Codal Analysis

Importance of Genre

Genre is important to both the audience and the institutions as it defines what kind of things the film is going to include and the overall look/feel of the film.  The audience will use the genre of the film to help decide wether or not they may like it or not as all films of a particular genre will include similarities.  The institutions will use the genre to help with the marketing of the film, if they know the genre they can use iconography typical for that genre like horror films usually use lots of blood and gore.

Production companies are generally genre specific this is beneficial for them as they become more and more experienced in that particular area, building up a base of directors, producers, designers and actors who tailor for their genre.  Due to this they are able to more effectively produce films in their given genre as they will already have a good idea of the conventions and codes as well as possibly being able to re-use costumes and props to reduce costs.

The audiences generally prefer being able to determine the genre of a film before they partake in the viewing especially if they paying to see it.  This way they know if the film will be suited to their preferences before they spend any money, as no-one wants to pay to see a film they won't like.

What this means for my film opening?

Setting: The location I have chosen is a field with some woodland and a small derelict wooden barn.  These things are typical of horror film, as abandoned/open empty places are usually associated with isolation and therefore a lack of living people present creating a sense of vulnerability.  Also the overall aesthetics of the scene will be very dingy/dirty making for a more uncomfortable audience viewing.

Sound: I will use a variety of typical horror genre sounds probably including a eerie, sustained soundtrack for backing music and sound effects like distant gunshots and sticks breaking it the woods.  The idea of this is to unnerve the audience and crate apprehension.

Props: I will include some props typical to horror films like knives and axes, imitation firearms and fake blood, to try an make it seem more realistic.

Camerawork: I will use a range of camera shot and movements probably including some handheld shot and some point of view shot to try to involve the audience more in the film and create more tension.

Timed Analysis: Resident Evil - Afterlife

First two minute only starting 0:00 finishing 2:00

0:00 - Black screen
0:05 - Fades to helicopter shot of a large city
0:06 - Camera panning and moving
        - 'Screen Gems' fades in lower left frame
        - Enlarges gradually
0:10 - 'Screen Gems' fades out
        - Cuts to a closer helicopter shot of same city
0:11 - 'Constantin Films' and 'Davis Films/Impact Pictures' and 'Presents' Fades in lower right
        - Enlarges gradually
0:16 - Previous title fades out
        - Cuts to a helicopter shot of a block of buildings
0:17 - 'A Constantin Film' and' Davis Films/Impact Pictures' and 'Production' Fades in lower left
        - Enlarges gradually
0:21 - Title Fades out
0:22 - Cuts to a long shot of some buildings with a title 'out of focus' in the upper left
0:23 - Building come out of focus/title comes into focus 'A  Film By Paul W.S.Anderson'
        - Enlarges gradually
0:26 - Cuts to a establishing shot of a busy street
0:28 - Background goes out of focus as title fades in 'Milla Jovovich'
        - Enlarges gradually
0:31 - Cuts to a shot of some traffic lights and two signs in a different language
        - Lights change from  green to amber then to red
0:33 - Cuts to a shot of a street people crossing it
        - 'Ali Larter' fades in lower right
        - Enlarges gradually
0:37 - Cuts to a aerial shot of the crossing showing one person standing still in the middle
0:39 - Film title 'Resident evil' flies onto screen from camera
0:40 - Second part flies on as separate letters and join together 'Afterlife'
0:45 - Both parts of title fly towards camera and out of frame
        - Cuts to a tilt shot starting with the stationary women feet/legs
        - Footage slowed down slightly
0:52 - 'Kim Coates' fades in lower right behind a person's leg as it goes out of shot
0:56 - Title fades out
1:00 - 'Shawn Roberts' fades in upper left
1:04 - Person walks across frame removing previous title and bringing in 'Sergio Peris-Mencheta' lower right
1:10 - Cuts back to aerial shot above crossing still showing the women standing still
        - 'Spencer Locke' fades in upper left
1:14 - Title fades out
1:15 - 'with Borris Kodjoe' fades in bottom right
1:20 - 'and Wenworth Miller' fades in middle left
1:23 - Title fades out
        - cuts back to tilt shot of the women
1:24 - 'Canadian Casting by Robin D.Cook,CSA' and 'UK Casting by Suzanne M.Smith, CDG' fades in upper right
1:27 - Person walks across frame removing previous title and bringing in ' Costume Designer Denise Cronenberg' lower left
1:31 - Previous title fades out and 'Production Designer Arv Grewal' fades in upper right
1:35 - title fades out and cuts to a medium long shot of the women standing on the crossing
1:40 - Director of Photography Glen Macpherson, ASC, CSC' appears under someones umbrella lower left
1:43 - Previous title fades out and 'Edited by Niven Howie' Appears behind another person's umbrella lower right
1:49 - Title fades out
        - cuts to a medium shot of the woman
        - Visual Effects Supervisor Dennis Berardi' fades in lower middle
1:52 - Title fades out and 'Music by Tommandandy' fades in upper left
1:55 - Person walks across frame removing previous title
1:56 - Cuts to long shot of the woman on the crossing
1:57 - 'Based upon capcom's Videogame 'Resident Evil'' fades in lower middle
2:00 - Title fades out

Timed Analysis: Hansel and Gretel Witch Hunters

First two minutes only starting at 1:00 and finishing at 2:00

0:00 - Black screen
0:02 - Fades to an extreme long shot of moon
0:03 - 0:17 - Tilt/Pan to aerial shot over a forest
                  - Field and hut come into shot
                  - Man comes out of woods with lantern and goes to hut
0:27 - Cuts to inside the hut, man entering
0:28 - Cuts to a woman in hut, closing curtains
0:30 - Women steps back camera tracks
0:32 - Cuts to behind curtain, women's silhouette visible
        - Man's silhouette approaches women's
0:33 - Dialogue 'take them into the forest'
0:35 - Cuts to facing away from curtain
        - Two beds/bedside table, boy and girl
0:38 - Cuts to medium shot of man coming through curtains
0:40 - Cuts back to children in bed, waking up
0:43 - Cuts to medium shot of man leading children through the woods with a rifle
0:46 - Cuts to in front of the man, medium shot
0:50 - Cuts to extreme long shot of man and children
0:53 - Cuts to long shot of man and children
0:56 - Slight zoom as man and children stop
0:59 - Over the shoulder shot, between children of man
1:00 - two shot of children showing their expressions
1:01 - Dialogue 'You stay here'
1:03 - Cuts to close-up of man
1:04 - Dialogue 'I'll be back soon
1:07 - Medium shot of children, 'Wait!'
1:09 - Medium shot of man, 'I said stay here!
1:15 - Long shot of man walking away
1:16 - Dialogue 'Father'
1:17 - Close-up of man putting out lantern
        - Dialogue 'Wait!
        - Cuts to black
1:21 - Fades to aerial zoom shot looking down on both children sitting on forest floor
1:26 - Cuts to a long shot of children
1:30 - Cuts to medium shot
1:31 - Bird noises and a strange squeak
        - Children look at each other
1:35 - Cuts to a long shot with a small tilt
        - Children start walking
1:43 - Cuts to medium shot behind children following them through the forest
        - Tracks them slightly
1:47 - Cuts to medium long shot in front of children
        - Children walking towards camera
1:56 - Tracking shot
2:00 - Children looking out of shot

Timed Analysis: World War Z

First minute 0:00 - 1:00

0:00 - Black screen with 'Paramount Pictures and Skydance Productions Present'
0:02 - Cuts to black
0:04 - 'In association with Hemisphere Media Capital and GK Films' Cuts in
0:06 - Cuts to black
0:07 - Cuts to 'A Plan B Entertainment/2Dux2 Production'
0:10 - Cuts to black
0:11 - Cuts to a establishing shot of a beach
0:14 - Cuts to a shot of some clouds
0:17 - Cuts to a shot of a cityscape with the sun shining through the buildings
0:18 - Cuts to a shot of a run down town/slum
        - Triangle showing a distorted view lower left
        - Triangle slowly gets bigger
0:20 - Cuts to a split screen 'A Marc Foster Film' on the left and a flock of birds flying on the right
0:22 - Cuts to a split screen both halts showing the flying flock of birds but from slightly different perspectives
0:23 - Cuts to another split screen with 'Brad Pitt' on the right and a distorted view of a street on the left
0:25 - Cuts to a distorted view of a house
0:27 - Cuts to a split screen with 'Mireille Enos' on the right and distorted view of houses to either side
0:28 - Cuts to a partially distorted shot of people getting of a train the distortion is other the people
0:30 - Audio overlay of a news channel starts
0:31 - Cuts to a split screen with 'Daniella Kertesz' on the left and the train platform shot on the right
0:32 - Cuts to a distorted shot of the coast and a guy pushing his bike along
0:34 - Cuts to another distorted screen with 'James Badge Dale' on the right and a shot of people on an escalator on the left
0:36 - Cuts to a split screen left people going down an escalator, right people going up an escalator
0:37 - Cuts to distorted split screen with 'David Morse' on the left and a shot of people in a train station on the right
0:38 - Cuts to a shot of the train/airplane timetable
0:40 - split screen with 'Fana Mokoena' and 'David Andrews' on the left and Shot of an airplane taking off on the right 
0:42 - Cuts to a shot of some trees with the sun shining through and lots of lens glare, slight pan
0:43 - Cuts to a split screen with 'Sterling Jerins' and'Abigail Hargrove' top left and lots of ants on the other part
0:45 - Cuts to a shot of another flock of flying birds
0:47 - Cuts to a split screen with 'Peter Capaldi' and 'Pierfrancesco Favino' on the left and a police officer talking to someone through a car window on the right
0:49 - Cuts to a distorted view of some scrolling message boards
0:50 - Cuts to  a split screen with 'Ludi Boeken' and 'Gregory Fitoussi' centre left and a crowded street on the right
0:53 - Cuts to a split screen with black on the left and a Tv studio on the right
0:54 - Cuts to a broken screen with ' casting by Kate Dowd' offset to the left and a shot of some water from a bridge on the right
0:56 - Cuts to a TV news view screen about dolphins swimming ashore
0:58 - Cuts to a split screen with 'Visual Effects Supervisor Scott Farrar' on the left and the sea splashing some rocks on the right.
1:00 - Cuts to a split screen with 'Music by Marco Beltrami' on the right and a shot of a man on the left

Film Rating Catorgories

U - Universal

A U film should be suitable for audiences aged four and over, but is is impossible to predict what might upset any particular child.  They should have a positive framework offering reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror.  If it is particular suited for pre-school children it will be stated.

Drugs, discrimination and imitable behaviour must be clearly disapproved of.  The use  of infrequent very mild language like 'damn' or 'hell' is acceptable, as well as occasional nudity with no sexual context and very mild sexual behaviour like kissing.

PG - Parental Guidance

A PG film should not unsettle a child around eight years or older.  Unaccompanied children of any age may watch this but parents are advised to consider wether the content may up set younger or more sensitive children.

Discrimination is unlikely to be acceptable unless in an educational or historical context with no likely appeal to children.  References to illegal drugs or misuse of drugs must be innocuous or carry a suitable anti-drug message.  No detail of potentially dangerous behaviour or anti-social behaviour that children are likely to copy, if it is presented as safe or fun and no glamorisation of realistic or easily accessible weapons such as knives.  Mild bad language is allowed although aggressive or very frequent use of such may result in a higher rating.  There may be nudity with no sexual context and sexual activity may be implied, but should be discreet and infrequent - mild sex references and innuendo only.  Frightening sequences or situations where characters are in danger should not be prolonged or intense, fantasy settings may be a mitigating factor.  Violence will usually be mild, but there may be moderate violence without detail, if justified by it's context e.g: history, comedy or fantasy.

12A & 12- Video and cinema release suitable for 12 and over

Films classified 12A and video works classified 12 contain material that is not suitable for children under the age of 12.  No one younger than 12 may see a 12A film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult, adult planning to take children under the age of 12 to view a 12A film are advised to consider wether the content is suitable for that child.  No one younger than 12 may buy or rent a 12 rated video work.

Discriminatory language must not be endorsed by the work as a whole, aggressive discriminatory language or behaviour is unlikely to be acceptable unless clearly condemned.  Misuse of drugs must be infrequent and should not be glamorised or give instructional detail.  No promotion of potentially dangerous behaviour likely to be copied by children and no glamorisation of realistic or easily accessible weapons such as knives, no endorsement tot anti-social behaviour.  There may be moderate language, strong language may be permitted, depending on the manner in which it is used, who is using it, its frequency within the work as a whole and any special contextual justification.  There may be nudity, but in a sexual context it must be brief and discreet and sexual activity may be briefly and discreetly portrayed.  Moderate sex references are permitted, but frequent crude references are unlikely to be acceptable.  There may be moderate physical and psychological threat and horror sequences, although some scenes may be disturbing the overall tone should not be, and horror sequences should not be frequent or sustained.  There may be moderate violence but it should not dwell on detail, and there should be no emphasis on injuries or blood, but occasionally gory moments may be permitted if justified by the context.  Sexual violence may only be implied or briefly and discreetly indicated, and its depiction must be justified by context.

15 - Suitable for 15 and over

No one younger than 15 may see a 15 film in cinema and no one younger than 15 may rent or buy a 15 rated video work.

The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour, although there may be racist, homophobic or other discriminatory themes and language.  Drug taking may be shown but the work as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse, and the misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances is unlikely to be acceptable.  Dangerous behaviour like hanging, suicide and self harming should not dwell on detail which could be copied.  Whether the depiction of easily accessible weapons is acceptable will depend on factors such as realism, context and setting.  There may be strong language, very strong language may be permitted, depending on the manner in which it is used, who is using it, its frequency within the work as a whole and any special contextual justification.  There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context, and there may be nudity in a sexual context but usually without strong detail.  Sexual activity may be portrayed, but usually without strong detail.  There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour, but the strongest references are unlikely to be acceptable unless justified by the context, works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation are unlikely to be acceptable.  There may be strong threat and horror, but a sustained threat is unlikely to be acceptable.  Violence may be strong but should not dwell on infliction of pain or injury, but the strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable.  Strong sadistic violence is also unlikely to be acceptable.  There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence but the depiction of sexual violence must be discreet and justified by context. 

18 - Suitable only for adults

No one younger than 18 may see a 18 film in a cinema and no one younger than 18 may rent or buy a 18 rated video work.

Adults should be free to choose their own entertainment. Exceptions are most likely in the following areas:
          - Where the material is in breach of the criminal law, or has been created through the commission of a criminal offence
          - Where material or treatment appears to us to risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, to society. For example, the detailed portrayal of violent or dangerous acts, or of illegal drug use, which may cause harm to public health or morals. This may include portrayals of sadistic or sexual violence which make this violence look appealing; reinforce the suggestion that victims enjoy sexual violence; or which invite viewer complicity in sexual violence or other harmful violent activities

          - Where there are more explicit images of sexual activity in the context of a sex work (see below) or where the primary purpose of the images in question is sexual arousal.

In the case of video works, which may be more accessible to younger viewers, intervention may be more frequent than for cinema films.

Sex education at 18
Where sex material genuinely seeks to inform and educate in matters such as human sexuality or safer sex and health, explicit images of sexual activity may be permitted.

Sex works at 18
Sex works are works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation.  Sex works containing only material which may be simulated are generally passed 18.  Sex works containing clear images of real sex, strong fetish material, sexually explicit animated images, or other very strong sexual images will be confined to the R18 category.  Material which is unacceptable in a sex work at R18 is also unacceptable in a sex work at 18.



I think my film will definitely be an 18 as it will contain strong gory violence that will dwell on the infliction of pain and injury with sustained horror scenes.  Also it will contain dangerous acts including suicide and hanging, as well as depict easily accessibly weapons in a realistic way.  It will also include frequent use of very strong language, as wells some discriminatory language and behaviour and possibly nudity in a both a non-sexual and a sexual context.  All of the above stated facts push the rating up past a 15 and makes most definitely not suited for anything below that.

Audience Research

Audience of Film in General

The typical audience for films is between the ages of 15 and 44 with an almost equal split between male and female, the most popular genres being comedy, Adventure, Drama and Action.  Obviously there are some people who break the mould like 90 years old who regularly watch films of all genres but these are generally few and far between.

Audience of Horror Films

The typical age of the horror audience is between 15 an 25, this is as they are still in the early stages of development and are still open to experimentation and seek adrenaline rushes.  The younger audience is also less likely to be put of by violence and unnatural imagery than their older counterparts and can usually relate more to the film/characters as the main characters are usually younger people.  Males are more likely to be the audience of horror films as they are stereotypically immature thrill seekers although I have recognised a steady rise of female horror fans over the past year.  The audience usually appears as groups of friends or young couples.

Conventions of film openings

Film History

Horror Film Titles

Existing Titles

A Nightmare on Elm Street

Alien

The Cabin in the Woods

The Exorcist

The Blair With Project

Night of the Living Dead

Halloween

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre

The Silence of the Lambs

The Evil Dead

The Shining

Let the Right One In

Insidious

Psycho

The Conjuring

World War Z

Paranormal Activity

Screen

Sinister

Annabelle

Creep

SAW

The Ring

The Woman In Black

The Devil Inside

Mama

I Spit on Your Grave

Title Ideas

Axe

Incubus

Shank

Silence

Entity

Ebola

Dead End

Paranoia

Arithmophobia

Lucid

Kill the Lights

Genre Analysis

Horror/Zombie Comedy

Shaun of the Dead, Dead Snow, Zombie Land

The typical traits of a zombie horror film is well obviously zombies and some kind of awesome action sequence.  I like zombie horrors that throw a small twist like a bit of comedy, a good example of this is Shaun of the dead.  This type of film appeals to me as it is not just part of a typical genre with a typical plot it has a comical twist to it that helps to make it more interesting instead of being just another horror.

Action Comedy

Hot Fuzz, Bad Boys, 30 Minute or Less

Alright so with action films the typical way to go would be ridiculous car chases, expensive helicopter shots, epic fight scenes and shoot outs.  But by adding some comedy into the mix and especially some real creative comedy a lot of that plot line can be cut and replaced with simply shots and scenes that add humour and make the film appeal to a much wider audience.

Science Fiction Comedy

The World's End, The Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy, Men in Black

So this one is the same as the other two but is a science fiction with a comical twist to it, like the other ones it would appeal to a larger audience than a film that was just a single genre instead of a hybrid and does make the film generally slightly more interesting unless your a genre purest and don't like hybrid films.

Monty Python and The Holy Grail opening titles - Evaluation

Titles list:

- In association with…presents

- Film Title(name)

- Written and Performed By

- With…

- Also Appearing

- Also Also Appearing

- Camera Operator

   - Camera Focus

   - Camera Assistant

   - Camera Grip

   - Changehand Electrician

   - Lighting

   - Rostrum Cameraman

- Sound Recordist

   - Sound Mixer

   - Boom Swinger

   - Sound Maintenance

   - Sound Assistant

   - Dubbing Editor

   - Assistant Editor

   - Sound Effects

- Continuity

   - Accountant

   - Production Secretary

   - Property Buyer

   - Property Master

   - Property Men

   - Catering

   - Vehicles

- Assistant Art Director

   - Construction Manager

   - Carpenters

   - Painter

   - StageHand

   - Rigger

- With Special Extra Thanks to

- Songs

   - Additional Music

- Costume Designer

- 

James Bond: Casino Royale Opening Title - Evaluation

Titles List:

- Presents

- Daniel Craig        as Ian Flemming's James Bond in           Casino Royale

- Starring     Starts with single actors/actresses then goes to groups

- Free Running Stunts By

- With Jeffery Wright

- and Judi Dench as M

- Associate Producer

- Production Executive

- Camera Operator

   - Second Unit Assistant Director

   - Script Supervisor

   - Publicity and Marketing

   - Promotions

   - Assistant Producer

- Sound Recordist

   - Electrical Supervisor

   - Stills Photographer

   - Make-up Supervisor

   - Hairdressing Supervisor

   - Wardrobe Supervisor

- Visual Effects and Miniature Supervisor

   - Supervising Art Director

   - Property Master

   - Construction Manager

   - Post Production Supervisor

- Unit Production Manager

   - Second Unit Production Manager

   - First Assistant Director

- Casting

   - Stunt Co-Ordinator

- Special effects and Miniature Effects Supervisor

   - Main Title Design By

- Second Unit Director

- Costume Designer

- Editor

- Director of Photography

- Production Designer

- Music By

- You Know My Name:

     - Performed By

     - Written and Produced By

- Executive Producers

- Based on the Novel By

- Screenplay By

- Produced By

- Directed By

The Font used for all of the titles is the same relatively simple one all the way through, coloured white, the only thing that changes is the font size for important things like names it is a larger font size than the other parts of the titles.  All of the titles are overlaid on a animated background which is semi psychedelic and does make some of it difficult to read properly.  This kinda makes it seem like the titles are not of any importance and shift the viewers focus onto the background instead which is quite interesting.

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo Opening Titles - Evaluation

Titles List

- Presents
- Production
- A David Fincher Film
- Main actors Names
- Film Title(Name)
- Series of ten actors/actresses names(staggered across the screen)
- Casting By
- Costume Design
- Co-producers
- Sound Design By
- Music By
- Editors
- Production Designer
- Director of Photography
- Based on the book by…        Originally published by…
- screenplay By
- Directed By

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo was directed by David Fincher the opening titles have a distinctive flair to them something which seems common in all of his films.  The font for all the titles, except the film name, is slightly stylised and the main parts like names are in a bigger font size then the rest,  all except the first couple are presented on a animated black on black background which starts to be introduced in flashes as the first title fades out and the titles continue as an overlay.  The film name is an exception to the above statements as it is in a different, bolder font and physically interacts with the background with black oil like fluid cascading down over it and absorbing it.

Next the background animation is properly introduced and it has a stunning black on black effect, the next title then fades 'A DAVID FINCHER FILM'.  The animated background played throughout the opening creates a stunning effect with the black on black and is highly memorable, it seem at least partially animated if not completely and is really affective.  The background with the title overlay makes this opening highly distinguishable from others.  The music played throughout the opening is a cover of Led Zeppelin's 'Immigrant' song and goes well with style of the titles.