Trainspotting - Heroin Scene - relevant from 0.50 - 2.20
This scene shows the use of heroin. From this scene I have learnt that heroin addicts use a thick chunky belt to tight around their upper arm and clench this with their teeth for extra strength to tighten it as much as possible for their vein to become more visible to inject.
The character injects the syringe into the vein in the middle of his arm, as soon as he injects himself, his reaction becomes very still and he looks fint and numb although the drug has effected him greatly. The symbolism of the way he feels by the floor closing up on him can be useful to use in my opening sequence as I could also portray this in very different ways.
Pulp Fiction
This scene has given me an insight on what is needed to make the use of heroin in my opening sequence very realistic and beleivable. From this opening sequence, I have learnt how heroin users use a spoon to burn the substance with a lighter and insert it in the syringe.
This scene also shows the assembly of the syringe which is very technical and this can be used in my opening sequence too.
Friday 12 November 2010
Thursday 11 November 2010
Monday 8 November 2010
Thursday 4 November 2010
Learning from Other Films
The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air - Carlton Takes Speed
In this scene, Carlton has mistakingly taken speed whilst thinking that what he has taking was paracetamol.
The camera was used very cleverly in this scene. Whilst Carlton was taking the drugs without knowing, the camera shot was a midshot showing some of his body language, as well as his facial expressions and for the audience to see what he was doing with the drugs. This meant that audience could create their own meaning by what they have seen. When Will goes to see why Carltons name is being chanted, the camera follows him as if its another person at the event. This is a successful technique as the audience are able to see everything in this situation as if in a point of view from someone else at the event.
When Carlton was taking the drugs, he was in the hallway near the lockers. This shows the audience how the drugs being taken could be due to an influence of being young and stressed, although the character didn't know he was taking drugs, Will had them in his locker and there must be an influence upon him.
As soon as Carlton takes the drugs, the sound of the music becomes louder, perhaps being an effect upon the audience that the drugs make you more aware of things and more awake/alert. This is an effect that can make the audience feel as though they are in Carltons position or are experiencing drugs alongside Carlton. Carltons name was also being chanted by all his peers, which could be emphasising the fact that when you are taking drugs, your confidence increases, just like Carltons whilst he was dancing, and everyone praising him on this.
From this scene, the music is fast to emphasise Carltons behaviour after taking the drugs. This is a good technique as the audience are able to feel Carltons hyperactivity and mood and I think this is a good technique to use in my own opening sequence.
Scarface
In this scene, Tony Montana is inhaling cocaine.
The camera pans and while its panning we see the cocaine and alcohol in view before we see the characters face. This allows the audience to be able to see whats in view which means that the audience are able to work out what will be happening in the scene and that the character and the drugs and alcohol have a connection.
Everything in the frame is dull coloured, the chairs are black and brown, the walls are dark and the characters clothing is dark. However, the cocaine bags are white which makes it stand out more and the audiences attention is diverted straight to the drugs. This enables the audience to see and understand what the main issue of the scene is.
When the character is inhaling the cocaine, we hear the sound of him sniffing the cocaine which is very effective as we are able to hear it loudly and clearly and are able to feel how it has effected him as the sound distorts from when he pulls away from the drugs. This enables the audience to realise and understand the characters feelings towards the drugs. Throughout the sequence there is music played in the background and after the character has taken the drugs, the music speeds up and becomes louder to create tension and suspense.
Eastenders - Phil on Drugs
In this scene, Phil is high on drugs and is surrounded by drugs and Alcohol.
The camera shots used are most of the time panned to show the surrounding drugs and alcohol and to show the link between Phil and these drugs. Also, high angle shots are used on Phil so that he looks weak and vulnerable and the audience feel more dominant and powerful. However, when the camera is on Peggy, low angle shots are used, so that Peggy seems like the more dominant and powerful character compared to Phil. Many mid shots are used so that the audience are able to see the surroundings and atmosphere of the flat Phil is staying in.
This sequence is set down in a very dirty, run down flat that looks like it has been abandoned and Phil had found it to stay in desperately trying to find shelter while he was on drugs. This dirty, run down flat symbolises a person who takes drugs and shows how the person is feeling. This is an effective technique as the audience wont have to hear any dialogue in order to see and feel how drugs are effecting the character.
The colours and lighting are very dull which represent the way the drugs make the person feel. This is a good technique to use for drugs as it can show emotion and feeling caused by drugs without any dialogue needed.
When Peggy opens the door, there is a creaking sound, this shows the awkwardness between the two characters due to the drugs.
In this scene, the alcohol bottles are covered in foil and have some sort of paper coming out of it, perhaps to reserve the alcohol etc. Therefore I will take this into consideration when making my opening sequence.
In this scene, Carlton has mistakingly taken speed whilst thinking that what he has taking was paracetamol.
The camera was used very cleverly in this scene. Whilst Carlton was taking the drugs without knowing, the camera shot was a midshot showing some of his body language, as well as his facial expressions and for the audience to see what he was doing with the drugs. This meant that audience could create their own meaning by what they have seen. When Will goes to see why Carltons name is being chanted, the camera follows him as if its another person at the event. This is a successful technique as the audience are able to see everything in this situation as if in a point of view from someone else at the event.
When Carlton was taking the drugs, he was in the hallway near the lockers. This shows the audience how the drugs being taken could be due to an influence of being young and stressed, although the character didn't know he was taking drugs, Will had them in his locker and there must be an influence upon him.
As soon as Carlton takes the drugs, the sound of the music becomes louder, perhaps being an effect upon the audience that the drugs make you more aware of things and more awake/alert. This is an effect that can make the audience feel as though they are in Carltons position or are experiencing drugs alongside Carlton. Carltons name was also being chanted by all his peers, which could be emphasising the fact that when you are taking drugs, your confidence increases, just like Carltons whilst he was dancing, and everyone praising him on this.
From this scene, the music is fast to emphasise Carltons behaviour after taking the drugs. This is a good technique as the audience are able to feel Carltons hyperactivity and mood and I think this is a good technique to use in my own opening sequence.
Scarface
In this scene, Tony Montana is inhaling cocaine.
The camera pans and while its panning we see the cocaine and alcohol in view before we see the characters face. This allows the audience to be able to see whats in view which means that the audience are able to work out what will be happening in the scene and that the character and the drugs and alcohol have a connection.
Everything in the frame is dull coloured, the chairs are black and brown, the walls are dark and the characters clothing is dark. However, the cocaine bags are white which makes it stand out more and the audiences attention is diverted straight to the drugs. This enables the audience to see and understand what the main issue of the scene is.
When the character is inhaling the cocaine, we hear the sound of him sniffing the cocaine which is very effective as we are able to hear it loudly and clearly and are able to feel how it has effected him as the sound distorts from when he pulls away from the drugs. This enables the audience to realise and understand the characters feelings towards the drugs. Throughout the sequence there is music played in the background and after the character has taken the drugs, the music speeds up and becomes louder to create tension and suspense.
Eastenders - Phil on Drugs
In this scene, Phil is high on drugs and is surrounded by drugs and Alcohol.
The camera shots used are most of the time panned to show the surrounding drugs and alcohol and to show the link between Phil and these drugs. Also, high angle shots are used on Phil so that he looks weak and vulnerable and the audience feel more dominant and powerful. However, when the camera is on Peggy, low angle shots are used, so that Peggy seems like the more dominant and powerful character compared to Phil. Many mid shots are used so that the audience are able to see the surroundings and atmosphere of the flat Phil is staying in.
This sequence is set down in a very dirty, run down flat that looks like it has been abandoned and Phil had found it to stay in desperately trying to find shelter while he was on drugs. This dirty, run down flat symbolises a person who takes drugs and shows how the person is feeling. This is an effective technique as the audience wont have to hear any dialogue in order to see and feel how drugs are effecting the character.
The colours and lighting are very dull which represent the way the drugs make the person feel. This is a good technique to use for drugs as it can show emotion and feeling caused by drugs without any dialogue needed.
When Peggy opens the door, there is a creaking sound, this shows the awkwardness between the two characters due to the drugs.
In this scene, the alcohol bottles are covered in foil and have some sort of paper coming out of it, perhaps to reserve the alcohol etc. Therefore I will take this into consideration when making my opening sequence.
Tuesday 2 November 2010
Analysis of Opening Sequences
Clips for Analysis
THE AGE OF INNOCENCE
In this opening sequence, the director is aiming to engage the audience and give them a very subtle hint of what the film's narrative is about. The director does this by using music and sound. The music is very slow and the orchestra used is very heavy, with the sound of string based instruments, showing that this narrative will be quite strong and wont be suitable for children, which highlights how this opening sequence makes sure that the target audience is kept to. Also, there is an image of a flower blossoming into something beautiful, which could represent one of the main concepts of the narrative. On top of the flowering image, there is a faint script over it with information that the audience are not really able to read. This leaves the audience feeling confused and gives them a sense of mystery. This also leaves the audience asking themselves, what this information consists of, and what the blossoming plant is representing.
My favourite part of this clip is the music as it is really subtle and enjoyable and this technique really grasped my attention and has made me want to watch the rest of the movie. I also enjoyed the blossoming flower as it is very creative and can symbolise many meanings.
THE NAKED GUN
The directors aims of this sequence is to familiarise the audience with what will be happening in the film. I know this because we are suddenly brought in to the sequence with being in the point of view of the person in the film and the sudden rush and sounds of the police siren causes a very frustrated tone of the film where everything is going wrong. Being in the point of view of one of the characters, gives the audience the complete feeling of being part of the narrative and so they are left feeling very welcomed into the narrative and this also engages the audience into the opening sequence as they have now had their full attention focused into the sequence. This also leaves the audience wondering what has happened and whats going to happen, along with many questions such as why there was a police siren and what sort of trouble has happened. The directors aim is also to introduce the main characters and the title of the film. This is done with a bright white font centred in the middle of the frame which is fully noticable by the audience.
My favourite part of this clip is being in the point of view of one as the characters. This is because I felt as though I was part of the narrative and this is a positive effect on the audiences attention the audience being engaged in the narrative. Also, the siren created a very busy and tone and so the audience were all fully alert and are left wondering whats going to happen next.
PULP FICTION
The directors aims of this opening sequence is to introduce the main characters in this film and the title of this film. He does this strictly. This is because the background is plain black, and the title of the film 'Pulp Fiction' is in the middle of the frame throughout the opening sequence. The actors names are presented clearly over the title of the film in white so it stands out. The audience are left wondering and thinking as the opening sequence does not introduce any narrative, only the titles vital for the film. This creates an unknown feeling for the audience leaving them waiting for the next thing to happen because they are left anxious.
The audience are engaged as the actors names that are presented are all of well known fantastic actors and therefore the audience will want to see a film with them in it. Also, the layout of the frame is very clear and easy and the audience do not need to use any extra effort or work out anything to understand what will be happening next as their mind is relaxed.
My favourite part of this clip is how the 'Pulp Fiction' title appears on screen very slowly, as though it is slowly being introduced to the audience. This creates tension as the audience are kept waiting to see something exciting which build up their excitement.
THE AGE OF INNOCENCE
In this opening sequence, the director is aiming to engage the audience and give them a very subtle hint of what the film's narrative is about. The director does this by using music and sound. The music is very slow and the orchestra used is very heavy, with the sound of string based instruments, showing that this narrative will be quite strong and wont be suitable for children, which highlights how this opening sequence makes sure that the target audience is kept to. Also, there is an image of a flower blossoming into something beautiful, which could represent one of the main concepts of the narrative. On top of the flowering image, there is a faint script over it with information that the audience are not really able to read. This leaves the audience feeling confused and gives them a sense of mystery. This also leaves the audience asking themselves, what this information consists of, and what the blossoming plant is representing.
My favourite part of this clip is the music as it is really subtle and enjoyable and this technique really grasped my attention and has made me want to watch the rest of the movie. I also enjoyed the blossoming flower as it is very creative and can symbolise many meanings.
THE NAKED GUN
The directors aims of this sequence is to familiarise the audience with what will be happening in the film. I know this because we are suddenly brought in to the sequence with being in the point of view of the person in the film and the sudden rush and sounds of the police siren causes a very frustrated tone of the film where everything is going wrong. Being in the point of view of one of the characters, gives the audience the complete feeling of being part of the narrative and so they are left feeling very welcomed into the narrative and this also engages the audience into the opening sequence as they have now had their full attention focused into the sequence. This also leaves the audience wondering what has happened and whats going to happen, along with many questions such as why there was a police siren and what sort of trouble has happened. The directors aim is also to introduce the main characters and the title of the film. This is done with a bright white font centred in the middle of the frame which is fully noticable by the audience.
My favourite part of this clip is being in the point of view of one as the characters. This is because I felt as though I was part of the narrative and this is a positive effect on the audiences attention the audience being engaged in the narrative. Also, the siren created a very busy and tone and so the audience were all fully alert and are left wondering whats going to happen next.
PULP FICTION
The directors aims of this opening sequence is to introduce the main characters in this film and the title of this film. He does this strictly. This is because the background is plain black, and the title of the film 'Pulp Fiction' is in the middle of the frame throughout the opening sequence. The actors names are presented clearly over the title of the film in white so it stands out. The audience are left wondering and thinking as the opening sequence does not introduce any narrative, only the titles vital for the film. This creates an unknown feeling for the audience leaving them waiting for the next thing to happen because they are left anxious.
The audience are engaged as the actors names that are presented are all of well known fantastic actors and therefore the audience will want to see a film with them in it. Also, the layout of the frame is very clear and easy and the audience do not need to use any extra effort or work out anything to understand what will be happening next as their mind is relaxed.
My favourite part of this clip is how the 'Pulp Fiction' title appears on screen very slowly, as though it is slowly being introduced to the audience. This creates tension as the audience are kept waiting to see something exciting which build up their excitement.
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