Media Journal-Week 1

Week 1:This week I have enjoyed looking at title sequences and looking at the deep meaning behind them,i have learnt a useful technique when analysing a title sequence.There are many factors to include when analysing a title sequence:Mise-en-scene-camera angles,lighting,costume,props,action,body language,sound and so on.These help give an understanding behind the meaning of the narrative.Once I had used these important elements to break down the sequence,it became easier to see the purpose and the meaning of the sequence.

Lord of war title sequence analysis

Throughout the title sequence we see golden bullets passing through different machinery,this we assume has something to do with fighting/war.Therefore it gives us an idea of the genre. The music sets the tone of the film.The sequence certainly creates an enigma for the audience as we only see extreme close up shots of bullets journey through machinery in a factory.The emphasis on the making of the bullets,shows that it is a significant aspect of the film. In the background,the location seems to change quite a lot from the factory to a ship to an outside dirty terrain then into a gun and then being shot straight through presumably the enemy.The bullets shoots straight into the centre of the child's head at a fast speed.This suggests that the bullet has only one purpose;to cause pain/ kill enemies. The location outside of the factory looks rough,dirty and seems like its an undeveloped area ,which suggests that the location is set in a less economically developed area.

The title "Lord of war". suggests that a person of a high rank has control over something important,in this case the person might control the gun factory.This could mean that in the film guns and other similar weapons are sold in different countries,which makes the matters worse because lives are taken away.It seems that the guns are being sold regardless of the fact that individuals die.The sequence implies that the main important aspect is the gun,therefore this might suggest that the is no sympathy/no mercy shown in the film because all the businessmen care about is that they are getting their money.This therefore means that wars will never end and there will never be peace in third world /LEDC countries.

The titles are white and quite rigid looking.This looks similar to soviet Russian type of font,this implies that the gun's are being produced in Russia;establishing the location for the viewers watching.The title are quite small and plain,this shows that it is not the main focus rather the background scenery action.The titles have been purposely made white because the background colour scheme makes it easier to see.

The music links with the sequence because of how the lyrics refer to the narrative.For example the lyrics mentions"bad minds being born" This completely represents the film and just gives the audience a war vibes.The lyrics also say"Stop children whats that sound,there is something going down".This implies that there are children involved in the war or the are children who just live in these dangerous places having to endure the pain everyday.The music does set the tone for the film and creates the atmosphere.

Catch me if you can(title sequence analysis)

• The title sequence is very vibrant,bright and colorful portraying a sort of light hearted comedy. The colour scheme could also represent the change of scenery in the film and how every action is constantly done in daylight.


• The way the lines join up with the titles suggests that the fluidity and smoothness of the film.The lines also represent the way the stories link to each other like interweaving narratives/narrative arcs.


• The way the silhouette characters move a across the page implies that the are different scenario's that the characters come across.


• The order of the titles suggest the order of importance of those who participated in the making of the film.For example the producer (Steven Spielberg) has been shown twice at the beginning and at the end and the main characters (Leonardo Dicarprio)and (Tom Hanks) ; both well known actors.Once people see the Producer/Director/Actors names they are likely to go see the film because a big star is featured.


• The typography is white,bright,neat and rounded, conveys the film as


• The main character is quite versatile ,this shown through the title sequence as his costume is changed from a pilot costume to a business man then to a doctor and so on.The other character(Tom Hanks) is shown following (Leonardo Dicarprio's) character this links with the title (catch me if you can) and the mysterious music ,which creates and enigma for the audience. Another suggestion of the character (Tom Hanks) following the character is that he could be a detective chasing an impostor, who has disguised himself as different characters.


• The typography of (catch me if you can) is bold,black and black with saul bass inspired lines linked.This design is quite appealing to the eye because of how simple but effective it is. The "me" on the title looks like a cloud slowly been blown away with a plane passing over the title suggests that there is a lot of traveling and moving about to different locations. The cars/taxis also give us a sense that movement and traveling is key.


• The music is a key element in the sequence because it completely gives away the sort of vibe you will be getting when you watch the film and just creates the atmosphere for the audience.

Se7en title sequence analysis

The se7en title sequence creates an enigma for the audience because they instantly want to know what is going on.The audience is left confused because of the lack of information they are given in the sequence they are only able to see a close up of the characters hands cutting the words out.This instantly tells the audience that the movement with the hands cutting paper is the main focus. The props are quite significant in the sequence such as: old looking photos,pen, paper,scissors, needle, thread and other sharp objects. The colour scheme in the sequence is quite dull,monotone and just bland this connotes a sense that there is no life or life has been taken away of someone or something.This is also reflected through the dark lighting.This creates a picture in your mind ,and suggest that there is some sort of murder/serial killer featured in the film.The sequence creates a scary and spin chilling feeling that makes you want to watch.The fact the character is cutting out photos and papers to stick in a kind of old scrap book suggests that he is a serial killer because keeping hold of the evidence showing how sick and twisted they are which could portray that they are mentally ill/unstable.Serial killers usually kill without a conscience.In the sequence the character cuts out the words“homosexual” and “Transsexual" and “GOD” this could suggest that religion has a role to play in the film and could possibly be connected to the main character.There also maybe some sort of conflict involving religion,resulting to the murders being committed.

Throughout the sequence close-up shots are shown;the audience can hardly see what is in the background,this could be because the character is trying to hide the location.This could prove that the character is a serial killer because they are secretive and hide their tracks.We cannot see the character's face,however the rough kind of dirty hands look like a man because of how hard and scruffy his hands and finger nails look. The shot where the character is shown scrapping his skin from his finger nails,implies that he wants to hide/get rid of his identity in order for him to get away with his crimes.Serial killer don't want to be suspected therefore this character has made sure it will be difficult to label him as the culprit. The way the character cuts the images out neatly and places them into the book shows that his has a plan,whether it is who his next victim will be or his recent victims,it shows that he has thought this through and now how precisely he will document it.It seems like perhaps the character has an obsession with death and God because he cancels out text that goes against religion.This could link with the music because the lyrics speak about getting closer to God,which implies that the serial killer believe that he is acting on God's behalf. The title Se7en suggests that the serial killer murders victims for one out of seven deadly sins.On the other hand it could be a serial killer that murders people quite regularly,which could mean seven days of the week.

The Se7en title sequence creates a sense of tension and makes the audience feel uneasy and uncomfortable.There are a lot of flickering images,which looks like a light dying out,this connotes the idea that death is quick.The red flicking light denotes the blood,suggesting that the death is painful and the film has a lot of dangerous activity involved.The flickering also possibly suggests how fast paced the occurring events may be.The way the images have been layered over others creates a sense of mystery and makes the audience feel like there is a deeper meaning behind the acts of the murderer.

The sound in the sequence creates an atmosphere of fear.The sound contributes to the scene because of the way it creates an enigma.The ticking sound in the background feel almost like the time ticking for either the victim or murder.This could mean the time that the murderer is scheduled to kill or the time that the victim has left to die.There is a screeching sound made once the character has crossed out a word.This suggests that the word that is crossed out is associated with his next victim and the screeching sound is the victim screaming for life. The sound really makes everything in the scene scary and creepy,especially with the extreme close ups.

Continuity sequence

A continuity sequence is a series of shots put together to make a continuous sequence.
Before making the continuity sequence as a group we created a story board, to use as a guide line for filming. We used a variety of shots in our sequence such as mid-Long shot, high angle, over the shoulder, Match on action and so on. All of the shots that we used helped us make a smooth continuity sequence.

Contribution to the video:

• Yasmin Ahmed - Camera operator


• Rebecca Bushell -Script organiser


• (Myself) Hannah Odonkor as character 1


• Jasmine Winston as character 2

Possible improvements:

• Make shot reverse shot more clear


• To extend the sequence


• Make camera steadier


• Make script longer

What we enjoyed:

• Script writing


• Working together as a group


• Camera work


• Editing

What we didn't enjoy:

• It took quite long to write the script


• Intrusions whilst filming


• Cutting parts of the video


• Took a while to film
  
  What I learnt:

I learnt how to edit on (Imovie) and use a range of editing skills I had learnt to help my group edit the sequence