Opening Sequence - Questionnaire Result Analysis

Document courtesy of group member Jordan Jackson.

Opening Sequence - Audience Questionnaires

We asked some people approximately of our target audience to fill out questionnaires asking about various aspects of our opening sequence. These are the results:

Opening Sequence - Pitch Feedback

- Good locations.

- Will they bump into each other too much before meeting?

They will not bump into each other at all. They will almost meet or be in similar locations at different times, but you will not actually see them meet in the opening sequence.

- Will they let you film in the Shard?

We have contacted the main desk at the Shard and they gave us permission.

- For the sunset times, make sure you look up the times correctly since in winter it gets dark          very quickly.

- The shots are very hard so make sure the cameraman knows what he is doing.

- Good strong character ideas.

- Good development in the story line.

- Are you going to have credits?

Yes, over the establishing shots in the beginning of the sequence.

- Romance is an original idea.

- Detailed ideas regarding location.

- Complex shot types.

- Contrasting characters - "opposites attract"

- It would be a good idea to practice the complex shots.

We have tested using a split screen in our preliminary filming task.

- Well structured.

- Who will be playing the main characters?

Our group members Josh Burch and Sara Amer.

- Like the idea of a split screen when completing different activities and then joining shots when they meet.

- Like the idea of meeting in Hyde Park. It's very romantic/typical.

- Will you have dialogue as cafes are quite noisy?

The cafe shot will only have one line of dialogue. However, this may be an issue so we may film this elsewhere instead.

- If your main cameraman is not filming, who will be confident in shooting the pull focus shot?

We have practiced the shot and will be able to do it.

Blog post courtesy of group member Jordan Jackson.

Opening Sequence - Pitch

Presentation courtesy of group members Sara Amer, Josh Burch, and Jordan Jackson.

Conventions of Opening Sequences

The purpose of the opening sequence of a film is to introduce the main premise of the film, its characters, genre(s), and encourage the audience to continue watching. They also include institutional logos and opening credits to inform the audience of the institutions behind the film, its production staff, and top billing actors. I will be describing the conventions of opening sequences, giving examples of them, and explaining why they are used.

Institution Logos/Names

In the beginning of all films, the institutions such as the distribution company and production company are shown either before the film, during the title sequence, or both. This is done because companies want to be credited for their work. Also, the audience may recognise the institutions and be more interested about or excited for the film. For instance, a fan of DreamWorks may be more engaged if they see the institution in the opening sequence.

For example, this is Universal Pictures' name in the opening credits of Edgar Wright's Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010):

Titles and Credits

Most, if not all, films use opening credits in their film to credit the top billing actors, director, executive producer and production staff. Some films also show their title in the opening sequence. This is also done because actors and important people in the production process need to be credited. However, people such as top billing actors are shown foremost in order to engage the audience. Some people will watch films because of the actors they have in it and some may be more interested in a film with a more famous cast.

An example of a film with a top billing cast in the opening sequence is Sam Mendes' Skyfall (2012). Names such as Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, and Naomie Harris are all included in the credits.

Introduction to Characters

Many opening sequences will feature an introduction to the main characters of the film. This is to set out the premise (or part of it) and give the audience characters that are relevant to the story to focus on. They also open up opportunities for long-lasting narrative enigmas. Introducing characters keeps the audience engaged and generates interest in the film.

A good example of an opening sequence introducing characters is in Louis Leterrier's Now You See Me (2013). They introduce the four protagonists of the film in the opening sequence.

Narrative Enigmas

All opening sequences will include narrative enigma. Narrative enigmas are codes that limit the information being given to the audience and makes them try to figure out what is going on or why something is. They are used to keep the audience engaged and make them want to keep watching. They will be curious about what happens or what something means so they will continue watching to find out.

For instance, lots of narrative enigmas are used in the opening sequence to Steven Spielberg's Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989). These include questions such as "Who are the scouts?", "What is the relevance of the golden cross?", and "Who are the miners?"

When we make our opening sequence, we need to include these conventions in it. Institutions and credits will make it look more professional. We can also use credits to make our film's genre more clear through fonts and colours. Introducing characters will be good for generating interest and creating more narrative enigmas. We will definitely use plenty of narrative enigmas to keep the audience watching.

Filming Evaluation (Saturday 13th December)

On this filming trip we managed to get almost all of the shots that we need for out opening sequence. We went to London at approximately 9:30am. We decided to go so early in order to make the most of the day (reducing the necessity for a second trip) and to make sure all of our shots were in the daytime. We first filmed our male character on the train there. We used a newspaper as a prop to connote his work-orientated personality. We also filmed our female character on the train back, facing the other way. This is because we planned to split-screen the characters together and this would fit well into our theme of almost meeting or being similar situations, but not actually meeting or acknowledging each other. It's also foreboding that they will meet later on in the film.

When we arrived at London Victoria, we took a bus to Waterloo station. This is because the location offers a lot of our requirements (landmarks, the Thames, parks) and it also allows us to get shots from a bus. Despite the bumpiness of the ride, we managed to get several very good, smooth shots travelling down roads and over Westminster Bridge. They capture London as a very positive place, which is the effect we desired. Near Waterloo we were able to get a lot of shots of the river, the London Eye, Big Ben, Southbank, and the Christmas crowds. This captures the busy and energetic atmosphere of London at this time of year.


We also took this as a chance to get shots of the protagonists in crowds and more public spaces. We got many shots of them walking through crowds. We also got shots of them sitting on benches. We intend to split-screen these shots so that it looks like they are sitting together, whereas in actual fact, they are alone. This is also to connote that they will be meeting later on.

To conclude, the filming was very successful. We got all of the shots we planned to get on that trip and more (such as the bus shots).

Filming Plan (Saturday 13th December)

Tomorrow (Saturday 13th December) we're going into London to film for our coursework task. We're aiming to film most of the shots we need and to spend the whole day filming. Here is a rough list of the shots we want to get:

• Establishing shots of London: London Eye, London Bridge, the Shard, the River Thames, and more.
• Walking down the street.
• Male bumping into people and dropping things (such as folders) and over-apologising.
• Female weaving through crowds.
• Female being generous or charitable.
• Both sitting by the window on the train.
• Shots in a library of male studying and female browsing.
• Characters almost meeting in a coffee shop.
• Characters using travel cards.

We need to remember to get a wide variety of shots, such as still and panning shots of London, close-ups as well as wide shots, and lots of different angles. My main concern about tomorrow is not getting enough filming done or the shots not being good enough. It's very important that we get a lot done.