Research into a Title Sequence Designer..

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Filming Journal

Today, we filmed our opening title sequence due to the criticisms we received earlier and this time our filming was much more successful as the footage was better and we included a range of shots, unlike the previous times.

A Cinderella Story (Ends approx 5:40)

A Cinderella Story is a 2004 American Romantic Comedy film. The film was directed by Mark Rosman and distributed by Warner Bros. The title begins with a magical type of music. The titles that appear are in a traditional, old font in the colour gold; the colour gold symbolizes wealth which suggests to the viewer that the family is quite rich. We also see castles which imply a fairy-tale theme within the film as it is called 'A Cinderella Story'. In the next scene the music changes to 'This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)' this song shows the depth of love between this father and daughter (Sam) and it shows a typical rich girl (princess) being spoilt by her dad. The typography of the titles changes and appears more 'girly' as it is in pink and the colour pink signifies femininity as well as love and romance. After her dad marries Fiona (to Sam's disappointment), who has two daughters it suggests to the viewer that something terrible may happen. In the next scene after, there is an earthquake in which Sam's father dies and her life drastically changes and with this the music changes. The music changes to a song called 'sympathy' which makes the viewer to sympathise with Sam. From then on the story seems to mimic the fairy-tale Cinderella, as Sam is Cinderella, Fiona the wicked step-mother and the two ugly sisters, Brianna and Gabriella (who are Fiona's daughters).

This film is suggested as a Rom-Com to viewers through the following codes and conventions in the title sequence: a voice over, by the colours used (pink) and also because the film is like a remake of Cinderella so it gives the viewer a clue as to what may happen at the end, Sam meets her Prince Charming.

RECCE

This was the bedroom where we filmed most of our opening title sequence. We initially filmed in another bedroom; however we eventually had to film in this bedroom because the lighting was much better and the lighting played a significant part in out opening title sequence.

This is our school common room and this is where we filmed our locker scene where Chad and Doug were bullying Rose.

Maid in Manhattan Opening Title Sequence (ends approx 6:00 mins)

Maid in Manhattan is a 2002, American, Romantic Comedy film directed by Wayne Wang and distributed by Columbia Pictures. At the beginning of the title sequence the music played is quite upbeat and we see the Statue of Liberty which suggests to the viewer that the film is set in New York. The camera tracks across the grand and beautiful city of New York, whilst the main characters names are being displayed. However, we then see a different aspect to this city; whilst seeing this title 'Maid In Manhattan' is then shown. The 'In' is in italics and this signifies to the reader that this maid maybe does not belong in Manhattan and that she is only there for a specific purpose (to work) and this is supported by the fact that the viewer sees a somewhat deprived, rough and noisy area in New York, which is known as 'The Bronx'. It is suggested to the viewer that it is quite an urban setting because we see graffiti on the walls of the streets and on the front of shops, there is a fruit and vegetable stall and also there is trainers hanging on a (horizontal) rope through the street. In the next scene we see the camera tracking up to what looks like a flat or apartment, after this we then meet the main character, Jennifer Lopez. Everything in her apartment seems so crammed together and it suggests to the viewer that she is well-off; we also see a boy there which appears to be her son (Ty). We learn that she is in a rush to take her soon to school. From Jennifer Lopez' characters dressing it suggest that she is not really a fashionable woman as her clothes appear quite old and they do not seem to match. Before they get on the bus we see Marisa and her son rushing up the stairs which implies that her son is running late for school, and also herself for work. In the next scene we see Marisa paying for her bus journey and after she pays some coins she looks into her bag for more money but then she takes some coins from her son's hand. From this it suggests to the viewer that Marisa Ventura (Jennifer Lopez' character) is a working class mum living in a deprived area in New York. After they get on the bus the music changes to an upbeat, Spanish, sexy and romantic sort of music, which suggests to the viewer the genre of the film. In the scene where Marisa takes her son to school it appears to the viewer that it is one of her regular day to day activities. In the next few scenes after we see Marisa arriving at work which connotes to the audience that she is the maid that works in Manhattan. We see her arriving outside this ritzy hotel which lets the viewer know she works there. Before she enters this hotel, one the workers says to Marisa "Just made it Marisa" and she replies "I always do" which suggests to the reader that she always just makes it in time for work.

Therefore, from this opening title sequence it suggests to the viewer that it is a Rom-Com through various codes and conventions, for example the music that is used, by the way it is set in a Manhattan, New York and New York is a big city. Also, by the fact that the main character in the film is working class and status is a main theme in Rom-Coms.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding Opening Title Sequence (Ends aprrox 5:00 mins)

My Big Fat Greek Wedding is a 2002 American Romantic Comedy film; it was directed by Joel Zwick and distributed by IFC Films. The title sequence begins with the camera tracking through the city of Chicago at night. The viewer hears the diegetic sounds of splattering rain which creates a dreary atmosphere in comparison to the striking city of Chicago. Also, the film is set in a big city (Chicago) which is one of the codes and conventions of a Rom-Com. Regarding the typography, some of the letters in the titles that come up are in traditional, Greek writing which suggests that the film may be concerning someone who is Greek or is from a Greek background. This is also supported by the fact that the titles are in blue and white which are the colours on the Greek flag. There is also a voice over in the title sequence which is another code and convention of a Rom-Com and we later realise that the voice over is the main character. In the car scene when the main character, Toula is with her father the viewer learns that she is from a traditional, Greek family as her father expects her to "marry a Greek, make Greek babies, and feed everyone until the day she dies." After this scene the title of the film comes on and the words 'Big', 'Fat' and Greek' appear later whereas the words 'My' and 'Wedding' appear before these words. The words 'My' and 'Wedding' are in white; this colour is used as it is significant in weddings as it signifies purity. However, the words 'Big', 'Fat' and Greek' are in blue and these words seem significant as it connotes some information about Toula to the viewer. These words connote to the viewer that Toula and her family are Greek and the word 'fat' suggests to the viewer that she may be the opposite to the stereotypical female protagonist portrayed in a Rom-Com. As the title of the film is displayed on the screen, it appears in the form of a cake, as a wedding cake usually has layers and each of the words of the film are on different layers. In the next scene we see her entering into a restaurant which suggests to the viewer that is where she works and as she gets into the restaurant she retells her childhood. The viewer learns that her culture is very significant as it is emphasised a lot during the sequence e.g. her going to Greek classes as a child and Greek gods outside her house. The viewer also learns how vital marriage is in her Greek background. We see that Toula felt that she looked different from the other girls in her school, so she is not the typical female protagonist in this film. Therefore, this may lead to her falling in love with a guy who is 'out of her league'.

Feedback

Today we got feedback from a Media teacher regarding our work and these are the criticisms she gave us about our opening title sequence:

• Don't zoom in on oxford box...Oxford should be written in thick black marker
• Storyline in opening sequence should be clearer
• Still shot opening of room instead of moving camera from one side of the room to another
• Acting needs to be improved
• We need more of a range of different shots
• Make distribution company opening shorter
• Photos should be taken in a school background so the viewer knows it is maybe old photos
• Transition from photo to last shot needs to be slower

Therefore, based on these criticisms we decided that we would need to re-shoot our title sequence and we will be shooting it next week, during half-term

Audience Research

In this certificate adults have the right to choose their own entertainment. There are no constraints at this level on theme, language, nudity or horror. The Board may reject any detailed portrayal of violent or dangerous acts which is likely to promote the activity. This includes also instructive detail of illegal drug use.

In this certificate there is no theme is prohibited, so long as the film is suitable for 15 year olds. There may be frequent use of strong language. There is no const

raints on nudity in films with a 15 certificate in a non-sexual or educational context. Violence may be strongly portrayed but scenes of sexual violence must be discreet and brief.

Dangerous combat techniques such as ear claps, head-butts and blows to the neck are unlikely to be acceptable. There may be no emphasis on the use of easily accessible lethal weapons (in particular, knives). Drug taking may be shown but clear instructive detail is unacceptable. The film as a whole must not encourage drug use.

This certificate was initially introduced to help parents and guardians reach an
informed decision, the reasons a film was given a 12A certificate are supplied in the form of a brief summary of the levels of sex, violence and bad language, to be featured on the poster and press advertisements. This practice is increasingly being applied to U and PG certificate films as well.

This film certificate is only intended for people aged 12 years and over. The theme of these films are mature and acceptable (for younger audiences). The use of strong language is rare and justified by the context. Nudity is allowed in these films, however if it is in a sexual content it must be brief and discreet. Also, violence should not be too detailed. There should only be brief and occasional references to, and sight of drug taking (soft).

'PG' means parental guidance. Films with these certificates can generally be viewed by everyone, though some scenes may be unsuitable for children of younger ages. It is the parents responsibility to decide what their children should be allowed to watch. In these type of films more serious issues may be addressed such as: crime and domestic violence. There is mild, bad language used only and there is also natural nudity but without sexual content and there is also minor sexual references. In addition to this there is moderate violence, there is no excessive recurrence of contemporary weapons and no references to illegal drugs.

'U' means universal and 'U' films are usually suitable for audiences aged four years and over. 'U' films are set within a moral framework. In this certificate the management of problematic themes must be sensitive and appropriate to younger audiences. Mild, bad language is used rarely; there is occasionally natural nudity but with no sexual content. There is only mild violence used and infrequently mild threat. These films also contain mild sexual behaviour e.g. kissing and references e.g. 'making love.' There is no suggestion as to realistic weapons or any references to drug use or illegal drugs.

Filming Journal

Yesterday, Thursday 10th February 2011 we were finishing the editing of our opening title sequence. However, many problems occurred. Firstly, our title sequence was far too short, as it was only just over 1 minute. Secondly, another problem was the music, we wanted a band to record one of their songs so we can use it in our opening title sequence, but they have not recorded it yet. We are already working under a strict deadline, so we may have to use non-copyrighted music from a website, if they do not record the song before next week. In addition to this, the ending of our title sequence did not really appear efficient so we realised we needed to add something else on to make it longer and to also make it look better.