Originally, I was going to make a Fantasy (genre) film opening. But the more I thought about how I was going to carry out the special effects in a short space of time and working with an IMac computer the least appealing the idea seemed as I realised it wouldn’t be affective.
So I thought what if I started thinking “the opposite end of the scale” I might get closer to something more I could produce.
I thought initially about doing a horror / thriller film opening sequence, but then I realised that this is an idea that most AS media student produce, and for my own satisfaction I preferred to do something a bit different to that.
After some hard thinking, I remembered a story that my mother told me about some family friends we know and the drama of their life experience. This is when I realised, that as a film genre, drama would be a very interesting and “different” film to produce, and I could tell this story which affected me so profoundly much better to the audience that not knowing anything at all about mental illnesses. This also meant that I could make the audience engage with the film much better because this is a real life experience that I am telling across visually and audibly, which is closer to my reality of this story than just telling it by words, as I know the people who lived this tragedy by what they look like.
But this is not the only thing that I needed to express, what they looked like, I know these people since I was a toddler, and the audience watching the film don’t, so this film opening had to include much more than just the people and the story in the present day, so this gave me the idea of using flashbacks of the characters’ childhood to tell the audience more about them and “fall in love” with them from the start of the film, as then later on their emotions would be more “bonded” with the characters when they are grown up and realise that the main character has a major illness.
Then I had to make the audience understand how his brain is twisting, not just why (doctor’s scene), so I realised that flashbacks, not only have a different colour to the rest of the film to distinguish them (as seen in other films), but I wanted to express emotion and the character within them as this is a small amount of time to do such things (about 2 minute long film opening sequence). The sort of colours I would expect to find during flashbacks are usually sepia toned; which represent past times (“old film” effect), or grey toned; which represents another part of the mind (switched off from “real life” / the present moment).
I decided to use sepia toned flashbacks as these represent a warm and happy memory during the childhood sequence of flashbacks, and by using this effect not only with the childhood memories but also with the adulthood memories would give it a sense of continuity which is favourable in this film sequence because I intended to link the children and the adults as the same characters, but also by ending the adulthood flashbacks with intense colouring (bright and sharp colours) would also show that most recent times haven’t gone well for him and the audience can at that point appreciate watching these memories from some else’s point of view and also that these “twisted” / abstract endings don’t represent a healthy state of mind nor a great start to the story, which also makes the viewer want to find out more about the story just after watching the film opening, which is one of my personal targets of this film.
This is when I started to get really excited because I had in mind what type of flashbacks I was looking for (happy childhood and tragic adulthood), and I also had planned my editing (from warm sepia toned to sharp twisting memories). But I was missing one of my most important aspects to this film, which would give the overall mood that I wanted the audience to feel, the right music.
This actually came to me listening to my iPod music on my way to my grand parents’ house for Christmas. I had just installed the new Muse CD, The Resistance, and realised that the 11th song would completely suit my film story, as it was meant to reflect a dramatic tragedy. And as I listened to it I immediately started getting more and more ideas of shots I could use, some of which I got inspired by the scenery (eg- trees).
After I knew the music I was going to use, I could thing better about how the editing was going to coordinate with my music and what shots to place where according to the track. So in some sense, part of my film was inspired by the music I had chosen for it.
This also meant that as the music played in accordance with what is seen on the screen, the audience can engage with both the clips and the music without putting particular attention in one more than the other because I visualised these to synchronise at a point where they were both important and responsible for the viewer’s emotions.
Now, I had seemed to plan most of the things I should have thought of later on in the film making process. I had two things left to do before I could start recording: decide on a cast, and wait for my own camera to arrive.
When it did finally arrive, I made sure I familiarised myself with it before starting my filming, because this would give myself an advantage as the operations where a bit different to the cameras used in the school, and I also wanted to practice all functions on it to create better shots during filming, as this was a mistake I did in the prelim – not entirely knowing all functions and having to re shoot clips that with a bit of practice could have looked much neater.
And finally, the inspiration came back to me when I realised my brother, Edwin, and Chris Owen (“Adam” in the film), looked pretty similar as they both have blue eyes and dark hair – and even though their facial features didn’t “match-up”, the basics where there and I know Chris much better than I know anyone else that looks similar to my brother, so I would only have to look for a few ways to disguise the “un-similarities” (eg- no close ups of Edwin’s face). And more obviously, there where Ashley and Rachel, which both have red hair and light eyes and similar facial features even though they are not related to each other, in fact, they had never met before.
From this my mind got lost in the world of my AS media coursework, after a long period of thinking of all my possibilities and getting excited about how it would all work coherently, and most importantly – enjoying myself with the project, was born my first ever film opening sequence.
I hope you enjoy it too.
Main Plot –
Adam (the main character), is a young man who discovers he has a mental illness at a very early stage of his life. This affects the way he perceives thing in his everyday life, and specially alters his most precious memories, which is the only thing seine he can hang on to, but not for too long.
The intro of this film already reveals some of he’s sweetest and peaceful memories from childhood to most recent ones.
As these memories become more recent and more painful to remember, such as in the scene where the doctor confirms his worst nightmare, these end in harsher, sharp colourings which reflect his mind twisting involuntarily.
But every one of these also starts in warm sepia tones, which symbolises how sweet and warm these memories where at one point before becoming painful because of his illness.
The memories are also sorted by chronological order and by order of how peaceful they are (start of with the swan in slow motion, then actions such as the kite flying and, and finally the doctor’s appointment scene).
Most importantly, this is also, in sense, a romantic story as he has to make the important decision of whether or not to leave the love of his life, Claire (the main actress), as this illness would mean a risk to her health either looking after him or even defending herself from his aggressive moods the illness would provoke in him at a later stage.
This is a film which expresses what a lot of people have to cope with every day of their lives; in fact, my inspiration began by knowing personally a very similar story between a husband and a wife. I thought this subject would be interesting to make a film out of as it affects thousands of families around the world, but is not openly explored or understood.
Then I realised that I had a very good match of what could be “mini-Adam” and “mini-Claire” – this gave me more versatility on how to arrange my story board to create a more interesting and emotional story for the viewers to engage with, and having also a back-story helps the audience explore and understand better the characters feelings and the great decision that they would have to take latter on in the film if I was to carry it on.
I also realised that if I didn’t use both the “children” and the “adults” as part of the flashbacks people might have more difficulty understanding / pairing up both “mini-Adam” and “mini-Claire” as the same characters when the adults appear.
Most of the story is done through Adam’s point of view, this is seen in a lot of shots throughout the opening sequence of Tangled Strings (watching young Claire while she looks at the swan and watching and being with Claire as she grows up), so to emphasise this (that the main character is Adam and not Clair even though she is present in most of the shots) I created a transition from the younger version of Clair turning round and smiling to Adam to the elder version of Claire turning round and smiling to Adam. This created a powerful transformation which the audience could witness and engage with from Adam’s point of view (as the girl always turns around and smiles at the camera from a point of view shot).
First Ideas in Notes -
Starts with flashbacks (first one with the kites tangled).
Next he is sat in a cold coloured room in 'a hospital' - here he explains how he feel about having to lose the love o his life due to Parkinson's disease (sad/reflective language).
More flashbacks appear in his mind, then he attempts to slam the table with his fist and loses control and crumbles into more emotional monologue (doctor does not know what to say or do anymore at this point).
Then titles appear (maybe in white to show his emptiness and with kites in the background with tangled stings).
and as credits appear in the bottom of the screen on both sides of the screen (to show confusion and conflict) flashbacks get faster and more aggressive in colour and bitter images (when he finds out about his illness) and ends with his frustration.
The Film Genre-
My film would fit in most of these categories as it is based on his childhood memories “morphing” into his more recent memories with the same girl in his earlier memories, the music chosen and the editing effects used to represent the characters “twisted” mind.
It would also fit in under tragedy and at the same time psychological drama as the flashback colouring reflects his mind distorting his memories. The tragedy is that this only occurs with the most recent memories, the “adult” memories, which symbolises that something bad is going has happened around that time for his happy memories to change appearance in his head so dramatically (we can tell its appearance in his head as some memories are shot from his point of view; eg- from Ashley to Rachel smiling to him, and when he watches the swan and Ashley).
My film also contains an essence of period drama and childhood drama- it contains some of these elements when the flashbacks of his childhood appear telling the back-story.
The acting in this film isn't melodramatic (sweet childhood memories and romantic recent memories [adults]), but the effect of his memories starting in a gentle sepia tone, fading out with very sharp, vivid and corrosive colours creates the melodramatic effect I was after for this film, as this only represents how his mind is twisting and it shows us how disrupted it is getting with this exaggerated effect.
If I carried on with the rest of this film, Tangled Strings I have to use some elements of medical drama because at some stage the audience would have to find out about his condition which makes him perceive his memories in such distorted manner. I think that by setting in a hospital, even if it reverted to a flashback, it would create a sense of the audience being told how the character lived it, which would carry out a more dramatic effect, than maybe if he “found” some papers with his illness or someone told him the reason why he “should take his tablets” (which would create a reaction in the character which would allow the audience to understand better the character).
CAST-
Adam - Chris Owen
Claire - Rachel Luney
Doctor - Ellie Joyce
Mini-Adam- Edwin del Olmo Wood
Mini-Claire - Ashley
Adam
Mini-Adam
Claire
Mini-ClaireMaking the Productions Logo -
The original logo was going to be called “Green Snake Productions”, but both my teacher and I agreed that it looked more appropriate for and R&B kind of music clip and that it completely contrasted my actual film.
So I took it back to step one, and re-designed the logo.
The new productions logo started with the picture of an eye ball, which I selected only the Iris from and with Photoshop, liquidised it at such a level I could add in, instead of the pupil, a picture of the world. I had decided then that it was going to be named “World View Productions”.
But then I decided that if the world is inside the universe it suited better for the background to be black rather than white. So I filled it in black.
The next step was to add the writing of the Productions Company around the logo. I decided I wanted it go round the logo because I thought it would integrate better with it and, during making it asking opinions from my class mates, I decided that it would look more professional and more similar to real media products.
The effect done on the writing was achieved with a metal texture obtained from the right hand side tool bar on Photoshop, which allowed the writing to also integrate to the background.
Shots To Be Used-
First Order of Flashbacks-
1- Tilt of kites down to children flying them.
2- Girl turns her head around and smiles.
3- Then children hold hands and run down hill together.
4- Claire turns her head around and smiles.
5- Adam takes Claire’s’ hand close to him.
… (Adam exchanges dialogue with doctor at a check up appointment) …
6- Then children reading books.
7- Adam and Claire reading books.
… (Voiceover last two flashbacks, and here dialogue with doctor) …
8- Children walking in park.
9- Adults walking in park.
… (Voiceover last two flashbacks, and here dialogue with doctor) …
10- Adam falls on the floor and Claire laughs (as children).
11- Adam falls on the floor and Claire is worried because of the symptoms.
12- Sequence of Adam and Claire in the hospital for the test results (as adults).
… (Voiceover last three flashbacks, and finally Adam breaks down) …
Second Order of Flashbacks (Making it simpler) -
1- Tilt of kites down to children flying them / long shot of the same.
2- Girl turns her head around and smiles.
3- Then children hold hands and run down hill together.
4- Claire turns her head around and smiles.
5- Adam takes Claire’s’ hand close to him.
… (Adam exchanges dialogue with doctor at a check up appointment) …
6- Then children reading books.
7- Adam and Claire reading books.
… (Voiceover last two flashbacks, and here dialogue with doctor) …
8- Children walking in park.
9- Adults walking in park.
… (Voiceover last two flashbacks, and here dialogue with doctor) …
10- Adam falls on the floor and Claire laughs (as children).
11- Adam falls on the floor and Claire is worried because of the symptoms.
12- Sequence of Adam and Claire in the hospital for the test results (as adults).
… (Voiceover last three flashbacks, and finally Adam breaks down) …
Third Order of Flashbacks (simpler + more continuity) -
1- Tilt of kites down to children flying them / long shot of the same.
2- Then children hold hands and run down hill together.
3- Girl turns her head around and smiles.
4- Claire turns her head around and smiles.
5- Adam takes Claire’s’ hand close to him.
6- Then children reading books.
7- Adam and Claire reading books.
8- Children walking in park.
9- Adults walking in park.
10- Adam falls on the floor and Claire laughs (as children).
11- Adam falls on the floor and Claire is worried because of the symptoms.
12- Sequence of Adam and Claire in the hospital for the test results (as adults).
No dialogue nor voice over is to be used at all, as this makes this film opening look more similar to a trailer because of the flashbacks (which could be mistaken with bits of the actual film, and they are only there to tell the back-story in the opening).
Forth Order of Flashbacks (simpler + more continuity + choosing better shots / “perfecting”) -
13- Tilt of kites down to children flying them / long shot of the same.
14- Then children hold hands and run down hill together.
15- Girl turns her head around and smiles.
16- Claire turns her head around and smiles.
17- Adam takes Claire’s’ hand close to him.
18- Then children reading books.
19- Adam and Claire reading books.
20- Children walking in park.
21- Adults walking in park.
22- Adam falls on the floor and Claire laughs (as children).
23- Adam falls on the floor and Claire is worried because of the symptoms.
24- Sequence of Adam and Claire in the hospital for the test results (as
Music -
The music I chose for this film opening had to reflect the characters feelings right from the start of the film. This peace by Muse is very dramatic and caries the emotion I wanted to reflect for this film.
By starting the peace in a place where it still hadn’t built up tension, but starting to follow a pattern, it allowed the film to start peacefully, as it does with the images of the childhood of the character, the music almost makes them seem happier, but as it enters to the second stage of the opening notes, the music begins to turn sadder and the drums in the background become louder, indicating something in the film is about to change to release some of the tension built up.
When the voice comes in the first shot of both characters together is established and the audience can tell they are meant to be together in some sort of friendship or future relationship because they hold hands happily and run down the hill together.
The memories run though all of the time the voice sings, which links in the continuity music wise.
Then music quietens down as the happy memories progress. But when it come to the part when he says “Why Why Why!”, the music increases in volume to create a more dramatic effect, indicating something more powerful is about to happen.
Then the guitars quick in creating a “heart breaking effect” (described by someone I surveyed for this film) showing trees in the background, which could to some viewers’ minds reflect the music as well as the title, “Tangled Strings” because the guitars cause a “messed-up” / “distorted” effect.
Then the voice sings again up to the doctor’s flashbacks, to indicate the memories are still appearing (and not the starting scene to the film). But doesn’t stop until the guitars end the sequence with a tangled / disruption feeling to the music and film.
Technical side of Tangled Strings-
Pre - Production-
Music-
Music helps to establish a sense of the pace of the accompanying scene. The rhythm of music usually dictates the rhythm of the cuts. The emotional colouring of the music also reinforces the mood of the scene. Background music is asynchronous music which accompanies a film. It is not normally intended to be noticeable. Conventionally, background music accelerates for a chase sequence, becomes louder to underscore a dramatically important action. Through repetition it can also link shots, scenes and sequences. Foreground music is often synchronous music which finds its source within the screen events (e.g. from a radio, TV, stereo or musicians in the scene). It may be a more credible and dramatically plausible way of bringing music into a program than background music (a string orchestra sometimes seems bizarre in a Western).
These are the timings when my music plays part in my film opening:
Exogenesis: Symphony Part 1 (Muse)
(from 1:18 – 1:41) 24 seconds before he appears, then music stops.
2:03 – 2:29 music starts again as he becomes silent in his breakdown after his explanation.
2:47 – Then when he sings “why, why, why” he is at breaking point.
2:54 – titles appear.
3:40 – End of film (guitars make the ending).
Total - 1min 50 secs.
Sound-
Non diagetic dialogue / monologue.
Colour-
During Flashbacks-
From sepia (represent warmth), to normal, to fluorescent (how he is living it now).
During his explanation-
Cold room colouring – whites, blues and greens (contrasting to his flashbacks).
Editing-
In every flashback there’s a white flash at the start and end of the flashback.
Music generally only comes on during flashbacks.
White titles to represent emptiness (?)
And credits on bottom right and left corner as well to represent being unstable (?)
Kites tangles in the background during main title (?)
During production-
Music-
These are the timings when my music plays part in my film opening.
In this final version I made the timings simpler according to the lack of dialogue.
Exogenesis: Symphony Part 1 (Muse)
From 1:18 – music begins.
2:47 – Then when he sings “why, why, why” last clip before titles appears and the music volume begins to turn up.
2:54 – film name title appear.
3:40 – End of film (guitars make the ending).
Total - 1min 50 secs.
Sound-
Nostalgic music – this music creates tension because although for the majority of this film we see happy memories, the music reflects sadness, which indicated to the audience that something bad is about to happen. This is the opposite from “Parallel” music.
In some stages a sound bridge is used - adding to continuity through sound, by running sound (narration, dialogue or music) from one shot across a cut to another shot to make the action seem uninterrupted.
Selective sound – The removal of some sounds and the retention of others to make significant sounds more recognizable, or for a more dramatic effect - to create atmosphere, meaning and emotional nuance.
Selective sound and amplification of the sound will make the audience aware of Adam’s state of mind: to see how he sees the world though the amplified, dramatic music used.
Colour-
During the flashbacks the colour should change from sepia (represent warmth), to normal, to fluorescent colours (to represent how he is living it now).
Editing-
In every flashback there’s a white flash at the start and end of the flashback.
The music plays during the flashbacks.
Black background over white titles make the overall feel more contrasting from the start.
And credits up and down centre of the screen represents unstable state of mind.
Kites tangles in the background straight after the main title for there to be some relevance.
Music permission:
I researched the Company which publishes Muse CD's, and this is what I sent -
St Marys Road
Portishead
BS20 7QR
15th March 2010Dear Sir/Madam
I am a media student at Gordano School , in Portishead (North Somerset ).
I am interested in using “Exogenesis: Symphony Part 1” by Muse, in the album The Resistance, for my Media AS coursework. I would appreciate your permission in using this track.
Yours faithfully
Sofia del Olmo.
I sent this to;
75 Rockefeller Plaza
New York , NY 10019
Tel: (212) 275-2000
Tel: (212) 275-2000
During production-
Music-
These are the timings when my music plays part in my film opening.
In this final version I made the timings simpler according to the lack of dialogue.
Exogenesis: Symphony Part 1 (Muse)
From 1:18 – music begins.
2:47 – Then when he sings “why, why, why” last clip before titles appears and the music volume begins to turn up.
2:54 – film name title appear.
3:40 – End of film (guitars make the ending).
Total - 1min 50 secs.
Sound-
Nostalgic music – this music creates tension because although for the majority of this film we see happy memories, the music reflects sadness, which indicated to the audience that something bad is about to happen. This is the opposite from “Parallel” music.
In some stages a sound bridge is used - adding to continuity through sound, by running sound (narration, dialogue or music) from one shot across a cut to another shot to make the action seem uninterrupted.
Colour-
During Flashbacks-
From sepia (represent warmth), to normal, to fluorescent (how he is living it now).
During his explanation-
Cold room colouring – whites, blues and greens (contrasting to his flashbacks).
Editing-
In every flashback there’s a white flash at the start and end of the flashback.
Music generally only comes on during flashbacks.
White titles to represent emptiness (?)
And credits on bottom right and left corner as well to represent being unstable (?)
Kites tangles on background during main title (?)
Plot explanation-
Current issue that is not very spoken of.
He is the victim really (a wreck physically and emotionally contrasting with doctor who cannot do much and deals with cases like that every day as it is a current issue).
