RESEARCH: CODES & CONVENTIONS

The producer’s name will usually be the first name to appear in the film's opening credits. This is due to the producer, being the person who takes overall responsibility for the planning and the production of all aspects of the film; it is in fact, the producer’s film to offer to us.

It is usual for the next screen to show the name of the director who is responsible for the artistic and creative elements of the film. In the case of Superman, the next names to appear are those of two of the actors.

This is because they receive top billing; they are being used to attract an audience.

Generally, only people who have the ability to attract an audience, such as the well known “A List” actors will find their names featuring so prominently on either the credits or the film posters. Such as, Jennifer Lawrence in 'The Hunger Games'.

For example, we next see the director’s name followed by the title. We then move on to the other actors in the film, starting in this case with Christopher Reeve, the actor who plays the title role. The film then lists a further 11 supporting actors alphabetically before switching to the actors with smaller parts who are paired and move off the screen much more quickly. In all, 17 actors’ names appear in the opening sequence.

After this, only important members of the crew receive their billing, so like Director of Photography, and not the Food Provider, since they did not have a significant impact on the making of the film, but rather supporting it. 

The final name to appear before the film commences is always the director’s, to remind the audience that it's their piece of work.

RESEARCH: FILMING OUR PRELIMINARY

On Tuesday's lesson, our group filmed our preliminary film, which was a requirement in the curriculum. Our teacher told us that we had to abide by certain rules and regulations when filming, such as a shot/reverse shot and the 180-degree rule. We began the preliminary film with Shezhad walking up stairs, we ultimately used two shots, one filmed at the top of the stairs and the other at the mid-way on the staircase. 

There was no proper lighting in the space, which was one of the problems during filming, this made the scene look dark and therefore did not look as well as hoped. We learnt that the next filming we should use proper lighting. Another problem, we had during filming, was that in some shots, we did not follow 180-degree rule, however Mrs. Mann made sure that none of the shots that did not follow the rule were included in the final editing.

RESEARCH: DISTRIBUTORS AND THE FDA

Here is my prezi on how distributors persuade people to come and see the film and who the FDA are.

RESEARCH: BRIEF

I have chosen the brief of video where the main task is to make the titles and opening of a new fiction film, to last a maximum of two minutes.

RESEARCH: READ OCR WEEBLY

I found it useful to access all the OCR Media Weeblys, since they all provide interesting and resourceful information on my AS Media Production, which is a film opening. I studied how Steve Thorne presented his storyboard and took his advice on using post-it-notes on a storyboard, which I found was very useful, since by using these you can change the order of each of the shots. I have decided to take influence on his work, so I can change the sequence of the shots and make them to my preferred outcome.

RESEARCH: TRELLO

Today I started using Trello which is an organizational tool that will help me keep track of what I need to do and what I have done. This is my example.

RESEARCH: ANALYSIS OF THE OPENING OF NOWHERE BOY

NOWHERE BOY ANALYSIS

Institutional information about the production companies are shown in the form of their ident, Icon and Film 4 and other information about the UK Film council and the National Lottery is displayed and how they supported the making of the film Nowhere Boy.

The film opens up with an establishing shot of a grand, white, stone building. This gives an impression of grandness. Through this imposing space, a teenage boy runs through unintimidated by the building and is oblivious to everything around him. This shot makes the boy look small compared to the building. The camera follows the boy, while he is running, which is known as a tracking shot. He is laughing, which makes the audience feel that he is overjoyed. However he then falls which leads to a birds eye shot of him sleeping in his bed and being woke up by Aunt Mimi, meaning that it was a dream. From the traditional pajamas worn by John in this frame, this is a period piece set in the 1950s.

In the next scene, we see John and his Uncle George and how they have a close and friendly relationship, unlike his relationship with Aunt Mimi. Uncle George gives John a harmonica and jokes around with him, which develops their close and intimate relationship, which grips the audience's interest.  When John is leaving to go to school, Aunt Mimi orders John to wear his glasses, showing how Aunt Mimi is very strict and controlling over John and that rather advising he should wear them, ordering him to as if he has no other option. By the end of this scene, the audience is already clear of the responsibilities in the family.

Other institutional information is shown, such as the producer's name being mentioned, since he is the person who takes overall responsibility for the planning and the production. The finance is spent by a number of different co-productions like Lip sync productions, Northwest vision and media, Hanway Films and an Ecosse Films production.

After John gets in trouble for his inappropriate behaviour, while outside the office of the principal, he is smirking, showing how he doesn't care and is amused by his action. The song in the background is 'Wild One', which refers to John as being wild due to his actions. As well, the song was released in the 1950s and is traditional rock and roll, which is another sign of the film being a period piece. So far from this opening scene, John is shown as a rebellious and wild teenager, already giving dimensions towards the character.

The director is announced by the words 'A Sam Taylor-Wood film' showing the importance.

In the most prominent title, which is situated in the center of the screen is the title of the film Nowhere Boy appears on the screen.