Deconstruction of the titles
In class we watched the opening sequence of the film "V for Vendetta", it was the first 2 minutes and from this we discussed a number of details and facts about the film. The genre of this film isRelationship to sound
One focus point we looked at was the relationship to sound. I realised that the sounds used within the opening sequence was diegetic, for example the 'whooshing' sound that accompanied the flame within the title.
Symbolism
Another area we focused on in detail was the symbolism of on the film within the title sequence. We closely looked at how the V appeared in flames in a circle and how red words faded in 'FOR VENDETTA'. We came to a conclusion that the flames in the circle linked to the gun powder plot which was made reference to in the film and the rise of the phoenix . The letters emphasized danger and anger.Technical Construction
The technical of the opening sequence of this film, was very sharp and neat. This was illustrated in the opening titles, when the title of the film was shown, in which th flames used to create the 'V' in 'V for Vendetta was most likely created by CGI, also known as computer, generated imagery, overall creating a sharp and neat finish.
Shot Type and Framing
Due to the fact that shot types and framing usually varies in films, it was easy to spot in the opening sequence of this film, in which a number of shot types were used to convey different feeling and emotions to the audience. There are a number i spotted which consisted of a long shot, when guy fawkes was being hanged, a close up on his face to illustrate fear and shock, a wide shot showing reactions from the crowd watching the hanging, an extreme close, which also uses a focus pull to a women in the crowd (making her stand out) and also an over the shoulder shot when the two main characters V and Evie are looking in the mirror.
Editing
The editing tools used and noticed within the opening sequence were used in my opinion to compare V and Evie, the editing used to create this comparison is cross cutting of V and Evie, which was underscored by a television sound bridge. The sequence is opened with a voice over, implying the guy Fawkes plot was a beautiful thing, setting up a romantic ideal between V and Evie. An eye line match is also present between Guy Fawkes, when he is being hanged and and an unknown women in the crowd.
Mise en Scene
Within this category, the most obvious piece of mise en scene in the mask worn by V, as it connotes mystery and heroism about the character V. The 17th century costume worn on the other hand dennotes the original gunpowder plot era, as well as the fire also representing this. Another aspect of the sequence that captured my attention was the police badges used in this time, showing the level of authority and the miss use of it.
Lighting
When the studying the lighting in the opening sequence, I noticed the opening scene in which it focuses on the guy Fawkes plot uses minimal key lighting to illustrate the time of this setting, however has a yellowish tint applied to it. Another example of how lighting is used in the film is the brightly lit T.V shot takes central focus and connotes an important message is being given.
Sound
Different sound effects are used during the company logos, when old style American music is played, which connotes war. There is also a non diegetic voice over by Evie, who is the main character. Also there is a Foley sound added to increase tension during the time that Guy Fawkes is being chased and when he is dropped in the noose.
How the opening sequence addresses its target audience
The beginning of the sequence is shot in the historic time of guy Fawkes, possibly appealing to history students.
The fact that the sequence is fast pace, referring to the chase scene if Guy Fawkes, resulting in him finally being caught may appeal to the younger audience, who lie action films.
In the title sequence, it tells the audience that the film is associated with DC comics, therefore attracting people who read this type of comic.
Finally the intellectual speech used in the sequence may appeal to english literature students or those who read graphic novels.
Production information
Budget $54,000,000 (estimate, source:imdb)
Production company: Silver Picture (US) (The Matrix)
Copyright holder: Warner Bros. Entertainment. Inc
Director James Mcteigue
Writers: Andy and Larry Wachowski (The Matrix)
Starring: Natalie Portman (closer, Star wars), Hugo Weaving (The Matrix, Lord of the Rings), Stephen Fry (QI, Gosford Park)
Filmed in London and London Underground Aldwych Station
Released simultaneously in conventional theaters and at IMAX
A Summary of how these details impact on the target audience
From the details given i understand this may interest people who may like violent films, as it is written by the writers of The Matrix.
People who may like Natalie Portman, may like this film as she appears in it (or people who like the film Star Wars or Closer).
The budget of the film may appeal to people who like special effects or CGI films as the budget of this being $54,000,000, suggests this why films have such high budgets.
Kill Bill volume 2
I also did this for the film Kill Bill Volume 2, commenting on the same aspects in the same way, as this to has significance to the genre and theme of my film
Relationship to Sound
The most obvious example where i am able to explain how the relationship to sound is used, is when the main character Beatrix is shot, to create realism when the gun is shot, diegetic sound is used, however due to the fact there is a long pause between the next scene, the silence creates a non diegetic sound to create tension and suspense, leaving the audience wondering what will will happen next.
Symbolism
Although there is no obvious symbolisms in the opening 2 minutes of the film, as the title is simply made to transcend vertically up the screen until reaching the middle, the title doing this reveals it is a simple film with little to no CGI or special effects, using stunts in contrast. I am however able to see that the music and the actors voices and intensity during the second scene, located in the car suggests a film based on revenge, the music tells me this as it is slow and low pitched, and referring to the actors, they speak emotion less with notable anger in their voices.
Technical Construction
Within the first 2 minutes of Kill Bill volume 2, there is no obvious use of CGI, however, during the the gun shooting scene, i am aware of the blood splatting simultaneously with the supposed release of the bullet from the gun, which very well maybe special effects.
Shot Type and Framing
Notably the first scene from the film is a close up on the character of Beatrix, played by Uma Thurman, which seems to not only capture, the intensity and fear of the predicament she is in, but to also show the condition she is in leading up to why she wants revenge on the character of Bill, spoken of in the following scene.
Editing
During the start of the actual scene in the film, 2 obvious cuts are used, however due to the fact they are cut from a black screen, makes it seem like a quick fade from black is used, however it is not.
Mise en Scene
In the opening scene the only objects or obvious items used or worn in the scenes, is a car, used in the second scene and also what seems to be a wedding veil on the head of Beatrix, suggesting a previous wedding.
Lighting
The entire opening sequence consists of scenes shot in black and white, this includes the titles. Although i am unable to see the different possible colours of lighting, i can see that the first scene is likely to be shot inside somewhere, therefore forcing the use of a small light, with the intentions of making it look natural within a room. This is not the case for the second scene as it is filmed outside and seems to be only using natural light (sunlight).
Sound
During the opening credits of the film, where the production company is shown, a voice over is used (although no face of picture i shown, creating mystery and is accompanied by slow orchestral music to complement the deep voice used as well as heavy breathing.
Production Information
Budget:$30,000,000 (estimate, Mahalo.com)
Production company: Miramax Films
Copyright Holder: Supercool Manchu, Inc.
Director: Quentin Tarentino
Writer:Quentin Tarentino and Uma Thurman
Starring:Uma Thurman (Pulp Fiction, Batman and Robin), David Carradine (The Trident, Treasure Raiders), Lucy Liu (Charlie's Angels, Lucky Number Sleven)
Filmed in California, Mexico and China
A summary of how these details impact on the target audience
People who watched the first film may be interested in this film as it is a continuation of the previous film.
People who like Uma Thurman or the films she has starred in, may like this film as she is the main character in this film.
People who like violent films of films that incorporate violence, may like this film as it also has scenes of this nature.
How the opening sequence addresses it target audience
The beginning of the sequence begins with a recap of what happened in the previous film, therefore appealing to the people who watched the previous film.
The shooting scene at the beginning may appeal to a younger generation or anyone who likes action films as it begins at the very beginning.
The voice over used in the beginning, with no face shown creates mystery also appealing to people who like films with mystery in it.
The film may appeal to people who like gore and blood shed, as the sequence illustrates this in the first scene.
The technical of the opening sequence of this film, was very sharp and neat. This was illustrated in the opening titles, when the title of the film was shown, in which th flames used to create the 'V' in 'V for Vendetta was most likely created by CGI, also known as computer, generated imagery, overall creating a sharp and neat finish.
Shot Type and Framing
Due to the fact that shot types and framing usually varies in films, it was easy to spot in the opening sequence of this film, in which a number of shot types were used to convey different feeling and emotions to the audience. There are a number i spotted which consisted of a long shot, when guy fawkes was being hanged, a close up on his face to illustrate fear and shock, a wide shot showing reactions from the crowd watching the hanging, an extreme close, which also uses a focus pull to a women in the crowd (making her stand out) and also an over the shoulder shot when the two main characters V and Evie are looking in the mirror.
Editing
The editing tools used and noticed within the opening sequence were used in my opinion to compare V and Evie, the editing used to create this comparison is cross cutting of V and Evie, which was underscored by a television sound bridge. The sequence is opened with a voice over, implying the guy Fawkes plot was a beautiful thing, setting up a romantic ideal between V and Evie. An eye line match is also present between Guy Fawkes, when he is being hanged and and an unknown women in the crowd.
Mise en Scene
Within this category, the most obvious piece of mise en scene in the mask worn by V, as it connotes mystery and heroism about the character V. The 17th century costume worn on the other hand dennotes the original gunpowder plot era, as well as the fire also representing this. Another aspect of the sequence that captured my attention was the police badges used in this time, showing the level of authority and the miss use of it.
Lighting
When the studying the lighting in the opening sequence, I noticed the opening scene in which it focuses on the guy Fawkes plot uses minimal key lighting to illustrate the time of this setting, however has a yellowish tint applied to it. Another example of how lighting is used in the film is the brightly lit T.V shot takes central focus and connotes an important message is being given.
Sound
Different sound effects are used during the company logos, when old style American music is played, which connotes war. There is also a non diegetic voice over by Evie, who is the main character. Also there is a Foley sound added to increase tension during the time that Guy Fawkes is being chased and when he is dropped in the noose.
How the opening sequence addresses its target audience
The beginning of the sequence is shot in the historic time of guy Fawkes, possibly appealing to history students.
The fact that the sequence is fast pace, referring to the chase scene if Guy Fawkes, resulting in him finally being caught may appeal to the younger audience, who lie action films.
In the title sequence, it tells the audience that the film is associated with DC comics, therefore attracting people who read this type of comic.
Finally the intellectual speech used in the sequence may appeal to english literature students or those who read graphic novels.
Production information
Budget $54,000,000 (estimate, source:imdb)
Production company: Silver Picture (US) (The Matrix)
Copyright holder: Warner Bros. Entertainment. Inc
Director James Mcteigue
Writers: Andy and Larry Wachowski (The Matrix)
Starring: Natalie Portman (closer, Star wars), Hugo Weaving (The Matrix, Lord of the Rings), Stephen Fry (QI, Gosford Park)
Filmed in London and London Underground Aldwych Station
Released simultaneously in conventional theaters and at IMAX
A Summary of how these details impact on the target audience
From the details given i understand this may interest people who may like violent films, as it is written by the writers of The Matrix.
People who may like Natalie Portman, may like this film as she appears in it (or people who like the film Star Wars or Closer).
The budget of the film may appeal to people who like special effects or CGI films as the budget of this being $54,000,000, suggests this why films have such high budgets.
Kill Bill volume 2
I also did this for the film Kill Bill Volume 2, commenting on the same aspects in the same way, as this to has significance to the genre and theme of my film
Relationship to Sound
The most obvious example where i am able to explain how the relationship to sound is used, is when the main character Beatrix is shot, to create realism when the gun is shot, diegetic sound is used, however due to the fact there is a long pause between the next scene, the silence creates a non diegetic sound to create tension and suspense, leaving the audience wondering what will will happen next.
Symbolism
Although there is no obvious symbolisms in the opening 2 minutes of the film, as the title is simply made to transcend vertically up the screen until reaching the middle, the title doing this reveals it is a simple film with little to no CGI or special effects, using stunts in contrast. I am however able to see that the music and the actors voices and intensity during the second scene, located in the car suggests a film based on revenge, the music tells me this as it is slow and low pitched, and referring to the actors, they speak emotion less with notable anger in their voices.
Technical Construction
Within the first 2 minutes of Kill Bill volume 2, there is no obvious use of CGI, however, during the the gun shooting scene, i am aware of the blood splatting simultaneously with the supposed release of the bullet from the gun, which very well maybe special effects.
Shot Type and Framing
Notably the first scene from the film is a close up on the character of Beatrix, played by Uma Thurman, which seems to not only capture, the intensity and fear of the predicament she is in, but to also show the condition she is in leading up to why she wants revenge on the character of Bill, spoken of in the following scene.
Editing
During the start of the actual scene in the film, 2 obvious cuts are used, however due to the fact they are cut from a black screen, makes it seem like a quick fade from black is used, however it is not.
Mise en Scene
In the opening scene the only objects or obvious items used or worn in the scenes, is a car, used in the second scene and also what seems to be a wedding veil on the head of Beatrix, suggesting a previous wedding.
Lighting
The entire opening sequence consists of scenes shot in black and white, this includes the titles. Although i am unable to see the different possible colours of lighting, i can see that the first scene is likely to be shot inside somewhere, therefore forcing the use of a small light, with the intentions of making it look natural within a room. This is not the case for the second scene as it is filmed outside and seems to be only using natural light (sunlight).
Sound
During the opening credits of the film, where the production company is shown, a voice over is used (although no face of picture i shown, creating mystery and is accompanied by slow orchestral music to complement the deep voice used as well as heavy breathing.
Production Information
Budget:$30,000,000 (estimate, Mahalo.com)
Production company: Miramax Films
Copyright Holder: Supercool Manchu, Inc.
Director: Quentin Tarentino
Writer:Quentin Tarentino and Uma Thurman
Starring:Uma Thurman (Pulp Fiction, Batman and Robin), David Carradine (The Trident, Treasure Raiders), Lucy Liu (Charlie's Angels, Lucky Number Sleven)
Filmed in California, Mexico and China
A summary of how these details impact on the target audience
People who watched the first film may be interested in this film as it is a continuation of the previous film.
People who like Uma Thurman or the films she has starred in, may like this film as she is the main character in this film.
People who like violent films of films that incorporate violence, may like this film as it also has scenes of this nature.
How the opening sequence addresses it target audience
The beginning of the sequence begins with a recap of what happened in the previous film, therefore appealing to the people who watched the previous film.
The shooting scene at the beginning may appeal to a younger generation or anyone who likes action films as it begins at the very beginning.
The voice over used in the beginning, with no face shown creates mystery also appealing to people who like films with mystery in it.
The film may appeal to people who like gore and blood shed, as the sequence illustrates this in the first scene.
Very good Cheryl, you have followed the instructions well and labelled your work clearly.
ReplyDeleteV for Vendetta - genre: action/sci-fi/thriller
The work you have done here is proficient and will help you with the final evaluation of your finished film.
For future posts, it is important you think about ways to improve the presentation of your ideas, as you are also marked on your use of ICT.