Title Research: The Conjuring 2

    As a fan of the director, James Wan, and his films, I was very excited to see the second entry of The Conjuring series. The first film was very good and to this day, I still place it in my top 10 horror movies of all time. Both films claim to be based on a true story and for this reason, many people go to see the films and decide whether the story could be real.

    How many titles are displayed during the opening of the sequence to the film?

     In total, the opening sequence consists of 34 titles. These include the director, producers, screenplay, etc. Compared to the previous two title sequences I reviewed, this has more titles.

    What images are prioritized in the opening sequence?

     Although this film has more titles introduced in the opening sequence, the producers used them nicely. As the titles appear on the screen, photos of the family the story is based on appear next to shots in the actual film. I found this to be very creative and exactly why I along with many others enjoy these movies. They do a very good job of almost re-creating the actual events of the story.

    What connotations do the images carry?

     Well, the images make the audience feel that the film is authentic. It shows that the story, which they claim to be real, is that exactly, REAL. The shots of the "possessed" child next to the shot of the actor in the same position are almost jaw-dropping. It shows the audience that the movie will most likely be pretty disturbing and that they should ready themselves.

    How is genre reinforced through symbolic and technical codes from the outset?

     Clearly, the horror genre is reinforced, as the title sequence is disturbing and creepy in itself. The photos of the actual events of the storyline appear onscreen, as a slow-building, ominous score plays behind it. The images are very bleak and low contrast, making them look even more realistic.

    How does the film establish an enigma from the outset?

     The title sequence of the film doesn't give away too much of the story. Instead, the audience is left wondering what will happen to the main characters of the story and whether what happens in the story could be true. Additionally, the photos of the actual event next to the stills of the film aren't too much of a spoiler as they are just still shots.

    What strategies are used to ensure the film appeals to its target audience?

     The film uses a creepy score to go along with the stills of the actual event. The target audience, in this case, would mainly consist of the people who went to see the first film. They were drawn in during the title sequence because of the real images of the case of the Warrens. The audience knows that The Conjuring series is based on a true story going into the viewing of the film, and therefore were more encaptured when they saw the stills displayed with the titles in the opening sequence.

    How has technology been used effectively?

     The title sequence used technology in a number of ways, believe it or not. First, the producers went able to track down real photos of the case that the Warrens were involved in. This in itself is amazing. Additionally, titles during the opening sequence faded-in and out during the sequence. Over the titles appearing a score plays as well. The transitions between photos in the title sequence are very smooth as they almost seamlessly fade into one another.

Title Research: Halloween (2018)

    As a continuation of the original Halloween films, leading actress Jamie Lee Curtis reprises her role as Laurie Strode. As this, technically, is the 9th movie in the franchise, it had a lot to bring to the table. Following the reboots that Rob Zombie directed--which didn't do too well critically--this film had to go back to the start and continue the legacy that the original films created. Overall the film was solid at its core and did a good job of returning to the simplistic design that the first films introduced so nicely.

    How many titles are displayed during the opening of the sequence to the film?

     This film introduced 31 total titles in the opening sequence. The first title was the name of the film, "HALLOWEEN", being displayed on the screen first. Following this, the names of the actors, directors, producers, writers, and names of other people involved in the main positions of the film. The titles fade-in and then quickly fade-out. Moreover, the text was bright orange as this is similar to the color of light that illuminates from a jack-o-lantern.

    What images are prioritized in the opening sequence?

     The only real image that the opening sequence focuses on is a glowing jack-o-lantern that is positioned at the far right of the screen. As the titles continue to roll, the jack-o-lantern reverses from completely decomposed to ripe and full in size. Additionally, as it grows in size, the light that illuminates inside of it becomes more and more visible until the pumpkin is fully formed.

    What connotations do the images carry?

     It seems pretty original to have a pumpkin being displayed throughout the opening sequence of a Halloween film, but this image carries for meaning than a first-time "Halloween" viewer might think. The pumpkin was introduced in the original film during the title sequence as well and it is focused on a lot throughout the movie very subtly. In my mind, I believe that the producers and writers used this as a sort of nostalgic aspect to the film and hardcore fans would recall the original film and its similar opening sequence.

    How is genre reinforced through symbolic and technical codes from the outset?

     Well, as a horror/slasher movie, a pumpkin perfectly encaptures the idea of Halloween and the spookiness that results from it. When one thinks of the holiday of Halloween, they either think if a pumpkin. The fact that the writers decided to use this in the opening sequence sounds very simple, but in reality, that's what made the original, as well as this film, so good in itself. Additionally, as the opening sequence begins, so does the original "Halloween" theme song. It brings original fans back to the start, in a simple, yet gripping way.

    How does the film establish an enigma from the outset?

     The opening sequence doesn't give anything away about the film other than its attempt at being similar to the original. Moreover, when I say "similar," I mean that it wants to stick to the feel that the original title sequence relayed to the audience. The music is ominous and dark and reminds viewers of the original movie and the franchise as a whole. The audience is left wondering how the film will play out, and if Laurie Strode will be able to successfully defeat Michael Myers again.

    What strategies are used to ensure the film appeals to its target audience?

     As I stressed the idea before, the 2018 Halloween opening sequence is very similar to the original 1978 film. The score plays as the titles appear onscreen. Also, the single image of an illuminated jack-o-lantern reminds diehard fans, in this case, "target audience," the simplicity of the original film. I also thought it was a smart decision to have actress Jamie Lee Curtis' name appear as the first actor title. Not only because she is the leading role, but it keeps audiences in their seats.

    How has technology been used effectively?

    Although the opening sequence is simple, in a good way, it does use technology in more ways than one. First, the jack-o-lantern is positioned on the left of the screen. As the titles roll, the jack-o-lantern begins to reverse decompose. I don't know for sure whether the pumpkin was plastic or if it was CGI, but either way, the use of the reverse shot was a creative move on the writers' part.

   




   

Title Research: Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

    I really liked the title sequence for this film. The conventional colors for the horror genre are effectively used (red and black). The slowly building score is played as the titles appear at the beginning of the sequence.

    How many titles are displayed during the opening of the sequence to the film?

     In this film, a total of 29 titles are displayed. They include producers, directors, actors, and others involved in the bulk of the production. The titles were either all red or black depending on the color of the background which was the opposite color. For example one of the shots was an all-red screen with black branches hanging from the top of the screen. Therefore, the title was centered in the middle in bold black letters to contrast the red background.

    What images are prioritized in the opening sequence?

     Like I said previously, tree branches were included in the title sequence. Additionally, the branches formed what looked like skulls in some of the shots. What looked like roots also could be seen in some frames of the opening sequence.

    What connotations do the images carry?

     The tree branches and roots make me personally believe that the story might take place mainly in or around a forest. This follows the horror genre conventions of setting as a commonplace to hold a story is in the woods. This gives off a spooky feeling to the audience before the film actually begins.

    How is genre reinforced through symbolic and technical codes from the outset?

     Similar to the previous question, the genre is reinforced as tree branches may symbolize the woods. Roots symbolize the ground or earth, similar to trees, they care found in the forest, a common setting for a horror story. Additionally, skulls symbolize death, at least in my mind. This makes for an eerie start to the film as the audience will know that death will play a part in the film.

    How does the film establish an enigma from the outset?

     As the only images in the title sequence are tree branches, roots, and skulls, they don't give the story away to the audience before the actual film begins. It leaves the audience ready for what is to come without giving away too much about the plot. It is a smart way to incorporate images into a title sequence without confusing or spoiling the movie to the audience.

    What strategies are used to ensure the film appeals to its target audience?

     With the help of a slow-building score and odd images, it leaves the audience wondering what's in store for the main characters of the film. It is a suspenseful, spooky opening sequence to an even creepier film.

    How has technology been used effectively?

     The use of the standard horror genre color scheme of black and red sets a suspenseful tone. Additionally, the fade-in and fade-out of titles along with the slow building score creates a really unique effect and it allows the audience to get mentally prepared for the story. Other than these two aspects of technology, the title sequence is pretty standard for horror films.

Title Research: Watch the Titles Website

   

    Similar to the "Art of the Title" website, this website called "Watch the Titles" explores the work put into making an effective title sequence. You can select the title sequence tab at the top of the page to explore movies and their opening sequence. Additionally, much like the other site, you can find title sequences by looking at the designers and studios that made the film the sequence is in. Also, you can search movies up directly through the search tab. I found this website to be much more interactive than the last as it uses moving pictures and tabs to find the movies easier. 

    The website is very eye-catching as soon as you load into the page. You are greeted with some popular titles such as the one seen in the picture. If you scroll down the home page, you can find opening sequences through a couple of created tabs. These include "feature films", "tv shows", "student projects", and even a tab for video game title sequences. Additionally, the site seems to offer more foreign film title sequences which I found interesting. 

    Much like the other site, I will use this website to research how films effectively use title sequences to grab the viewers' attention at the beginning of films. The site's tagline is "Forget the Film, Watch the Titles." I thought this was very clever as the title sequences are just as important as the film itself. They set a precedent to what the film will be and one can determine if the film will be good just by watching the opening sequence. It could be the difference between a film-goer staying to watch the movie, or one just getting up and leaving the theater before the film even starts. 

Title Research: Art of the Title Website

   

    The "Art of the Title" website is going to be vital for my title creations for my own project that I will soon begin. Titles are the names of directors, producers, actors, etc. The titles are almost always at the beginning of a film. However, the end of films does include full credit to everyone who worked on the production, sometimes even including family members of the actors or producers. Sometimes, directors/producers will use the credit sequences to share the memory of a lost loved one or actor that was involved in the film. 

    On the site, you can view the opening sequences of many movies, throughout many genres. In my case, I was researching the titles used in opening sequences of horror films. In addition to film opening sequences, the site also gave the option to view the opening sequences to tv shows. Moreover, the website allowed the option to filter movies/tv-shows by designers and studios to make looking for specific productions easier. Additionally, you are given the option to search for a specific movie. 

    My plan for using this site was to research how movies in the horror genre create a solid opening sequence to grab the viewers' attention. Title sequences are important because they set the tone for the movie and they are the first thing the watcher experiences. In most cases, the movie incorporates aspects of the film into the title sequence. For example, the film Halloween uses illuminated, carved pumpkins in the title sequence to get the viewers' attention. Alongside the jack-o-lanterns is the director's name, actors, etc. Although that title sequence was so simple, along with the use of the theme song, it set a spooky tone for the rest of the movie. 

Genre Research: Hereditary

    Hereditary, the 2018 drama/horror, was one of the most surprising films of that year. The cinematography in this film was innovative and very unique at its core. The camera angles and movements specifically were shocking and very surprising considering the trailer didn't really showcase this. The use of wide and high angle shots made for an overall, all-seeing eye experience. Additionally, the film used the god's eye angle to make the viewer feel as if they were watching over the character in the film. In Hereditary, the mother creates dollhouses and the director played with the wide-angle shot to make their house look like it was a dollhouse as well. I thought this was the most clever use of camera angles throughout the movie and something I've personally never seen before.

    Sound in this movie was unique as well. Many of the sounds were made inside a foley studio. This is a studio where a team makes sounds for a film using everyday objects, such as the cracking of celery for a nose break. This creates a crisper sound for events in the movie. Footsteps, doors creaking, and knocks on wood were used in this movie a lot, throughout the house that the family lived in. This plays into editing as well. Lighting throughout the movie was dark, which follows the standard horror movie conventions of low lighting and long shadows. The filmmakers played with this a lot as the characters travel throughout the house at night. Additionally, the use of practical lighting was at play as the characters lit candles and turned on lights to brighten scenes. Long, drawn-out scenes were used to almost giving the viewers a POV type feel. Moreover, this created more suspense and mystery to the jump scare scenes in the film.

    The film followed standard conventions of the horror genre with its use of dim lighting and quiet, drawn-out scenes to terrify viewers. Many, including me, left the theater wondering about many of the character's fates because the director left the movie on sort of a cliffhanger if you will. This is the reason I really enjoyed this movie and many other movies similar in this genre. The horror films that leave you more psychologically scarred than physically, are the better ones in my opinion.

   

Genre Research: The Conjuring

    The 2013 horror film, The Conjuring, is to this day, one of my absolute favorite horror movies I've seen. Although it's not considered, "a classic", yet that is, it still is a very solid movie overall. Camera angles are various throughout this movie. From low angle shots to tracking shots, this movie does a very good job of using everything it could at its disposal. The best part of being able to use all of these angles and movements is that it really immerses the viewer with the characters and plot of the movie. This causes an experience that is 10 times more gripping, especially if you saw it in the theatre. Lighting is exactly what you would expect from a horror film. Dark, gloomy, and jam-packed with shadows around every corner in every shot, this movie does a great job setting the mood in each scene.

    Sound plays an important role in this movie as it uses it for a lot of its scares. For many of the jump scares, a loud crash or bang will accompany a falling object or character in the film. It seems as if the sound is a character itself in this film, as it does the best job in scaring the viewer. Additionally, much like other movies in the thriller/horror genre, many of the scenes are accompanied by a rising score to build tension and suspense. Editing was clearly used to make a lot of the paranormal things happen throughout the movie. However, many of the scenes were actually made using tricky shooting and cutting. The crew could set up wires and such to make objects fall on cue for a scene. But, when objects would fly across the screen or things/characters would float, that was clearly editing post-shooting. Like I mentioned before, a score was added after shooting to a lot of the shots to make the scenes more intense for the viewer.

    The common conventions of horror movies that are displayed in The Conjuring include lighting, sound, and props. Commonly, horror movies are set in a creepy, dark place. In this case, the majority of the film takes place inside an old, creepy farmhouse. The lighting in most shots is dark and grey, causing most of the movie to have a gloomy, but spooky feel. This is why I enjoyed this movie so much I think. No matter how many times I watch it, I feel my heart race as the music slowly picks up. Just when you think the characters are safe, another jump scare happens. Overall, this film is definitely in my top 10 horror movies of the last decade.

Genre Research: Gone Girl

    Camera angles play an important role in this film. The main characters Nick (Ben Affleck) and Amy (Rosamund Pike) are shown as two completely different people, very subtly, based on the angles and shots. For example, Nick is shown as little, and almost submissive throughout the movie using a series of wide and long shots. However, towards the end of the movie, when a resolution has been come to, he appears closer to the camera signifying his dominance. On the other hand, Amy is shown as the dominant one throughout the majority of the movie with a collection of close-ups and extreme close-ups. Lighting plays an even bigger role in this movie than camera angles. The director uses light to show dominance and chemistry between the two characters. At the beginning of the film, Nick is showcased using dim lighting and a lot of shadows as he hides from his own demons. However, towards the end, he is shown brighter and more confident in himself now that the story has resolved. In Amy's case, she is foreshadowed as an evil character using the dim lighting and shadows upon her face in the last two acts of the movie. For the scenes themselves, practical lighting is used a lot, such as the scene where the town hosts a memorial for a character. The actors are all holding candles and the only other light is the moon and a few pavilions that can be seen in the shots.

    Sound is low and ominous in the movie. The suspense of scenes is built up using rising music and little to no ambient sound. There is music in the movie as well. Special effects don't seem to be too present throughout the movie. Instead, the editors decided to use more practical effects like the use of the classic corn syrup mix for blood. Scenes were most likely enhanced in the editing studio for changes with lighting a such, however, nothing too major seemed to be done with the original shots. Moreover, the addition of music was used to enhance the scenes and make the viewers more attached to the film. As for elements of the "thriller" genre throughout Gone Girl, it seems to stick to the conventions of using little to no sound in a lot of the scenes to make the shots more suspenseful and gripping. Also, the importance of lighting in the film showed how they wanted to make the movie suspenseful and to fall in line with the "thriller" genre.

    I liked the use of little sound in a lot of the scenes, as well as the rising score to cause the scenes to make you worry for the characters. That is exactly what I was doing throughout this movie. I would be rooting for one character in one scene, but in the next, I would be rooting for another one. There wasn't much that I didn't like about the movie, in fact, it was probably one of the best movies I watched in 2014.

 

Genre Research: Pitch Genre

    My pitch definitely falls under the thriller/horror genre. My movie revolves around a group of teens signing up to be part of an "experiment" and not knowing what they are about to get into. Just based on the summary, it should leave people wondering what the "experiment" is and what will happen to the group of friends. The horror element will come into play later in the two minutes we are given for the final. I really enjoy these kinds of movies and that's why I initially chose this genre to be used for my final project. I feel because I know the genre so well, I should be able to do a better job creating a movie using it myself. I am excited to do this project and work with friends of mine to make something truly gripping.

Genre Research: Other Genres

    In my PowerPoint, used in the previous blog, I researched conventions of horror films. I gathered different camera angles, movements, props, and other aspects of that genre that you could find in most horror movies. In addition, I looked at more further generalities of that genre, but in more detail. For example, I found the common sounds and costumes used in the horror genre and its films. After reviewing that PowerPoint and finally coming up with my pitch for the final project, I decided that I should research other genres outside of horror to get a better idea of how it compares to different films.

    The first genre I decided to further research was the "action" genre. The action genre uses a lot of tracking and moving shots. Mainly, these are used to follow characters running or car driving, for example. Additionally, lighting plays an important role in action movies, as it showcases the setting for scenes like any other genre would. CGI and special effects are common in action movies, as many of the stunts in these movies cannot be done by a person. Additionally, special effects may be used for explosions or other shots other than those including an actor. High angled shots may be used to emphasize the power of a character, and most of the time, that character is the protagonist. Props in action movies may include cars, handguns, knives, and other "gadgets".   Common sounds in action movies are really limited to what the character doesn't hear, but what the audience does, like a soundtrack for the film. However, the sounds of cars running or explosions may be prominent in action movies as well. Some examples of good action films include the Indiana Jones series, Die Hard, Terminator, and Lethal Weapon. My favorite element of an action movie is the feeling it gives when you watch it. Good action movies are able to keep the viewer on the edge of their seat and make them feel as if they are in the scene with the protagonist.

    The second genre I chose to research was the "thriller" genre. A thriller film is one that uses suspense to keep the viewer wondering what is going to happen next. For the most part, thrillers often have a horror or crime theme to them as well. Common camera angles in thriller films include tilt shots as they attempt to create discomfort in the viewer. Additionally, close-ups and extreme close-ups are used to highlight the main protagonist in important scenes or sequences. High angle shots of the protagonist are also used to show dominance over the antagonist of the film. For sound, slow and eerie music may be used to create uncertainty and suspense in a scene. Moreover, silence plays a big role in the thriller drama to heighten the suspense of sequences. Violence, blood, and such are used in this genre as almost a character in itself. Violence is almost always used within the thriller genre. Low-key/dim lighting is used to make a scene more gloomy and mysterious. Some examples of thriller movies include Silence of the Lambs, Psycho, and The Birds. I really enjoy thrillers, because of the horror aspect to them. I love not knowing what will happen next in a film and being surprised with the effect of a scene.

Genre Research: Powerpoint

   

    In this powerpoint I discussed many aspects of common conventions in the horror movie genre. This powerpoint, that I actually completed a couple months ago, will actually benefit me in many ways for the final we have to create. I discuss common sounds and lighting used in most horror movies. Additionally, I talked about camera movements and angles used commonly in horror films. I will be sure to come back and look at this powerpoint as a reference for my own film for the final, as I am doing a horror inspired film. 

Pitches Blog

    After much consideration, especially without the help of other groupmates, as I am working alone on this final project, I have narrowed my pitches down to two final choices. I was able to work through these as they will most likely be easier to create and use for the final. They fit better into the grading rubric in my opinion and they seem to be easier to film. Additionally, the casting process will be much easier. Also, creating a script will be more engaging for me and I think I will be able to create a more wholesome production out of these two final pitches. Now my final job is to narrow these down to only one pitch that I will use for my final project. My first pitch is the beginning of a film, which is a suspense/drama; it revolves around a group of teens who are put to the test when they take part in an "experiment", unknowingly realizing the true goal after they find the ad for it on a new part-time job app. My second pitch is a slasher/horror film centered in the suburbs of Los Angeles, which we follow a boy tormented by his friends and family. He eventually decides to take action and get revenge on anyone who ruined his past by taking each one out one-by-one using various sadistic traps.

    After reviewing these two pitches, I am leaning more towards my first pitch. This idea seems to be more inventive and I really think I could make this production very gripping. By the end of it, viewers will want more. I believe I'll be able to keep viewers on the edge of their seats with this one. Also, this idea will require fewer props and more dialogue and inventiveness. For that reason, I think it will get the attention of the viewer more than a common slasher flick may. I think this pitch is somewhat original, but that will be more of a challenge for me. In fact, I will have to try harder in making this project, as I will want to make it better than any other movie that is similar to it. It may be challenging to grip the viewers within the first two minutes, but I believe if I make the storyline and dialogue good enough, I can keep viewers wanting more by the end of the first two minutes.

    My second pitch is similar as it is more of a horror movie-inspired film, as opposed to something out of the action/adventure genre. However, the "slasher" aspect moves away from the more suspenseful/drama idea of my first pitch. This film would jump into the action quicker and put the viewers almost in the shoes of the killer. The viewers would begin watching knowing that characters would meet an untimely fate within the first couple minutes. This idea is even more original than my first pitch and even could be considered cliche to some. This project would be similar to a movie like Halloween or Friday the 13th, for example, as it follows a killer that became what he is because of his past. I don't like this pitch as much as my first, as it would require more props. Additionally, I feel as it would be harder to create a start to the film, as it would have to jump right into the action, instead of leaving the first two minutes with a cliffhanger like the first pitch would.

    With all being said, I will be using my first pitch for my final project. I am very excited to begin the production of this film. The casting for the film will involve friends of mine, outside of my class, to star as characters in the film. I think this pitch will be easier and more fun to work with for my final project. One challenge I believe I will face is the editing process, as I am working alone. However, like I've said before, I think I work more efficiently when I work alone, so hopefully, I will succeed in all areas of the production.

Start Of Final Task

    Hi, I'm Aidan, a 12th grader at Fort Lauderdale High School in the Broward County school district. I am 18 years old and ready to graduate from high school. I hope to move onto university in the Fall of 2020. I plan on majoring in either Criminology or Business. Additionally, I am thinking about minoring in Film Production on the side, mainly because of the experiences I've had in this class so far. I find the process of filming and editing different productions very interesting, and I want to learn more about it. I hope to attend school at FSU (Florida State University), as this is my first choice for college. However, my fall back option is FAU (Florida Atlantic University), as I've already been accepted there. For the final task, I am working by myself. I decided this is a better option for me as I believe I work more efficiently on my own. Additionally, I can concentrate better and have a greater range of options on what I want to film as my final project.

    In this class, I have been able to learn so much, in such a short amount of time. To name a few things, I have learned how to properly cut and replace clips in editing software. I've learned how to add music/score to a compilation of shots that I previously filmed. I now know how to add text into the background of a shot, for example, a timestamp in a movie to show when a shot was supposed to occur. I have also learned how to fade shots in and out of each other, and how to fade them either in and out to black. All these things help a project's finished product look more smooth and more like a real film, music video, commercial, etc. Real filmmakers and producers have to go through these steps every day, however, they do it on a much larger scale. While we may have had two or three people working on a project at a given time, real directors and producers may have a team of over
100 workers, performing different tasks to ensure that everything is done right. However, either way, most filmmakers use these basics in almost all productions. I am so excited to create this final project, and I'm most excited to use the skills I've acquired to create a beautiful film in the end. Although the final is only about 2 minutes long, I want it to really keep the viewer engaged and on the edge of their seats.

    A pitch is a Hollywood term to describe an idea where a film is encapsulated in 25 words or less. It is usually with one sentence. My first pitch is a suspense/drama that revolves around a group of friends that are put to the test when they are selected to take part in an unknown "experiment" that they found on a new part-time job app. My second pitch is a horror/slasher revolving around a boy who is tormented by his family to the point that he decides to gain revenge on them and anyone else in his path, through a series of sadistic pranks and traps. Finally, my third pitch is an adventure/coming of age about a teen and his friend who want to leave their current lives for more opportunity and adventure; little do they know, it will be much harder than they thought.