is about to unfold during this film.

Music

It begins with Jason Statham (Deckard Shaw) talking about when he was younger and his little brother was getting bullied, this situation has dark tones to it due to an eerie background track. The background gets a little more upbeat as he moves out of the room, it has a determined texture to it. It reflects the mood of how he feels about the situation regarding his brother. 

Shot Types

It begins with an over the shoulder of Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham) showing him standing at the window of his brothers hospital room. It then moves into a two shot of the Shaw brothers. Showing how Owen Shaw is in hospital effectively on his death bed, while older brother Deckard looks over him with rage towards those who did this to his brother. It zooms into Deckard's face, highlighting his frustration. It leads into a mid-shot where Deckard is framed, to highlight his concentration as he about to go and kill those who had wronged his brother. The mid-shot also shows hospital workers in the background terrified as Deckard obviously had them hostage and he had to sneak into the hospital due to the fact that he was a fugitive. It moves into a wide-shot of the ward outside his brothers room where he walks out with people terrified of him as he has destroyed the whole ward. 

Mise En Scene

There is quite a bit of mise en scene here, the opening setting is in a hospital ward where his Owen Shaw is on life support hanging on by a thread. Deckard is wearing a mafia - like suit, highlighting that he is a criminal. His criminal personal is further reinforced by him holding an automatic machine gun. The rest of the background characters are wearing either nurse uniforms or doctors coats.

Recurring Themes and Character Types

There is a recurring theme of fear amongst the hospital staff as Deckard has caused mayhem and held two staff hostage in his brother's room. There is a theme of frustration, this is mainly coming from Deckard as he has to both get revenge for his brother and clean- up his mess. 

Hitman: Agent 47

Titles

It opens with production company names, then shows who the director of the film was, overall it is a relatively brief title sequence.

Music

There is a rock and roll background track that is only interrupted by a siren that is alerting operatives that hitman has broke in. There is also brief interruptions for gun shots. The rock and roll style music fits into how smooth but sinister the situation is, hitman seems to kill all targets with relative ease.

Shot Types

It opens with a close-up of a bomb just before it explodes. It then leads to a mid-shot where hitman's face is framed while fire from the explosion can be seen in the background. It then moves through a series of mid-shots and two-shots of hitman killing his targets. They have the effect of showing how skilled he is in the art of assassination and easily he can infiltrate a government facility such as this. There is use of an over the shoulder shot as he walks down the stairs, this highlighting how he has multiple people shooting at him at once.

Mise En Scene

Hitman himself is wearing a suit, he looks like an assassin should, all black, with only a white shirt. The operatives within what seems to be a government facility are also wearing relatively formal wear, highlighting that they are in their workplace. The is a lot of flashing lights which makes parts of the film not viewable, to effect of hiding the most gruesome of his killings. The flashing light matches the background siren of facility to highlight that there is an intruder in the building, it is to attempt to alert more guards that back-up is needed to prevent hitman from infiltrating the building.

Recurring Themes and Character Types

There is a continuous theme of danger that leaves the viewer on edge during the entire intro. This in addition to the flash of lighting etc. creates an exciting and thrilling opening to this film.
 

The 180 Degree Rule

The 180 degree rule is a basic guideline for the on-screen spacial relationship between a character and another character or object in the scene.

Sound Analysis

Diegetic sound : 

This is sound in which the source is visible on screen as part of the action.

E.g. Character voices

Non diegetic sound:

This is sound that seemingly does not have a source in the shot being filmed.

Synchronous sound:


This is sound matched to certain movements within the scene. E.g. The sound of footsteps.

Asynchronous sound:


This is sound that are not matched with something visible on screen

Sound effects:

Sounds other than speech or music made artificially for use in a film, or other broadcast production.

Sound motif:

A sound effect or combination of sound effects that are associated with a particular character, setting, situation or idea through the film.

Sound bridge:


When the scene begins with the carry-over sound from the previous scene before the new sound begins.

Dialogue:


This is a conversation between two or more people in a scene.

Voiceover:


This is where a piece is narrated over by someone who does not appear in the scene.

Mode of address/direct address:

How media speaks to an audience (presentation). This includes first person, third person (narrative) etc.

Direct address is when a character speaks directly into the camera, addressing the audience.

Sound mixing:


The process during post-production in which the collection of recorded sounds are combined into one or more channels along with adjusting the many attributes of the sounds such as the source signals’ level.

Sound perspective:


Sound perspective refers to the apparent distance of a sound. Clues to the distance of the source include the volume of the sound and the balance with other sounds, the frequency range, and the amount of echo and reverberation.

Sound tracks:

This is a piece of music that can be attributed to the film.

Score:


This is music specifically written for a film

Incidental music:


This is music used at a particular point in a piece to create a specific atmosphere

Themes and stings:


Music that will always accompany a certain programme or character

Ambient sound:

This is the background sounds, e.g. birds singing, wind blowing etc..

Mise En Scene

Production Design

Production designers are responsible for the visual concept of a film, television or theatre production. They identify a design style while working with the director/producer.

Location/Setting

A filming location is a place where some or all of a film or television series is produced, in addition to or instead of using constructed sets. The setting of a film can also refer to a time period or geographical location for the film.

Studio

A film studio is a privately owned/funded facility that is used to make films, which are often handled by the production company.

Set design

This is the creation of theatrical, as well as film or television scenery that aim to fully immerse the viewer in the production.

Costume and make up

A department that specializes in outfitting characters with outfits and makeup.

Properties (props)

a portable object other than furniture or costumes used on the set of a play or film.

Lighting

Available

Light of almost any sort which exists and has not been introduced to record images. Its use is sometimes fast, cheap, and even beautiful.

Artificial key

The key may determine the character of the lighting. The key should usually be Motivated by a source like the sun or a window.

Fill

Used to lighten shadows and control Contrast and Lighting Ratios.

Back

Back Light separates subject from background, making them "pop out".

Set

The term some Lighting Directors use to refer to Background Light, and others may use instead of "Base Light." Obviously, part of a vast conspiracy to confound beginners .

Practical

A prop light seen in the shot which can be operated by the talent; sometimes doctored to control brightness, color, or coverage.

Colour design

This is the colour scheme used and followed throughout the filming and production of a piece.

Editing and Representation

Image and Sound Transition

A transition of sound is generally used to maintain the flow of the film into the next scene. This is usually done by removing all sound from a scene, perhaps inserting background music, and then fading in the sound from the next scene as it appears.

An image transition is important in good production. It is the moving from one scene to another. There are many different ways of carrying this out, perhaps fading a scene to black and then having the next scene fade from black. Although there are many different ways to do this and often more complex transitions are needed at dramatic moments in the film.

Importance of Editing

Editing is important to ensure clips are pieced together correctly for viewing. It is to allow footage to appear polished rather raw and untouched. Editing is crucial to ensure all key elements are included in the final piece.

Shot/ reverse shot

This is a shot where the camera shows one character looking at another, then flipping to the opposite of the second character looking back at the first.

Here we can see the flipping between each character looking at one another this is to allow the viewer to experience the scene almost from the viewpoint of each character, to really see as they do.

Eyeline Match

An eyeline match is where the viewer is allowed to see what a character is seeing.

Here we can see two scenes where it is showing us the character and then what they see. In film the eyeline match allows the viewer to effectively experience the film through the eyes of their favourite characters. This is allows for a more personal connection to these characters. 

Graphic Match

This is a cut in film editing where the two shots or two objects are placed on the screen together to metaphorically link or bind them to one another.

Linking these two objects allows for the viewer to compare them and see the similarities almost creating a mental link between them.

Action Match

A film editing techniques where the editor cuts from one shot to another view that matches the first shot's action.

Jump cut

A cut in film editing where two sequential shots of the same subject are taken from slightly varying angles, giving the effect of a slight jump in time.

Crosscut

A cut that is used in films to establish action occuring at the same time in more than one location. The camera typically cuts between different scenes to suggest a sense of simultaneity.

Cutaway

A film editing cut that interrupts a continuously filmed action by inserting a view of something else. It is usually folowed by a cut back to the first shot .

Insert

A shot filmed from a different angle/focal length from the master shot. Inserts cover action already covered in the master shot, but emphasize a different aspect of that action due to the different framing.

Dissolve

An editing technique which involves a gradual transition from one image to another. The terms fade-in/out are used to describe a transition to and from a blank image.

Cut

In film editing, a cut is an abrupt, but usually trivial film transition from one sequence to another.

Fade-in, Fade-out

Synonymous with a dissolve transition. A fade-in/out involves dissolving from or too a flat colour screen (usually black, grey or white).

Wipe

A type of film editing transition where one shot replaces another by travelling from one side of the frame to another or with a special shape.

Superimposition

In film editing, this is the placement of an image or video on top of an existic image/video, usually to add to the overall image effect, or to conceal soomething.

Long take/short take

A long take is an interrupted shot that lasts much longer than the conventional editing pace either of the film or films in general.

A short take is the opposite, usually much shorter than the conventional take, lasting a few seconds at most.

Slow motion

An effect there time appears to be slowed down. Typically achieved by capturing frames at a rate that is higher than their playback.

Ellipsis & expansion of time

the narrative device of omitting a portion of the sequence of events, allowing the reader to fill in the narrative gaps. The vast majority of films use ellipses to clear actions that add nothing to the narrative.

Post production

Post-production, or postproduction, is part of the process of filmmaking. It is a term for all stages of production occurring after shooting or recording individual program segments.

Visual effects

In filmmaking, visual effects (abbreviated VFX) are the processes by which imagery is created and/or manipulated outside the context of a live shot.