RM - All The Boys Love Mandy Lane

Theatrical release poster

Title: All The Boys Love Mandy Lane
Director: Jonathan Levine
Year Released: 2006
Budget: $750,000

The opening credits feature a red background this signifies blood, with the title there is blade slash and a girl screams hint at what is to come? Also a typical convention for a horror film, the blood which has appeared on the screen from the blade slash makes it way down the screen. The shot pans down to a school which appears to be a normal school day.


A song is being played the song could hint at what is to come later on in the film? Mandy Lane then appears in fact of the audience, stereotypical blonde signifier of scream queen. She looks at outsider or new, as she walks through the corridors everyone reacts to her. This is until a friend starts talking to her


During this sequence a range of shots have been used including: establishing shots, close ups, medium shots and long shots.


When outside the school there is a stereotypical teenager who is being cured and offensive, hints at what is to come as this type of person normally dies as well as the scream queen.


The shot scrolls up to establish next scene this is a pool party anchoring the location is America. The event is a stereotypical setting for a pool party, nothing out of the ordinary, normal swimming pool/party clothes. The same music which featured at the start of the film starts again, again hint at what is to come?


Again wide variations of shots are used to focus on people enjoying themselves. The shot takes are short and quickly edited between each other.


The person who was being offensive in the last scenario is still being offensive, her friend water pistols him which turns into a fight, this is used to build up the tension. Another possible hint that something going to happen with these two in the future? Fight shows that is the strong out of the two. Both want the same prize Mandy Lane. Also a use of binary opposites is used: Brain vs. Brawn.


Time of day has changed to night hints that something going to happen? Mandy’s best friend is sitting on the roof, either shows power or he is a loner probably the latter. The guy he previously had a fight with comes to sit with him. Both talks about Mandy (clearly the prize in this film) start to argue about her. The best friend, who so far the audience reacts with sympathy, tricks his rival to jump off the edge to impress Mandy- jealousy? However the guy slips as a result of being drunk - outcome revealed before it happens? Has attracted tension people's attention and are worried although he is still drinking. When he jumps of the shot is similar to that of a point of view however it stops short letting the guy disappear out of shot. The party atmosphere has been replaced by that of screaming - makes the audience tense and want to know what has happened. As the guy enters the pool blood with blood surrounding him - audience is shocked.

Brains have beaten brawn. The same music, which has already appeared twice in the film already, has started again.

IMDB Page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0490076/
Wikipedia Page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandy_Lane

RM - An American Werewolf In London Deconstruction

Name: An American Werewolf In London
Director: John Landis
Year Released: 1981
Budget: $10,000,000
Takings: $20,445,527 (USA)

Universal
PolyGram Pictures
A Lycanthrope Films Limited Production

For Jim O’Rourke black screen with white text – binary opposite.
Fades in to a establishing shot 0:30
Non-diegetic music starts at 0:36 – producer credits fade in to the bottom central.

Shot fades out whilst another shot shots in – still showing the scene.
Shot of moor plus calm music with white text of the film title binary opposite as werewolf isn’t the previous mentioned.
Song has the lyrics blue moon signifies/anchors what is to come.
Several establishing shots whilst credits of cast/crew fade in and out.
All establishing shots are calm and peaceful reflects the song which is being played although very rural and no help if there is trouble,  common convention of horror films.

2:20 shot of road and at 2:29 first sighting of object with headlights – shot stays the same until the vehicle reaches the camera’s foreground, music fades down and replaced with vehicle’s engine, camera pans to follow the vehicle stopping at a junction. Slightly shaky camera work, point of view (PoV)/realism. (End of first scene and no shots of people i.e. no close-ups etc. – 3:00)
Match on Action as farmer opens the back of the pick-up truck to reveal protagonists surrounded by sheep.

Medium close-ups of both the two protagonists. Followed by a two shot of the pair exiting the vehicle which turns into a group shot as the farmer enters the shot as all three close the back door(?)

Again match on action to a side shot of all three members shown, medium shot, medium angle, panning involved + tracking also used but used to move backwards to allow the three cast members to access the side of the pick-up truck. Farmer wearing stereotypical clothing compared to the binary opposites of the two protagonists whom wear big waterproof jackets and jeans whilst carrying massive rucksacks.


Suddenly dialect at 3:36 anchoring the location the two protagonists are wanting to go. Farmer exists the shot (same as the one previously mentioned). This is part of a Shot-reaction-shot between the two protagonists and farmer. Issues warning to stick to the roads and not to go on the moors – Signifies what to come? Humour added “You have lovely sheep” and “Bye girls”. Binary opposite to black humour which could come in later. Long takes used although a wide variation of shots used. Further use of tracking (again backwards plus shaky camera work, adds to the realism) Pans in front of the two protagonists – shot ends with a binary opposite to the jokes about the sheep with the same person saying “Those sheep shit on my pack” fade out + fade in to the opening shot again. Protagonists enter shot camera tracks, appears that the two protagonists have listened to the farmer + wind – tension building? Two protagonists talking about one of his girlfriends in a sexual manner and her body. Changes to a shot behind the pair looking where they are going extreme long shot with characters in the mid-foreground, camera suddenly stops behind the pair. Pair walk out of along the road and out of shot; shot fades out with the pair telling “Knock Knock” jokes 5:38

RM - Frankenstein Deconstruction

Name: Frankenstein
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Year Released: 1994
Budget: $45,000,000
Takings: $22,006,296 (USA)
                £5,723,059 (UK)


Columbia Tristar Home Video
Tristar Pictures

Title screen

Film starts with a black screen and subtitles, something white in the middle of the screen getting closer. Audience finds out its the title of the film Mary Shelley’s come closer slowly binary opposite to Frankenstein which appears quickly in multiple layers. Also music suddenly rises, false scare already after narrative hints at it with “quick the readers beating heart”





Text appears on screen in the style as it would a book, pictured to the left. Thus giving the audience valuable information about what has happened up to where the film begins. Text ends at 1:35.

Establishing shot also includes
anchorage of location and year.

Crash of lightening which also appears on screen signifies the first shot. Location and year have been anchored (Arctic Sea 1794). Establishing shot of sailing boat travelling through a storm, the shot pans around the boat whilst there are crashes of thunder and lightning,immediately builds upon the tension of the film. Audience already thinks something is going to happen. Cuts to a long shot panning upwards whilst focusing on a man trying to see what course they are taking whilst being drenched with water. Water covers the screen this is used to cut to another shot of someone being through of some ropes. Wide variation of shots and angles from the start. Short takes also thrown into the mix (i.e. barrels being thrown over). Panning used frequently as well.

Another example of an establishing
shot.

Zooming into the captain whom is steering the ship starts of blurry but focuses more whilst getting closer – similar to a point of view and face being covered with water. Cuts to the sailing get ripped anchors one of sailor’s points. Cuts back to a group shot of captain and crew members. Throughout the sequence there are cuts to crew members in distress and captain struggling to maintain the ships bearings. Mad panic in shots – used by medium shots is juxtaposed by a very extreme long shot showing the audience the nature of the storm.

An example of a two shot.

Another example of a two shot used.

Cuts back to a medium long shot which is part of a reaction-shot-reaction (shot-reaction-shot) of an iceberg approaching the ship. Music immediately starts and builds up in sound and suspense. Shot zooms in to show crew/captains expression followed by a cut to the person maintaining the ships course. Followed by an over the shoulder type of shot taken from behind the iceberg. Quick takes and a wide variation of shot co-inside with the non-diegetic music. Several shot types are repeated and some in the same positions as before. Another over the shoulder type shot used anchors the ship has hit the iceberg. Match on action to further signify the ship has hit the iceberg, music quickens and loud ends. More panning shots and quick takes with a wide shot variation are used to signify and anchor the panic the crew are in. Music is still increasing to anchor this panic and what the audience is seeing on screen. Shot-reaction-shot again used to show the panic of the crew member struggling for his life whilst in the icy sea contrasted to the captain trying to maintain his calmness. (Second shot in this is a group shot but focuses on two people) Cuts back to this shot to focus on their reaction. Medium shots medium angle used whereas the shot of the single person is a medium shot but high angle – signifies weakness and a victim.

A close-up which is part of
a shot-reverse-shot

Another close-up which is part of
a shot-reverse-shot

Cuts back to a long shot of the ship being battered by the sea and shot fades music fades and replaced by a calmer music as a new shot (very extreme establishing shot) anchors the new location of the crew. Tracking shot of men chopping wood close-up used diegetic noise coming from the axes hitting wood. Pans out from a close-up to a long shot. Cuts to a single shot which becomes a two shot of binary opposites. One man is old, calm, white haired, and dressed in white whilst the other man is young, annoyed, brown hair and dressed in brown. Panning shot focusing more of the person of the right signifies power and most likely to be the captain – normally its person of the left who’s in power - countertype. Word “Mutiny” makes the camera zoom in and the person on the right gets more annoyed and music builds, tension builds again. However calm re-action also anchored by the music which becomes calmer again. Same shot as previously but has become a group shot. Shot still panning/tracking depending on the captain’s movement. Cut to a close-up of the captain turning around. Cut to the crew member he is talking to – doesn’t break 180 degree rule.

Another example of a two shot
which pictures two members of
the crew

Part of a shot-reaction-shot
also a false scare.

Howl is also a part of this signifies something out there in the arctic, builds tension. Shot changes to what it was previously to show the reaction of the captain and crew members face followed by a point of view looking out into the wilderness, nothing apart from white fog can be seen. Dogs start to bark/whimper. Something comes into glimpse briefly. Shot of several dogs’ reaction builds upon tension followed by crew member’s reactions. Music has started, builds the tension further more. Point of view used followed to a group shot of the captains and crew member’s reaction this time in the opposite way as shown before. Music builds further more and camera zooms into captain’s face. Builds tension even more. Followed again by another Point of View looking out into the wilderness, something moving, shot goes back to what it was (before zooming in) this time it is now a group shot as crew members have taken an interest into what is happening. Followed by another point of view this time creature is dead central in the shot and getting closer. Medium angles are used throughout the sequence. Music builds even more. Close-up and two shot of crew members scared one is about to shoot. Followed by close-up of more captains’ expressions. Separated by shots of the being getting closer.

False scare revealed as the being takes off his hood, pictured to the left, and reveals he is a man, pictured to the right. Shot zooms in whilst this is happening to build the tension. Shot-reaction-shot between this man and captain. Followed by shots of crew members still looking nervous. Again medium angles are used. Same three shots are used between the man, captain and crew in quick succession, then shots reverse. Another non-diegetic moan. Shots quicken, close-up of dogs leads breaking followed by panning of them running away.

Shot taken from the actual scare

Point of view of dogs running into distance. Followed by quick shots of them attacking and being killed by an unknown creature – narrative enigma – hear non-diegetic growling and whimpering. Followed by a reaction shot and point of view. Repeated again but focusing on a different crew member. Noises of whimpering and growling continue. Loud howl and quite whimpering end the point of view shot and link to another repeated shot of the reaction. Music increases as panic sets in again with the crew members. Long shot of the ship is interrupted by a blooded hand appearing in the foreground. Adds to the tension which has already been brought up by the dogs being killed, panic amongst the crew and music. Music ends abruptly. Followed by a group shot of crew still in panic.

Final shot of the scare

Music died down but builds up as the crew become more panicked. Juxtaposed with a two shot of inside a cabin where it appears calm, pictured to the left, compared to outside. Music still going on and builds tension. Shot-reaction-shot reaction the captain and the male from the false scare second shot more close-up. Another grown interrupts this shot which is followed by a group shot of the panicked crew members. Followed by a close-up of the captain. Panning shot used to zoom into the fog although there’s heavy breathing signifies point of view. Followed by a two shot of inside the cabin which is now in panic. Over-the-shoulder shots used to show each of the pairs face. Again doesn’t break the 180 degree rule. Shot changes between the two although more emphasis is on the captain – signifies power. Music builds until the man who was part of the false scare anchors himself to be Victor Frankenstein – and anchors being outside, music dies down as the shot fades into another one for the next scene set in 1773, Geneva.

Opening scene length: 7:22

Imdb page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109836/
Wikipedia Page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankenstein_(1994_film)

RM - Dracula Deconstruction

Theatrical release poster

Name: Dracula
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Year Released: 1992
Budget: $40,000,000
Takings: $82,522,790 (USA)

Columbia Tristar Home Video
Sony Pictures DVD Center
Dolby digital
Columbia Pictures


Music starts as titles start. Similar to others with the black background however text is in white – signifying blood and what is to come.

Binary opposite Church ve Evil
(signified by the black smoke)

An example of multiple layering
in one shot.

Eerie music builds- First shot shown 0:26, has a cross on binary opposite to protagonist. Object seems to be at an angle. Dutch angle used? Second shot fades in showing a cross. Anchoring the binary opposites and further more signifying what is to come. Black smoke used to allow for a change of shot (covers the screen). Subsequent shot is of a cross falling. Church vs evil battle comes into play more. Non-diegetic narration with shots setting the scene, panning shot over a map with an over-layered shot of a close-up on a knight holding a sword.

Two shot, first shot of the protagonist
audience views.

Two shot, protagonist with his bride
(adds Male Gaze theory)

When narrator says Dracula anchorage is provided by the protagonist turning around and is in focus where as the back-ground has been slightly blurred, audience attention is fully on the protagonist. Two shot becomes a three shot as the camera pans to allow his lover (bride) (Male gaze theory) to come into the shot. Long takes used but has been a wide variation of shots used, again 180 degree rule hasn’t been broken. Binary opposite between his bride whom is worried and doesn’t want him to leave and this army whom cheer and support him when the gates have been opened followed by another binary opposite from being quite to a battle.

Side shot, re sky signifies blood
and death.

Focus is always upon Dracula, tracking shots are used throughout this sequence. All the same type of shot as well – side shot. Sky is red – signifies blood. Characters which are on screen all appear as black figures, only black and red are on screen. Fade in of the battle ground to show time has passed and how many have been killed. More fade ins have been used to get the focus upon the protagonist whom takes off his helmet. Still only shades of red and black are used. Music is increasing in volume, further dictates audiences’ heart rate. Subtitles used to signify what the protagonist is saying as he is speaking another language. Over layering used in the top right to show his bride, binary opposite of her being calm but sad and the protagonist whom is worried but proud at being victorious. Shot changes to an establishing shot.

Tracking shot of Bride committing
suicide.

Jump cut to where is pride is located and a panning shot upwards from an arrow with a message announcing her fiancée’s death (anchorage is provided through narration) which tracks her moves from behind as she commits suicide. Although stopping quickly to let her body fade into the distance.

Music picked up further more. Reaction-shot-reaction (Shot-reaction-shot) is used to show the emotion of the protagonist. Shot used to her his bride to be dead pans to show her layer next to an alter. Shots repeated. Narration plus more layering used on the letter showing her falling. Music increasing suspense. More subtitles to anchor what is being said. Protagonists groan changes the music, quickens in speed. Shot taken from above panning backwards would normally signify weakness however when this is done it signifies his anger (towards god). Match on Action used as altar throw to the floor, as water flows out of the altar this allows for another change in shot. Music increases in speed more and fits with the protagonist’s passion and anger. After the protagonist has stabbed the cross shots of angles are crying, candles are filling/over flowing, goblets are filling all with blood. Panning shot up of dead bride lying on the floor whilst blood covers the floor. Examples are pictured below.

All shots showing binary opposition between good and evil (God vs Devil) and life vs death

Volume of music has increased. End of the scene is a shot-reaction-shot of the protagonist realising what he has done as blood surrounds his bride. Roaring adds to the build up of the music. Scene ends with the title of the film. Shot fades out with music.






Open scene length: 5:36

Imdb page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103874/
Wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dracula_(1992_film)

RM - Hostel Deconstruction

Theatrical release poster

Titles: Hostel
Director: Eli Roth
Year Released: 2005
Budget: $4,500,000
Takings: $47,277,326 (US)
                £4,216,561 (UK)

Dolby Digital
Screen Gems
LGF (Lions Gate Film)
Next Entertainment Raw Nerve


The opening to the film starts off with water dripping and the sound of scrubbing. It is not known what is being cleaned. There are several shots of pipes with water dripping out of them, this shows that the these have recently been used, anchored through the scrubbing sound.
 

Also anchored through the use of shots of instruments which are either positioned as they are just about to be used or just have been used. In the background it is apparent that someone scrubbing however what the person is scrubbing is unknown to the audience.


In another shot there is foam running down a wall with a surgical coat position to the left on the coat. Anchors, as well as the instruments, this unknown character is either a surgeon or likes to perform operations on people. As this is a horror film it would be expected that the latter is the case.


There is also a shot of a jar of water. The colour of the water is red, signifies diluted blood? This also anchors that an operation has occurred and the room is being clears. In the jar scissors can be seen being cleaned.


The audience can see water dripping down into a puddle of water, with the sound of dripping of water slowly stopping, blood is also being washed down a drain - gurgling sounds accompany the shot - further anchorage that an operation has occurred.


All shots mentioned are close ups with a blurred background, a form of building tension and holding information from the viewer.
 

The final shot is of a chair, central in the shot, which looks like victims can be strapped into, thus hinting at what is to come in the film and a key aspect of the film. A door then closes with squeaks to accompany it. The shot the goes black. During the entire duration of the opening someone is whistling.


2 mins 11 seconds


IMDB Page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0450278/
Wikipedia Page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hostel_(2005_film)

RM - First Idea

The idea starts off in a film set making a film by using scorpions as aliens with a cheesy narration over the top. During the scene the director calls cut, followed by several shots providing anchorage that the location is a film set. The director will say what he thinks have gone wrong in the latest take. The shot then changes to one focusing on the two main characters watching what is going on and talking to one another. After some dialect the female protagonist goes out onto the street to smoke a cigarette, or something similar, when the female character leaves the building through a fire exit or stage door into an alleyway it will be night, with the street joining the back alleyway not being busy. A hooded figure dressed in all black, hood up to cover face, suddenly appears in the entrance to the alleyway. The woman turns and looks at him/her. She starts to ask the hooded figure questions but he/she starts walking towards her. The woman tries to open the door to the studio but it’s has been locked. She backs down further down the alley as the hooded figure follows her. The woman walks to the end of the alleyway backwards into the wall behind her. She is still asking the figure questions but she is more panicked than previously before. The shot then goes to the exit of the alleyway and a scream is heard.

RM - The Thing Deconstruction

DVD cover

Title: The Thing
Director: John Carpenter
Release Date: 1982
Budget: $15,000,000
Takings: $19,629,760 (USA)

Universal
A Turman-Foster company production


Titles White with the background black – binary opposite. The titles consist of: name of members of the cast and crew including: music producer, editor, special make-up effects, production designer, director of photography, associate producer, co-producer, producer and screenplay. All central however they all slightly shake. This could easily be done through the use of final cut with the earthquake effect.

No music (until Special effects editor and creator’s title appears on screen). Music is non-diegetic and eerie. As titles go on music level increases.

The first shot the audience sees with the UFO
in full flight.

First shot is at 1:12 which is a low angle of the stars then director’s name appears. Shot type is long shot. At 1:23 first sign of movement as an object (which is later in the shot anchored to be a UFO). This is still the same shot as 1:12.

Second shot the audience views also
match on action included with the shot to
 the above right.

Non-diegetic noises of engines are used and increase and the UFO gets closer to the camera.
Match on Action takes place. Another long shot is used this time focusing on the earth. Non-diegetic noise of engines dies down as the UFO gets further into the distance and closer to earth.

Title Screen

When UFO disappeared more titles are used this time the directors name and the title of the film.Background turns to black and a non-diegetic crashing noise is used as the title appears through the black background. Text used is an eerie light blue with light shining out from it. Titles end at 1:59. The opening titles are fully embedded belowe. Only two shots used in this section of the film.

Anchorage of date
and location

Music enters again and anchorage of the location and date (Antarctica, Winter 1982). Music represents a heartbeat.

An example of an establishing shot used.

Third shot used is handheld signifying the possibility of a point of view (PoV). Shot is focusing on a cliff face. Shot appears at 2:09. Long shot, medium angle. Object appears at 2:30 (still same shot as before) – false scare as the fourth shot anchors it to be a helicopter – audience assume it’s the UFO saw it the first 2 shots. Music stops replaced with the sound of helicopter blades. Again shaky camera work signifying the possibility of a PoV. Long shots are used throughout the introduction.

An example of a panning shot.

First close-up used in the film

Fifth shot long shot medium angle from the side of the helicopter seeing a person leaning slightly out of the helicopter. Very long takes only five shots used in 2:56. Extreme long shot panning high angle of the helicopter. Again shaky camerawork – instead could symbolise realism to the audience. Wide variations of shots used despite the long takes seventh shot is a side view of the helicopter hovering over the ice. Shaky camerawork continues. 3:15 first shot of person (in full view) medium shot medium angle. Panning shot of a husky followed by a shot-to-shot (doesn’t break the 180 degree rule) between the husky and the incoming helicopter. Shots of the husky – Husky off centre appears to be a long shot (as the entire body of the husky is in shot). Shots of the Helicopter – long shots.
 

An example of a point of view shot

An example of a two shot

Followed by another shot-to-shot this time the helicopter appears to be closer – two shot follows. Adds to the tension as more shots are being used then before + music has entered. Two shot followed by another medium shot of the person subsequently followed by a PoV (anchored this time through the person aiming a gun – sniper rifle - at the husky). Several shots repeat themselves i.e. two shot medium/long shot panning.

Anchorage of location

4:22 anchored of where in Antarctica this is taking place – United States National Science Institute Station 4. Sign appears to have scratching + blood on it music is again like a heartbeat -> adds tension. Something appears in the bottom right hand corner + further more adds to the tension. Followed by an extreme long shot of the location -> appears to be quiet and peaceful binary opposite of the sign (4:34).


Imdb page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084787/
Wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Thing_(1982_film)



Opening title:

RM - The Brief and Assessment Criteria

Task: To create the titles and opening to a new fiction film, to last a maximum of two minutes.

Basic Marks Breakdown:
Research and Planning: 20%
Production: 60%
Evaluation: 20%

Markscheme:
   Mark out of:       60               20
Minimal             0 - 23          0 -7
Basic                  24 - 35        8 - 11
Proficient          36 - 47       12 - 15
Excellent           48 - 60       16 - 20