Evaluation - Question 2

How does your media product represent particular social groups?

Evaluation - Question 4

Who would be the audience for your media product?

Evaluation - Question 6

What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

Evaluation - Question 7

Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you fell you have learnt in the progression from it to your full product?

 

Evaluation - Question 5

How did you attract/address your audience?

Evaluation - Question 1

In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products ?

Goodfellas - Opening Scene - Titles

Goodfellas - Opening Scene - Titles

Starting off with what sounds like a highway in the background the production company is introduced. The background sound foreshadows the actual sequence which occurs in the opening scene. The titles have an effect of speeding through and stopping as if at a pit stop just like racing track/highway, coinciding with the sound. I'm guessing as the movie was released in 1990 technology wasn't advanced enough for actual high way sounds so the next best thing was a race track.

After the two production titles it is made known to the audience, that don't know, that the film is a classic (or at that time bound to be a classic) as it's a Scorsese film. 

Next coming the actors. This is irregular as it starts with Robert De Niro who isn't the main character/star of the movie. However of course De Niro is De Niro and deserves recognition due to being the biggest star in the film, and for this you can tell it was a contrived happening. Ray Liotta, whom the film is actually based on, is next. Followed by the other main actors.

Next is the information that it's based on a true story. This lures the audience in knowing it's a real mob story, also fitting the genre. 

After the hiatus caused by some visuals the setting is shown to the audience through the title of New York and the era of the movie 1970. 

After the opening sequence the title for the movie 'Goodfellas' comes through the racetrack 3 times before stopping, this is for emphasis and to stand out among the titles. Also the title is blood burgundy going with the genre.

Followed by other main contributors to the movie. These follow the same white title on black background colour scheme. The last title being the most important in the director which stands out until the actual film starts.

Overall, the titles are white on a black background. The titles are regular, they hold a two second space in order to be clearly read by the audience. The order is by importance. The fixation is always in the middle in order to stand out as much as possible. The only irregular title is 'Goodfellas' as it's the most important.

Opening Scene - Clockers - Titles

Opening Scene - Clockers - Titles

Starting with the famous universal logo/emblem and title, staying true to always starting with the production company. Then going again after the screen black out to Universal Stuidos in yellow. The title is on a body with a bullet hole in, showing the both the genre and feel of the movie.

The next title is a production company, it's over a bloody handprint and dead body. The next title, being Spike Lee's signature stamp on his films 'A Spike Lee Joint' shares the same background, being a testament to the humble Spike Lee as he doesn't have a separate background for himself. 

After comes to actors, however this is not as regular as the production companies as it uses the metaphor of crime scene taping and zooming in on the crime before the actors name (being the title present) is revealed.

After Mekhi Phifer (Who was only last due to this being the movie that launched him into the hollywood stratosphere), the screen zooms out to see the movie title of 'Clockers'. This follows the same yellow colour way, however this time incorporating red.

This is another rare occurrence, as after the movie title it goes back to the actors. However as it reaches the less significant people, that have to be named for attention (Eg: Sticky Fingaz - because he's a rapper) the titles are in a set of triplets, being a six on the screen for a spilt second before fading away.

After the naming of actors on the titles it goes to the crew consisting of those contributing to the film.

Oddly a main contributor and renown name in Martin Scorsese is put as one of the producers at the end in a set of three, as if to lose his name amongst the titles.

Overall, the titles span from regular to random irregular happenings in that sometimes it will be fluent then will wait for some shots to be sunk into by the audience then a title will appear. The yellow colour scheme is regular throughout and only changes for the movie title.

Audience Feedback

 

I have heeded the feedback and acted upon it. The storyline has been changed to adapt more to the audience. I have done this by changing the scene order and making ellipsis more clear so the storyline's concept is more easily grasped. The scenes that were considered too dark were re-filmed and adapted to make even better story line wise. I also separated the sound from the visuals and put sound in the background to counteract this.

Overall, mass change has come and some criticisms aided this. Such as the criticisms about the story line not being clear. I also edited tighter in order to cut down time and add more mystery as it gives less information and leaves the audience guessing.

Preliminary Sequence

Preliminary Sequence - Evaluation

The first thing noticeable that went well was the delivery of the actual shots used. It seemed like an impossible task when Miss assigned this, saying we had to use a worm's eye view and concept edit among other variations of shots. Then boom, the ideas came flooding in. I instantly knew it would be easy to catch a worms eye view of either me walking down the stairs or entering the room to show my movement and a match-on-action. Rosie also had this idea of using my coffee brown eyes as a metaphor transition to an actual coffee in her hand, seeing that our sequence was some kinda break up/drug intervention (we really had no idea we just went with the flow). The eye concept edit unfortunately didn't work but I learned from it in that if not filmed well enough it really isn't possible to save anything through mere editing and elongating, don't be lazy... just re-film it. The same process taught me that it's best to film till you can't anymore. An example would be the cut of me walking down the corridor to walk into the door or just walk down the corridor in general. This was filmed on for a while so it was be easy to cut and transform into anything due to the flexibility this technique brought about.


We/I also learned that despite being media, acting can honestly make or break the sequence. Another detrimental thing is don't stop and start while filming, my God, having to scourer through 0.4 second - 1.2mins footage splayed all over the place made me wanna pull my hair out.

Overall, I learned that patience really is the key when it comes to filming. Also rough cuts and/or trying to cut corners aren't acceptable, if it doesn't look right to the producer's eye it certainly won't the audience's. When it comes to acting and variation of shots there is no space for complacency, if it isn't good enough re-film and don't be lazy carry on filming to the end.

American Gangster - Sound

American Gangster - Sound

Before the scene even starts, when you're only at the production company, you get the mob movie feel with the dark eerie music.

This bridges through to the second production company that starts with a water drop strangely without the sound of water droplets. The sound here having you on the edge of your chair without even seeing anything from the actual movie.

Skipping through to the sound bridge over the blacked out scene... Matching the picture the sound indicates gasoline being poured over a mans head. The sound in this case characterises him as he is swearing in some European. This leaves the audience asking questions trying to piece together the puzzle. We already know it's based in New York which is full of Italians, this is a case of the sound we have setting the scene.

Frank Lucas then sparks a cigar. Despite the visuals showing us this we as an audience know as we can hear the click from the lighter and the pull of the cigar.

Frank then throws the lit cigar on the tied up man leading to his body being caught on fire, we can hear this. There's then screaming. We can hear the man and his chair hit the tire and the floor then Frank pulling out his gun and proceeding to shoot the man. After hearing Frank Lucas putting his gun back in his holster/waistband. This is interesting as due to the shot type we can't see by visuals however by sound we can tell Frank is putting his gun away. After we hear police sirens again setting the scene.

After there is a sound bridge over a blacked out scene then BOOM comes in the title of the movie. The sound seems different then the sound over the production company, leaving me questioning why they made this move.

Overall, sound is used to set the scene, incite fear into the audiences hearts, set the genre being a thriller, and characterise.

Genre

Genre 

The genre for my media project is crime / thriller.

I chose crime / thriller because it's what has always interested me considering all film genres. It gives the chance to explore being serious, being humorous and the gritty and grimy. It's so versatile; involving plot twists, complex ideas and interesting characters.

I watched films in order to research genre: Juice, Mean Streets, Devil in a Blue Dress, Clockers, Brooklyn's Finest, The Untouchables, The Usual Suspects, Goodfellas, Gangster Squad... and so many others my mind and Netfix recents can't recall.

This research helped my opening sequence project as it taught me about chase scenes and characters. Juice helped me for chase scenes considering it taught me to film everything in different camera angles to therefore have more options to play with when it comes to editing.

Paid in Full - Opening Scene - Sound

Paid in Full - Opening Scene - Sound

After Wood Harris' character (being the protagonist) narrates the scene then dissolves to Cam'ron, Mekhi Phifer and Wood Harris sitting down having Chinese Carry-Out.

You hear eating over Cam'ron telling a story. Letting you know of course the sound accompanies what's going on in the movie. 

Then Mitch (Mekhi Phifer) and Ace Boogie (Wood Harris) have an argument about Soya Sauce, characterising both, letting you know they are friends and both hustlers arguing over something petty like Soya Sauce. Rico (Cam'ron) has to calm Mitch down, which had me thinking 'woah Mitch was really mad over some Soya Sauce huh'

Rico proceeds to tell his lame story. Mitch and Ace both tell Rico 'He's bugging' characterising Ace, letting the audience know he is the conscious one of the group being the protagonist. And Rico being the hot head without home training, eating with his mouth snapping. Mitch continues to moan at Rico for his callous acts, while eating ribs or something, you can hear him doing both, thus characterising Mitch. Personally the sound here made me laugh as they are having such a stupid conversation: Arguing over soya sauce, birthday cake and life rules at the same time over chinese carry out.

Ace realises how stupid and pointless arguing with Rico is so he scrunches up the take out holder and throws it in the bin, sparking a game of male egos, basketball with paper.

Rico then asks Ace to make the basketball shot again for 5 thousand dollars. Ace replies bragging about he doesn't need 5 thousand over basketball with paper. The sound here both characterises Rico and Ace again.

Rico moans at Ace for being to cautious, saving his money opposed to living the great hustler life, Mitch cuts in throwing a band of money on the table. The whole sound here, being dialogue, excites me as it's one of my favourite actors and rap personalities going toe-to-toe over basketball with paper.

Rico then taunts Mitch, Mitch responses like it's a real free-throw from Michael Jordan, hitting the bag in preparation, Rico cheering, sound indicating that Ace isn't bothered about this alpha male game.

Mitch makes the shot and silences Rico. Rico is left insulting Mitch whilst Mitch and Ace dap up in celebration of Mitch making 5 thousand. Then comes ad-libs/quotes from Rico which contain swearing so I can't quote myself. All the sound used here makes it authentic, makes me really feel like i'm there, like i'm one of Ace's confidants having Chinese with them, betting money over folly. 

Rico continues to taunt Mitch, throwing another 'band' on the table, saying "Double up, double up" This actually creates tension despite it not being a scene with any real gritty, grimy actions just a bet between fellow Harlem hustlers.

The sound coinciding with the visuals show that Mitch rimmed the shot. Creating a sense of sympathy for Mitch knowing he just lost 20 Grand or something over paper bag basketball. The sound here characterises all in that it shows the hot head Rico trying to punk Mitch, Ace not caring at all, and Rico in triumph over winning 20 grand.

The silence from everyone is evident as the background music, being rap from the era, booms over with only Rico taunting Mitch to be heard alongside. The sound here sets the sombre moment of the scene.

Then the funniest part of the whole sequence changes the pace and tone of the scene in Rico taking Mitch's food away in probably the second best quote from the movie behind "What's popping Kermit?"... "No ribs, no rice, no champagne... You don't eat nothing." This makes me laugh every time I see the movie, the sound in the form of dialogue makes this scene a classic.

Skipping a bit of Rico's taunts, snapping while eating and Mitch whining about being in debt, Ace states "I'm not paying for your paper bag games" characterising all three characters at the same time.

The scene ends with a phone call for Ace which at this time the audience don't know what is for, however when the story unfolds we know this was in fact foreshadowing what is yet to come. 

Overall, the sound from Paid in Full's classic opening sequence made me laugh, while at the same time made me know the characters before the movie started and worked as a weird deterrence and contradict to the glamour of a hustler's life.

Credits / Titles

 Hunger Games: Catching Fire - Opening titles

Production Companies
Actors
Casting
Music
Costume designer
Editor
Producer
Director
Executive producers
Any story line relations - credit to that based on true story / author
Screenplay
Written

For further research I saw Spider Man 3's order of credits which included more. The list is:

Production companies
Film studios
Name of film
Actors
Casting by
Visual effects supervisor
Original music themes by
Score by
Costume designer
Film editor
Production designers
Director of photography
Executive producers
Executive producer
Produced by
Based on
Screen story by
Screenplay by
Directed by

I also researched Zombieland:

Production Companies
Main Actors
Casting
Costume
Music
Editors
Production Designer
Director of Photography
Executive Producers
Producer
Writers
Director

Belly - Opening Scene - Sound

Belly - Opening Scene - Sound

The first sound you hear is like impact with thunder in the background. Naturally this gets your heart going and you know the movie is going to be gritty and grimy like a Hip Hop movie should be. This sound sound-bridges onto the next title. This sound then trickles out to sound like the rolling of a movie tape as screen moves right. This lets you know something is about to happen and gets you hyped up for DMX about to start the opening sequence with sound.

Starting off with a famous DMX line: "I sold my soul to the devil and the price was cheap" from Let Me Fly. It accompanies the actual picture going on of a boy doing a satanic ritual. This line is set there to foreshadow DMX's character and the underworld theme of the movie.

After another line follows which rhymes letting you know DMX is rapping acapella for the opening scene and every line he says will match what happens in the movie. Naturally being a fan of New York Hip Hop this excites me letting me know a prominent figure in the industry is going to be the main character of a the movie ahead.

After DMX says "It's 2 O'clock and I'm just about to hit the streets". Instantly giving away his character as either a drug dealer or someone going to a party. Again coinciding with the picture as it shows a street sign.

"Until I knock off this rock, I don't get to eat" This let's you know he is in fact a hustler and not going to a party (Which he/his team does at the end of the sequence but oh well...). In this circumstance DMX's line doesn't coincide with the picture.

Skipping two lines... DMX says: "Ain't no real dough" showing his life, letting the audience know he may be a conscious hustler (Which he isn't). As he talks about his trouble with money and how pointless all this crime he does for it is there is a money counter in the background and the beautiful sound it makes at the end 'EEEEEEE'. Personally, his words create pathos but the picture makes me happy as I love that sound.

Skipping forward a bit to 1.04 DMX has now stopped rapping and the screen blacks out. Introducing the last production company title as the spliff burns. You can hear the literal sound of smoking and this to me gets me hyped to see what's about to happen next. 

As the spliff is tossed out of the black BMW/Mercedesesque typical hustler car the squad gets out to some somewhat gospel music which is a contradiction to the acts at hand. Then the 'ahaaaa' adlib comes in as DMX steps on the spiff. 

However, soon after the is an introduction to singing with actual words not just adlibs comes in as the clique get into the night club, letting you know it's not going to be a dreary conscious rant again in fact some action is about to happen. "Cold fresh air" is sang by the singer which is funny as it's the opposite to all connotations of a night club. Personally I got excited thinking it was gonna be like the scene from New Jack City and have Flava Flav say "YEAH BOIIIII'. 

"Take a look around" Coincides with the movement of Nas and suits his first real introduction in the movie. 

After you hear "However do you want it" and everyone in their mind says 'Yeah I know that song!' and you feel like you wanna get up and dance around in your socks.