The above photos show me using advanced filming techniques for example in these photos you can see me using the track. The track is useful for filming smoothly, following actions, trombone shots and also "Hitchcocks Zoom".
The main issues in this were that I cold be seen on Beth's right hand side and then in the next clip I was seen walking down the street with her on her left.
Dark Color Correction
The general color palette of the title scene is mostly dark colors as they do not reveal too much of the story and allow the audience to question.
Black and White Cutaways
Useful for referring back in time. People often refer black and white footage to older times.
Slow Pace
Adds suspense throughout the title scene and can be backed up with suspenseful music.
Grainy
Adds an old style effect to the title scene.
Close-Up Shots
Help to reveal the introduction without revealing too much information about the plot.
Sound
Non-Diegetic to cover the titles. Suspenseful music preferably.
I like this title scene because there is a massive element of mystery about it. The titles are written in a white font in contrast to a dark, mostly black background. The pictures are generally close-ups of objects relating to the serial killer, or actions he is doing. I would possibly take the following ideas from this title scene;
The disfigured lettering
White font over a dark background
Titles placed in different parts of the screen for variety
Thriller is a genre of television, film and literature which uses suspense, tension and excitement as its primary elements. Thrillers generally stimulate the viewer's moods such as anticipation, heightened uncertainty and anxiety. A good thriller will have the audience captivated on their edge of their seats throughout until the film reaches it's climax. One of the most famous thrillers of all time was Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho".
The interaction between the characters is very well worked and practiced. The characters can focus and interacting between each other while concentrating on the immediate threat of being eaten alive. The performers body expressions also work very well and help to add significant understanding to the situation they're faced with. The facial expressions also help to deliver the fear while also delivering an aspect of comedy. The vocal delivery between the characters to the viewers really helps to enhance the comical side of the film. The seriousness of their voices also helps to display tension between the group inside the pub.
Cinematography
In terms of cinematography, there are various types of camera angles used. Mainly close ups and medium close ups to display emotion and expressions on their faces, especially the zombie landlord. Their are many shots where other characters are blurred out in the background while focusing on other characters. There are various special effects used for example when a dart is thrown and gets stuck in Shaun's head. Their are various camera positions fixed around the vault of the pub allowing the viewer to see all sides of the room throughout the scene.
Sound
Throughout the scene there is mainly only Diegetic sound for example the vocal interaction between the different actors and also the song "Don't Stop Me Now" by Queen playing through the jukebox in the pub. However this is also used to work with the viewer in a Non Diegetic sort of way. It is played in perfect time with every part of the fight scene as if it is actually accompanying the scene.
Editing
The "Winchester Pub / Don't stop me now" fight scene worked to its aimed potential in a short time of only 2:46 seconds. The space available in the scene worked really well when trying to maximize shot size to cover all the characters at once in a fairly small space.
From the offset, the opening seen includes a very long introduction which includes a voice-over from possibly the main character of the film seemingly talking words of wisdom. However wise the words, you still feel almost intimidated by the tone of this speech. On the screen however, it's a total juxtaposition. You can see hills and meadows for miles from the first scene. It shows of the beautiful countryside, possibly desert landscape. It is hard to make out whether it is dusk or dawn at the start however it is still a beautiful view.
This picture shows the dark area. You can recognize the confusion between dusk and dawn.
Further on, you can see that it gets lighter so it was actually dawn on the previous image.
Their is a complete cutaway to an American Policeman walking with a person in handcuffs. This gives you a good reliable idea of what style/genre of film this is going to be. Possibly a crime/police drama?
As the arrestee is put into the police car, the directors make a point of showing you an object put down on the front passenger seat of the police car. The close up tells you that this object may be of some importance.
Towards the end of the opening sequence, it takes a turn 'to' the worst. You can see a policeman on the phone to the sheriff talking about the oxygen tank in the screenshot above when all of a sudden a handcuff chain is placed round his throat and he is dragged to the floor and brutally asphyxiated, so severely that blood is forced from his windpipe. You can see the criminal walking towards him in the background out of focus but you have no idea of his intentions. Suspense is built when you can see him going from sat down to standing to stretch, possibly building up to this event, much like preparing himself to murder. On the floor you can see the whole struggle and the efforts he makes to escape. When watching the early scenes with the voice over, showing the meadows and the hills, you do not expect to watching a murder two minutes later.
Overall it is a very powerful opening scene with many juxtaposing ideas. Their is a huge contrast in this short 3 minute opening scene.
The opening credits from the film "Se7en" consists of many different type of sounds and images, some disturbing. You can see in the opening credits a person developing pictures of his victims, cutting out letters from newspapers and also sewing notes on to his victims.
Over the top of these images, music to build up tension. The sounds in the opening scene work very well because they fit in perfectly with the dark, eerie atmosphere of the opening scene. Their are many different sounds used for example you can hear the rewinding of tapes, cameras taking pictures, coins dropping and also a radio tuning in. The screeching of violins can also be heard which help emphasize the evil and the darkness. The whole opening scene is covered with a sepia effect to give the impression of old footage, possibly to show that whatever has been going on has been going for a while.
There are many, static, distorted sounds which make your heart beat and they also help to build up the tension throughout. Overall this clip is quite disturbing. The dark atmosphere throughout the scene gives you a clear idea of what type of film this is going to be. Throughout the opening scene you are forced up on an evil feeling, it gives you a genuine idea of what type of film this is going to be.
