'Chasing The Lost.' Opening Sequence Script.

Chasing The Lost.

Written by Charlie Whitfield.

Charlie Whitfield

Isabella Friere

Date:25/11/2013

EXT.  GREEN WASTELANDS - DAWN.

Ace

*Deep Breathing*

Shot of sunrise. Clouds are overpassing from right to left.

Ace

(Walks from right side to left side).

Head on Shot.

Ace

(Strides towards the camera. Saddened yet concentrated look on face).

Ace

(Stops walking.Removes balaclava and gun from jacket pocket).

Ace

(Kneels down next to bush. Wraps gun in balaclava and tucks under bush).

Ace

(Begins to walk away then stops immediately.Brings hands to face as if in shock or is reminiscing).

Close up on eyes.

Ace

(Stares deep into camera).

INT. UNKNOWN BATHROOM - FLASHBACK TO PREVIOUS EVENT.

Ace

(Washes/splashes face with water).

EXT.  GREEN WASTELANDS - DAWN.

Ace

(Walks away from camera into distance).

INT. UNKNOWN BATHROOM - FLASHBACK TO PREVIOUS EVENT.

Ace

(Washes/splashes face with water).

EXT.  GREEN WASTELANDS - DAWN.

Ace

(Walks away from camera into distance).

SCENE ENDS.

Field Equipment Checklist.

This is the checklist I used for the filming of my opening sequence. It is important to be organised on the day of filming because then you can follow your plan for filming and minimises the chance for mistake on set, which can be incredibly frustrating.

My checklist.

Catch Me If You Can Opening Sequence Analsis.

 1.   How does the title sequence attract an audience’s interest? 

There are many colours and you want to find out why he’s on the run.

2.   Describe what you think is happening in the clip. What seems to be significant about what you can see? 

There are lots of indications of transport, which suggests he is moving around a lot, perhaps linking in with the title and trying to run away from someone or a group of people who is chasing him.

3.   Describe the characters, their actions in the sequence and their relationships to one another.

The main characters seems like he is on the run, or people are chasing him, this makes the audience feel that the other characters may dislike him as he spends the whole duration of the opening sequence trying to hide or disguise himself. It looks as if he is trying to stay away from another character. The ‘main character’ moves very smoothly throughout the whole thing.

4.   How do setting, location, props and costume choices contribute to your interpretation of the sequence? Consider what information these convey.

The setting for the clip is not a real place, as it is an animation, but we know that he will be in various location around the world. The fact that he is wearing a suit gives you the impression that he’s a man of high importance or holds a good job. The man also is at the airport at the start of the clip, and animated planes suggest that he has just been on one; this implies that the man is always on the move for business. There is a man reading a newspaper, he then turns and looks at the main character as if he is spying on the man, this implies that the main character is being watched and followed, something which is also found out to be true in the film. The are hints in the opening sequence that this man is being followed, such as when there is a man reading a newspaper, he then turns and looks at the main character as if he is spying on the man.

The man seems to fit in and blend into everywhere, for example he is in a hospital and he then finds a doctors uniform as a disguise. He also seems to live a lavish lifestyle as at one point he is swimming in champagne.

5. How does the sound shape your responses to the sequence? Comment on dialogue, tone, incidental sound and any music you notice, exploring their impact on your emotional response to the sequence. 

The viewer hears the music (diegetic sound), which sounds mysterious this reflects the genre of the film. There is non-diegetic music used throughout the clip, it is a jaws like soundtrack but without the fast paced “da-DA-da-DA” it helps to build up tension, and when the main character turns his head (40 seconds) the music goes at a higher pitch, creating more tension, as it gives you feeling that the man is being followed. There is no actual dialogue or diegetic sound in the opening sequence, this helps add to the fact that they are living in a stick man world.

6.   How do lighting and colour affect tone and atmosphere? Explore lighting choices, including noticeable use of light and shadow, as well as considering choice of colour.

The colours used in the clip are very bright and vibrant, colours like light blue and orange; this makes the audience feel that the main character in the stick man scene lives a rich and lavish lifestyle. The characters in the scene are black stick men; this is of course because this is the normal blunt colour often used for stick men, but the fact that they are all black stick men gives some edge to the story and leaves unanswered questions as to why the director has decided to do this. The pink at 1 minute 52 seconds implies the feminist that is in the room, but again it makes the characters seem more upper class.

7.   How does camera technique contribute to the creation of meaning in this sequence? Consider the effects of camera position and angle, commenting on two or more examples. What is the effect of the handheld camerawork in the final shot?

The same shot length, medium/long shots are used throughout the whole opening sequence, and this is because there are often things happening in the back round, which the director wants you to see. Furthermore there would be no real benefit for using close-up shots on actors as they are stick men and they have no emotions on their faces. There are many tracking shots used to follow the main character, as he is always moving on to different places. The arrows under the characters names, pointing to the characters shows which actors are playing the characters, this will draw in an audience as they are top drawer actors such as Leonardo Di Caprio and Tom Hanks who are world wide famous. This is of course an un-conventional opening sequence as its stick-men animation; this is something, which I have never seen before for an opening sequence. It does still have some conventions however such as production logos as well as cast and crew info. In conclusion I feel that this is a very good opening sequence, and I really like the “stick man world” as it’s unique and very interesting. The fact that everything is like this implies that the whole thing is like a game to the main character. The opening sequence personally makes me want to watch the whole film, as it’s very interesting therefore I feel that that this a very good opening sequence.

Props for my opening sequence.

For my opening sequence the props I used can be seen as incredibly iconic instruments in film.

One prop I used was a gun, a gun is used in most film to suggest danger, power and violence in most cases. I chose to use a gun as a prop as an indicator of the characters past troubles and possible conflicts.

This is an example of the prop gun I used in my opening sequence.

The second prop used in my opening sequence is a balaclava mask. This type of mask is found usually in films related to robberies. In modern films they have usually opted to use comedy masks instead of balaclavas, such as in 'Batman: The Dark Knight' where they used clown masks, which would usually have some significance later in the film, such as the make up of the joker in the film.

The type of mask I used in my opening                    The clown masks used in 'Batman: The Dark Knight'.           
sequence. 

Overall I feel that the choices for my props were chosen successfully to create the genre of a thriller film.

How and why did I choose the location in my opening sequence?

My opening sequence is set in a remote, forestry area/grasslands .

Above is a google maps image from birds eye view of my setting.

This location is a quiet area of land, which is hidden with many trees and bushes. The shadow created by these construct a natural shade and dark light. 

An example of the shadows created by the trees and bushes.

This shows a true juxtaposition between the vibrant hectic city and where the character is now, a dark and lonely place.

I chose this landscape due to the fact that it creates a dark ambiance and portrays a feeling that the main character is lonely and more importantly very vulnerable, which is also reveled on the characters facial expressions.

This is an example of the characters uncertainty in the opening sequence.

Opening Sequence Equipment List

I will use a Nikon D5100 for the most part of the filming and a Flip camera for the shots from underwater using a waterproof case.

 This is the Flip Camera and case I will use for the under waters clips.

The Nikon D5100 Camera I will used in filming.

I was originally going to use a tripod for my filming, however as I wanted to create a professional looking piece I a going use a Kessler Crane because it will give very smooth, professional looking image throughout the filming. The majority of my opening sequence involves the character walking away or towards the camera so the Kessler Crane will suit this type of filming as it can follow the character smoothly.

This is the crane I will be using in the filming.

I will not be using any lighting for my opening sequence as the shadows created by the trees will give a spine chilling atmosphere perfectly suited to a film of a thriller genre. I have already taken photos from the filming location and believe using extra lighting would harm the dark feel created by the combination of the natural light and the dark shadows created.

This is a shot showing the filming location taken from my iPhone.

To edit my clips after filming I will use the editing software 'Final Cut Pro'. When used correctly the software can help create an incredibly professional and compelling piece of film.

American Psycho Opening Analysis.

There is a tracking shot sets up the scene, as there is slow non-diegetic music playing and the pace of the music is the same pace as the camera, which adds a sense of continuity. There is a voice over as the main character, Patrick Bateman, is talking throughout the scene; this allows viewers to understand his character and personality.

There is a long shot to establish the environment where the scene is placed; this allows the audience to see his home which helps establish him as a character and shows his wealth, there is a close up of his bed which shows the bed is only slept on one side which clearly indicates he is not in a relationship and lives alone. The room is only white and is absent of dark colour.

There is a long shot that introduces Patrick Bateman into the scene, he is dressed only in his boxers to reveal his muscular and toned body this shows his healthy lifestyle and matches the voice over as he is narrating his morning routine.

There is an over the shoulder shot whilst he is urinating, which shows him looking at his reflection in a frame 'Les Miserables' posters showing how he takes pride in himself, and is slightly vain. Also shows he is cultured in musical theatre.

After there is a montage presenting his daily routine, this emphasises his care in himself, the fact that is repeated means that it is an important part of his day and life.

The final shot shows Patrick Bateman peeling off his “herb mint facial masque”; this is presented to us in a close up, allowing viewers only to see his face, and his perfect skin. The facemask could represent the mask he wears for his different personalities.

Adult males would like to watch this as it delivers the as it is full of thrill and suspense, which fits the generic ideologies of horror/ thriller, which men often like. Children and Women would not necessarily enjoy this film, as it is contains scenes of an adult nature and violence.

Preliminary Task - The Incident.

This is my preliminary task. This is the first media product I have produced this academic year.

Enjoy.

Place Beyond The Pines Opening Sequence:

“Place Beyond the Pines”, a crime drama, which was created in 2012, it tells the story of a talented motorcycle rider who resolves to bank robbing to provide for his newborn child. The opening sequence of this particular film is very interesting and actually tells the audience a lot about the main protagonist, Luke. This is done by using; different filming techniques, sound, costume, location and prop use. 

The scene starts with the diagetic sound of fair ground music; this sound is then accompanied by the sound of deep breathing and a flick knife. We see ‘Luke’ pacing around shirtless in his trailer, flicking his knife, which suggests that the character is frustrated or that he is trying to concentrate on the task ahead he has a number of tattoos. The lighting in the trailer is fairly dim. This choice of lighting not only suggests that the character is a dark character, but also establishes the films genre as maybe a thriller or a dark drama. 

Then there is a knocking at the door, alerting Luke that it is his time to perform. He than stabs the knife into the wall, and grabs his red leather jacket, the colour red suggests danger, and the fact that his clothes are torn shows he is edgy and has been in situations that have ripped his clothes. 

A tracking shot is then used to follow Luke from his trailer, through the Fair ground, to his stage. The Fair ground is full of neon lights and people. The opening sequence concludes with ‘Handsome Luke’ performing a death-defying trick on a motorbike.

 The opening scene is able to grab the audience attention, because they would want to find out more about the character of Luke, for example his background or where he learnt to be such a talented motorcycle rider. There is very little dialogue in this sequence apart from the man who knocks on his trailer door. The titles, presenting the names of the characters featured in the film, during the opening sequence. The first name is in narrow font and the second name is in bold, this gives an 'indie' feel to the film.