Final Sequence

Evaluation

After finishing filming our evaluation, it was uploaded onto YouTube and edited so the seperate question videos are linked together. The first video is below, with the links to the other videos on YouTube.

Self Evaluation

For the last part of my project, I did a self evaluation sheet will helped me to evaluate my progress and how I feel I have worked through it. It also shows good points and bad points which I can improve on in my next project.

Evaluation

During our lesson yesterday, me and Aisha took on responsibility of making short notes on the evaluation questions, whilst Sam and Max continued editing our opening and music. These notes were then turned into script form and printed out, and today we used them to film our evaluation. We had to use my laptop as the technician wasn't available to lend us a camera. This wasn't a problem though as we all fitted around it and it picked up the sound accordingly. We had to film the questions seperately doing questions 1-4 in one video, 5-6 in another and then the final question 7 in its own video. The reason for this was because we wanted to read over and confirm what we were going to say next and to make sure we all understood eachothers parts and how they fitted together.
We are now transferring it over to our editing station on a memory stick to edit the flaws out and to piece it all together appropriately.

Small Feed Back

Today, we showed a few members of our class the progress we have made with filming and asked them to give us some feedback. The video in progress is the one below. They couldn't make any comments on the sound because this is still being worked on and needs to be added to our film soon, however they did say that they believed that it takes too long to start and there isn't much going on at the beginning and they were losing interest until the main character lights the match. This is when it picked up pace and they especially liked the different angle shots and the slow motion of the cigarette hitting the floor. They also understood the flashbacks and could understand them which is very important to us as we were wondering whether this would be picked up and understood, but now we know we can focus solely on the start of the opening knowing that the ending is good.
We will be filming a full evaluative discussion of our opening sequence once it has been completed and this will give complete feedback and also give an insight into what I enjoyed myself and what I enjoyed doing as part of a team.

Group Opening Sequence in Progress

My Response to Footage and Overall Piece

Now that I have seen all of our footage placed together and seen the opening sequence edited, it looks as good as, if not better than what I had originally imagined. Even though, we had to change a few of the scenes and shots we had originally intended to use, I believe it still looks as good as it would have with the other scenes. I particularly like the shot of the cigarette falling to the floor in slow motion as it is different and the sparks it creates make it more interesting to watch. The fact that it also leads to a flashback as it hits the floor makes it more interesting and what also makes it one of my favourite shots. The other shot that I particularly like is the low angle shot of the killer right at the end, from the point of view of the victim. It is also a different shot and adds more variety to the opening sequence. Its also a different way of showing the audience how someone is killed instead of a standard shot from the side or at the same height as the killer.
The opening sequence overall, I believe, makes the audience ask questions and want to know what will happen next. It doesn't reveal much about the film that follows, but in a way this is a good thing as it makes the audience want to stay and watch more. It has met my expectations and as a group we have shared responsibilities and ideas, not letting one person take control over everybody else.

Choosing a Name for Our Film

After much discussion over the naming of our film, we have finally decided on 'Possession'. We had a few words in discussion, such as, 'I love you', 'Deception' and 'She Loves Me Not', but when these were placed at the end of our opening, they didn't seem to place as well as 'Possession'.
The writing is written in red to fit in with the blood and death theme of our opening and i also suggested to try and make the red spread across the writing as the gun shot goes off to look like the spread of blood from the character as well as the spread of colour into the title.
The actual name, 'possession', resembles what the rest of our films storyline features, about the character wanting to 'possess' the female character who features later on. The style that the writing is written in also resembles the hand writing of the character because of his mental state and the anger that he is showing; the cause of this being his mental state.

Completion of filming

We have now completed all of our filming and can now focus fully on the editing and getting our opening sequence finished on time. We encountered a few problems on location, with vital props, such as a lamp post being removed from the length of street we were using, and then trying to find the correct lighting from another lamp post further up the street. However, we were able to get the lighting similar and there was no problem with the continuity as the way we filmed it, made the street look similar to the parts we had filmed before.
There was also a change to our second flashback and instead of a proposal we are using a close up of a girls lips and a boys lips saying 'I love you'. To distinguish between the girl and boy, I wore red lipstick and we have edited this shot so it is black and white, yet the red lips are still in colour to fit in with the themes of love and blood that run through the film. It also fits with the colour of the title that appears at the end of the opening. We had a slight problem with this and had to move the clip over to a different programme to edit and then exported it back over.

Changes in the Sequence

As we haven't finished filming the rest of our sequence after encountering problems with the shadows and weather, we have decided to finish our filming tonight in the same location at a similar time, to keep with the continuity of the location and natural lighting.
Because of the problems with filming the shadow sequence, we decided to change our sequence. after someone suggested that we see the stabbing in person instead of in a shadow, I suggested that the victim drops his cigarette and we show a close up of the cigarette falling in slow motion and then show the flashbacks as the cigarette hits the floor.
I am hoping to take part in the role of filming more tonight than I did last time, especially as a member of our group may not be present.

First Day Filming

During a free lesson on Tuesday, me, Sam and Max filmed the one of the flashbacks that feature near the end of our opening. We found an office in school that wasn't being used because the owner was teaching and it was a suitable location what with the positioning of the door and the desks inside, fitting with the way I had imagined it looking.
This went very well and we managed to film different angles of the same shot so that when it comes to editing, we have a choice of which ones we wish to use and which will look more interesting.


At 5:30, we met at the end of the road we were filming on. I had brought the storyboards and a make-shift clapper board to use to make the distinction between scenes easier when uploading the film onto Final Cut, the software we're using to edit. 
We had problems with lighting, as the street lights weren't as bright as we had first thought, yet shining artificial light from a torch, didn't look realistic and ruined the effect of the shot, so our only option is to edit it brighter afterwards.
There was also the problem with passers by and cars, which meant we had to wait for them to pass before continuing filming, and the problem of the weather. The majority of the filming is completed, but the last section of filming was abandoned for another day as the temperature had dropped and it was too cold to act or hold the camera properly. 
I helped with the clapper board and setting up shots. I didn't do any filming, but next time I am hoping to take on this role a bit more. 


We have also begun editing the shots we have filmed, and are learning new ways of editing the shots each time we go on. For example, learning how to brighten up a shot but keeping the contrast with it at the same time. 

Production Company Name

As part of editing our opening sequence we have to include a production name and credits. As a group we discussed different names for our production company including "Two Ducks Full" and "Fire", before eventually settling on "Hollow Productions". "Two Ducks Full" made our film sound like it was going to be funny and the complete opposite to what it was intended and we felt that the name "Hollow" showed a similarity to the dark, dramatic opening sequence and didn't ruin our overall effect. It is also short and quick to say, so will stay in the viewers mind, but can also be related to someone dark and mysterious which keeps it tied into our film.

Plans For Filming And Shooting

The majority of our opening sequence is located outside on the street, so we needed to find a location that would be suitable for the shots needed. We chose a street in Loughton that was long enough for the character to be followed down, but also had a location at the top that overlooked the surrounding area, and as far as Canary Wharf in London, which was excellent for our establishing shot. 
We planned to film on Sunday 6th, at 5:30, as we needed it to be dark for our shots. However, we encountered a problem, as we had left the storyboards in the folder at school and so couldn't progress with filming without it. We re-scheduled to Tuesday 8th.
The flashbacks, which are featured in our opening, need to be filmed inside and so we have planned to film inside a school office during a free lesson on Tuesday. 
So that we don't need to involve other people and try and keep up with different people as well as our own group, I am taking on the role of the girl in the flashbacks, and Sam and Max are taking on the role of the two male characters. 

What Have Learnt From the Preliminary Sequence

After doing the short activity, working on the preliminary sequence, it is clear which shots are going to be difficult and which ones are going to be more difficult. As we have used final cut express to edit this and will be using it to edit our opening sequence, we have learnt how to use different styles of editing and now know how to edit our opening sequence and which ideas we have may be harder to bring into the opening and whether we will have to change them or not.
The use of the panning shot in our preliminary sequence helped us to confidently decide on keeping the panning shot at the beginning of our opening and we have also decided to use the over the shoulder shot as it created suspense in the right place and so will hopefully create the suspense we intend to create in our opening sequence.

Preliminary Sequence

This is my groups preliminary sequence that we put together before filming our opening sequence to get used to how the cameras and tripods work and also to use different shots and movements and see if any of these we would use in our opening and if any would make our opening sequence look interesting.

Decisions on Genre and Storyline

Individually, we came up with ideas for the genre of our film and a possible storyline for this genre. I came up with an idea for the opening of a chick flick, as I believed most people would create an idea for a horror and wanted to try something different. Other members of my group came up with ideas for a thriller or action film and also included a few shot types that would add interest to our opening sequence, and as a group we decided that horror was too much of an easy option and that the male members of my group wouldn't really enjoy making a chick flick. 
During the process of coming up with a storyline, Max and Sam both had exams and so me and Aisha were left with the task of coming up with a storyline and presenting it to the others when they were back. We decided that the storyline me and Aisha had come up with was interesting and we would be able to include different shot types and styles of editing to keep it thrilling, which is the primary genre of our opening. We could now start work on our storyboard.

The Dark Knight Opening Sequence

Genre: Action, Crime, Drama
Directed by: Christopher Nolan
Released: 2008
Starring: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger and Aaron Eckhart

The start of this opening shows the back of a man on the corner of a street holding a clown mask at a mid shot low angle.  The main focus is on this mask which immediately shows the audience that clowns are going to be a  main feature throughout this film. This feature then becomes more apparent when a car pulls up and the men inside are all wearing clown masks as well. They're talking about the robbery that is about to take place and mention the name of the head guy, 'the joker', which immediately makes the audience ask who the joker is and how they are going to get away with it. At the same time there is the use of high angles and low angles as other robbers are making their way across the city on a high wire, which also establishes the setting for the film. There are no credits in this opening. The concentration is all on the main bank robbery.
The lighting is mainly natural with only some key lighting within the actual bank. The only colour present in the opening is that of the school buses at the end and the colours on the clown masks which makes them stand out and be the main focus of the film.
At the end, the joker reveals himself, as an extreme close up and we immediately recognise this face and know that this man is going to be a main focus through the rest of the film.

Juno Opening Sequence

Genre: Romantic Comedy
Released: 2007
Directed by: Jason Reitman
Starring: Ellen Page, Michael Cera and Jennifer Garner

The video above of the Juno opening sequence doesn't actually show the start of the opening where the scene for the film is set and important information that the audience need to know will be revealed. We learn that the main character Juno, who is using a voice over to tell us the story, likes a guy at her school and they decide to have sex together. However, we later learn that she has become pregnant which is the bases for the rest of the film. The main part of the opening, which is featured above, is the credits and opening song. If you listen to the lyrics, it fits in with the relationship theme of the film and the fact that the main character only wants this boy; 'All I Want is You'.
The sequence goes from reality into a cartoon strip, where the different frames have been drawn over to create the unusual effect. This helps to establish the audience as being younger, with the childish like drawings and also makes it more fun and interesting for the audience to look at.
The opening follows a girl drinking Sunny D, so we immediately recognise her as the main character and the Sunny D drink is relevant shortly after when she takes a pregnancy test. The credits are also presented throughout the whole opening, not all in one place, which adds variety and keeps the main focus on the actual opening. There are also boys running in the background every now and again throughout the sequence, the colour of their shorts stands out against the dim coloured background and we later learn that these are the group of boys that Junos 'lover' runs with every morning and they feature as a main theme throughout the film.

Cleaner Opening Sequence Analysis

Genre: Crime/Thriller
Released: 2007
Directed by: Renny Harlin
Starring: Samuel.L.Jackson, Eva Mendes, Ed Harris

This film opening shows many narrative functions. It introduces us to the main character and what he does for a living. This is shown through the use of a voice over coming from the main character, which becomes more clear as the opening sequence progresses. He uses the first person narrative, me, I etc, to show he is talking about himself. The credits of the opening appear on the image, they're not placed on a different shot on a plain coloured background, and they aren't all shown all at once, they are spaced out along the sequence, to keep it simple and not throw too much information at the audience in one go.
The use of a sound bridge at the beginning of the opening, makes the production company name less boring to look at on its own and also gives the audience a feel to what might be coming up next in the opening and for the film itself.
There is also an establishing shot that allows the audience to see the setting for the film. It is a modern city and the colour looks as if it has been washed out, suggesting a more dull, dismal city, as opposed to a more lively, vibrant one. The camera mainly stays at lower or higher angles, to get a better perspective on different situations, and also to hide the main characters face until the end of the opening when a close up shot of his face is used to tell the audience that this was the man speaking and this is the face that you need to remember, because he is the main character.
At the beginning the camera follows the characters at a low angle, whilst the sinister music continues to play, suggesting something is about to happen and keeps the suspense building. The music and the short story also help to show the main themes and style of the film. It shows the film is based around death and the music helps to show that it's mysterious and sinister, as if something in the film is not going to be right. The shots are simple and kept in an everyday life flat, with no additional lighting. The only other place the camera moves to is the cleaners van and the street outside, this avoids confusion and doesn't add too much to the film too soon; it spreads it across the film.
However, after the short story introduction, the line, 'death is tragic', different music begins to play, which is more up beat and jazzy, explaining the good sides of death. The music is contrapuntal, as it is a happy song, being played to a sombre situation. This change of music could represent the characters feelings towards his job and also the fact that he isn't ashamed about the way he feels. The lyrics, 'tell me something good', also fit in with the side of the story the voice over is now telling, which is the good side of death and the benefits people get from it. There is also the us of graphic match. In the van, the character lifts up a sheet and shakes it, this then becomes a sheet inside the house that he is shaking down onto a table. This more up beat side to the opening suggests to the audience that it is no longer as sinister as before, but is still a mystery as to why we need to know about this mans job in order to watch the rest of the film.

Secrets and Lies-THIRTEEN

Mise-en-scene: A group of older gentlemen in business suits, all centred into the middle of the scene. The oldest looking one is in the middle, in front of the others, on a chair. This suggests he is the centre of attention and that he is in a higher position/role than the others, or that this picture could be specially taken for him. The suits make them seem more formal and that they either all work together or they are a family. They are all wearing similar suits with the same coloured ties except the man at the front, which would link them together and makes them seem more like brothers, than business partners. The bald man at the left of the shot, glances at this watch, shows he doesn't really wish to be here and is uncomfortable with the situation and wants it to end.

Light and Sound: The light is coming from the centre and doesn't light up anyone and take the focus to anyone seperately, so the focus is on the group as a whole. The only talking comes from the photographer who is trying to get the men to be more energetic and smile, as they are looking slightly bored and lifeless.

Britishness: Classic british working men.

Colour: The mens suits are dull, so they don't really stand out and you focus on everyone as a whole group. The men at the backs red ties links them together and adds a hint of colour to the shot.

Stereotypical: Boring, british, working men.

Secrets and Lies-TWELVE

Mise-en-scene: The lady is wearing seductive lingerie, with a greek-esque props in the background to set the scene for the picture. Her hair is in an old-fashioned style to show the year of the shoot. Lying on a white table to empower in the picture. The greek-style props contrast with the position and dress of the woman in the centre.

Lighting and Sound: Dialogue of the camera man and then the giggles of the woman and her speech, shows she's not taking this very seriously, it's all a bit of a laugh. Then the flash and click of the camera.

Britishness: The accent.

Colour: The white table and props make the scene seem angelic and pure, but then the woman is wearing black lingerie which contrasts with the props, as the lingerie is not as subtle and sweet as the white.

Stereotypical: Lady who still wants to act like she is younger than she really is.

Secrets and Lies-ELEVEN

Mise-en-scene: Young boy sitting on a lavish chair, which matches the colour of his formal clothing. The lady in the background, possibly his mother, she's positioning the child to sit where he needs to be for the photo. the chair is positioned in the centre but the boy is sitting towards the left to add a bit of difference.

Light and Sound: Sound of the photographer and the mother talking to each other and the child, who doesn't have any dialogue; his facial expressions are more of a concentration. the light i coming from the centre, with it all focused on the child.

Britishness: Posh, wealthy-looking, young boy.

Colour: Dull background, makes the child and the chair stand out. The childs waistcoat is the brightest red out of the whole shot and so the audiences attention is drawn to him, and the top half of his body so that we aren't drawn away from his facial expressions. The 'mother' is wearing duller colours that are more informal to suggest she is not taking part in this shoot, she's just watching and doesn't have as much importance as the child.

Stereotypical: Wealthy, little boy

Secret and Lies-TEN

Mise-en-scene :identical blue dresses on each of the children. Stands out against the dark background. Lady that works there is wearing dull clothing and blends into the background. The mothers dress is slightly dull but still has the blue color to show she’s associated with the girls in the centre. Work ladys hair is scruffy and tied back to show shes busy and at work compared to the mothers hair which has had more time and care put into it the girls hair is all identical and neat and tidy, and is being cared for thorughout the extract. The triplets hands are all linked showing their bond and they all link towards the girl in the centre suggesting she’s the oldest of the three. The two women on the edge are symmetrical in the way they are positioned and sat , creating the focus of the scene, the girls in the centre. Mum looks proud and the worker looks tired and not very interested in the mothers story. Two of the triplets look jealous of the sister in the centre getting all the attention. Makes you wonder where the father is in all of this?

Sound and light: Two lights behind focus in on the triplets to add to the main focus of the scene which is them. Light coming in from above and filler lights on the side to soften the faces. The light casts a shadow over the worker to show she’s less important to the scene and the light is more focused on the mother who is telling a story. Sounds of the mother talking about how she conceived the children showing she is comfortable with the other lady in the scene. And there is sounds of fussing over the triplets, to show they are still setting up for the actual photo. Cannot hear the male voice of the photographer like you can in other scenes. adds to the fact they’re not ready for the picture yet.

Britishness: ballerinas. British girls take ballet classes when they were younger. Mothers british accent. Proud british mother.

Colour: dark background. Triplets stand out in the blue. Lady that works there is wearing dull clothing and blends into the background. The mothers dress is slightly dull but still has the blue color to show she’s associated with the girls in the centre. Triplets white shoes stand out against the dark flooring also.

Stereotypes: classic blonde ballerinas. Typical mother in background trying to push her children to greatness as well to the front of the picture. Possibly single mum trying to do good by her daughters to make up for no father, possibly spoiling them?

Secrets and Lies-NINE

Mise-en-scene: The two ladies at the back are more immature than the one at the front, judging on their positions leaning forward with their tongues hanging out. The one at the front is positioned more seductively to show her being more grown up and likes to show off her body more. All the women are grouped into the centre meaning all are centre of attention.

Lighting and Sound: Ladies are laughing to help add a light atmosphere to the shot. Speaking from the photographer and then the flash and click of the camera.

Britishness: A group of good friends having a good time together.

Colour: Two women are wearing black which blends into the background and contrasts with the woman wearing blue. Makes the audience question as to why she is wearing a different colour to the other two.

Stereotypical: older ladies still out having fun with a young mind.

Secrets and Lies-EIGHT

Mise-en-scene: Man is central to the shot. He is wearing a fake moustache which shows a side of his character that is still humurous but is used ironically during this shot due to his attitude towards the photographer. His hand movements show his attitude towards the photographer and that he is not going to take any nonsense from him.

Light and Sound: Character in the shot speaks authoritively to the photographer, who dismisses his request and still flashes the camera.

Britishness: Formal, gentlemanly dress. Clothing for a formal event. however, the fez is not part of this.

Colour: Wearing a red fez, only colour in the shot which makes you concentrate on the man wearing it. his clothing is a black and white suit, which stands out against the background, but shows he has made an effort for the shoot and he is a serious man and takes life seriously.

Stereotypical: Man in formal wear. sense of humour with the fez and fake moustache.

Secrets and Lies-SEVEN

Mise-en-scene: character is placed n a chair to sit up right, look more formal. posture and facial expressions are stiff and uncomfortable, he doesn't really want to be here. the dialogue explains to the audience why he is here and the background information.

Lighting and Sound: dialogue between photographer and man in the chair. then the click and flash of the camera.

Britishness: london, cockney accent.

Colour: suit blends in with brown background, showing the character is quite dull and boring like the colour brown. The character doesn't really want to be there.

Stereotypical: asian man looking for a wife in an arranged marriage.

Secrets and Lies-SIX

Mise-en-scene: The cat sitting on a chair with a bow on the front, showing it is quite special to its owner, the woman behind it, holding it still. The cat is the centre of the shot, in front of the owner, the owner loves her pet, bringing it forward into the spotlight instead of herself.

Lighting and Sound: camera flashes and clicks.

Britishness: typical older white woman who adores her cat

Colour: Chair and rug underneath and grey and white to match the colours of the cat. take the attention away from the owner, who is wearing plain black and not much of the focus.

Stereotypical: of an old woman who adores her pets

Secrets and Lies-FIVE

Mise-en-scene: Dog placed on a table with a red cloth, which matches the red clothing of the owner, shows a connection between them. Also has a dog on her jumper, showing she must have a big love of dogs. Stands out from the rest of the scene. Central to the scene. Dog looks relaxed, despite the excitable owner combing the dog, fussing over him.

Light and Sound: Owner talking and fidgeting noise. Camera click and flash.

Britishness: Lady proud of her dog. Britsh people with dog as a mans best friend.

Color: Red blanket stands out. Blanket matches the woman's clothing, shows the focus on these two characters.

Stereotypical: Owner fussing over her pet. Proud of her dog.

Secrets and Lies-FOUR

Mise-en-scene: Wearing white clothing to show the angelic mood of the scene. Baby does not look very comfortable and is very small so is not very old. The baby isn't wearing anything, and along with the white background shows purity of the scene and the new born baby.

Light and Sound: White light is used to seem happy and angelic. New baby gives a ‘happy glow’. Click and flash of the camera. Bright, filler lights from the side to soften the faces and add more 'glow' to the scene. Make the two characters seem more angelic with softer faces.

Britishness: English accent.

Color: White and pure. All concentration on the characters in the centre.

Stereotypical: Stereotypical happy glow from the new mother.

Secrets and Lies-THREE

Mise-en-scene: Woman dressed as a stereotypical nurse. Her body language is stiff and serious, showing her approach to her job, as she stands behind a chair which is there as a prop for the picture. Facial expressions are serious and showing no emotion; she isn't easily amused and works in a serious role in her job. Only smiles quickly when the photographer says a joke.

Light and Sound: flashes of light when the picture takes, same as before, natural light is used the rest of the time.

Britishness : stereotypical nurse and outfit.

Color: the lady's blue dress stands out and shows the character is the focus of the scene, not the chair.

Stereotypical: Nurse; serious looking and takes their job seriously

Secrets and Lies-TWO

Mise en scene: stereotypical clothing for a boxer; boxing gloves and shorts. Facial expressions show aggression and enthusiasm and passion about his boxing. No hair or make up, its kept simple to show he just concentrates on the boxing. Smiles in between photos to show he’s proud of himself and his work, most likely vain.

Sound and light: flashes of light when the picture takes. Rest of the scene is naturally lit.

Britishness: not applicable.


Color : the gloves and shorts are bright red, so they stand out and are the main focus in the scene to show what the character is doing.

Stereotypes: black man boxing

Secrets and Lies-ONE

Mise en scene: Dated clothing and hairstyles, show date of film. Formally dressed except the child. Dressed scruffily and casually. Stereotypically stood, the mother is more enthusiastic than the rest of the family and the grandmother doesn’t really look like she knows what’s going on. Women look like they’ve made an effort to wear make up. Grandmother is wearing glasses shows her age. Mother is in the centre of the shot to show she’s central to the family and she’s the only one that is enthusiastic about it as she keeps talking to the photographer. Father and son are hiding behind the mother showing thy don’t really want to be there and feel awkward and ‘protected’ by the mother and grandmother. Facial expressions on the son make him look fed up and bored. The father keeps pulling faces and deep breathing to show he’s preparing himself to pretend he wants to be there and that he is fed up of being fussed over about his tie and papers in his pocket. The mother is smiling and over the top with her emotions to show her enthusiasm about the picture and the grandmother looks confused about where she's meant to be and laughs randomly.

Sound and Light: Classic photographic lighting studio, sets the scene. Standard lighting with filler light on the side to soften the faces. People talking and its as if we’re overhearing the conversation. Flash of the camera and the sound of a camera clicking shows the audience a picture has been taken.

Britishness: Classic family. Mum, dad, child and grandmother. The way they’re dressed. Their accent. Mother is head of family and in control. Son is fed up.

Color: two characters that are fed up with it are wearing dull colours and the other two characters are wearing more vibrant colours to show their more enthusiastic approach to the picture.

Children of Men Essay

Children of Men, released in 2006, directed by Alfonso Cuaron and featuring Julianne Moore and Clive Owen, is set in London in 2027, where the human race can no longer procreate. The opening shows the changes in the world, helping to establish and help the audience understand what is going on in this time on Planet Earth. 


Even from the beginning of the opening sequence, the audience are able to hear news reporters reading out news headlines that inform the audience on  what's happened in recent years, setting the scene for the rest of the film, in just the first few seconds. These voices are heard whilst there is nothing visual on the screen, the screen is black, which also makes it easier for the audience to concentrate on what is being said. 
The last news headline we hear, as the shot changes into a shot of what appears to be a cafe, is one about the youngest child in the world being killed, just aged eighteen. This is very confusing to the audience as it begins to make them ask questions, such as why the youngest person is only eighteen and why so many people have crammed into a small cafe to watch this one news story. 


Clive Owens character, Theo Faron, is seen entering the cafe, pushing past the crowds, drawing the audiences attention to him, which makes him considered to be a main character in this film. This is made more definite when the camera moves forward to follow Theo out of the cafe and into the street.
Out on the street, the differences that 2027 holds compared to modern day London are more apparent, helping to set the scene of the film even more so that the scene in the cafe with the news. 
The whole mood of the scene is dark and miserable, with lots of pollution and no real, natural light around. There isn't much colour present except for a few dull blue colours and some red in posters and the typical red London buses, the rest is dark greys and blacks. Along with this is the familiar city sounds of car engines and horns that the audience can relate to if they've ever been to a large city or watched other films or television programmes featuring a large city. The camera continues to follow Clive Owens character outside and pans round him to face back the way the character had just come from. This then means the camera can see the explosion from the cafe and using a point of view shot, runs back towards the explosion to show the chaos that has ensued after the explosion with other characters also running around in terror and confusion. 
The explosion is the last thing to be seen in the opening sequence, so this adds more questions to the audiences minds, making them want to watch more of the film. 


There is also only ever two cuts throughout the opening sequence, keeping the audiences attention where the director has intended and they cannot get confused, if there is more than one shot being focused on, which here there is not. 
Most of the sound is non-diegetic and builds up the suspense of the opening sequence and is cut short as the explosion goes off, expressing the impact of it in the audiences mind. 


Personally, i was instantly hooked to the film, asking all the questions i believe were encoded into this sequence by the writers and director. I want to watch the rest of the film to know what's going to happen and why the explosion had taken place in the first place. 

Pillow Talk vs. Fringe

Both extracts from 'Pillow Talk' and 'Fringe' show didn't styles of editing and pace. Pillow Talk was released in 1959, directed by Michael Gordon and featured Rock Hudson and Doris Day. This factor contributes greatly to the different styles of the editing as the way movies and television series are filmed has changed over time, as technology has changed and better equipment is used, as 'Fringe' was broadcast in 2008, over 50 years after Pillow Talk. 
The pace and editing of both extracts also backs up this point about technology, as Fringe has almost double the amount of cuts as Pillow Talk, making the pace a lot less slow and boring for the audience and also because of the fact that the technology in 1959 may not have allowed the editors of Pillow Talk to create such a fast, flowing pace. 

In’ Pillow Talk’ the camera keeps the whole room in shot while two characters are talking and stays at a mid-shot throughout. We, as an audience, see the whole conversation from an onlooker’s point of view, whereas the extract from ‘Fringe’ cuts between two people to see the point of view of the characters and for us to see the facial expressions and reactions of the characters as the conversation takes place. They use straight cuts between the two characters to show the quick pace of exchange between the two people and adds more interest and intensity to the scenes for the viewer.
The colours used in both extracts affects the mood and emotions of the scene and of the characters. For example, Pillow Talk uses much more colour then Fringe which uses more dull, subtle shades. The red of the ladies dress in Pillow Talk helps add to the love aspect of the scene and the fact that this character is central to this scene and needs to be focused on because the audiences eyes are instantly drawn to her. The use of such a vibrant colour can also suggest the characters feelings and that she wants to stand out from the crowd. The use of darker colours in Fringe makes the scene more sinister and serious, helping to establish the mood of the television programme, letting the audience know what can be expected later on. It also makes the characters seem like they aren't wanting to stand out, they'd rather hang back from the crowd and stay hidden almost.
From an audiences point of view, both extracts are looked at very differently. Fringe can come across as being a bit too full on for some people who aren't used to it and can make some people feel as if they need to keep up with the quick pace and feel as if they aren't able to which can put them off. However, for others it can bring excitement and be more intensity if they like the sci-fi genre. On the other hand Pillow Talk can make the audience feel more at ease with its more relaxed pace and style of editing and not feel like they have to keep up with it constantly, this also has its flaws as some viewers may find this boring and will stop watching after a while. 
For it's time, Pillow Talk was an excellent film, but as technology changes so does the audience and what they want to see within a film. So, nowadays audience would find something such as Pillow Talk less appealing than something like Fringe that is more interesting in the style it's been made and appeals more to younger people who have grown up with films and television programmes edited in this way, unlike an older generation who would have been used to more slow paced scenes, with very few cuts. 
Overall, the two extracts, 'Pillow Talk' and 'Fringe', are very different in the pace and style of editing, due to their target audience and changes in technology. If Pillow Talk were modernised or Fringe was made in a similar time to Pillow Talk, there wouldn't be a lot of difference except for genre. However, the quick, non-stop cuts and zooms throughout the extract from Fringe, make this a much more interesting and enjoyable watch for the modern day audience.