Possible Film Locations

Possible locations for my film opening are below. I have chosen these locations as they set the scene as London, and I do not have to employ extras as the area has a high foot fall.

A London Underground train

Trafalgar Square 

 

 

Oxford circus

Westminister Bridge

London Eye/South bank



Film Idea and planning

My film idea is student visiting London on a gap year just before the Olympics. On his first day in London he is caught up in a disaster whilst touring London. With all of London shut down he must find a way of getting home.

My Opening will have one main character: Spence Quinn who will be wearing a costume similar to below:

(Photo coming soon)

My opening sequence will contain tourist locations throughout London and will contain no dialogue. I will shortly upload pictures of my locations and my script.

Opening sequence analysis - Catch me if you can

Catch me if you can 

(http://www.artofthetitle.com/2011/08/22/catch-me-if-you-can/)

Directed by Steven Spielberg catch me if you can is a film about Frank Abagnale Jr. Who successfully cheats millions of dollars worth of checks pretending to be a pilot, doctor and legal prosecutor, all before his 19th birthday.The opening sequence begins as an animation with the back drop being the locations that are used in the film.Throughout the opening we see Frank running through the locations being chased, hence the title 'catch me if you can'. The animated sequence is very different to other films of this genre and shows the characters as very basic silhouettes. The music which begins slowly and non-diegetic sounds as if it comes from a glockenspeil has a very jazzy feel to it which matches the decade the film is set in. The credits run throughout the sequence with the names of stars appearing next to silhouettes that show their character and role in the film. Overall it is a very creative opening sequence that is original and gives you hints of the film without giving it away. 

Timeline

Below are photos of my timeline for the film "I am Legend".

The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC)

 

The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), originally British Board of Film Censors, is a non-governmental organisation, funded by the film industry and responsible for the national classification of films within the United Kingdom. It has a statutory requirement to classify videos, DVDs and some video games under the Video Recordings Act 2010. The BBFC has classified cinema films since it was set up in 1912 and videos/ DVD’s since the video recordings act was passed in 1984. Statutory powers on film remain with the local councils, which may overrule any of the BBFC’s decisions such as passing films that are rejected, banning films which have been passed, and even waiving cuts, instituting new ones, or altering categories for films exhibited under their own licensing jurisdiction. Ratings are given based on the amount of discrimination, drugs, horror, imitable behavior, language, nudity, violence and the overall theme of the movie. The BBFC currently rates films and games with 9 different age ratings (see picture above).

U - Universal 

U rated films are suitable for all audiences and are generally aimed at children or family's. According to the BBFC, U rated films are suitable for children over the age of 4 and consumer advice will be given if the film is suitable for pre-school children.  

Universal films must follow the following guidelines:

Discrimination:

Their must be no discriminatory language or behaviour unless clearly disapproved of. 

Drugs:

No references to illegal drugs or drug misuse unless they are infrequent and innocuous, or there is a clear

educational purpose such as an anti-drug message that is suitable for young children.

Horror:

Scary sequences should be mild, brief and unlikely to cause undue anxiety to young children. The outcome 

should be reassuring to young children.

Imitable behavior:

No potentially dangerous behaviour which young children could copy. No emphasis on realistic or easily accessible weapons such as knives.

Language:

Infrequent use only of very mild bad language.

Nudity and sex:

Occasional natural nudity, with no sexual context. Mild sexual behavior such as kissing and 

references only to ‘making love’.

Theme:

While problematic themes may be present, their treatment must be sensitive and appropriate for 

young children.

Violence:

Mild violence, threat or menace only, which must be occasional.

Films rated U - Ice age, Aristocats, Junglebook

PG - Parental Guidance

PG films are for general viewing but may be unsuitable for young or sensitive children. Although the BBFC recommends this category for people aged 8+ anybody may watch a PG film, however parents are advised to consider if the film is suitable for their child. 

PG films must follow the following guidelines:

Discrimination:

Discriminatory language or behavior is unlikely to be acceptable unless clearly disapproved of or in an educational or historical context.  Discrimination by a character with which children can readily identify is also unacceptable.

Drugs:

References to illegal drugs or drug misuse must be innocuous or carry a suitable anti-drug message.

Horror:

Frightening sequences should not be prolonged or intense. Fantasy settings may be aceptable.

Imitable behavior:

No detail of potentially dangerous behaviour which young children are likely to copy. No glamorization 

of realistic or accessible weapons.

Language:

Mild use of mildly bad language only.

Nudity:

Natural nudity, with no sexual context.

Sex:

Sexual activity may be implied, but should be discreet and infrequent. Mild sex references only.

Theme:

Where more serious issues are featured such as domestic violence nothing in their treatment should 

condone unacceptable behaviour.  

Violence:

Moderate violence, without detail, may be allowed, if justified by its context, such as history, 

comedy or fantasy.

Films rated PG - Roger rabbit, Ace ventura (when nature calls)

12 and 12A 

The criteria that rates a film 12 or 12A is exactly the same. The rating 12A only exists for cinema releases and is not given to DVD's  Generally most films are now rated as a 12A when released in a cinema which allows those 12 and over to watch them, and those under 12 to watch them but they must be with a parent or guardian. If a parent allows their child to     watch a 12A at a younger age the responsibility belongs to them. No child under 12 Can buy a film rated 12 or enter a 12A cinema listing without a parent/ guardian.

12 & 12A films must follow the following guidelines:

Discrimination:

Discriminatory language or behaviour must not be endorsed by the film. Aggressive discriminatory language or behavior is unlikely  to be acceptable unless it is clearly condemned.

Drugs:

Any misuse of drugs must be infrequent and should not be glamorized or give instructional detail.

Horror:

Moderate physical and psychological threat may be permitted, provided disturbing sequences are not frequent or sustained.

Imitable behavior:

Dangerous behavior for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming should not dwell on detail which could be

copied, or appear pain or harm free.  Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorized.

Language:

Moderate language is allowed. The use of strong 

language (for example, ‘fuck’) must be infrequent.

Nudity:

Nudity is allowed, but in a sexual context must be brief and discreet.

Sex:

Sexual activity may be briefly and discreetly portrayed. Sex references should not go beyond what is suitable for young teenagers. Frequent crude references are unlikely to be acceptable.

Theme:

Mature themes are acceptable, but their treatment must be suitable for young teenagers.

Violence:

Moderate violence is allowed but should not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood, but occasional gory moments may be permitted if justified by the context. Sexual violence may only be implied or briefly and discreetly indicated, and must have a strong contextual justification. 

Films rated 12 - Best in show, King kong, Ace ventura (pet detective)
Films rated 12A -Ghost town, Drillbit Taylor, 27 dresses

15

15 rated films are only suitable for those 15 and over and should not be watched by those under 15. No one under 15 may buy, rent or enter a cinema to see a film with this rating.

 Films rated 15 must follow the following guidelines:

Discrimination:

The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behavior.

Drugs:

Drug taking may be shown but the film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse. The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances for example, aerosols or solvents is unlikely to be acceptable.

Horror:

Strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic or sexualised.

Imitable behavior:

Dangerous behavior for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming should not dwell on detail which could be

copied. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.

Language:

There may be frequent use of strong language (for example,‘fuck’). The strongest terms (for example, ‘cunt’) may be acceptable if justified by the context. Aggressive or repeated use of the strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable.

Nudity:

Nudity may be allowed in a sexual context but without strong detail. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context.

Sex:

Sexual activity may be portrayed without strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behavior, but the strongest references are unlikely to be acceptable unless justified by context. Works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation are unlikely to be acceptable.

Theme:

No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate for 15 year olds.

Violence:

Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable. Strong sadistic or sexualised violence is also unlikely to be acceptable. There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence but any portrayal of sexual violence must be discreet and

have a strong contextual justification.

Films rated 15 - Deep blue sea, The inbertweeners movie, Final destination 5

18

Films rated 18 are only suitable for adults and must not be shown or sold to those under 18. 

Generally all films will be accepted into this category unless the: 

1)Material is in breach of the criminal law, or has been created through the commission of a criminal offence

2)Material or treatment appears to the BBFC to risk harm to individuals or, through their behavior, to society – for example, any detailed portrayal of violent or dangerous acts, or of illegal drug use, which may cause harm to public health or morals. This may include portrayals of sexual or sexualised violence which might, for example, eroticise or endorse sexual assault

3)Where there are more explicit images of sexual activity which cannot be justified by context. Such images may be appropriate in ‘R18’ works, and in ‘sex works’ (see below) would normally be confined to that category


Films rated 18 - Kill Bill, Die hard, Fight club

R18

R18 films are only to be shown to over 18s in specially licensed cinemas, or supplies only in licensed sex shops. The R18 category is a special and legally restricted classification primarily for explicit works.

The following content is not acceptable for R18 films:

1) Any material which is in breach of the criminal law, including material judged to be obscene under the current interpretation of the Obscene Publications Act 1959

2) Material (including dialogue) likely to encourage an interest in sexually abusive activity (for example, pedophilia, incest or rape) which may include adults role-playing as non-adults
3)The portrayal of any sexual activity which involves lack of consent (whether real or simulated). Any form
of physical restraint which prevents participants from indicating a withdrawal of consent
4) The infliction of pain or acts which may cause lasting physical harm, whether real or (in a sexual context)
simulated. Some allowance may be made for moderate, non-abusive, consensual activity
5) Penetration by any object associated with violence or likely to cause physical harm
6)Any sexual threats, humiliation or abuse which does not form part of a clearly consenting role-playing game. Strong physical or verbal abuse, even if consensual, is unlikely to be acceptable.

Opening sequence analysis - Juno (2007)

JUNO (2007)

The sequence begins with a medium close up of a teenage female drinking orange juice from a plastic carton. for the first 6 seconds the only sound we can hear is the only sound that you can hear is the diagetic sound from the carton. It is after 6 seconds that the non-diajetic sound begins, which is a quirky love song. We then change to a wide shot of our female character walking down what seems to be an average American street with mailboxes on the street and porches.

This is the first time that we see what the character in full and we are able to see what she is wearing. Her outfit is very simple and consists of jeans, trainers  a red sweater and she has her hair tied back, which presents her as a very casual looking, tomboyish person, she is also still carrying her orange juice.
Whilst walking down the street a group of
teenagers run past the character in the other direction wearing sports clothes and she continues to walk as if they are not their almost showing that she does not care about anything. It  is after 15 seconds when the sequence changes entirely, and becomes a childish like cartoon showing us what the character is really like.

The use of bright childish colors on textbook square paper makes it all seem like doodles of her imagination. During these stop animation scenes we see a mixture or shots including closeups, medium closeups, mid shots and wide shots. all showing us a small in-site into the location for the film. After 15 seconds of the animation the character is introduced to us a Juno. Juno then continues to walk along numerous streets passing, a music shop a hair dressers and a nail shop. The opening sequence returns to normal people after 2mins and 25 seconds as Juno walk's into a drugs store with 2 other teenagers outside, one of which is sitting on a child's ride.

Link to opening sequence (click here)

Flim research using Prezi.com

Yesterday in class we used a presentation software called Prezi. Below is a clip of the work I have created whilst researching into my opening sequence.

Film Brief

Yesterday we received our brief. We are to create A film opening sequence lasting approximately 2min.

 We have been advised to avoid the following opening sequences:

1. Stalker following a woman in the woods
2. People tied up and trapped in rooms 
3. Waking up, brushing teeth, getting ready
4. People playing cards
5. Flashbacks or flash-forward 
6. Ouija board 
7. Person sticking pin's or knives into pictures 

I am now going to use the information I collected from my survey along with watching opening sequences from art of the titles and Youtube to come up with an idea of my own. 

Survey responses

Here are the results from my survey monkey survey so far. I will leave the survey open and update this post as I collect more responses.


Q1-  What is your favorite film genre?

Q2- On average how many films do you watch each month?

Q3- How do you watch your films? (please select all that apply)

Q4- What is your favorite film and why?

howl moving castle - inspired by the creator

17/11/2011 11:23

Twilight - because of the romance and action

17/11/2011 10:59

Love & Basket ball because its a romantic film and its always abit sad.

17/11/2011 10:26

maltida

15/11/2011 12:23

bridges of maddison county

3/10/2011 16:05

"Changing Sides" (French Film 2008 "De l'autre cote du lit") It is the funniest and ironic film from the beginning till the end that I have ever watched, makes irony on real aspects of everyday life.

26/9/2011 18:23

rambo because the action

26/9/2011 12:17

Moulane Rouge and I dont know why its fun

26/9/2011 10:21

The green mile. favorite actor and good story.

18/9/2011 19:57

bend it like beckham because its funny

16/9/2011 20:51

Step Up. Enjoy the lastest music mixed with lastest street dances combined into a film

   15/9/2011 17:27

Anne of Green Gables it is really simple and heart warming

15/9/2011 14:34

Forrest Gump

15/9/2011 13:25

Death becomes her... Because its funny

15/9/2011 7:53

Cinema Paradiso - a very powerful plot, Italian language (English subtitled), gorgeous locations and amazingly well filmed

15/9/2011 0:29

Probably the original Italian Job, because it never fails to amuse. Also, minis!

14/9/2011 23:45

The day of the Jackel (Edward Fox version) as it is a well written & produced film.

14/9/2011 19:38

The Holiday, this is because I find romance and comedy very intreging.

14/9/2011 19:37

~all the saw films, because they're mysterious & make you think the whole way through. & they're gory. (:

14/9/2011 19:28

Q5-  What was the last film you watched?

howl moving castle

17/11/2011 11:23

Harry potter deathly hallows part2

17/11/2011 10:59

Rio

17/11/2011 10:26

jumping the broom

15/11/2011 12:23

bridges of maddison county

3/10/2011 16:05

Changing Sides

26/9/2011 18:23

attack the block

26/9/2011 12:17

Moulane Rouge

26/9/2011 10:21

edward scissorhands

18/9/2011 19:57

the inbetweeners

16/9/2011 20:51

Oliver Twist

15/9/2011 17:27

Da Vinci code again

15/9/2011 14:34

Source Code

15/9/2011 13:25

Eight Below

15/9/2011 7:53

Rise of The Planet of The Apes

15/9/2011 0:29

Amélie

14/9/2011 23:45

The Bourne Ultimatum

14/9/2011 19:38

Final Destination.

14/9/2011 19:37

Gnomeo & juliet.

14/9/2011 19:28

Hangover 2

14/9/2011 19:14

Preliminary Task - Film

Below is my preliminary film which I will now evaluate and upload shortly.

Film Genres Survey

Here is the link to my film genre survey I created on survey monkey:

http://surveymonkey.com/s/S9TXM5N

Film Genres Research

Action Films: Action films have traditionally been a reliable source of revenue as they are aimed at mainly male audiences from teenage years upwards. Action films usually include fight scenes, car chases, life threatening situations, violence and special effects. Normally action films contain one main actor or group of actors that are seen to be the 'heroes' or 'good guys' vs the villains. In the 1990's film makers began to add more female cast members in response to the expanding social conceptions of gender. Hollywood is the main maker of action films due to the use of CGI which makes it easier and cheaper to create special effects and stunt scene's which in the past required the use of stunt crews. the film genre is also closely linked with the thriller and adventure genres.

Some of the most well known action film heroes (from left, top row): Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzennegger, Bruce Willis, Steven Segal (bottom row) Dolph Lundgren, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Wesley Snipes, Jacky Chan

 

List of top 15 action films (from IMDb):

Rank	Rating	Title	Votes
1.	8.8	The Dark Knight (2008)	600,500
2.	8.8	The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King(2003)	463,086
3.	8.8	Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back(1980)	341,873
4.	8.8	Inception (2010)	444,060
5.	8.7	Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)	386,696
6.	8.7	The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring(2001)	484,390
7.	8.7	The Matrix (1999)	482,789
8.	8.7	Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark(1981)	295,220
9.	8.6	The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)	414,434
10.	8.5	Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)	303,116
11.	8.5	Saving Private Ryan (1998)	342,955
12.	8.5	The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)	40,072
13.	8.5	Das Boot (1981)	83,790
14.	8.5	Aliens (1986)	208,296
15.	8.4	The General (1926)	24,800

Comedy:


The comedy genre focuses on humour. The main aim of the films are to get the audience to laugh. Most comedy films are also light hearted dramas and over exaggerate scenes to amuse the audience. Generally all comedy films have a happy ending. Some of the very first silent movies were comedy's making it one of the oldest film genres. While many comic films are light-hearted stories with no intent other than to amuse their audience, others contain political or social commentary. As well as being one of the oldest genres it is also believed to be one of the most popular.

List of top 15 comedy films (from IMDb):

1.	8.6	Forrest Gump (1994)	405,444
2.	8.6	City Lights (1931)	38,060
3.	8.6	Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)	182,937
4.	8.6	Toy Story 3 (2010)	167,790
5.	8.5	Modern Times (1936)	47,240
6.	8.5	Amelie (2001)	232,504
7.	8.4	Life Is Beautiful (1997)	143,080
8.	8.4	The Great Dictator (1940)	48,081
9.	8.4	The Apartment (1960)	45,941
10.	8.4	Singin' in the Rain (1952)	67,374
11.	8.4	The General (1926)	24,800
12.	8.4	Some Like It Hot (1959)	82,149
13.	8.4	Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1974)	185,483
14.	8.4	The Foster Brothers (1976)	5,032
15.	8.3	The Sting (1973)	80,772

War:


War films focus on warfare and are generally about naval, air or land battles with few focusing on prisoners of war or military training. War films can be based on fiction, history or even current situations.  Many film makers will use the nations military forces to aid in the production to give a realistic effect to the film or to use military bases as filming locations. Typically the military involved will require editorial control to insure that the film is not critical of them however this can be bias.

List of top 15 war films (from IMDb):

Rank	Rating	Title	Votes
1.	8.9	Schindler's List (1993)	349,100
2.	8.7	The Human Condition III: A Soldier's Prayer (1961)	1,096
3.	8.6	Apocalypse Now (1979)	210,781
4.	8.5	Paths of Glory (1957)	55,559
5.	8.5	Saving Private Ryan (1998)	342,955
6.	8.5	The Human Condition I: No Greater Love (1959/I)	1,475
7.	8.5	Lawrence of Arabia (1962)	93,835
8.	8.5	The Pianist (2002)	177,346
9.	8.5	Das Boot (1981)	83,790
10.	8.4	The Human Condition II: Road to Eternity (1959/II)	1,104
11.	8.4	Life Is Beautiful (1997)	143,080
12.	8.4	The Great Dictator (1940)	48,081
13.	8.4	The General (1926)	24,800
14.	8.4	The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)	71,528
15.	8.4	Full Metal Jacket (1987)	194,149

Musicals: 


The musical film genre includes films which are based on songs. These songs are woven into the script and are sometimes accompanied by dancing. The songs often play a part in the characters development however sometimes they are merely breaks in the story line. Many musicals also have  a stage production along with the film but their are more lavish backgrounds that would not be practical on stage. 

List of top 15 musical films (from IMDb):

 

Rank	Rating	Title	Votes
1.	8.4	Singin' in the Rain (1952)	67,374
2.	8.3	The Lion King (1994)	202,262
3.	8.2	The Wizard of Oz (1939)	127,549
4.	8.1	3 Idiots (2009)	23,389
5.	8.1	Duck Soup (1933)	31,648
6.	8.0	A Night at the Opera (1935)	15,777
7.	8.0	Gold Diggers of 1933 (1933)	3,252
8.	8.0	Beauty and the Beast (1991)	97,227
9.	8.0	Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India (2001)	15,257
10.	8.0	The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)	99,299
11.	7.9	Sholay (1975)	8,698
12.	7.9	Chupke Chupke (1975)	1,152
13.	7.9	The Blues Brothers (1980)	73,820
14.	7.8	My Fair Lady (1964)	32,882
15.	7.8	Aladdin (1992)	91,650

Science fiction 


Science fiction films include speculative, science based depictions of phenomena that are generally not accepted by mainstream science. Most science fiction films involve extraterrestrial life forms, aliens, robots, spacecrafts, UFO's or time travel. The genre has existed since the years of silent cinema where it used camera tricks where as now film makers use special effects to draw in audiences.

List of top 15 science fiction films (from IMDb):

 

Rank	Rating	Title	Votes
1.	8.8	Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back(1980)	341,873
2.	8.8	Inception (2010)	444,060
3.	8.7	Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)	386,696
4.	8.7	The Matrix (1999)	482,789
5.	8.5	Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)	303,116
6.	8.5	Alien (1979)	223,996
7.	8.5	WALL·E (2008)	251,186
8.	8.5	A Clockwork Orange (1971)	240,223
9.	8.5	Aliens (1986)	208,296
10.	8.4	Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)	280,573
11.	8.4	Back to the Future (1985)	264,641
12.	8.4	Metropolis (1927)	50,436
13.	8.3	2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)	193,707
14.	8.3	Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983)	261,778
15.	8.2	Blade Runner (1982)	223,334