Star Trek (2009) Time Line Analysis: Research

0:00 - Text on a green background
0:04 - Black screen
0:05 - Fade transition to wide shot
0:06 - Fades from black into a long shot which follows bike into
0:07 - Wide shot and medium shot
0:08 - Fade to black screen
0:09 - Wide shot
0:10 - Medium Shot
0:11 - Close up
0:12 - Black screen transition with a flash of a white background into a two person shot
0:13 - Close up into black screen
0:14 - Close up
0:15 - Fade transition to black screen
0:16 - Paramount Pictures logo with fade to black transitional shot
0:17 - Spyglass Entertainment logo with fade to black transitional shot
0:18 - Badrobot logo with fade to black transition
0:19 - Extreme close up
0:22 - Long shot, high angle
0:23 - Long shot at eye level
0:24 - Shot from low angle with an extreme close up
0:25 - Fade to black screen with fast flash of white background
0:26 - Close up
0:27 - Medium shot with close up
0:28 - Fade transition to black
0:30 - Close up
0:32 - Fade transition into establishing shot
0:37 - Fade transition into black with text
0:39 - Fade transition into long shot then wide shot
0:40 - Fade transition into wide shot
0:42 - Fade to close up
0:43 - Extreme close up
0:44 - Long shot followed by an establishing shot
0:45 - Close up
0:47 - Medium shot
0:49 - Wide shot into black screen
0:50 - Close up shot into black screen
0:50 - High angle shot
0:50 - Black out
0:51 - Medium shot
0:51 - Black screen into mid shot then black out shot
0:52 - Mid shot
0:53 - Black screen with white text
0:55 - Wide shot
0:59 - Extreme close up
1:00 - Aerial shot
1:03 - Establishing shot
1:08 - Black screen with text
1:10 - Dirty shot with two people
1:11 - Close up
1:12 - Black screen
1:13 - Close up
1:14 - Black screen
1:16 - Wide shot and deep focus
1:18 - Black screen with text
1:19 - Wide shot and establishing shot
1:21 - Fade transition to establishing shot and high angle shot
1:22 - Close up at eye level shot
1:24 - Fade transition to two person shot and close up
1:25 - Wide shot
1:27 - Fade transition to wide shot
1:28 - Long shot
1:29 - Long shot and close up shot
1:30 - Two person shot using over the shoulder angle and close up
1:31 - Long shot, high angle shot
1:33 - Wide shot
1:34 - Fade transition to close up
1:35 - Two person shot using close up and dirty shot
1:36 - Extreme close up
1:36 - Long shot and close up
1:37 - Long shot
1:38 - High angled and long shot
1:39 - Mid shot
1:40 - Two person shot with a dutch tilt
1:41 - Fade transition to two person long shot
1:42 - Black screen
1:42 - High angled shot
1:43 - Close up
1:44 - Eye leveled long shot
1:45 - Wide shot
1:45 - Close up
1:46 - Close up
1:47 - Dirty shot and close up
1:47 - Wide shot
1:49 - Dirty shot
1:50 - Eye level over the shoulder shot using wide shot
1:51 - Close up
1:52 - Wide shot
1:53 - Mid shot
1:53 - Extreme close up shot with two people
1:54 - Mid shot
1:55 - Close up
1:56 - Dirty/long shot
1:58 - Close up
2:00 - Extreme close up
2:04 - Movie title on black background
2:07 - Black screen with white text
2:12 - Black screen with text
2:15 - Black screen

Preliminary Task Evaluation

What is the purpose of the preliminary task?

The preliminary task was set to enable us to present our understanding of continuity of editing in short clips. It was also set to allow us to present an understanding of the process used to produce a successful film. This is inclusive of filming, editing and choreographing an interesting film that meets the objectives set. The objectives for this task being: to include match-on-action; consider 180 degree rule; eye-line match and dialogue.

What difficulties did you face?

Difficulties that we faced included lack of equipment. In some of the shots, I believe that it would have been beneficial to have used a tripod or Steadicam to have steadied the shots, making them less shaky. Additionally, the mise en scene wasn't as well considered as it could've been. The site that we filmed on had lots of camera equipment lying around which, for obvious reasons, lessened the effect of a school room setting. In future, details such as this will be considered before we begin filming.

Additionally, the editing process was made difficult as some of the shots that we filmed weren't continuous to the overall narrative. For example, there was one scene that we filmed where the actor put their hood up. Then in the next shot, they can be seen with their hood down. This doesn't follow the linear narrative that we were trying to achieve. A clearer directory could have been used to ensure that no difficulties where made when editing as a result of this. We tried to overcome this by making those clips shorter and so less noticeable. 

How did you plan out the shots?

Firstly, we made brief notes of our initial ideas. Whilst doing this, I considered how we would include the objectives of: match-on-match, 180 degree rule, eye-line match, someone going through a door and dialogue. Subsequently, we then planned out the shots using a story board. This meant that we could all see a visual representation of how the shots may look. Doing this allowed us to make alterations according to how we thought different shots would look. In this, we drew where the focal point (the main character) would be in each shot, alongside the rest of the mise en scene. Later, we were able to use this to refer back to to ensure that the film was continuous and made sense. We tried to stick to around 12 shots which would make up the entirety of the film section we'd be focusing on.

As a group, we discussed how we could make the film more emotive by using different filming and editing techniques. We brainstormed types of filters we could use to make the shots appear sombre and sources where we could find un-copyrighted sound material to over lay on the film. We discussed how both could be used in correspondence with the film content to make the film more emotive.

What did you learn about continuity editing?

Continuity editing provides the audience with the impression that the action unfolds consistently. The film has to be logical and coherent to emphasise smooth transition times. We found that editing to create a continuous narrative was difficult if the filming process wasn't directed properly to ensure that there were enough clips to produce a clear and concise film. Additionally, we found that not using editing techniques such as fading, made the film very jumpy. In future, we may consider spending more time focusing on the transitions between shots. 

Also, the sound that we overlaid, played throughout the film which emphasised the continuation of time and boasted the idea that the film was not shot in separate take, but instead - together. Perhaps we could have faded the music in and out as the character put in and took out his earphones. This would have given the audience a better understanding of his viewpoint. 

What did you learn about the demands of filming a sequence?

We learnt that filming a sequence requires a clear story board and ideas. This has to then be brought together by a strong directory. All members of a filming crew have to be aware of the objectives otherwise it can be difficult to create a successful piece of film. 

Preliminary Task: Planning

Preliminary Task Overview

Conventions of Chosen Genre: Research

Conventions of Horror

Purpose 

The purpose of a horror movie is to produce feelings which we may otherwise view as negative. However, the appeal of generating these feelings is because of the adrenaline they create. 

Horror films are designed to do the following:

• Frighten & panic
• Cause dread & alarm
• Evoke the audiences worst fears
• Captivate & entertain 
• Shock the audience (by perhaps misleading them)

Depending on the audience, horror films can generate different types of fear and other, closely linked emotions. Feelings created as a result of watching a horror movie could be:

• Vulnerability 
• Terror 
• Fear
• Anxiety
• Alienation
• Anticipation
• Confusion

Often, watching a horror genre can make the audience feel powerless. This is caused by the unpredictability and lack of control that the viewer has over the outcome of the film. Much like vulnerability, feeling powerless could be a product of low lighting; props, costume and dialogue; and/or use of camera angles/shots. These techniques can be used in such a way that they consume the audience; making them feel part of the film.

Settings

Location can be used to generate all of the feelings previously mentioned. Low level lighting is commonly used in any filming location for ambient horror effect. The unknown of the darkness can be used for horror genres as it can mask characters for jump-scares or likewise, create tension.

Small communities or isolated places are widely used as they are part of the horror movie convention. The detachment that we see from towns/cities of people, makes the characters seem vulnerable as they are separated from the rest of civilisation; a feeling that the viewer may mimic. Isolated places seem unsafe as there would be nobody else present to help a weaker character. Additionally, urban environments, dark streets and narrow alleyways, also have the same effect. Anything which connotes isolation or being alone, encourages the audience to feel scared and vulnerable. Particularly, places with dark history, such as: abandoned houses, basements, hotels and insane asylums, work well as part of a horror movie convention.

Locations for any successful horror genre film could be:

• Abandoned houses
• Barns and farms (abandoned)
• Cabins
• Hotels
• Graveyards
• Basements 
• Woods/forests

Technical Codes

Technical codes of a horror movie can include high and low angled shots. These can both be used to show: power, dominance or vulnerability.

Un-natural camera work can be used to make the audience feel uneasy and uncomfortable. Fast, tracking shots can disorientate the viewer. Also, extreme close ups can be used to make the characters seem as though they are coming into the audiences personal space, in turn, creating a feeling of intrusion.

POV shots are sometimes used in horror movies to allow the audience to relay the characters experiences as though they were their own. This encourages the viewer to feel like they are part of the movie. This can provoke feelings of vulnerability.

Sometimes, in horror, the screen play director will include framework which incorporates depth of field. This can make it harder for the audience to see objects and characters moving in and out of frame, and so this can be used to produce effective jump-scares.

Audience

The target audience of horror can vary, dependant on the amount of expletives, gore and film of a sexual nature. The demographic of a horror movie is likely to be 12 and above. As a result of including more: swearing, scenes of a sexual nature or violence, the age rating will increase. Typically, horror movies will attract teenagers and young adults aged between 15 and 30. To appeal to this age range, the movie must include slight to moderate, swearing, violence, gore and adult themes. 

Iconography:

• Visual style often incorporates colours such as: red, black and white. Reason being, the colour black connotes evil and mystery which are typical themes of horror movies. The colour red links closely to imagery of blood and danger. White can be used in mine en scene to make the shots seem sanitary (give feeling of an asylum).

• Common objects used in horror movie include: weapons, masks, objects with supernatural/religious connotations (paraphernalia) etc.

• The iconography of monsters and demons helps to connote extreme fear and terror. This is the same with: werewolves, vampires, serial killers and mummies.

• Low-key lighting can create dark shadows and can therefore, cast unfamiliar and scary shapes in the setting. Lighting used in horror movies can be made out as bonfires, fireplaces & torches. Bonfires as well as other fires can offer flickery, ambient lighting to generate mystery. Whereas torches can be used to cast light on a specific object or person. 

• Props can be used to further identify the horror genre. Specific props can be used as part of the characterisation of a certain character. For example, the more negative characters (antagonists) can be paired with chainsaws, machetes, knifes and other weapons to make them appear as more dangerous. Also, masks can be used to build a character, making them more mysterious and a figure to be curious of.

Character Types:

• The main protagonist, often the known ‘victim/hero’ of the movie who instigates the more positive actions

• The stupid or immoral teenagers that get killed quickly

• The villain. This could be a monster, mutant, alien or serial killer. This character tends to have a trademark characteristic. This could be how they talk, what they wear, behave, a weapon they have or a phrase they say

• Creepy children who could resemble china dolls

• Police officers (good cop/bad cop)

• Ghosts

• Zombies

• Demons 

• Psychopath

• Stalker(s)

• Werewolves

• Ditzy cheerleaders

Themes in Horror movies:

• Good vs Evil
• Depression or anxiety
• Religion
• Childhood issues
• Supernatural occurrences
• Beyond death (ghosts and resurrection)
• Science gone wrong
• Zombie Apocalypse (Apocalyptic worlds)
• New world order
• Nightmares
• Insanity
• Lust and desire 
• Hatred, envy and revenge
• Suicide
• Murder

Consolidation of research

Silence of the Lambs (Genre specific analysis #4): Research

Secret Window (Genre specific research #3): Research

Secret Window

Institutional Information

Initial release: March 12, 2004 (USA)

Director: David Koepp

Screenplay by: David Koepp

Story by: Stephen King

Box office: 92.9 million USD

Starring: Johnny Depp,  Maria Bello and John Turturro 

Gross: $47,781,388 (USA) (14 May 2004)

Runtime: 96 min

Plot: 

While in the process of an ugly divorce from his wife (Maria Bello), writer Mort Rainey (Johnny Depp) relocates to his remote cabin in upstate New York for solitude. Attempting to recover his mental health, Rainey has the misfortune of being found by John Shooter (John Turturro), a farmer who claims Rainey plagiarized his work. At first, Rainey ignores the accusations, but Shooter has no intention of quietly disappearing. Soon, Shooter becomes increasingly vicious in his quest for retribution.

Analysis 

The first visual we come to in the opening or 'Secret Window' is a black screen.  However we are also presented with the diegetic sound of windscreen wipers. Using a plain visual alongside sound makes the sound seem  more significant.  Although this sound is generally well known, without the source of the sound being visual, it is ambiguous as to what the source is creating suspense.  This is also complementary to the increasing intensity of the sound as this is also suspense building.

The first shot we see is a close up of the main character, Mort, in a standby car, in central shot.  The lighting is very dim and the source of the sound car now be seen.  The shot is taken from outside the car looking inwards through the windscreen.  Droplets of rain can be seen on the windscreen; perhaps the rain could be seen as a pathetic fallacy for how he is feeling. His heavy breathing and unbroken stare, suggests that he is either coming to terms with something or that he is trying to pump himself up to do something.  This idea is complemented by the introduced voice over into the scene. The non-diegetic voice over suggests that he is battling with himself; to do or not to do something. All the aspects of this scene, create a very ambiguous and mysterious beginning; dim lighting, close up of male with heavy breathing and an intense stare, rain in the background creating an uneasy atmosphere and also the unexplained voice over.  All is strange and unexplained.  Combined results in the audience wanting to know more, they are intrigued to continue watching.

Another shot is an establishing shot of where he is.  This provides the audience with slightly more information on what is going on.  The opening, and the film, seems to drip feed information to the audience so that its a thrilling mystery throughout.  The shot itself has dim lighting as its night, this contrasts with the bright red writing of the motel sign and the bright car head lights.  The only sound here is the diegetic of the reversing car.  The car reverses and the camera stays still as opposed to following it.  I think that this has been done purposely to follow the mystery theme as the location is drip fed.


This shot shows a long shot of the character that appears to be on a dolly of some sort as it follows the character as he moves. The lighting has now changed as its become brighter, showing that there is a change of mood; perhaps realisation.  The fact that the character has left the door to his car open shows the importance of what he is doing as normally you would worry about it being stolen.