Analysis of Previous Student's Work

I made this video, with my commentary analysing the opening sequence "Captive".

I would mark this video as A grade, because they use different mediums, including sound, costume, location and editing to fit the genre (horror) and the target audience. They used a variety of shots which fit the genre and managed to hook the audience, as well as using the conventions of an opening sequence. One thing I think would mark them down, is that the title is at the end of the sequence, which could be seen more like a trailer, rather than an opening sequence.








I made this video with my commentary analysing "The Organ Player".

I would mark this video as a C grade, because they used some convention of opening sequences but not always in the correct way. The editing was quite good, but there was some shots which didn't fit with the rest of the sequence, or that didn't particularly fit with the genre. However, it had a strong mysterious and tense atmosphere throughout, created by the non-diajetic music and the use of some shots, typical of the horror genre.




Learning Comments:

By watching Captive and The Organ Player, it has shown me things I would like to incorporate in my opening sequence. These include:

• A film certification frame to show the age rating of the film. The film we will do will have a target audience of teenagers, so most likely will have an age restriction of 12 or 15. 
• "Captive" used a production company which is appropriate for their film, but they also used the company's theme sequence. This is definitely something I would like to include, because this is what professional companies do.
• One thing that is really good in "Captive" film opening is the text, because the typography, and the movements fit the genre of the film. I think its important that the text suits the genre of the film, because the texts adds to the atmosphere and tone of the film.
• I would like to use a soundtrack fitting for the genre, because "The Organ Player"'s soundtrack created a desired atmosphere just from listening to the music, and this is something I'd like to achieve.

Title Research

I researched 3 film openings, Zombieland, Good Will Hunting and The Breakfast Club, specifically looking at their titles and credits.

Title Research from lucycrowmedia

This powerpoint analyses the titles in Zombieland, Good Will Hunting and The Breakfast Club.


Learning Comments:

 The order of the credits are usually:

• The Institutions
• The Actors (listed from most important, to least important, only the main cast are credited)
• The Title of the Film
• The Production Team (often in the order of Casting, Costume Designers, Music and Music Supervisor, Editers, Production Designers, Direct of Photography)
• The Producers (in order from least important, to most important)
• Writers
• Directer

The text, including typography, and its movements, may vary depending on the film's genre, and their target audience. For example, the colour may change, depending on its connotations, in order to emphasise a certain theme- Zombieland used red text, to fit in with their themes of gore. Also, the movements of the text will vary- movement will be minimal when the film has a more serious tone (a genre of drama, for example Good Will Hunting), where as in a comedy or action, there may be more movement of the text. I must keep this in mind when making my opening sequence, because the title sequence must be appropriate for the genre of film, and to help create a desired tone for the film. I must also include the different credits, in order, as these are a convention of film opening sequences.

Conventions of an Opening Sequence

I made this video showing analysis of the opening sequence in Wild Child.





This video was made by Keeva Holder, and I looked at this video to be able to compare the similarities and differences between the film's opening sequences.


Learning Comments:

• Great opening sequences begin the narrative in the film. 
• The personalities of the characters are shown clearly, to define who they are. However the main character is not necessarily the main focus if the narrative.
• There is often opening credits, which are displayed in the style of the genre of the film.
• In most opening sequences, there is a musical soundtrack, to introduce the genre of the film.

Audience Research

Survey by Leanne Pratt, Jaimie Hampton, Keeva Holder, and myself.

Powerpoint by Jaimie Hampton.

Group Discussions held by Jaimie Hampton and myself.




Information by Leanne Pratt, Keeva Holder, and myself.

Prezi by Leanne Pratt and myself.



This video was made my Keeva Holder. She asked a friend to commentate over several opening sequences about what she thought of them.

Learning Comments:

• I learnt that most 'Coming of Age' films have target audience of teenagers. I think this should be our target audience, because it fits with the genre of film. 
• We also found out that most teenagers prefer comedy, and action films, so we could incorporate these into our story, and opening sequence. 
• Many 'Coming of Age' films revolve around high school, relationships and friendships. I think this would be a good starting point for our plot line. 

Producers and Distributers

I researched about the role of film producers and distributers, and looked into examples of major and minor producers and distributers, to find out what they are and their differences.

Learning Comments:

• I learnt the roles of producers and distributers.
• I learnt that major producers are more likely to have bigger budgets for there films, which often leads to a bigger gross profit.
• Some companies are more likely to produce or distribute certain films depending on the 
• genres of films, and the audience it appeals to.
• Smaller production companies are more likely to co-produce films so they can have a larger budget.