Different Types of opening sequences

• Title
• Setting
• Introduction to characters
• Credits/ actors names
• Reveal elements of genre and narrative
• Introduction to storyline
• Understanding of tone and atmosphere of the film

The discrete title sequence

A mini film before the film and helps to get the audience into the mood of the film but not tell you what the film is about. It gives you an idea of the tone and the genre of the film. 

Example of an opening sequence: 

The girl with the Dragon Tattoo

• Actors names
• Tone of the film 
• Dark colours - black, white and grey - signifies that it is a dark film
• Fire
• Eagle
• Snippets of the narrative
• Form of romance
• Ink across the screen - links to the fact that the girl is heavily tattooed
• Keyboard and leads - shows that information is being transferred on the internet

The traditional title sequence

 Although the traditional opening is slightly stylised you will see the title of the film, font introducing the actors that will reflect the genre and the sound will create a mood that helps to reveal narrative information. 

Drive

• Focuses on the main character 
• shows the names of the actors in the film
•  shows the setting 
•  sets the tone for the film

Straight into the film

A film that goes straight into the story and doesn't have any extra title sequences. This is most likely seen in horror films. 

The stylised opening

A combination of straight into it and discrete.

Mesrine

• Sets the tone for the film
• Title
• Complicated editing techniques

Three Point Lighting

- The three point lighting technique is a standard method used in visual media such as video, film, still photography and computer-generated imagery.
- The goal of three point lighting is to create the illusion of a three-dimensional subject in a two-dimensional image.
- There are three lights used in three point lighting, which are the key light, the fill light and the back light.

The Key Light 

- The key light is the main light used on the subject. 

- Whichever way the subject is facing in the frame, the key light should be on that side of the camera. 

The Fill Light

- The purpose of this light is to fill in the shadows created by the key light, preventing them from getting too dark. 

- The fill light shines on the subject from a side angle relative to the key light and is often placed at a lower position than the key light. 

- The fill light should not create a second shadow. If two shadows can be seen then the fill light is too powerful and needs to be reduced. 

The Back Light

- This is used to separate the subject from the background. 

- The back light shines on the object from behind, often to one side or the other. 

Sub- Genres of Thriller Movies

Conventions in Thriller Movies

Drive Poster Analysis

Run Lola Run Poster Analysis

Sherlock Holmes Poster Analysis

How is the Bride represented in the two sequences of Kill Bill Volume 2 through the use of sound and mise-en-scene?

In the first scene, diegetic sound is used through the Bride's heavy breathing, which connotes her fear and panic as she is buried alive. Non-diegetic sound is also used in the first scene as funeral music is played as the coffin is bolted up. Also in the first scene, synchronous sound is used as the sound of crickets represent the isolated location that the Bride has been taken to. The lighting in the first scene is dark which represents the Bride's fate. The Bride's facial expressions are fearful and distressed as she closes her eyes and cries to herself. The setting of the scene is in a wooden coffin in an isolated area. The small space in the coffin is shown as the camera is positioned from a low angle, showing how claustrophobic the coffin is. Furthermore, a torch is used in the first scene which symbolises how there is still hope for the Bride.

On the other hand, in the second scene non-diegetic sound is used when the Bride tries to escape. The sound in the second scene contrasts to the music in the first scene as the music is more uplifting which represents how there is still hope for the Bride. There is also synchronous sound and non-diegetic sound as a drum beat can be heard which represents the Bride's heartbeat. The sound of the heartbeat is slow and calm which demonstrates how the Bride is less distressed than she was in the first scene. Additionally, in the second scene the lighting is brighter and more golden which symbolises hope as the Bride finds a possible way to escape. The Bride's facial expressions also change in the second scene as her face looks more determined as she presses her lips together as she concentrates on punching the top of the coffin. Make up is also used in the second scene as the Bride has dirt on her face to illustrate how she had been buried underground, and blood on her knuckles to show where she had been punching the coffin. Props are also used in the second scene as the Bride pulls a pocket knife out from her shoe. This object represents hope as the knife is the only way she will be able to escape. Lastly, the space inside the coffin appears more spacious than in the first scene as the camera is positioned at a higher angle to create the effect that there is more hope of getting out.

The 180 degree rule

What is the 180 degree rule?

The 180-degree rule is a basic guideline regarding the on-screen spatial relationship between a character and another character or object within a scene.

An imaginary line called the axis connects the characters, and by keeping the camera on one side of this axis for every shot in the scene, the first character is always frame right of the second character, who is then always frame left of the first. The camera passing over the axis is called jumping the line or crossing the line; breaking the 180-degree rule by shooting on all sides is known as shooting in the round. 

Understanding the 180 degree rule