Filming

Fern and I have recently done the majority of filming; nevertheless there are still several shots that need to be done.  Fern and I had decided on a day to film the rest; however the character that we needed for these shots wasn’t able to perform. This was extremely irritating, as Fern and I now feel that we are behind, and anxious that our filming and rest of the editing will not be completed in the time given, however Fern and I are motivated to ensure that we take extra time out to complete everything.  It is evident that both Fern and I are stressed with the limited time that we have left, and have now realised we should had organised our filming more professionally, and certified if our character members were able to perform on particular days. I feel that a huge disadvantage of me is the timing, I am enthusiastic to film, edit and complete all other aspects of our opening; however I do not take in consideration of the time that I have left to do so. The filming that Fern and I have got is edited. Therefore we are just waiting for our character member to perform our last bits of filming, so that we are able to upload it onto the imacs to then make further alterations on either imovie or final cut express.

Editing so far

Once Fern and I had filmed we had to ensure that all of our shots etc were edited. This would enable us to have a flowing precise opening, and give it a professional approach. Editing is extremely vital as it gives us the opportunity to erase parts that we feel are a failure, and to adapt shots that have further potential. Fern and I had produced many shots, yet we had to merge these together in the correct order and cut out sections that weren't appropriate, using final Cut express gave us the opportunity to do this. Fern and I was aware that many mistakes would occur whilst filming; however we felt it was better if we had more shots than few, as we would then have more scenes to develop. The editing programme that we had used was Final cut express and imovie.

Editing was an extremely difficult part of developing our film opening as many aspects had to be taken into consideration such as the order we had put them in, the duration of our shots all together would be no more than two minutes etc. There were many elements that had to be considered to make sure that our opening would be successful. It took several attempts to import our footage on imovie which was very irritating as we was eager to get on our do our work but we couldn’t as it wouldn’t upload instantly.
It was evident when looking back at our footage huge alterations needed to be made with many features as it didn’t show the professional type look that we need.
Fern and I had then agreed on shots that had potential, and had erased footage that wasn't needed. Several of our shots contained either mistakes that we had made with our actual filming, or weren't as successful as hoped, and as a result we used footage that we felt would work better. We had followed the instructions to use imovie, I wasn't advanced with using imovie, and as a result felt many complications had risen from not knowing all the tools that are provided on this programme. However, once I had become more aware with the tools and the way to do specific steps, I felt more confident and enthusiastic to ensure that our editing would be effective and follow the conventions of our chosen thriller. I had struggled cutting down the footage to the particular parts that I actually wanted, as I constantly cut the footage either too small or not enough, this was a huge problem that had continuously occurred.
Once Fern and I had put together our footage in the correct order, we felt that some shots were more professional in comparison to others, yet we will be making further adaptations because we still have to put in our titles, music etc. We are half way through the editing process yet have many more adjustments that need to be made. Reviewing our work so far looks satisfactory as we don’t yet have important features included, Fern and I have to become more motivated as we currently feel we are lacking with determination to get this completed.

 

use of text in the opening film

Fern and I felt that the text was a huge aspect that had to be considered in our film opening, we had to decide on the colour, style, size and where we would position it; these are all vital features that we have to consider as it develops the opening to be more conventional and professional.
The opening credits in a film are a huge source of information and are used in every single professional film. Fern and I feel it is extremely important that we incorporate opening credits as we are eager to achieve an opening which is in a professional style. We hope to use them overlapping our scenes that we have produced, as we will feel that if we constantly go to a black screen to show the credits, it will then waste time that is not needed, and also decrease the feeling of tension that is being built up. Using them to overlap onto the screen would suggest a steady movement which then can relate to the conventions of our chosen thriller genre. As Fern and I are revolving our opening around a stalker we feel using an overlapping text will personify the manners a stalker would portray (e.g. moving slowly, being sly etc)
Some credits are less important than others therefore I feel that it is useless to put them on black screens as we have to ensure that our opening has the duration of two minutes.
Fern and I will guarantee that the style, size and colour of the opening credits is appropriate for the thriller genre that we have chosen, it is significant that the text is able to be read from all ages. Particular ages may have difficulty reading font that is too big or too small, therefore we have to select a font that is most appropriate for all individuals. The size will not be consistent, as we feel more significant actors/actresses should be in a larger font as they have a huge affect on the audience and need to be noticed instantly.
A colour of Font that appealed to Fern and I the most was the colour white, once we had merged together all of our footage and began editing, we began to test our different styles sizes positioning and colour of fonts. It was difficult to find a colour font that was noticeable when being placed over the top of our shots. We felt that black was too harsh and obvious, black often signifies death, evil and power which is extremely appropriate for our thriller genre, however Fern and I don’t want to use a stereotypical colour which would give away the genre instantly. Red is another colour which could be associated with a thriller genre as it represents danger, blood etc, however I feel the colour red is more appropriate for a gory film rather than a mysterious thriller. Fern and I had come to a conclusion that white would challenge the conventions of a thriller genre, as white usually signifies purity and goodness, therefore using white for a thriller genre would be unusual.
The title will be larger than the rest of the font’s that we use as it is the most significant feature, as it determines whether the audience will continue to watch the film or not. Some thriller films take the title to a separate location to show the edited screen, Fern and I felt this was an interesting aspect to consider as it will clearly show that the title is the most important text that is used. Fern and I had come to termination that we would use a black screen to put our title on; however we may change our minds when we are further developing our editing etc.

 

Sequence of events in another real film opening

I had researched other sequences of events in an official film opening as I felt it was better to gain more evidence to make comparisons. I had become alert that in both films that I had looked at they had contained the same conventions, yet were used in different orders. This had evidently assured me that in my film opening I am able to adapt the order of events, yet order them in a way that I feel are the most significant. Looking at different film openings ad the events that things occur in had influenced Ferns and I's decisions for our opening. We would begin our opening with our institution, and then follow it up with what type of production it is, from there we will continue with including what type of film it is, names, casting members, filming associates,what the film is based upon, film editor,titles,music,title,executive producer, story, director, production designer and costume designer. Fern and I have selected these particular ones to use as we feel they are the most important, as some titles aren't nessary. We do not want to make our opening look cramped with too many titles therefore we will only use the most significant ones that are always used in film openings.

• Summit entertainment logo
• Black screen for ages
• Summit entertainment presents
• an aja levasseur production
• A lister cast names
• Casting by
• Music supervisor
• Music by
• Costume designer
• Editor
• Production designer
• Director of photography
• Co producers
• Executive producers
• Executive producers
• Produced by
• Story by
• Screenplay by
• Directed by
• Title of film

 

Sequence of events in a real film opening

It is vital that Fern and I use the correct conventions of a thriller genre in our film opening; as a result I had researched through various film openings of the thriller genre. This had instantly enabled us to be more aware of what is expected to be seen in a thriller genre. We felt that researching on other film openings would encourage our final decisions, and the sequence in which we would incorporate them.

The film that I had particularly focused on was "Catch me if you can" staring Leonardo DiCaprio.

As follows is the sequence which they had used events;

• They had began with the institution which was Paramount Pictures
• They had then used their company name with a production name
•  They had followed that by with another production name, Fern and I agree to use a production name of something that would represent our names or a relation of us i.e. A Lilley Davis production
• They had then used what film it was
• Then had used major lister names
• Then the name of the film
• Then the less important people cast names were mentioned
• Listed the casting by
• Casting associate
• Co-producer
• What the films based upon e.g based on a book depleted by Rebecca Davis
• titles by
• Music by
• costume designer
• film editor
• production designer
• director of photography
• co executive producers
• produced by
• screenplay by
• directed by

Film title

Fern and I have to consider the title of our film, it is extremely significant that we decide on a title, which is enticing and appropriate for our genre that we are doing. The title will have a huge impact on the film as it evidently sets the expectations for the following scenes. It is vital that Fern I agree on a title, which will instantly, engages our target audience. 
The title of the film is a brief conclusion of what the film is about, therefore it provides the audience with suspicion, yet doesn't give away to many clues and as a result intrigues them to be enthusiastic to watch the film. When the audience becomes aware of a good title they will immediately imagine what the film then may consist of, titles conjure up the authentic and creates interpretations of what the film will then depict. The opening title of a film is suggested to be one the main aspects in a film as it proposes what particular things will be incorporated in the film.  The title is a major source of inspiration as it evidently decides whether the audience wants to watch the film or not.
A bad film title will instantly change the audience’s impression and have a negative view of the film as a whole. Usually bad film titles determine whether the audience will decide to watch it.

Fern and I had thought through several possibilities of film titles, yet at first we couldn't decide on one which we felt was most enticing and appropriate. However we had come to decision of the title "depleted" this means when something is completed/done, we felt that this was appropriate for our subject. Yet also proposed a sense of mystery, as some individuals may not know the meaning of "Depleted" I felt that having a one word title is extremely effective, as it doesn't provide the audience with too many clues to unravel. 
Below are examples of film titles for genre films.

Inception means the starting point/beginning. This title is similar to our film title depleted as it is referring to a particular time, however Fern and I is an ending whereas inception is the beginning. I think this film title is very effective as it suggests the beginning of bad events to further occur, therefore already the genre is evident, when I read this film title already I feel I can begin to unravel the insight of subjects that the film will consist of.

This film title is just of a time. I feel this is effective as it gives a urgent question of why this particular time is used for the film title, I feel that using a time for the title emphasises the actual scene when this time appears, as we as an audience immediately return back to the title. I believe this film title follows the conventions of a thriller genre, as it is clear that the genre would not be a romance or a comedy as it has no girly narrative to it. I admire this film title as although it is short, I feel it releases the feeling of wonder.

Music ideas

 It is significant that the music Fern and I comprise within our opening is relevant to our chosen genre. We hope to incorporate music that will embrace our thriller genre; therefore we desire to use music which identifies a sense of mystery. We believe using a ticking clock throughout the whole duration of our opening would be extremely effective, and instantly build up a climax. Fern and I will be using garage music to produce our Diegetic sound, we are aware that garage music provides all types of sounds that we can use. Fern and I will search through different diegetic sounds to see which we feel are appropriate for the conventions of a thriller type. We have both agreed that we shall not use Diegetic sound as that will instantly make the scene less tense and more flowing.

Fern and I had searched through the different ticking clocks which were provided on garage music and had finally decided on which we felt had an appropriate paste and tone. We hope to use the ticking clock for the duration of two minutes, yet at the ending it will strike, we feel that if the ticking is consistent it instantly suggests time is limited and eventually something bad will occur.

Some of the shots that Fern and I have will contain no sound and as a result be silent. We hope to use this as we are talking. Although no sound will come out we will ensure that the audience are able to identify clearly that we are talking, because of our actions. We feel that this will propose a mysterious effect, and suggest that someone is watching us from a distance which evidently proves why there is no sound. This follows the conventions of a thriller genre.

As Fern and I are walking diagetic sounds will be using such as the nose of footsteps, this will immediately evoke a realistic effect, as that is what is expected to be heard as someone is walking. Whilst on garage band we had also become aware of other effective features, which we feel will be effective in our opening. Of the finalising of our opening, the stalker character will walk over to a film which is proposed to be one of the girls that he was stalking, and then ends a call from one of the girl’s mothers. Whilst on garage band Fern and I had found some ideal and matching diagetic sounds for how we wanted to achieve this.We have yet achieved all of the music as we still have a lot more to do, however we will continue to use garage band to see what other features are provided and will be appropriate for our opening.