FILM OPENING

 I worked with Millie Levine (1997), Grace Clare (1976) and Ollie Hill (1942).

Our brief was to make the titles and opening of a new fiction film (to last a maximum of two minutes). We made a thriller psychological film opening entitled Extraction. 

I took responsibility for most of the camera work and filming. In particular the scenes in the woods when Millie L is being chased by Ollie H. I also filmed the scene with the scientist and the secret agent which took place outside the science lab.

I also helped direct the chase scene and most of the set designs. Grace and I directed most of the scenes.

I also took responsibility for the mind map, storyboard and pinterest. board. This helped my group gather ideas before producing the film opening. 

I created the BBFC certificate which is played at the start of the film opening.

Changes

 CHANGES

When looking over our film we found many things in order for it to be improved especially via adjusting the lighting and sound. This allowed our production to look more realistic and conspicuous to our audience. 

One of the most improvements that had to be made was during the chase scene. Within this, we had to make sure it was fast paced and thrilling. It needed clear cut shots which match the action conventions to keep the audience on their feet. Our aim was to make it run smoothly. During this scene, we filmed at many different angles in order to make it as realistic as possible. We also adjusted the lighting to create a dramatic effect. Overall, the final outcome consisted of a college style edit as there was a large amount of shots all put together in a short space of time which then was cut to to the beat of the dramatic music. 

The establishing shot within this scene lacked emotion and enthusiasm. The lighting was dim and made the shots look dull. We also did not include enough camera movement implying that the shots looked simplistic, unprofessional and not eye-catching towards our audience. My team and I wanted to make our production look more stimulating and more effective. When re-doing our work we heightened the colour to make it look more energetic and intense.

Refinements

 REFINEMENTS

During the filming process, my production team and I had to constantly make refinements to make sure our final production was engaging/ effective and also professional. We wanted it to flow and look smooth. The refinements included changing the audio to ensure that there was a smooth layout, this created a creative and alluring opening. Another correction we made was including more diegetic sound to make our film opening more realistic. For example: During the chase scene we added in a 'snap' of twigs when the protagonist is being chased through the woods. This made the atmosphere seem more intense and fearsome. 

However, we received a lot of praise for the mise-en scene. For example: The use of the pin board. The pin board was used in the establishing shot of our production and first introduces the characters. Levi-Strauss talks about binary oppositions and understanding between the two. For example: within the first 30 seconds of the film opening the audience can understand who is the aggressor and the victim. This helps

captivate the audience's emotions and helps engage them throughout. During the 'chase scene' when the victim is using her handphones and constantly taking them out when she thinks she is followed, the contrast between the two music creates panic and trepidation.

We were also praised for the scene that took place within the Crime Lab. We put in as much detail as we could within this scene in order to make the atmosphere realistic and believable for the audience. We included various screens suggesting high-profile technical medical surveillance equipment that supports narrative of government agency on a mission to locate and utilise the protagonist’s brain power. We also received good commandments on the editing. When showing the montage of camera shots in black and white which implies undercover surveillance work, plus technical sounds edited in to suggest computer activity. The feedback we received praised the low lighting which created suspense which connotes secrecy montage of POV shots of the subject being tracked.

EDITS

 EDITS

Video editing is important because it is the key to blending images and sounds to make us feel emotionally connected and sometimes truly there in the film we're watching. It's a safe assumption to say that video editing is among the most important jobs in the film industry. When editing and filming Extraction I felt huge importance in making a realistic environment, I did this through set design as well as editing in sounds and adjusting lighting. 

Edits are expected in a film opening, we wanted to build up the film narrative in order to engage the audience. My production team decided to use final cut pro in order to edit our film opening. The opening begins with an establishing shot of a derelict, unilluminated shelter. The mise-ensene immediately helps the audience identify the genre of the film and agonist/protagonist.

During the second scene, the protagonist is being chased by the villain. Music/sound within a movie helps shape emotional responses and creates a rhythm to scenes and segments. In our case, we added in non-diegetic sound (fast pace beat) in order to generate suspense and captivate the audiences emotions. We also included laboured breaths and heart beats so that the audience could understand her sentiments.  

The final visual is the protagonist back in the shelter after being chased through the woods. We used a number of different shots to capture her expressions. For example: an over the shoulder shot when she steps into the shelter. The opening finishes with the girl being trapped/ concerned leaving the audience on a cliffhanger. 

PLANNING: STORYBOARD

Using powerpoint, i decided to create a storyboard to help develop our ideas. Storyboards are key element of pre-production as it clearly conveys how the story will flow as we can see how all the shots will work together. By creating this, it allowed our directors to think in advance about how they want the narrative to develop and consider the technical and audio codes they will use to convey it.

PlANNING: MIND MAP

I decided to create my own mind map to help my production team generate ideas. It helps highlight important facts and key events in our film opening. It also helped me to create links within the story to make sure it would all fit in well.

 

CONSTRUCTION; BBFC certificate

 Film Certificates are decided and awarded by the British Board of Film Classification. ... The BBFC watches films and videos all the way through and awards an age rating and insight to each one.The BBFC uses published Classification Guidelines for certain age ranges, ensuring that the content of the film is age appropriate and that children or young people do not see films that are unsuitable for them.

I researched how the BBFC classifies films by studying their website. I learned that a certificate may have strong language and may show violence. but is must not dwell on the infliction of pain and injury. Whilst a 15 certificate film may contain threat or horror, a sustained focus on sadistic threat is not acceptable. Therefore, as our film does not contain any of the other unacceptable categories (like dangerous behavior, drugs, discrimination, nudity or sex/sexual violence), I came to the considered opinion that our film EXTRACTION would be likely to receive a 15 certificate. 

To make my certificate I found a suitable template and edited it in Powerpoint.