Evaluation Q1 - James Presland

Memory opening scene :

Question 1:

In what way does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real products?

9 frames:

Frame 1:

This frame is the image the audience sees. this is a production company's logo which is placed at the beginning of most films. This is a very iconic part of the film.

Distribution is an integral part to every film and with these logos 

We wanted to include logos as a group because we felt it gave a feeling of realism as all of the films shown in a lot of different media texts contain this.

Frame 2:

This was used as an establishing shot. This shot makes good use of the rule of thirds as the hand rail is positioned to the right of the frame not in the centre. 

 The location of this shot was also very important as the majority of the opening is shot on the same set of stairs. this enabled us to get a wide range of angles such panning shots, low angle shots and high angle shots to create suspense as the protagonist is ascending up the staircase. The reason why we decided to include this shot because we found it very effective at creating a unnerving, eerie and mysterious atmosphere. This shot is very similar to the opening of The Sixth Sense (M.Night Shyamalan,1999).

The camera shake used in our first establishing shot also creates a feeling of instability which provides a disconcerted and unsettled atmosphere for the audience. We created this camera shake by using a hand held filming technique instead of using a secure tripod.

Frame 3:

The main aspect of this shot was to integrate the credits in an interesting and creative way. We found lots of inspiration online. I particularly found Atonement ( Joe Wright, 2007 ) interesting because of how the credits are made to feel as though they flow through the opening.

 This set of credits contain credits to the producer : Osbert Menezes and the screenwriter : James Presland.

  The camera angle for this frame is slanted slightly this causes the stairs to appear straight on and flat. This enables us to place the credits on the stairs. Costume also plays an important role in this frame as it is the first time the audience is able to view the characters ( protagonist ) costume. The costume for the protagonist is a plain white sweater and black trousers. We chose this costume as we feel it added to the smart/dramatic atmosphere we tried to portray in the film. The costume was chosen to portray a well dressed man. We also considered the colour palette when choosing the costume as we did not want any bright colours. The colours we decided to choose for our opening were generally dull, dark and red colours.

Frame 4:

 When planning this shot/scene we had very specific details in mind. One detail we wanted to portray in the scene was a panning angle onto the protagonist as they walked upstairs This helped build tension and excitement. Another detail we wanted to portray in this scene was the whole staircase. This required us positioning the camera into a wide angle shot.

However unlike many Thriller films our opening scene lacks props. Especially this shot as you can see through mise-en-scene the protagonist is the only person in the shot. This also challenges the conventions of real Thrillers in high budget productions. On one hand, this enables the audience to be able to focus on the protagonist a lot more and no to be distracted by Props and the background. While on the other hand, this challenges the conventions this means that this is not typical of a Thriller film which may confuse the audience.

Frame 5:

This frame is very important as it is the first time the audience sees what the title of the film is 'Memory'. We wanted to show the title in an interesting way as it is integral to our opening. We wanted to personify the protagonists feeling of discomfort and agony so we placed the sound of a single heartbeat from a hospital monitor and sychronised that sound with a visual of red flashing across the title.

Frame 6:

This is a scene where the protagonist is having a vivid and intrusive thought. The blurred vision is created in final cut pro with a special function which allows you to keep a circle of the scene in focus and allow the surroundings to be blurred. The lighting used in this frame is very low and dark. the only light being used is a fill light positioned to the left of the protagonist. The camera angle is from the point of view of the protagonist who is being tied up and tortured. 

This is also very disorientating for the audience as the edits between the recent frames have been very fast. The protagonist is also visually in distress as he is tied up against his will. The white of the tape stands out from the dull and dark colours surrounding it. This could be shocking and alarming to the audience.

Frame 7:

This frame is very important in the opening sequence as it is the first time the audience can see the antagonist. this specific shot is a close up shot of the antagonist this shows his mask and face very clearly. However , the shot does also have a blurred effect. The costume aid of the bandanna also contributes to the ominous and threatening atmosphere that the antagonist creates.  

The aim of this shot was to introduce the audience into the world that the protagonist experiences. The light is focused on the antagonists face as he is supposed to be the centre of the shot.

Frame 8:

This frame is shot in the camera angle/position of point of view. This is straight after the mask of the protagonist is pulled off. The lens flare is created by placing a large fill light in the corner of the shot ( to the left of the antagonist). this gives the effect that the protagonist is stunned and flashed. The audio for this scene is a high pitch loud screech this gives a disorientating effect.

Frame 9: 

This is one of the final shots. This shot is very similar to the third frame. The use of the medium shot of the stairs is so that we could position the credits and lettering on each stair. The effect of positioning and re sizing each line of credits for each stair creates a sense of realism .