Research Into Roles On Set

As I will be making an opening sequence myself, I researched the main roles involved in filmmaking. These include the director, camera operator, editor, art director/DOP and producer. 

In the process of filmmaking, the director works with a screenwriter with a script and are employed by the executive producer or producer who is predominately in charge of production. A director is in charge of the creative element of the production. They guide the actors but also the technical crew and their job includes interpreting scripts, setting the tone/atmosphere of the film, working with department heads and casting directors, directing the actors but also the camera, work with editors, sound and music. An example of someone famous in this role is Quentin Tarantino who directed films such as Reservoir Dogs, Kill Bill: Vol.1 and Once Upon A Time In Hollywood. Some of Quentin Tarantino's advice about directing includes keeping it personal therefore using his own experiences and incorporating them into his work, thinking like an actor to enhance the actors' overall performance and keep music in mind.

Another role in filmmaking is the camera operator. The camera operator has the job of filming all the action. They know the most about all the different cameras to use such as handheld or drones, the composition, framing and movement in the process of filmmaking. The camera operator often works with other cameramen however the camera operator has the responsibility of looking after the kit but also the shooting process. Having this role in the process of filmmaking means you need to have skills such as photography, technical knowledge of the cameras, communication, multi-task, and concentration. They need to be talented at understanding composition, light, colour and framing which all depend on the genre and understand how all the equipment works such as the camera lens. A camera operator needs to follow the requirements of the producers and director, think quickly and adapt to a variety of different styles for the shoot. The camera operator is advised by the director when filming, often requiring an assistant and working under camera supervisors. A famous camera operator is Adam Meltzer who was a camera operator for films including Crank, Rush Hour 3 and The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift. 

An extremely important role in the process of filmmaking is the editor who assembles the material to produce a final film. They are in charge of the recorded material ie the camera footage but also the sound effects, graphics, special effects and dialogue. The editor works tightly with the director as they have a

major responsibility of ensuring the desired outcome for the film. For example, the editor requires creative and technical skills such as understanding how to use pictures, rhythm, pace and tension to tell the story, use editing software, communicate well with the director and have a good eye that pays close attention to detail. In the process of filmmaking, the editor will work with the first assistant editor and any other assistant editors, the supervising sound editor, the dialogue editor, the colourist, the visual effects supervisor and the post-production runner. In the post-production process, the editor and director will work together to create the director's cut which has to receive the approval of the producers before they create the final cut. Thelma Schoonmaker is a famous American film editor who believes that film editors need a strong sense of discipline and a musical sense. She likes to have a sense of roughness to her editing to add reality or to shock the audience, use different editing techniques to shape the concept, prioritize the actors' performance and use very long pauses when editing. She has edited films such as Shutter Island, Who's That Knocking At My Door and After Hours. 

Another role in the process of filmmaking is the Art Director/DOP, whose job includes designing sets, being in charge of props and graphics to create the desired visual outcome of the film. They report to the production designer but also work with artists and construction workers. The art director along with the production designer come up with the visual style for the film and during the pre-production process, the art director will supervise the creation of concept art which are the illustrations used to help visualise the ideas, oversee pre-visualizations which are used to show design concepts and visuals and then supervise the creation of maquettes and models which are the three-dimensional sculptures used for illustrating visual designs for characters etc. However, during the production process, the art director also has to be in charge of the budget (creating sets), work closely with teams who construct the sets, props and other visual elements and also be the coordinator between the art department and other departments including visual effects and costumes.

I also researched the role of a producer in the film industry. The producers determine the budget of the film and find financing from investors, studios and distributors. They are in charge of approving production

costs, locations, hiring staff for the production process. The producers need to understand all the creative processes of making a film eg screenwriting, directing and editing but also approve the creative decisions made in the production process. They need to market the film to distributors but the public as well whilst being in charge of decisions and organising the budget. The producer works with everyone including distribution and marketing teams. The film producer is in charge of the concept of the screenplay, commissioning writers, commissioning a director, researching logistics, meeting writer and director, building the wider film crew, location logistics, determining the budget, raising finances, overseeing the wider production, organising shooting days, managing the film shoot, creating a plan of action for production, monitoring progressing, choosing the cast, managing the crew and market and distribute the film. Paula Wagner is a famous film producer who produced films such as Mission: Impossible 2, Mission: Impossible III and Without Limits. She said that "Part of the job of the producer is to put together a group of people that interact with synergy". 

Comparing Title Sequences

Opening Title Sequence of American Horror Story Season 1 

I have analysed the opening title sequence of American Horror Story for season 1 which was created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk and produced by the studio FX. American Horror Story Season 1 includes the cast of Evan Peters, Sarah Paulson and Jessica Lange. the opening title sequence in American Horror Story is an effective beginning to convey the genre. 

This is done through the use of the gothic font conveying the horror genre also portrayed through the title

saying American Horror Story. The disturbing soundtrack which is made using sound effects makes the audience feel uncomfortable also combined with the iconic horror imagery creates a sense of fear for the audience. The iconic horror imagery consists of skulls, blood and knives but also includes an image of a white dress conveying the innocence of a female which is a stereotypical victim emphasising these horror

conventions. The title also displaying ‘American Horror Story’ conveys the location of America combined with the images of a basement and a house also helps to portray the location. Overall this creates a shocking, disturbing tone and atmosphere to the opening title sequence preparing the audience for the rest of the tv show. This opening title
sequence gives suggestions about the rest of the narrative which I believe will be about someone uncovering a range of horrific cases and set in a location of a house specifically a basement which is shown in the imagery in this title sequence. We are not introduced to any characters adding to the sense of mystery as their identity is

hidden which is shown through the POV shot of a flashlight. We can assume one of the characters is going to be a killer shown through the iconic horror imagery such as the knives hinting that this narrative is going to include violence and death.

Opening Title Sequence of Grease

Contrasting with American Horror Story Season 1 opening title sequence, I have also analysed the opening title to the film Grease. Grease is a musical/romance film released in 1978 and directed by Randal Kleiser. It includes the cast of John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John and Stockard Channing and was produced by Paramount Pictures. The genre of the opening title sequence is conveyed through the soundtrack which is upbeat, positive and features the title of the song portraying that it is going to be a musical. 

The use of the font is comic and fun conveying that the film is going to have a light-hearted narrative. This opening title sequence is an effective way of setting the time and location which is set in the 1950s and in America. This is shown through the font styles used and iconic period imagery such as Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, Thunderbird Ford and American Diners which are all animated. The location of a high

school is shown in this opening title sequence portraying it as an important element of the narrative as the credits transition into real life. This also hints to the narrative that the main characters are most likely to be teenagers. We are introduced to Danny as the first character and it is displayed as ‘John Travolta as

Danny’ in the credits which shows that this is a show/musical. The next character we are introduced to is Sandy which hints at an element of romance in the narrative conveying the genre. This is because one male and one female shown one after the other subconsciously hints to the audience that there will be r romantic relationship. When being introduced to these main characters, the audience can infer a lot of

information such as Danny being presented as lazy, vain, cool and a leader showed through his rock poster and set of his bedroom. We know he is going to be the protagonist in the film as the rest of the male characters are shown together in one shot whereas he begins the opening title sequence and is by himself. This contrasts with the next character, Sandy, who is portrayed as being feminine, kind, beautiful and naïve shown when the bird dresses her. This use of juxtaposition hints to the audience that there is going to be a conflict in differences and there are going to be different worlds coming together. We are given information about the teenagers shown through the leather jackets, smoking and running away from the police hinting at an element of rebellion.

I believe both opening title sequences are very effective ways of establishing genre however my personal preference is Grease. I like how the soundtrack used is upbeat and includes the title of the film showing that it going to be a musical. I believe the animation is an effective way of portraying how the film is going to be light-hearted, have a sense of comedy to it but also romance. I also like how we can gather a lot of information through the characters through no dialogue just the animation setting the tone and atmosphere for the rest of the film. 

Titles 'What are they and how can they be used'

Titles portray all the names involved in funding, making and producing the film which are creative and institutional although the title sequence which is the key information is commonly shown before the film and the credits are shown at the end of the film. Titles are included because they are the most important people behind the film. 

In a title sequence these are the list of titles which are featured when portraying the credits:

- Production

-Director's name

- Film

- Main star

- Film title

- Actor 1 – (end of the main section) 

- Actor 2

- Actor 3

- Actor 4

- Actor 5

- Casting

- Costume designer

- Music

- Edited

- Production Designer

- Director of Photography (DOP)

- Executive Producer

- Produced by

- Based upon

- Screenplay (writer)

- Director 

Titles can be applied to opening sequences in many ways such as being part of the film world for example a character writing them. 

In film, the director's title is always last to appear as it portrays the important role therefore giving them the most credit. 

Elements of a title sequence such as the font, colour palette, placing of credits, pace of credits and transition effect how the audience think about the narrative, genre, and creative features of the film. For example, in the opening title sequence for the film Night of the Demons (1988), the audience can assume that this film will be horror with an element of fantasy and horror to it. This is shown through the use of dark colours suggesting horror but a fun, graphic font which hints at a lighthearted sense to the film. The use of animation also tells the audience that this film will be wacky and not serious throughout. 

Research Into A War Opening Scene

 I have researched the opening scene from the film Saving Private Ryan which is a War film. It came out in 1998 and was directed by Steven Speilberg. It was distributed by Paramount Pictures and includes the cast of Tom Hanks, Matt Damon and Vin Diesel.

The opening scene begins with a prologue showing a veteran and his family walking on a beach to a cemetery. An American flag and a French flag are presented in this scene creating context for the film. The elder man walking in front of the family portrays that he perhaps is the protagonist of the film which is also shown through him being the focus of the camera throughout his shots. When he walks over to the cemetery a man is standing there wearing many medals in his costume portraying that he had something to do with the war creating context for the film and conveying the genre. All the gravestones are identical in the cemetery conveying that these are all soldiers who fought in the war also portraying this genre. When the elder man drops to the floor it conveys

that this is an extremely emotional moment for him hinting to the audience that he perhaps lost loved ones, fought in the war or even both. The camera slowly zooms into his eyes and then cuts to a shot of the beach with the title saying ‘June 6, 1944’ and ‘Dog Green Sector Omaha Beach’ creating context but also conveying that this is his story. 

The next scene conveys a war battle on the beach which shocks the audience as it is extremely gruesome. It is realistic which engages the audience as it makes it something even members of the audience can relate to. The scene begins with many soldiers on boats in rough seas portraying them going to fight conveying the war genre. Soldiers’ hands are shaking and some are even vomiting creating suspense and engaging the audience. This scene conveys a first-person narrative making the overall effect more personal and shocking as this film is based on a true story. The

use of sound in this opening scene creates a sense of realism as there are many gunshots and exploding bombs portraying a war scene. The dialogue used is hard to hear and understand which conveys this element of shock and chaos with the soldiers.  The use of dull colours emphasises these emotions and makes the scene more disturbing to watch with all the gruesome deaths. This opening scene conveys the war genre

very well as it presents many deaths which are portrayed as being ordinary with a lot of blood present reflecting a battle
scene. The use of handheld cameras in this scene also conveys this sense of chaos, emphasising how intense the events were but also making the audience feel as if they are part of the action as it is so realistic.

I believe this is an effective opening scene as it coneys the genre through the use of the battle scene but the very beginning taking place in a cemetery also creates a more personal and emotional narrative preparing the audience for the rest of the film. The opening scene is more emotional contrasting with the chaotic battle sequence engaging the audience. This opening scene creates context as it introduces the protagonist of the film but also the setting. It conveys the genre very well and prepares the audience for the emotional journey of the rest of the film.

Research Into A Western Opening Scene

 I am researching the opening scene of The Searchers which is a Western film. It was released in 1956 and directed by John Ford. The film was distributed by Warner Bros. and it includes the cast of John Wayne, Natalie Wood and Jeffrey Hunter.

The opening scene is effective as it sets up many themes which the audience can assume are going to become more apparent throughout. The opening scene begins with displaying the credits which also creates context for the audience as the titles say ‘Texas 1868’. A common convention of a western film is presenting the onset of civilization which is conveyed through the opening scene where the audience sees the

wilderness versus civilization. The use of lighting in this scene portrays how the wilderness conveys themes of freedom shown through the use of bright light used contrasting with the Martha walking out of her home which is dark conveying the reality of civilization and restrictions creating context of the time and setting. This creates a clear divide as well which is a common convention of a western film.

In this opening scene, we are introduced to Martha, Ethan, Aaron and the children. It is clear to the audience that Martha and Ethan are in a romantic relationship through the use of affection they show each other. Ethan enters riding through the wilderness on a horse portraying him as a stereotypical masculine western hero conveying the western genre. It takes place in the desert/wilderness of Texas which is conveyed through their accents, setting and opening credits and the costumes use also help to portray the time period of 1868. Through the use of dialogue, the audience is given context that Ethan has been fighting in the civil war which makes the audience engaged as it leaves them wondering how long has he been gone and what happened in his time away. The use of a longer shot duration and focusing on Ethan makes it clear to the audience that he is the protagonist of the film. When they all sit down for a meal together, the soundtrack used when Martin rides his horse towards their home is upbeat and joyful giving context to his character. However, when he enters and goes to sit down with them for the meal, the soundtrack changes to a slower tempo and played with lower notes conveying a sense of tension between Martin and Ethan. This engages the audience as we question why there is a sense of hostility now at the table and awkwardness between the characters. It makes the audience wonder what Ethan has against Martin and if they have a history together.

To conclude, I believe this opening scene is effective as it portrays the western genre through the use of dialogue, mise-en-scene, sound and themes portrayed throughout this opening scene. The audience is given context of the setting, time and characters and we are also introduced to the protagonist of the film. This opening scene leaves the audience wanting to know more as we are left with questions about the relationships between the characters and how this will affect the plot of the film.