Se7en edit purpose

It was my first use of Final Cut. I remade my own version of the opening to the film Se7en

With Leah, I created this using:
-Filters (to make it look more like a thriller)
-Cut and trimmed imported media
-Sequencing media to create intercutting
-Creation of a narrative
-20 title slates (in order of original)

Title slates are used to prevent copyright infringement, it is a legal requirement

I did this to gain a further understanding of how and why title sequences are used and why. I also used this as an introduction for my use of Final Cut, as I had never used it before.

It is comprised entirely of stock footage and stills that we used effects to appear animated, this gives the viewer something to be engaged with, rather than a boring old still or a slow, uneventful clip.

Here is our Se7en opening remake:

Match on Action - Edited clip

A Match on Action is created by filming a shot from another closeup angle (not to reveal any scene changes) to act as a filler between a cut in a long sequence. We do this by cutting at a point where the action overlaps eg: hand grabbing and opening a door. This way, it does not remove any of the story, but shortens a potentially boring scene.

We use this in place of Jump cuts to keep the realism and to make it the scene less jarry, keeping the continuity of the sequence.

To do this, we try to overlap similar positions of characters and objects during their cycle of action. So it looks like a continuous shot, which is much nicer on the eyes and keeps continuity

We created this Match on Action sequence using stock footage provided. We then edited this, sequencing it into an order that was appropriate and made sense, as not to break the continuity of the story. We then did our best to match the closing stages of the door (how far it was through the cycle of opening or closing), making the transition as smooth as we can.

By learning how to do this and what it is, I can apply it and keep it in mind upon filming and editing my thriller's opening sequence

1.4.1 - Clip analysis

The Sopranos
Main character is mob boss, he beats people up and tries to be macho to show he is alpha. He picks biggest guy to fight to look even harder. He pukes blood into toilet, behind closed doors so noone else can see it

Alpha male - uses physical strength

Trapped by his own masculinity

The clip can be seen below (embedding disabled)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_AoiGVVjrY

Transformers
Uses low camera angles to cut up body into sexual parts, focal point. Objectifies women if face is cut out.

Alpha female uses physical attraction to manipulate

Sex object

The clip in question:

Doctor Who
Doctor who is being more feminine, needing rescuing. Amy pond is the "action chick" - acting in masculine way, phallic object of swords as well as a beard

Doctor who is said to be a Post masculine man

The clip in question:

GENDER CHANGES OVER TIME, IT IS AN ACT, VARYING FROM PERSON TO PERSON

Headroom note

When shooting, regard headroom.. Too much, viewer will expect something to happen there.. To little, cut off actors

7 Common mistakes of filming

Show shoulders in closeup
Don't use above head-shot, chars look small
Don't shake whilst moving
Don't zoom during shooting
Snapshooting (excessive random cuts)
Sweeping the scene (jerky camera)

As deduced from this video:

I will take special care to ensure that I enforce the rules that I had listed above during the filming of my opening, to make sure that I can produce something of the highest quality for my coursework

1.2.2 - Camera Operation & Continuity

Camera operation techniques will be taught in how to create suspense and mystery

White Balance - Blue & Yellow
Exposure - Lighting
Focus - Sharp and Blurry

"How is camera being used to create suspense and mystery in Usual Suspects opening?"

-Lighting is dim to hide characters features
-Camera was never directed at face to also do the above
-Characters have little back story
-Tight shots to create suspense
-Only light is made by fire, connotations of hell, the character is the devil

Clip in question:

Opening:

This is a opening that has end of film at start

It is an opening because it sets the story up, it is a thriller opening because mystery and suspense is created

Enigma Codes: 

Questions set at the start of film, answered at the end. Cannot be solved at start

"Who is the killer?"

Character types: 

Bad guy, victim and dead guy

Characters are not set in stone, have to analyse. (Eg: Shadow guy is actually good, despite looking bad initially)

Victim and bad guy know eachother
Victim is a bad guy - Dead bodies, knew his death was coming, petrol on boat
Both guys look bad because of black clothing

Don't use bad guy, expand on "villain" (eg: hitman)

Sub genres: 

Crime thriller

Sub genres break up thrillers (easier arranged) - Each have specific features

Summer Assignment work and 1.1 work

Click here for all the summer work and Week One, Module One work