FEARLESS PERFECTION

In this example of an opening sequence, they've used a mixture of animated text/titles and cuts for the beginning of their film – which I think works really well.They used shift of focus, which makes it reall interesting to look at as it's well balanced between the greenish-bluey background with the centred titles. 

The sound is originally made and it's in synch with the effects of the titles.

Their background is animated, the black dripping liquid is constantly dropping down which creates some enigmas as in whether that has anything to do with the laboratory that is later shown. Furthermore the font feels appropriate and thought about; since they've used regular and bold together which balances out nicely and looks professional.

 

The cross-dissolves of extreme/ close-ups works in synch with the non-diegetic beat. There is not a range of cinematography shown but it is effective, close-ups  create many enigmas whilst the long shot is used as an establishing shot. 

In addition, the mise-en-scene was also good. In terms of location/setting there were three different locations (laboratory, the long shot, the dark room).

 Moreover they have used appropriate props such as laboratory equipment, newspaper to portray what the voice-over was narrating - this is a good technique that grabs the audience’s attention- and what could be seen of their costume was effective. Low-key lighting helps to create a tense mood which is maintained throughout the opening sequence by the enigmas and non-diegetic score. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE LAST TRIAL

This example begins with a Paramount studios logo, which is not very original although it makes it seem professional; the distorted effect, cut editing and sound effects make the logo different and introduces us to the sci-fi/ thriller genre from the very start. Following that their own indie logo seems too repetitive.

In a similar way to the previous opening sequence, their first shot is an establishing shot, they made it better by slow panning and adding a fade in to black to cut into their next close-up shot.

 

On the close- up tilted shot, the non-diegetic score follows the action of the camera as it gets higher during the upwards camera tilt. They’ve added their first piece of title - the director-  using stop motion. In my opinion, the colors of the font are not  suitable and the size doesn’t work very well.

Nevertheless, the shot is high key lighted and the use of fade into black is used again as a transition.

 

The opening sequence begins with high-canted angle close-ups of pills that fade in to different angle close-ups of laboratory equipment/tools. The main part of the opening sequence happens on a laboratory where we see good, basic costumes and hear dialogue. Shift of focus is also used and is an interesting shot that adds to the build up of suspense. Artificial lighting is used on their setting this creates shadows which develops a sombre mood.

 

One of the things I like most is the combination of the diegetic ambient sounds, which can be heard, with the non-diegetic score. It creates realism. The rapid panning wipe transition that transports the viewer from the laboratory to the street setting is a good technique.

Diegetic dialogue during the telephone conversation is clear and easy to understand whilst the extreme close-up and close-up used on the two characters in this scene works effectively.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MUTE

 

This opening sequence begins with a black and white original studio logo, with a non-diegetic background music that feels a bit too loud but becomes gradually lower. The first scene introduces the audience to a motif of mobile phones by using extreme /close-ups of  different people typing. This scene is suddenly cut with a long establishing shot that impacts yet says a lot about what the film is going to be about.

 

A second mid-shot cut to a female character is the introduction to what will be the protagonist of the film. Following on, a extreme close-up of her mouth cuts to the black screen and white animated text that spells out MUTE with a computerized thin font.

 

After that, the shots feel rushed, as the journey of the girl home is speed up. Moreover, the font of the text seems relevant to the initial title, however they did not use capital letters and this looks unprofessional. In addition, the sound is very sharply cut, the volume is high and suddenly low and distorted to no sound at all which feels confusing.

Nevertheless, the continuity editing is good and this is portrayed by their good range of shots. From high angle mid-shots to lower angle close-ups.

Wipe is used as a transition for the titles, to move unto the next one.

 

Some camera movement is also used; panning, when the girl enters the kitchen.

The miss-en-scene is easy to find, probably their own home, family as actors but it is relevant to the story. They have made it more complex and interesting by creating the text message and  the website .