Task One: Famous Opening Sequences

Blood Diamond

Dialogue And Sound
In the opening couple of minutes of the film, there is no dialogue from any characters. It appears,director, Edward Zwick has used a peaceful and calm music piece to create a mood of happiness and it matches the shots of the sunrise coming over the horizon. makes the film sound as if its peaceful and full of happiness.
Text
In the opening 1.05 minutes, there are no credits of the actors and actresses but only of the companies associated with the film. The text is a yellow colour on a clear font on the bottom half of the picture, this is used so the writing does not overlap the main picture but is still there to see. Blood Diamond then appears centrally in a bold, black font which does obstruct the picture behind.  The companies associated with Blood Diamond are:

•  Warner Bros.Pictures Presents
•  In Association With Virtual Studios
•  A Spring Creek/Bedford Falls Production
• In Association with Initial Entertainment Group
• Blood Diamond

Camera
Starts with a wide shot of the sun about to rise above a cloud, the next shot is a side view an animal on the lake and the sun is reflecting onto the water. This shows the setting and creates yet another peaceful image. Then goes to another wide shot of a load of fishing boats floating on the water, the sky is dark as the sun has not reached that part of land.
Changes to a view of the lake from land with a couple of huts and then a few boats on the river. The villagers, huts and boats are all silhouettes with the sun rising on the left hand side of shot.
shot then goes to  a close up of some sort of adult followed by a close up of an infant, he nods and walks away out of shot.( saying goodbye)
Flare is then on the camera as the sunrise is reflection onto the river.
Shot of men running in water before getting on boats.
Man on boat shown doing work- different angles on him.
Man going across shot, camera is focused on the sunrise
Real close to water and title appears on screen

View
The opening of Blood Diamond represents a calm location and a very peaceful setting, it shows us hoe lighting can be used to create an effect of happiness. The fact that the opening is so peaceful and happy makes me think that the rest of the film is going to be abut those certain things.

Juno

Dialogue And Sound
Throughout the opening 2 minutes or so, the song called 'All I want is you' by Barry Louis Polisar is played. This is an fast and upbeat song which makes it feel like its doing to be full of drama and not at all boring- always something happening type of film. The song creates a quite happy mood also the title of the song makes the mood feel pretty sad. The beat matches the shots of the main character when she is walking. At the end of the sequence, there is a sound of the drink she is walking with being chucked into the bin.

Text
In the opening moments of the film, there are both the names of the actors and actresses and the companies associated with the film. All the titles are in a 3D, handwritten form which makes it feel like its a film to do with teenagers or young people in general. It also adds a sense of humours as opposed to serious. The colours of the letters vary, at the start they are yellow coloured and they change throughout. The position of the lettering also changes and every name is in near enough a different position, the names have been put in creatively to blend in with the drawings in the background. The title, companies and main actors and actresses associatted with Juno are:

• Fox Searchlight Pictures Presents
• A Mandate Pictures//Mr. Mudd Production
• A Jason Reitman Film
• Juno
• Ellen Page
• Michael Cera
• Jennifer Garner
• Jason Bateman
• Allison Janney
• J.K Simmons
• Olivia Thirlby
• Casting By  Mindy Marin and Kara Lipson
• Costume Designer  Monique Prudhomme
• Music By  Mateo Messina
• Songs By  Kimya Dawson
• Music Supervisors Peter Afterman and Margaret Yen
• Co-Producers Jim Miller, Kelli Kenop, Brad Van Arragon
• Film Editor Dana E. Glauberman
• Production Designer Steve Saklad
• Director Of Phtography Eric Steelberg
• Executive Producers Joe Drake, Nathan Kahane, Daniel Dubiecki
• Produced By Lianne Halfon, John Malkovic, Mason Novich, Russell Smith
• Written By Diablo Cody
• Directed By Jason Reitman

Camera
Close up of main character wiping mouth whilst holding Sunny D. Moving parallel to the side whilst main character walks along path, high school runners jog past. Creates a setting that it's based at a athletic arena or school.
Changes to cartoon drawings and character walking past a house. Next shot shows a close up of her drinking and then zooms out so we can see another view of the houses.
Changes shot to a close up to cartoon feet with leaves floating around. feet walking in background across screen. Next angle is from the left of her as she walks  in between leaves, van in background.
Main character then walks down a street facing camera, she is normal but the houses to her right are cartoon. She walks with a stop start movement (edited) Camera then looks up to a series of electrical, flock of birds fly from left to right.
Close up of character walking-  left hand side, houses on right and birds fly past. Another shot of her from the left hand side- walking past rocking chair and guitar, could suggest she likes music and likes to chill out on her own. She walks out of shot and camera stays focused on three houses, could be where she lives?
View is from behind on the left and she is walking down a road drinking her drink, next shot is from further down road, walks into shot.
shot from left of her, walks past guitar and barber shop. turns left, starts walking across road. Heads towards camera.
Close up of he opening drinks bottle. Right hand side. Next shot is her drinking from it. Left hand side. Then view from above looking down. She is walking on a path looking up with leaves falling on her. Walks through park, runners jog past. Behind her walking and runners go past again. view from stomach area looking at feet walking, camera is then positioned looking along path behind her waking next to trees. goes with the song lyrics 'If you'd be the wood, i'd be the fire'. Walking under a branch. Close up walking in a street, houses in background. Camera then smoothly moves behind her. Close up of legs, camera goes up her body. She then walks in centre of camera, past skater and then off right. At the end, it goes back to reality and camera is behind her as she walks into a shop.

View
The opening of Juno shows a setting of a neighbourhood and a fairly social place. It shows how drawings can be used to make a film more interesting and the pace in which the drawing change represents the film could be about drama.

Boyhood

Dialogue and Sound
In the opening minute or so, there is a mix between music and dialogue. at the start of the film , the song Yellow by Coldplay is playing. The song creates a mood of happiness and a chilled atmosphere as the song is rather slow. The start of the song matches the picture, looking up into the sky. When the dialogue starts, the music gradually gets quieter until no longer heard. The boy's mum approaches him and says " Hey lovebud, you ready?"
He replies " Oooo yeah, guess what mum."
She responds "What."
" I've figured out where wasps come from." The boy replies.
"Oh yeah, where?" The mum says.
"Well i think it must be if you flick a wasp in the air just right it'll turn into a wasp."
"Damn" She replies.
"Yep" he says.

Text
At the start of the film, there are no credits towards actors and actresses but there are credits on who the producers are. The text is in a handwritten style  that makes it feel like its at school and links well with the title of the film. The black colour of font again represents black ink on paper.
The credits are :
IFC Films
IFC Productions Presents
A Detour Film Production
Boyhood

camera
 The first shot is looking up at sky, blue and white. shows calmness and peace.
Next shot is close up of boy's face and zooms out, still on face
Cuts to mum walking through a courtyard - camera follows her from side, slows down and then angle is from the right hand side but slightly behind them
Camera then follows them to get a side view, can see building in foreground
The camera angles want us to know that it is based in a school as there are small children walking around.

view
I feel the opening minute or so doesn't give a whole lot away in terms of what the film is about. The music does make it seem like the film is about reflecting on his memories when he was small because of the lyrics and the camera angle of the sky and the boy looking up at it makes it seem like he's dreaming. i like the opening of this film as it doesnt reveal too much but gives you a clear idea of who the main characters are.

The Woman In Black

Dialogue and Sound
In the opening scenes of The Woman In Black, there is only a short amount of dialogue. Instead of dialogue, the producer has used a eerie and sinister music piece to create tension for the audience. The music used is typical for a horror film. At around 50 seconds, there appears to be a louder instrument being used, this is to create more tension and to maybe scare the audience- could be thinking why has the music piece got louder. There is another sound, when the three girls open up the windows, the producer has on purposly made the sound of the latch louder so that the audience asks questions. it also creates suspense. Towards the end of the clip, a woman starts shrieking, following the shriek is a cry of "My Babies!"

Text
In the opening scenes, there are no credits whatsoever for anyone associaed with the making of the film. This may have been the case as the producer wanted the audience to be engaged straight away and to be asking question early on about the film.

Camera
It starts of a close up of a small table and cups, someone 'pouring tea' into them.
Another close up of a teddy being given the tea, followed by a close up of a doll being given tea- pretty weird.
Cuts to a wide shot of 3 girls playing with dolls and teddies-tea party
one of them is combing the dolls hair-close up, another girl then dresses a doll-close up
Wide angle of 2 girls smiling and pouring more tea. other girl then smiles and puts cup down. cant see faces.
Wide angle of room, camera is placed in corner, girls all look at camera at same time- someone behind the camera?
Closer wide angle shot, girls turn and look at window
Zoom in on window
Girls get up and stand on dolls and cups- many angles and close ups
Girls walk towards camera, heading to window in a line
Stand on ledge and open windows - behind them and close up on opening window
Camera stay still as girls jump
Camera slowly moves back
Close up on one baby doll
Camera then goes back more slowly and a black veil comes on shot on right

View
I feel like the music used it meant to add a dark atmosphere and the props used and the time of the film make it more dark. I like the opening because of all the different shots and also the slow movement at the end which causes tension, also it does not reveal who the woman in black is and leaves the audience guessing.

Hot Fuzz

Dialogue and Sound
In the opening couple of minutes of Hot Fuzz there's a lot of dialogue used and as a quiet sound track in the background. Dialogue is used to describe who the main character is.  The dialogue is put over pictures to tell a mini story. The dialogue starts when Sergeant Angel starts, "Police Constable Nicholas Angel.  Board and School in London.  Graduated Canterbury University in 1993 with a Double First in Politics and Sociology.  Attended Hendon College in Police Training.  Displayed great aptitude in Field Exercises.  Notably urban pacification and riot control.  Academically excelled in theoretical coursework and final year examinations.  Received Baton of Honour, graduated with Distinction in to the Metropolitan Police Service.  Quickly established an effectiveness and popularity within the Community.  Proceeded to improve skill base with courses in Advanced Driving and Advanced Cycling.  Became heavily involved in a number of  extra vocational activities.  To this day holds the Met record for the 100 metre dash.  In 2001 began active duty with the renound SO19 Armed Response Unit.  Received a Bravery Award for efforts in the resolution of Operation Crackdown.  In the last 12 months has received nine Special Commendations and achieved the highest arrest record for any Officer in the Met and sustained three injuries in the line of duty.  Most recently in December I got wounded by a man dressed as Father Christmas". staright away from the start we can see he has a good job and we know all the things hes done and achievements hes got

Text
Within the first minute and a half, there are no credits for dirctor or actors and actresses.This is probably because the director wants the audience to focus on the main character as opposed to other things like the credits.

Camera
Walks towards camera and shows identity card- camera still.
Close up of feet- skips to face, few angles on what he looks like.
Side angle follows him and close up side angle again follows him.
Close ups and zooms on his face- only want to know who he is ,no one else
Behind shot of men runnung through obstacles- shows us things he has to do
Riot men running towards us, engage audience. violence will engage audience
Fairly close up to his papers-on table, shows exactly what he got
At a ceremony to pick up award,  camera directly infront of him
Speaking to people in his area- shows he is sociable
Driving cars and bikes camera moves with him
More close up shots of him on bike
Shows us more activities he is involved in, side view
Guns running upstairs, arresting people- quite high in pecking order

View
From the opening scenes I feel as if the film is going to have a serious meaning but quite humorous , it reveals literally nothing apart from what his job is and all his personal fame. I feel that the voiceover was done well as it matched fittingly with the pictures in the background.

Learning comment

From doing this activity, i have learnt why sounds and different types of music are used to create either a dramatic opening scene or a calm and peaceful opening scene. Also i have learnt how to move through different shots and also who should go where on the opening credits. I learnt how lighting can resemble a character and how it can give clues as of what the certain character is like and what their role is.