AICE Media Studies

After completing my main planning for the opening sequence, the plan for my filming is entirely done. Settings, props, makeup, and schedule has been figured out, which just leaves editing! In the last two previous projects that had been the most difficult aspect of production. So looking forward to this project, there are improvements that need to be made. I have learned things since then that I can apply to this project, so I’m looking forward to working on! One aspect of editing that I will focus towards in this blog is the title design. The first font I will need to find is for the actors names, casting by, music by, visual effects, costume designer, editor, production designer, director of photography, producer, executive producer, story writer, and director. While these titles come on screen, the tone of the sequence will still be light and neutral. The setting is shot during the morning hours with the sun pouring in, creating a positive seeming film. To match, the font will be li...

 Now that I’ve laid out my script, I feel a lot more relieved into production! Since the start of this final task my mind has been muddled about what I would actually like to create, but as script planning has finished I can move on to the smaller things. This being, well, more planning. But for the more trivial things, all to get the opening film sequence together. First, the matter of actors must be figured out. I am working on this final task project alone, meaning my actors must come from outside the class! There are only two characters, and due to difficult schedule planning, it wouldn’t be ideal to have any friends work with me. So, my solution is to have myself play the main girl character, and my younger brother play, well, the brother character. Casting my younger brother is obviously most workable since he will be available at all times, which will come in handy for reshoots if any issues with footage arise. Additionally, we are siblings! We fit each role best. Then comes...

 For the past few weeks I have had a vague idea of where I want to take my pitch. Envisioning my pitch idea, I see somewhat of a muddled mess of a scene play out, with not much direction of what I want to do. It’s time I sit down and figure out how I want my opening sequence to be, and this is the blog just for that!  When I think of a script I think about the traditional ones real actors get, explaining all details of the scene. That being when people enter, dialogue, directed actions, and all of that fun stuff. So, a script of that kind is what I will be creating here. On we go! OPENING SEQUENCE: SUBURBAN HOME- MORNING SCENE ONE: We start in a bathroom. The camera is facing a mirror, as suddenly a girl is revealed by flipping her head up. She is brushing her teeth to an upbeat tune. SCENE TWO: we are now in the hallway setting. The camera is positioned on a door, as the girl walks into frame, knocking on it. She calls out to her brother to wake up. SCENE THREE: The next scen...

The Black Phone (2022) from www.artofthetitle.com What titles are displayed during the opening sequences? During the opening sequence of “The Black Phone” we are first shown the studio names. Following, we see the production studios, along with all contributors to the film, given their own slide. Lastly, the directors name is shown.  What images are prioritized in the opening sequence? In contrast to the two previously researched films, the images prioritized in this opening sequence are not the words. Rather, this sequence places focus on the actual images shown. These being screen caps and medium close up to long shots of the movies setting. Words are made a small size, and placed to the bottom of the screen, guiding viewers eyes towards the images. What connotations do these images carry? The images are accompanied by an eerie and sharp background music. A grainy filter is placed over the shots, and shots are edited together with flashes and cuts rather than smooth cutaways. The...

Relic (2020) from www.artofthetitle.com What titles are displayed during the opening sequences? Unlike the last three movies researched, the studio and mame does not come first, either because this film is independent or the studio was given their own opening before the title sequence. Relic’s opening shows only the titles of production companies, no writers, producers, or directors. After an acted out scene occurs, the title of the film itself is then shown last. Also different to the other films, here Relic has followed the exact title sequence formula I am meant to use in my final task, making this example very valuable in my research. What images are prioritized in the opening sequence? The images prioritized in this opening sequence are the names of the projection companies. They come first, all five of them each getting their own slide to be presented will slow fade-outs I’m between. Alternatively, you could also say the title is prioritized. It comes all the way last after a who...

Nanny (2022) from www.artofthetitle.com What titles are displayed during the opening sequences? The titles displayed in this opening sequence are the usual studio. Following, three different shots with fade in transitions, displaying the production companies names. Third, the directors names. After a short sequence featuring an actor, the title card is shown, then we cut back to the actor.  What images are prioritized in the opening sequence? Images prioritized in the opening sequence are the names of the studio, production, companies, director, and most of the title itself. This can be inferred by the fact that the title card came last after a sequence of an actor. It was shown alone, while the other names were shown together, connected by fade-out transitions.  What connotations do these images carry? The blue, cursive font relates to the ocean, which conveys feelings of peace and serenity. In the background we hear music that sounds oceany and aquatic, which doesn’t go in c...

Midsommar (2019) from www.artofthetitle.com It is traditional that our fair queen shall choose… —STEV What titles are displayed during the opening sequences? During the cut segment of this opening sequence of “Midsommar” the title is actually never shown. Director Ari Aster is known for subverting genre conventions, matter of fact, film conventions in general. Knowing this, the title was likely revealed at the end of the film, wrapping up the contents of the film.  What images are prioritized in the opening sequence? In this opening sequence, only the names and credits are prioritized. No other images are shown, as just contributors to the film, that being actors, crew, and companies/institutions involved, names are displayed. This is over a plain black screen and instrumental music, maintaining focus on them with little going on outside of those words.  What connotations do these images carry? The cursive font and flower images shown carry a calming peaceful mood. This, ...