Continuity - Opening Scene (BLK)

The opening scene that I have chosen to analyse is that of the 2012 comedy "The Dictator". The opening scene is split into 2 sequences. The first sequence is when he is walking down the corridor with a guard border.  The second sequence is when he is delivering his speech to the public. Before either of these sequences however, there are a couple of establishing shots that set the scene.

The first group of shots are extremely effective in my opinion. This is because there are no glitches within the shots of him walking. Plus, the montage of close ups are very interesting, especially because they don't show his face. This builds up anticipation for what he looks like, whilst the close up of items like his golden pistol, plethora of medals and pointed finger will give you an idea of what he should look like and in turn an impression of his character. The sequence must have been filmed multiple times in order to utilise the match on action technique. This is what ensured that there were no jumps in the walking sequence. The sequence also follows the 180 degree rule, as well as the 30 degree rule.

The second sequence of shots are fairly effective as well. The main technique used in this sequence is match on action. Yet again, the sequence would have been recorded multiple times and from multiple different angles in order to ensure his body language and actions are consistent. It also ensures that his voice is always in sync with his movement. I suppose you could say the sequence also has a few shot-reverse-shots between him and the public. These shots allow you to see how and what he is saying and then to see the public's reaction to it. Also, you could argue that the director makes sure that there is always a person in the background of each shot in order for the audience to always see a reaction for what the dictator is saying - it also helps develop the setting. Fairly early on in the second sequence, there is a master shot, showing the full geographical location (the public, the dictator, the palace and the desert).

Between both sequences of shots and the establishing shots, it is clear that there is a massive variety in shot types, which will help keep the opening scene interesting and aid the audience in understand the scene and setting.

Continuity - Accident Sequence (BLK)

a) What techniques did you specifically use to create continuity (narrative flow) in your accident sequence?

• We utilised a few techniques in order to ensure the sequence made sense and wasn't confusing for the audience - which is the purpose of continuity.
• Firstly, shot one is slow paced and pans across the corridor following the character, Matt. This could perhaps be classified as an establishing shot as although it doesn't show off that much of the location, the audience is still able to discover the first main character. They also get a chance to see books and a poster, which connotes the idea that that the setting is in fact, a school. 
• Shot 1 and 3 are both taken from Matt's left. This allows the audience to understand the direction that Matt is walking in (this technique is called the 180 degree rule).
• The first three shots of the sequence are cross-cut, meaning they switch between the two characters and tell a different story for each. As the audience would expect, both stories interlink later on.
• Shot 4 is what's known as a master shot; it helps establish the location and in this case allows you to see both characters' journeys collide, quite literally...
• Additionally, the sequence include a variety of shots, as to not make it not too dull. The shots are all substantially different  in order to not conflict with the 30 degree rule. The 30 degree rule states that consecutive shots should have a difference of more than 30 degrees so that it seems a change in shot was necessary and so that it doesn't look uncomfortable. 

b) In hindsight, what could you do to improve the continuity (narrative flow) of the sequence?

• Unfortunately, one of our shots got corrupted. It was meant to be after the over the shoulder shot of Matt and show me running down the next flight of stairs looking rushed and checking my watch whilst in a head on long shot.This would've further added to the narrative and made the sequence more interesting.
• My main criticism however, is the fact that in shot 4 and 5 there is a glitch in the transition. By this I mean, it seems odd how I seemingly port from one position in shot 4, then to a  few meters ahead in shot 5. To correct this we should have enacted and recorded both shots as a whole, but from two different points of view. This would have meant that I would be running in the same line for both shots and it would've also allowed us to have a longer window of time for which we could have cut between both shots. This technique is known as match on action.

Analysis of Film Opening Scene (DYM)

The film I have chosen to analyse is "The Book of Eli". It was released in 2010 and directed by Albert Hughes and Allen Hughes. It stars Denzel Washington, Mila Kunis and Gary Oldman.

The Book of Eli is an action and adventure film, set in a unique situation. The opening scene is full of clues as to what genre the film is. In the first five seconds there is a blank white shot, but you can hear gunfire then an explosion. This already tells you that there was some kind of conflict before when the film starts (later in the film it explains what exactly the explosion was). Then, at 6 seconds in, the scene is established. The setting is a forest, with leaves all over the floor and green mist shrouding the area. The trees appear to have no leaves and what you first assume is leaves falling down, is in fact ash. You can then see a gun and a corpse. The corpse seems to have been looted of its shoes and presumably other valuables. Its foot is exposed, which baits in a seemingly ill and disfigured cat. The shot continues panning to the right to show a man hidden in leaves, with a loaded bow aimed at the corpse. He is also wearing a gas mask. This, alongside the trees with no leaves, the green mist, the disfigured cat, the looted corpse and the ash falling from the sky, strongly suggests the film is set in a post nuclear apocalypse, which it is.

The only character introduced in this opening scene is of course the man hidden in leaves. We assume he is the protagonist as there is no reason to suggest otherwise. The fact that he is seen killing a cat with a skillfully made bow, suggests that he is talented in the art of survival. The scene also connotes that he killed and looted the corpse, which suggest he is lethal and serious enough to kill another human with little consideration. The fact that he looted the corpse also tells us just how drastic the post-apocalyptic situation really is.

All in all, the opening scene is very exciting. It grabs the audience's attention right away and constantly drops hints as to what the setting and situation of the film is. The obvious thing that needs to be cleared up straight after the scene, is who the man actually is.  The setting has been depicted well and will surely get developed as the scene goes on, but the assumed protagonist hasn't even had their face revealed. The audience know of his skill set and that he is a lone wolf, but that is all.

The opening scene is not referenced at all during the rest of the film. Its purpose is solely to show off the first few details of the film. Therefore, it does not matter at all if the audience doesn't entirely understand what is going on. This makes is easier for the audience to simply enjoy it without fear of being too confused in the first 5 minutes of the film.

Analysis of Still (BLK)

My chosen shot shows two teenagers attempting to break into a bike shed

Representation of genre:
The genre reflected in this shot is the urban/gang sub-genre of the thriller genre. In order to represent this genre, both characters are wearing appropriate costumes. Hoodies, jeans and casual trainers are typically worn by London teenagers. Both characters also have their hoods up, even though it is sunny, which suggests they are trying to conceal their face and are therefore up to no good. The padlock for the bike shed is visible and the boy is tinkering with it, whilst the girl is on lookout. This is a situation most Londoners can associate with - teenagers breaking into a bike shed. The shot itself is a Two-Shot Long Shot. This allows the bikes in the background to be visible, as well as the characters' full costumes. The fact that you cannot see the boy's face adds a mysterious element to the shot. Whereas, although you can see the girl's face, her expression makes her seem very sly and mysterious as well. This slight bit of uncertainty conforms more to the thriller genre.

Success of shot:
I believe the shot is quite successful in depicting the genre. The costumes, setting, characters' age, character expressions and actions are all very synergistic and show off the genre well. In particular, the character representation is extremely accurate and effective.

Possible improvements:
The worst part about the whole shot is the lighting. Ideally, the shot would be taken at night, with the main source of light coming from a bright bulb within the bike shed. This would conform to the conventions of a gang film. With lighting only coming from the shed, the characters will appear more like silhouettes, in turn adding a more intense and mysterious element to the shot. Secondly, I would refine the framing more, by not cutting off a bit of the feet and instead cutting more off of the top. I may even zoom out a bit, in order to make it clearer that the shed is indeed a bike shed. Thirdly, I would angle the camera so that the shot is a low angle shot. This will make the characters seem very powerful and is if they are seasoned veterans of breaking and entering, rather than two kids who are struggling with a lock, which is what the shot can be interpreted as now.