Title Research (Twisted)

Our group chose to research the movie "Twister," because it fit our genre so perfectly. Only 4 titles were displayed in the movies opening sequence. In the opening sequence you can see images of leafs, wind,  and pieces of metal and wood spinning around. The beginning made us feel like we were in an actual tornado. The genre is reinforced through symbolic and technical codes from the outset by introducing a feeling of uneasiness; the sequence kind of foreshadowed what was about to occur. From the beginning we know that it’s going to be a massive tornado, which creates some anxiousness in the viewers. The opening places the audience in the characters position; then after the tornado stops it goes off to show an oil drill, and in the distance there's a sunset. The director appeals to the target audience by doing somewhat of a point-of-view- shot, they made the audience feel like they were  experiencing something, then they completely switch scenes, so it'll keep you wanting more. Technology was definitely used perfectly, the titles flew onto the screen as if they were being tossed by an actual tornado. The editing made you feel like you were spiraling inside of a tornado, it made you feel scared, and it made the movie feel real.

Title Research (Hostage)

Today to start our title researching we watched the opening of the film “Hostage” . There was 30 titles displayed thought the 2 minutes of the opening sequence. There where a lot of images prioritized in this opening scene, such as guns, buildings, and soldier like characters. All these images tied in together to create a pretty cool looking opening. All these pictures led me to presume that there would be fighting, blood, and the use of guns in this movie, These images have off a savage vibe. The genre is reinforced through the symbolic and technical codes from the outset, because like all other thrillers, the outset of this film creates tension, anxiety, and a high level of anticipation. This outset established enigma, by the use of there male actress at the end of the outset. When the titles finished appearing, the scenes changed to a man sitting down, screaming, and the scene was cut in the middle of his sentence. Which of course makes the audience want to see more, since it was difficult for us to know what was going on. The director leaves the audience wanting to see the continuation of the scene which is how he appeals to his target audience. He makes sure there is enough suspense, so that the audience will be interested and want to watch the movie. I think technology was used effectively with how the whole outset was edited. The transitions where smooth, they weren’t going to fast or too slow with the alteration of the areas they were placed at. They were easy to point out, but did not take away from the camera angles used to display the titles. All in all, the outset of the film “Hostage” was really interesting to me, I can honestly say now I want to watch the movie.

Today we started our title research process. The title sequence of a movie is one of the most important parts. It helps the watchers engage with the movie, it hints what you're about to watch. Its also used as a way to give credit to people who helped make the movie. This website helps viewers identify what title sequences are. The website also shines light on the creative minds that create these title sequences and the process behind them. This website is good if you want background on why people create title sequences and what goes into creating one. For a young film maker this is a very exciting website. They get to see all the dynamics and that goes into creating their very own sequence. Whenever I look back at all the movies I've watched, I realize that the title sequence does make a different. If the beginning of the movie is upbeat or reflects the scenes to come then I get really excited and I'm more engaged in the movie. My group and I are really excited to do this part of the movie because it allows everything to come together. It'll be a way for us to express our creative side, and it'll allow us to attract people to out movie project. That's why we're grateful for this website, it gives us a bit more knowledge, so that we'll be able to create the best film we possible can. I can't wait to see what we have created, I know its going to be great, thanks to the website.  

Title Research Blog (ArtoftheTitle)

This is one of the sites I used to learn about the special art of titles in a movie. A job I thought had no significant meaning. I’ve always seen titles as words taking us space on the screen. Now I can  say that’s not the case at all. Today we start researching titles. We used this website because the have everything from animations, documentaries, etc. A wide range of films to watch and learn from. This site looks like it would be a good way to gain knowledge of what order the titles should go in. Also, how they’re supposed to tie into the film. I look forward to applying effective titles to my film. Titles that convey a tone or theme, one that grabs the audience attention. Titles can be very effective towards a film, so I think it’s important we know how to do them correctly. With the findings from this website I believe, we’ll be doing just that. I’ve been scoping through the film’s title sequence to see which one i’m going to watch first. Wish us luck on this title research.

Research Blog: John Wick

Most people enjoy watching action-thriller for the adrenaline that it provides, Nothing is more exciting than watching the characters get in trouble and try and make their way out of all the explosions, plot twists, and struggles. The real fanatics are able to recognize things like camera angles, camera movements, editing, etc. In “John Wick” they use many different camera angles. They used low angles,high angles, dutch angles, establishing shot, over the shoulder, wide shots, aerial and tilt angles. By using these shots and angles it felt like the audience was there, giving them the adrenaline rush they are looking for. 

The costumes used in this film are pretty simple the characters wear suits and casual clothes like jeans and t-shirts. At the beginning his wife is in a hospital gown. For most of the movie they use low key nad hard lighting because it creates a dark and ominous mood. They are able to keep the audience at the end of their seat by not revealing who the characters are right away. They also use natural lighting like in the funeral scene. They use prosthetic sculpting to make the injuries look real. For the props they use guns, cars, dead bodies, and computers. The John Wick was filmed in Manhattan, New York you can tell by the establishing shot they use. The sound used in the film are non diegetic and diegetic sounds and also foley sounds. These sounds are heard throughout, especially the fighting scenes. 

Research Blog (Taken)

The other action thriller we chose to look at was the movie Taken. This motion picture featured a variety of camera angles and shots. This included closeups, low angles, high angles, over-the-shoulder shots, candid, medium shots, and long shots. These shots and angles help the audience be able to ultimately view the film in a unique way and see it much more vividly. The lighting that was used in this thriller included cinematic lighting, key light, and fill light. This allows makes the audience see the movie in different points of view. The various costumes that this movie encompasses includes a leather jacket, a tuxedo, a sweater, and among many others. The locations were back and forth, however the main point of interest was Paris. The actors that were in the movie included sex trafficking workers, spys, etc. The makeup that was used in this movie was various techniques to make injuries from fighting and abuse look real. The props that were used included guns, planes, suitcases, money, telephones, and etc. The various sounds that were used in this movie included diegetic sound, ambient sound, non-ambient sound, and etc. The elements of this film allow it to be a successful thriller. It is filled with suspense, which ultimately pulls the audience in great anticipation for what’s next. 

Research Blog (London Has Fallen)

Most people enjoy watching action thrillers because they’re able to experience being in danger without actually being in danger. I felt like the perfect movie to look into was “London Has Fallen,” 2016. It has the perfect amount of danger and thriller. Throughout the entire movie the audience is faced with continuous plot twist. 

The camera angles, shots, and movement shots used in this film were high angle, low angle, eye-level, oblique, establishing shots, wide shots, long shots, medium shots, medium close ups, close ups, two shots, three shots, an aerial shot, a point of view shot, zoom, flash shot, tilt, and crane. 

The costumes in this film were suit and ties, bullet proof vests, nike sweatsuits, casual everyday attire, military attire, police uniform, red tunics and bearskins, and trench coats. The types of lighting seen in the film is mainly key lighting which to highlight the characters or a specific subject, but they also use natural light, fill light, practical light, hard light, ambient light, and low-key light.The actors used in the film are mainly men, soldiers, secret service guards, common people, and Japanese terrorist.The makeup used in the film are prosthetic sculpting, molding and casting techniques, to make the wombs and injuries look real. The props used are guns, helicopters, masks, cars, flags, computers, monitors, walkie talkies, statues, etc. London has Fallen film locations were London of course, Cutty Sark, Somerset House, Dunsfold Aerodrome, and Big Ben. Sound included in this movie are diegetic sound, sound bridge, dialogue, soundtrack, score, indental music, and pholey.

This film has multiple elements that we can all enjoy. It keeps views on their toes because they never know what is going to happen next. It has a  complex story line and it causes your heart to quicken and you become more alert. The film has a lot of high energy, surprises, physical stunts and activity, fighting scenes, rescues, battles, gunshots, explosions, and big crashes. There wasn’t any elements about the film that I disliked, I loved everything about it. It kept me interested the whole time, and I felt a sense of victory at the end.