Succubus- Analysis of a previous student film opening

Analysis of a previous student film opening-Succubus

Camera
The camera is used in a number of ways such as using medium shots and wide shots. This is used to show the audience the whole shot which may include the main characters, the setting etc. A high angel of the camera is also used when the victim is getting stabbed this higher angel of the camera is used in order to show the vulnerability of the victim. This helps to keep the audience stay engaged as they will feel sympathetic towards the character getting stabbed.


Sound
The sound used in the opening of the film 'Succubus' helps to keep the audience stay engaged whilst watching it. This is because non diegetic sound is used, which is sound added in post production which uses sound effects. The sound used is a loud scary note towards the end of the opening. This will create suspense for the audience and therefore want to carry on watching the rest of the film.

Editing
The way in which this opening is edited is done very well. This is because the use of cross cutting is used. This is when the editing takes us from one situation to another, usually back and fourth, to suggest two things are linked. In this case, a female is walking very slowly through a corridor and up the stairs this cross cuts to a male character in a shower. This shows that both these scenes will soon be linked. Another way in which this opening is well edited is because it uses slow and fast motion and. Slow motion is used when the female character is walking into the bathroom and fast motion is used whilst she is stabbing the male character. This may help the audience stay focussed and interested.

Mise en scene

-Lighting
The lighting in the opening of this thriller film is not very good as it seems to be very dim throughout, this makes it difficult for the audience to see the facial expressions of the characters and makes it difficult to watch it as a whole.

-Body Language
The slow motion in which the female character is walking indicates somethings about to happen. This leaves the audience is suspense

-Costume
No costume

-Setting
This opening is based in a bathroom

-Props
Knife

Analysing the Opening of Manhattan

Analysing Film openings

Manhattan 

We will be analysing the opening of 'Manhattan'

This opening is an opening where the narrator opens the opening of a film. This is different to how the credits and titles and the discrete title sequence would open the film as a discrete title sequence is edited separately and the credits and titles appear on a black screen.

Camera
The camera is used in a number of ways. Firstly when children are running out of school in a scene from the opening the camera is placed in a high angel to show the children are vulnerable. Secondly there are medium shots and wide shots of the opening. This may be because it is trying to show exactly where the setting is placed.

Editing
The editing of this opening is done very well. It uses cross cuts which is when the editing takes the audience from one situation to another, (in this case the streets of new york to buildings in new york) usually back and fourth, to suggest the 2 things are linked. Also slow and fast motion is used to help keep the audience interested in the rest of the film.

Sound
The sound which is used in the opening of this film helps to keep the audience engaged. It uses non diegetic sound which is sound added in post production, which uses sound effects. Also sound bridge is used, which means sound linking 2 scenes together, hearing the voice of an actor and music put together. 

Mise en scene

-Setting
The opening of this film is based in New York city.

-Lighting
The lighting is very dim and this may be a disadvantage as it may make the audience lose interest and bore them.

Analysing Film openings

Analysing Film openings

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Opening

We will be analysing the opening of 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo'

The type of opening of this film is a Discrete Title sequence. This is because Discrete title sequences are sequences which are separately edited and that stand well from the film opening. They are stylised and edited alot, and they support nearly all of the opening credits and film title. Also the opening of this film includes a title sequence where we see the title and the credits appear over the main opening of the film this is when the film begins. Majority of films use credits and titles through out the beginning of the film. 

Camera
The camera is used in number of different ways through out the opening of this film. For example many close ups are used such as extreme close ups and big close ups. These close ups may be used in order to keep the audience interested and engaged. Another way the camera is used is tracking. This is where the camera is moving along, as it is following a moving subject. In addition the camera is also panning which means that it is on a fixed point, swivelling left or right. 

Editing

The way in which this film opening is edited is very good and this helps the audience stay focussed on it. There are many ways in which this opening was edited. For example there are many transitions used, which means effects added (during the opening). The effects used were objects fading into a black and deep blue colour indicating something scary or bad is about to happen. Another example of how this film opening is very well edited is because it uses slow and fast motion. In addition many flashbacks are used to create suspense.

Sound
The sound that was used during the opening of the film opening 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' was very helpful in making sure the audience stay interested, focussed and engaged. This is because non diegetic sound was used which means sound is added in post production such as sound effects. A bit of sound bridge might be said to also be used in this opening as there is a screaming sound which has a tune to it, throughout the opening along with music with it. Finally many sound effects are used to create excitement for the audience such as bangs, crashes, screaming etc. 

Mise en scene

-Body language
The body language of the two crystal characters in the opening of this film seems to come across as a bit spooky. This is due to their slow movement and of course the obvious of which they are not actual humans. 

-Setting
It is difficult to say where exactly the setting of this film opening is based as it comes across as a blur. 

-Props
No props

-Lighting
The lighting of this opening was not of good quality as it was dark which made it very difficult to see what was going.

-Costume
No costume

Health and Safety tutorial

Health and Safety tutorial 

A few lessons before we started filming we were taught exactly how to use the camera in one of Dan's lessons. This lesson was useful as it helped us understand the 'dos' and 'don'ts' of how to use a camera.
For example:

-Don't run with the camera in your hand
-Don't hold the camera with only one hand
-Don't keep the camera switched on when you are not filming as this wastes the battery
-Do film as much as you can in the given time
-Do remember to keep the camera in safe

We were shown a tutorial from candimedia on how to insert the memory card into the camera. This is a significant part in filming as the footage you have filmed will not be saved or may not get recorded without it. In addition memory cards store all the images and footage you have taken, therefore remember to keep it safe!

Equipment you have been introduced to


We were introduced to the tripod and the camera on that day. At first trying to set up the tripod was very tricky as it wouldn't stand straight and this meant that the camera would not have been stable on the tripod. As we filmed lesson after lesson, I soon got the hang of it. Also switching the camera on and switching it off was always something I would forget however as mentioned before I soon got the hang of it. It was also difficult trying to keep a balance whilst filming.

Opinion?

Personally, I feel like from Dan's lesson I learnt a lot about how to set the camera and tripod up and also  how to insert the memory cards. This was useful as filming in the lessons after were more enjoyable and more easier.

Deadline's Tomorrow!

 

 

 

 

Things we need to improve on for tomorrow

 

 

 

 

 

My costume for the bullying scene

 

This is what I wore in the scene whilst going up the stairs and then being approached by a group of bullies:-

Wooly Jumper

Random scarf with dogs on it



Phoebe's glasses

Looking back at our best day of filming

Looking Back On Our Best Day

 

 

The day we thoroughly enjoyed filming was the day we went into the Science labs.           

 

 

We had to get permission to go into the Science labs, and once we were there it felt like being back at school in a Chemistry lesson haha.

 

We managed to get tons of footage with mixing "chemicals" (which was actually KA fizzy drink and food colouring and stuff), Fareena enjoyed playing the part, Naziara had fun filming it and Asiya had fun directing it.

 

The colours picked up really well on camera and we ended up with a lot of science-y footage!