Intertextuality

Intertextuality is when a film uses references to other films within the film.
We can use intertextuality in our film opening by using references from other films in the way of costume, location and even camera angles.
Costume can be used by allowing the actors in our film opening to wear replicas of costumes from other films, for example a reference to the film Grease would be to have the male character to wear a leather jacket, as seen below

On the left is the scene from "Scream" and on the right we can see "Scary movie", they have used the scream mask as intertextuality, this was more affective in "Scary Movie " as it was supposed to be direct parody of the "Scream" movie.


Intertextuality was used in kill bill vol. 1 and reservoir dogs where there is a low angle shot of a group of people looking at something on the ground.

This example shows how the same camera angle was used for both films, the camera shot was first used in reservoir dogs (bottom image) and was replicated in Kill Bill (top image).

Comparison between the killers and the remake

The clip on the left displays a screen grab of our 'The killers' remake. this is compared tot he screen on the right which displays a screen-grab from the original film. As you can see, we have used a fade effect on our clip in order to imitate the scene from the actual movie as the fade was used and placed in the exact same time in the real film.

When we were making this clip, we had no statue present so we had to use Sharina. Unfortunately as she was standing too close to the background, and due to the darker lightning than used in the original clip the camera couldn't focus as well. 

The Killers Remake

The Killers shot for shot remake: Editing

We used Final Cut Pro to edit our video. The image to the right shows the first steps of us selecting the best parts of each clip and putting it in order. We use the "i" and "o" keys to choose the in and out points of the original footage to use in the final product.

This image shows the colour correction process. We had to colour correct and colour grade the footage as we shot the as the sun was going down which meant the lighting was different in each clip. This had to be done to each clip in order to make the movie seamless and match up the clips.

In this screen shot you can see us adding a cross fade to the audio track, we had to use the cross fade to cover up the jump in the music as we looped the music but not precisely enough.

This screen shot shows us doing the final render of our footage in to a quick time .mov file.

Conventions of film openings

Judging by the all of the film opening I have watched, I have noticed that they all seem to follow a particular, same pattern: all starting with introducing the Production and Distribution companies behind the film first. 

After introducing these companies, the films then tend to carry on to introduce the film director. 
In the film opening of 'The talking of Pelham 123' a perfect example of this is presented:

A 'Classic Opening' is then usually used: a 'classic opening' can be described as an opening of a film that follows the particular pattern:

The Thriller Psycho uses a classic opening:

First the actors/actresses names are presented.










 Then a wide shot is used to reveal the entire area to the audience.

The camera then, focuses on a particular,  bulidng/ place that will then be revealed it be significant to the movie later on, where the first scene will be shot in.

Next the camera zooms into the building, and focuses on a particular part of that building such as a window or a door.












Finally, the main character/characters are then introduced.











In the film 'Unknown' however, the opening is, can be argued, the complete opposite of the 'classic film opening' as the movie starts with a view out of the window, then the camera zoom compeltely out to see the room, the area, or place where the main character (the protagonist) is then displayed.  Afterwards, we are then plunged straight into the narrative. 

Also, another film opnening that I found to be quite different from the others was the opening of 'One Hour Photo'. it's opening being a very slow, gradual one, which, all the while, builds tension for the audience. 

As with all film openings, background music is played significantly and is an essential part of the opening as it sets the tone, initial idea to the audience of what type of genre the film is going to be. 

Codes and Conventions Of Film Openings

Codes and Conventions of Film Openings From watching Film Openings I have noticed that normally the film opening starts with credits or an introduction to the distributors and production companies also the Film Title is shown. In One Hour Photo the opening starts off with an introduction to the production company Fox Entertainment also the use of Production logo and distribution logo is being shown.

The opening of One hour Photo is much slower than the other film openings I have seen. Most film openings start with an introduction to the production and film companies as seen in One Hour Photo. In Film openings music is the key to the genre it’s also a signifier to the audience it sets the mood and the tone as in the opening of One hour photo tense background music is being played with credits.

Film Noir is a convention of film openings as it starts with the film telling the narrative at the end showing the situation and dilemma this also creates a flashback and suspense. Most film openings start with Film Noir as shown in One Hour Shot. Personally I prefer the use of Film Noir as I feel it captures and engages the audience much deeply and leaves the audience in suspense. After the use of film noir the film opening goes onto to film shots of the main characters as in One Hour Shot the opening starts with a close u of a camera and a male. In Film Openings generally setting and location is used to set the scene so that the audience can identify with the oncoming narrative. Narrative hook is also a code and convention of Film Openings as it gives away part of the story lines. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjIBX5RrG4Q

Example of the film opening conventions

North by Northwest is a film directed by Alfred Hitchcock in 1959 this perfectly demonstrates the conventions we see in the majority of films.

As I have watched the film openings, I've seen that they seem to all start with introducing the Production and Distribution companies behind the film. this also includes introducing the film's director. 

From this, the opening then continues on to introducing the cast and the name of the film.

Depending on what film, they tend to show the location in which the film takes place, for example, in One Hour Photo, it doesn't show a specific town or area. It just shows it being set in a room.

After all of the introducing of actors/actresses starring in the film, the story will begin, not giving much away.

Conventions of Film Openings

This screen shot was taken from the opening of the film 'Unknown'

From the openings I watched I noticed that the majority introduced the distributors, production companies and director at the very beginning. The openings were mostly fast paced and none too revealing.

Taken from the opening of 'Unknown'

From the opening of 'The taking of Pelham 123'

The films would then show the name of the film and then go on to introduce the actors and actresses.








The films would then go on to show the location the film takes place. In this .gif from 'The taking of Pelham 123' you can see they have used two shots of the New York skyline to initially set up the location. Further on in the opening we see the hustle and bustle of the city thereby giving the viewer a sense of how many people a disaster could affect.


Once these things were done the film would then dive straight into the main story. However some, like 'Unknown' were shot in a film noir style and so began from the end. Arguably this is a better way of capturing the audience as it leaves people answering questions that they need to be answered.

Rule of thirds composition shots

The following shots you see have been composed using the rule of thirds, this is a way to compose shots where you imagine there is a grid on your view finder which is split into 9 boxes. This creates 4 distinct lines which are used to place important features of your shot in order to draw all the attention to the subjects and thereby create an all round better shot.

Big Close Up Shot: 

The key features of this shot are the face and the buildings behind. As you can see, the eye line is matched up with top third, just under the nose is  lined up with the shorter building and the beige flats. Furthermore the beige building is lined up with the third, third.

Wide shot:

The key feature of this shot is the landscape of the area: the first vertical third is lined up with the edge of the top white wall, the second vertical third is lined up with the pillar on the right hand side of the shot. The first horizontal line is lined up against the bottom of the top wall, whereas the second horizontal line is lined against the second table on the left hand side of the shot.



Shot of Feet:

The feet are positioned in line with each major rule of third line.

The eye line is lined up with the top horizontal line of thirds and the feet are lined up with both vertical line of thirds.

Comparisons:

Bad shot: In this shot none of the key features match up with the lines created using the rule of thirds.







Good shot: This shot however, has the key features in lined up perfectly and helps draw the eyes attention to the main points of the shot.

Good Shot
 The eye line lines up also the pillar in the background also the table to the right and the sofa.

Bad Shot

Nothing in the shot is lined up correctly the rule of thirds has not been used.








Over the Shoulder Shot

In this shot the eyeline is level as is the bottom of the trolley in the background.The wooden slats on the wall are in line with the second vertical third.

Window Shot
The problem with taking a shot near a window is that the background is generally lighter than the foreground which makes the highlights blown out and makes the shadows even darker as you can in this picture here.Also reflection is created which shows what is behind the camera.