R+P POST 15: Drive - title analysis

Title Sequence Analysis

Typically there are 15-25 titles on each title sequence and they will change depending on the film. The first title tends to be the main protagonist followed by the title of the film. In between this and the end you have everything ranging from other actors and actresses to editors and finally the title  sequence will end with the director.  This is n example of how titles are used within film and the different meanings the placement and choice of text can convey.

Drive-

The establishing shot is a long shot of the Los Angeles skyline at night, this helps to convey to the audience that the film will be very much action packed and this main actors name 'Ryan Gosling' is placed as the first title in the centre of the shot to meditate to the audience that he will be the centre of this action.

The next shot of Ryan Gosling sitting in his getaway car features the title of the film. The film is often the first title shown but within a film like this where the main protagonist is bigger than the film itself they will be given the first title. The choice of text is also very interesting as we get a retro, almost video-game like feel. This retro feel is also depicted within the music that goes with the title sequence. These two things play a huge role in setting out the style of the film.

 

Empty space is repeatedly used in order to place the titles, so that there is nothing to distract the audience. After the main actor and the film title the next few titles tend to be names of other actors within the film which are either less prominent than the lead protagonist or not at quite at the same critical acclaim. 

After this films conventionally list other key aspects of the film and who was in charge of them as followed: Casting, Costume, Music, Production Designer, Editors and directors of photography. These are key roles within the film but not quite big enough to be placed at either the begginning or end of the opening title sequence. 

Then the executive producers and producers are listed. As you can notice key roles such as the main actor are often within the centre of the frame however the other titles are placed towards the sides highlighting the hierarchy within their roles in the film.

Other titles after this could include credits to the author if the film is based on a novel and the screenplay. But inevitablly the director gets the final credit once again in the centre of the screen which highlights the importance which is carried by the director.

R+P Post 14 : Submarine title analysis

Submarine title analysis

The first titles are just synergy companies which have helped to distribute and produce the film. These are necessary to put within the title sequence. The companies will often give you a design which they have made for you and other films which help the film be made recognisable quickly. 

This is a more stylish way to present the distribution companies. The style of text is also very interesting as it is different, this helps to engage the audience as it is something new.

The use of a plain background also helps the text to stand out. However because of time restrictions we will not be able to dedicate the time. We will however put the text in dead areas to that the audience is not distracted.

The text which is used is very basic and doesn't carry a lot of detail. We feel as though it is possible to match a more conventional order of title's. However the alternative style would be useful in engaging with our audience who will be younger and more willing to accept challenges to common conventions

 

The title of the film is for me the main thing to take out of this title analysis because it is a similar style which we wanted to replicate. We do not want to completely copy this as it would lose being unique. We instead want to create our own unique style of writing for our title but we do like the idea of spaces between letters.




This is another example of a title sequence. Although it follows the same conventions of the example of 'Drive' it does have more extravagance as it tackles he titles in a completely different way. I think that it is important to look at a variety of title sequences so that I can look at the atmosphere each of them meditate and therefore be able to construct my own title sequence which conveys the meaning that I want to convey within my opening sequence.

R+P POST 13: Juno opening sequence analysis

Opening sequence analysis

Juno-

( This was the only clip I could find )

The opening shot is a long shot of the main character staring at a chair. The shot is peculiar which shows how her character is peculiar. She is surrounded by green which has connotations of nature. She completely contrasts her surroundings which highlights how she doesn't fit in with her surroundings. This problem is reoccurring throughout the film.

This close-up helps to look into her emotions and she is lifeless and looks to be in some distress. The audience is instantly drawn in as they want to find out what the character is facing and why she is in the obscure position that she is in. The editing is slow and strange and creates a strange and awkward atmosphere.

We are instantly thrown into the action and we begin to see the source of her problems. A coming-of-age films must look at the challenges which are faced by similar people. Sexuality and pregnancy are key problems to address and 'Juno' successfully begins as it means to go on. The audience are made aware that the film will address issues that they want to be addressed.

The character then walks into this cartoon, animated title sequence. This could represent that she wants to step out of reality and 'escape' the world which she is living. The audience may relate as they too might have also wanted to step out of reality and away from their problems.

R+P POST 12: Billy Elliot opening sequence analysis

Opening sequence analysis

Billy Elliot-

This opening shot outlines the narrative of the film. The connotations of the music and the joy it brings matches the joy that dancing brings the character of Billy within the film. The delicacy which he places the record with also demonstrates his delicate and elegant nature.

The next shot contradicts the opening shot as his more boisterous nature in demonstrated. His facial expressions juxtapose the background and the colour of his top as they are more delicate colours which could indicate a conflict between himself and his character within the film. 

As we move away from the close up and we see a long shot of Billy we can see a different style to his character as we see his facial expressions along side his movements. This could shock the audience and alert them that this film is going to challenge their common ideologies of how a 'boy' should act within society. 

This shot quite literally connotes what you can see that Billy has his 'hands full' with the responsibilities that he is facing in his day to day life. The audience are sympathetic and we begin to build a relationship with the main character which gives the film more meaning and we care more about him so any moments of tension are heightened.

R+P POST 11: Superbad opening sequence analysis

Opening sequence analysis

Superbad-

This medium-close up shot pictures one of the main characters (Jonah Hill) driving a long in his neighbourhood. Everything about this shot highlights that he is just an everyday high school student. The target audience ( high school students ) can instantly relate to his character as the director Seth Rogan has successfully constructed the verisimilitude. 

This is the establishing shot of another one of the main characters ( Michael Cera ) once again this medium shot shows quite how ordinary his life is. Often within big Hollywood films the first time we see a character eating their breakfast they have loads of food layer out with the whole family sitting around eating. This more accurate representation helps the audience to relate and we definitely want to create this 'ordinary life' atmosphere as we want out lead character to be a relatable character which the audience can see themselves in.

This character break the law whilst driving with his phone out. This gives his character a nonchalant attitude highlights what this character is like and he isn't represented 'perfectly' how characters in over films may be represented.  

The editing is slow paced which once again shows that the film is ordinary  and much like a day-to-day situation we face. The conversation isn't at all 'special' and the directors don't try to make is seem something that it not.

R+P POST 10: Street Dance opening sequence analysis

Opening sequence analysis

Street dance -

I picked this film as an opening sequence analysis because the narrative is very similar to the narrative which we are replicating. The dilemma of pressures of society and wanting to embark on their hobbies. Within street dance it is dance however within our film it is skateboarding.

The establising shots are extreme long shots of a London skyline which sets out where the film will take place but also gives it an urban feel. The warm colours within the shot portray the location as a place of hope and opportunity.  

This long shot introduces us to one of the main characters within the film, she is framed within the frame by the window behind her whig makes her central to the shot. Objects surrounding her close her in and the use create quite a vertical frame make them appear almost like bars. This could symbolise a prison and entrapment within her current situation which juxtaposes her expressive dancing. Her character here is starting to become more dimensional as we are able to see the different sides to her, both the trapped and the free, expressive side which are the two sides that we are aiming to create with our main protagonist in our film.

We then move on to a long shot of one of the teams from street dance practising, this throws the audience straight into the action and gives them an idea of the film being action packed from the start.

This is another one of the main characters who is framed alone in a medium shot against a wall of graffiti. He very much blends in with the background which could suggest how his character blends in with his surroundings. This view of the character is exacerbated by the fact he is framed alone. We build more of a personal relationship with this character as he is framed alone. The opening shots of characters are very important in conveying to the audience how they should be viewed.

R+P POST 9: Whiplash opening sequence analysis

Analysing opening sequences 

WHIPLASH

The scene opens with a loud drumming which engages the audience; Miles Teller is framed within the frame as he outlines the narrative of the film. He is alone, isolated and he automatically captivates the audience as they empathise with him if they have ever felt within a similar position. We want to also captivate our audience as our coming of age film aims to engage audiences who are under-going similar circumstances in life.

As the scene goes on we get closer to the main protagonist and the music gets louder, the audience is drawn in to the world of the film. We are captivted and feel as though we are within the shoes of J.K.Simmons. This establishes Whiplash as a film which very much involves the audience with the narrative of the film, particular with the gripping story of Miles Teller.

The dark nature of this shot helps to convey J.K.Simmons' character as dark and mysterious, as we get through the film we later start to develop his character however in the opening of the film, the audience are 'left in the dark'.  Which is conveyed through the lighting within this shot.

We also get a sense of this character having dark humour, using his power and status to mock those in a lower position than him. This is shown through the high angle shot as this makes the character appear powerful in juxtaposition to the low angle shots used when Miles Teller is pictured in shot.

R+P POST 8: Genre, Title, Outline of film

Genre, Title, Outline of film

Title-

Our group decided on the title 'bearings' because we thought it managed to relate both to the theme of skating with 'bearings' being a device used to keep a wheel turning on it's axes but also with the more commonly used definition. Our film is about our main protagonist (Isabelle) having no relation to the common stereotypes of a girl ages 16. She challenges common conventions which adds to her interesting character. 

Genre-

Our film 'Bearings' is a coming-of-age drama. We chose this because we felt like it would be easiest to reach the target audience as we are part of the audience which coming-of-age films tend to be aimed at. Similar films within the genre include 'Submarine' and 'Whiplash'. 

Themes-

Our film covers themes such as gender and sexuality stereotypes and the pressures that they cause. The coming-of-age film 'Billy Elliot' also covers these issues and the success of this film highlight that these issues are of interest to people particularly in modern day where gender is a topic of huge controversy, this controversy will create a buzz for the film and people will go and watch it regardless of where their opinion lies.

Synopsis-

Our film focuses on the on-going conflict between 'Isabelle's' educational life and her passion for skateboarding. Although society and her parents push her towards work and school, skating is her passion. We follow her on this journey and witness her love for skateboarding. After demonstrations is her hard work Isabelle is invited to the national skateboarding competitions. However this competition is during her school exams, her parents try and convince her to concentrate on her exams but her passion drives her away, with moments of romance both sexually and platonic-ally Isabelle goes on a journey that she can never forget and faces problems that our audience will relate to and empathise with.

R+P POST 7: Institutional Research: Studio Canal

Studio Canal

Studio Canal is the only studio operating simultaneously in three main territories across Europe: France, the United Kingdom and Germany. The company distributes a total of more than 50 films a  year throughout Europe. This would allow us to spread our film across Europe which will help the success of the film. Studio Canal much like 'Vertigo' and 'Entertainment Film Distributors' have also had experience in distributing similar genre of films (coming-of-age) such as Billy Elliot and This Is England. 

R+P POST 6: Institutional Research: Entertainment Film Distributors

Institutional Research

Entertainment Film Distributors

Entertainment Film Distributors are another British distribution
company who have successfully distributed films in the U.K. They
were founded in 1978 by Michael L. Green. Since then the have successfully distributed huge films such as 'The Lord Of The Rings' and 'Saw'. 'The Lord Of The Rings' clearly was aimed at our age group and therefore have had prior experience in targeting our audience and how a knowhow on cultivating the market.


Between 1990 and 2010, Entertainment distributed films made by 
New Line Cinema along with films from other independent production 
companies, this shows that they are willing to give independent films 
a chance. Entertainment Film Distributors have released many BAFTA and Oscar-winning films including The Departed, Million Dollar Baby, Gosford Park, Brokeback Mountain and The Artist. This success highlights that they are able to distribute a range of films, although these are fantastic films, Entertainment Film Distributors hold a key role as they are the ones who are able to put the film out to people and generate a buzz on platforms such as social media.

R+P POST 5: Institutional Research: Vertigo Films

Institutional Research

Vertigo Films

Vertigo Films is a British distribution company which produced films such as the 'Street Dance' series. The company was founded in 2002 by Allan Niblo and Nick Love. The company aims to distributed films from independent production companies.
Vertigo themself claim ''Championing new talent has been key to Vertigo Film's production company' Examples of this include Tom Hardy who starred in 'Bronson' and Gareth Edwards who produced
'monsters' which vertigo helped to distribute. Since then he has gone on
to produce 'Godzilla' and 'Star Wars: Rogue One'. This demonstrates
how they are essential in the development of new talent. being an
independent film which would be the first that anyone from our group
had produced Vertigo Films may be willing to help new talent as they
have in the past.

Also they produced films such as 'Street Dance' and 'King Jack' which
target a similar target audience that we are aiming to target showing that
they have experience on distributing to this audience already.
'Street Dance' made £11million which demonstrates that Vertigo are
successful in distributing films to our target audience.

R+P POST 4: Audience Profiling

Audience profiling

These two characters were created so that we could base our film at a specific 'type' of person.

The first character is a female aged 15-20 she is the same age and

sex of the main protagonist within our film so instantly she 

becomes entwined with the character and the problems that she

faces. The issues we address could well be issues similar to what

she faces, therefore she will want to join the character on a journey of finding the problems that they both face. These issues include pressures from society to always look your best and peer pressure

into alcohol.

This character, although male also can relate on some of the problems challenges within out film. He is also 15-20 years old. He is also likely to enjoy skateboarding as it is a very popular sport amongst his age and sex group. He is likely to receive information regarding new films on social media so it is clear that social media is an area which we would need to cultivate in order to make our film successful.

R+P POST 3: BBFC ratings research

BBFC - Ratings regulations:

With our film being a coming of age film and our target audience being 15-20 years old we are looking at the upper brackets in terms of our film rating.

These catagories are a bit more limiting than the aged 18 regulations, with the issues that we want to address the aged 18 regulations may be better fitted however doing so would limit our audience dramatically and would not be beneficial for the profits of the film. As a group we decided to instead use the aged 15 regulations because although our audience is still slightly limited films such as 'deadpool' highlight that aged 15 films can still be financially successful because there is a gap within this aged audience.

R+P POST 2: Our target audience

Our Target Audience

Primary audience

Our target audience will be around 15-20 years old mainly,  the younger audience will be able to relate as it is what they're going through at this moment being a coming-of-age film. Our film will focus on issues which young people face on a day-to-day basis.

(below: an example of our primary target audience)

Secondary audience

Our secondary audience will consist of fans of the 

genre's coming-of-age and drama. Our film will 

suit them because these are the two genre's our film

 fall under. Similar audience's would be attracted by

 films such as 'The Breakfast Club' and 'The Perks Of 

Being A Wallflower'.

How we intend to meet our target audience

We carried out a quiz in order to see how we could meet our target audience's demands and also put our film across to them on in terms of advertising. These are the responses that we received:

Our results show that our audience like action and rom-com films which indicates that we should also try and put elements from these genre's within our film.

Targeting our secondary audience

Our secondary audience consists of fans of the genre so to promote our films we can place adverts before coming-of-age films in the cinema and also use t.v sports to generate an audience that way.  It is also clear from our research that sites such as Netflix are where most of our audience receive their films, this would therefore we a good place to make our film accessible our perhaps just use these sites for promotion.