Finished Opening Logos

I have designed some original logos of made-up companies which will appear at the beginning of this film. The programs used to create these were 'Paint' and 'Photo Plus 09'. When it comes to adding them to the film opening, they will appear with a simple animation to make them look more interesting and official, after all, companies like 'Universal' have a highly elaborate opening animation for their logo. We will do without any animation on such a professional scale for this short film opening.

MIDNIGHT PICTURES (A Titan-Mind Company) Presents

In association with FALLOUT FILMS

A RED-X-SCAR Production

ORIGINAL LOGOS (Thoughts)

The Distribution Company is essential for any Films success. They supply vast amounts of money which go towards all kinds of marketing, making sure the target audience is aware of the films existence by the date of cinema or DVD release.

1. Warner Brothers is a company which is responsible for the distribution of films like 'The Dark Knight', 'Inception' and 'Harry Potter'.

2. Twentieth Century Fox is a company which is responsible for the distribution of film like 'Avatar', 'Titanic' and 'The Day After Tomorrow'.

These Companies are often subsidiaries to a Parent company. For example, Warner Brothers is a subsidiary company of Time Warner.

For our Film Opening, original Logos will be Required, along side these names.

MIDNIGHT PICTURES - Distribution (Subsidiary to TITAN-MIND)

RED-X-SCAR - Studio

FALLOUT FILMS - Separate Studio

The logos for these are still to be designed.

INTERROGATION INSPIRATION 2 - The Dark Knight

THE DARK KNIGHT

In Christopher Nolan's 2008 Blockbuster, 'The Dark Knight' there is one very interesting Interrogation Scene where the Joker has been captured by the Police and is to face Batman who need information out of him. This is a key plot-point in the film and is of a very violent Nature. This scene can be seen below (From YouTube) and I will analyse the techniques used for this interesting and sinister scene, giving information on how the scene was Filmed and why it was done this way.



The Room is in complete Darkness at first, presenting a dark, enigmatic and sinister backdrop for the interrogation. The Joker's face is alone (As if suspended) and shrouded in shadow, which is in contrast to the white face-paint on the Joker. The room is plain and the table is plain so there is nothing to catch the audiences attention other than the Lamp, the Joker and the Police Commissioner. The lamp is the source of the (minimum) light and acts as the medium between the characters, setting them both up as the predominant characters in this scene.

The basic 180 degree rule is applied throughout this scene. At first the Joker is kept on the left side of the frame and the Commissioner on the Right. This shifts around once the commissioner leaves and is replaced with Batman, suggesting that Batman will have different methods of extracting information from the Joker than the commissioner does.

One feature of this scene which catches my attention is from 4:19, when the Joker is on the floor, therefore at a Low-Angle, implying he is in a vulnerable position. And the Batman is at a high-angle, conveying his position of superiority over the Joker, while he is beating him up. The thing which I find most interesting is the positioning of the Batman's hands when the Joker is in shot. Both hands are so close to the Jokers face and clenched while Batman breathes heavily (Anger), this makes the Arms look much more deadly and enhances  the merciless feelings which Batman (the interrogator) must be having. Also, the Batman remains a dark silhouette so he is an enigmatic threat, looming over the Joker.

INTERROGATION INSPIRATION 1 - Dead Space 2

The 2010 Video Game 'Dead Space 2' has an interesting interrogation scene in it's opening. Although this is not film, this opening shares many similarities to what could easily have a been a film sequence, e.g. the 'over the shoulder' perspective which we see throughout the interrogation. However, there are no cuts in this sequence, something which must be included in the film sequence which I am directing.
The echoing sounds are effective in creating unease and the small pool of light around the interrogation limits the border of the area in which this ordeal is taking place. This limit, makes the scene seem enigmatic and claustrophobic.

SCRIPT PLAN (First half of the opening)

ORIGINAL FILM OPENING SEQUENCE - PART 1

OPENING TITLES:

(COMPANY LOGOS)

MIDNIGHT PICTURES PRESENTS

A RED-X-SCAR PRODUCTION

IN ASSOCIATION WITH FALLOUT FILMS

AN ANGUS BENTHAM FILM

TITLE --- (For Discussion among Group)

>> CAST NAMES

<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.       <!--[endif]-->EXT – SCATTERED CLOUDS OVER BILLINGE HILL – MORNING

Howling wind bridges THREE moving cloud Shots and into the rest of scene 1. Setting provides peaceful atmosphere which is then broken by an incursion of WHITE NOISE from a Radio Transmission. The Camera then pans down from clouds onto a Radio Mast (at Billing Hill). White noise fades away and the Radio Speaker provides a voice-over for setting’s brief exposition.

(WHITE NOISE)...Good Morning, it is Friday the 18th of March 2022, and you are listening to IMPERIUM FM. To start with...

(WHITE NOISE)...Increased Gale-Force Winds so you can expect to see thunder Storms by the early hours of tomorrow morning. We advise you keep...

(WHITE NOISE)...We are still reminded of the chaos which took place right across the country 10 years ago?

(WHITE NOISE)...collaborator has been detained. It is thought that she may have information on the whereabouts of Britain Most Wanted; the infamous General McMillan. You should remember that we are your protectors and can make sure that all criminals meet their just deserts. Our role illuminates your future; a future of freedom, prosperity and peace.

(WHITE NOISE)...Play LACRIMOSA by MOZART

>> MUSIC BRIDGE INTO NEXT SCENE

<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.       <!--[endif]-->INT – SHADOWED HALL WITH SMALL POOL OF LIGHT – Character is lying down here (MOST WANTED).

Low Bass Rumble sound for uneasy atmosphere along-side classical music which is fading into an echo. A silhouetted tall figure enters the hall - Use 180 degree Rule with the slow, suspenseful approach. 

FILM OPENING ANALYSIS 2 - EDWARD SCISSORHANDS

This opening sequence is interesting because of the design of the sets, it shows that much thought went into every detail of the features within the frame (as Tim Burton likes to do in his film Openings). The most important thing about this film opening to my research is the way in which it incorporates the Titles and credits over the video. An example of this is when the title overlays on the scene saying 'A Tim Burton Film', just as a door opens. This effect creates the impression that we are entering the world of the film that Tim Burton has Created.
This method of showing the cast names and production team names will be the primary inspiration for the manner in which the titles are showcased in my own film opening. However, the style of Tim Burton's openings, such as this, are far too elaborate in terms of set for me to create. The genre of our own film opening will not be so similar to this one.

FILM OPENING ANALYSIS 1 - BLACK HAWK DOWN

This is the opening sequence to 'Black Hawk Down', Ridley Scott's 2001 War Film. This opening sequence is interesting because of it's use of colour to emphasise the early time of day. This effect could have been done using a filter or perhaps as a digital effect.
The audience is immediately drawn into the film because of the all the bodies lying around on the floor. An enigma is created as it makes the audience question why so many have died, and more importantly why they are not buried. There is smoke and dust blowing across the landscape to emphasise a chaotic, apocalyptic, and wild setting for this film. Also, the ambient sound of howling wind can be heard behind the soundtrack which seems to be a song inspired by the culture of Somalia.
Another important feature of this opening is the use of 'Info-Boards' to explain the exposition. This information reinforces the bleak imagery of corpses which are in the scene and does not leave everything to look random.

There are no real opening TITLES or CREDITS in this sequence so my next post will be subjecting a film opening which actually has these included in it.