Opening of Inception

In the first two minutes of inception camera shots is used to create a certain atmosphere. In the opening scene there is a mid-shot that shows the setting and the characters. This creates mystery as we can’t identify where the film is based as it is an unknown setting. This can suggest that anything can happen in the film as the audience has no way of identifying where the setting is.

Another way the beginning creates an atmosphere in the opening scene of Inception is by using editing. In this scene they use a quick cut which is used to show the action in the scene and creates the atmosphere that a lot is happening therefore it needs to be quick so that the audience is able to see everything that is going on. The quick cutting means that the audience doesn’t know what can happen next as it is happening so fast. Also this can link to how the quick cutting can show the conflict this is by using quick cutting to show how all the characters are feeling throughout the action. Also it shows that there is a contrast in how each of the characters are feeling and it is shown by the editing due to showing a lot of things at once.

Also another way the Inception creates an atmosphere is by using sound. In the opening scene this is done by using non-diegetic sound which is a strong heartbeat sound. This can mean that they are trying to create a sense that there is panic. This would mean that the audience would get the feeling that they are involved in the scene and that they should be as well. This can involve the audience and give them a better understanding on what is happening in the scene and put in into reality. The non-diegetic is used so that the audience can get a better understanding what is happening within the film. The heartbeat would help them do this as it creates an atmosphere of chaos which is what the action in the scene represents. This raises the questions such as why is he rushing? This would be answered later on in the film which is why it is used in the beginning.

The Mise en scene is used in the opening of Inception to show what is happening throughout the scene. By the shots that are shown this scene might be shown in a temple which can mean exotic therefore isn’t a ‘normal’ setting. Also stereotypically temples are associated with Chinese people therefore it shows that the scene might be associated with money. Also in the Mise en scene it is shown that there is a letter. Which also links to the atmosphere of mystery this is because the audience will want to know what money has to do with the film? And what is so important about it?

Also other questions could be what is so important about the letter? And also why are they in a dream? As at the end of the scene it shows the character waking up.

Opening titles

Looking at the opening of three different films and it is clear to see what is different between all three of them. I looked at a range and these consists of Begin Again, The Talented Mr Ripley and The Hunger Games.

In the opening of Begin Again there is five idents then after they are all viewed then the come up onto the screen one by one in black writing. This takes up most of the time as three minute into the film the two main stars are shown with their names. after they are shown then the cast and crew are displayed so that people know who was a part of it the production of the film. Then a minute after a small title of the film is shown in white in the corner. This doesn't draw much attention to it and it only there for a few seconds as the film is being played. then at the 6th minute of the film, the last title is shown which is the person who wrote the film and the person who directed it.

 

For the opening of The Talented Mr Ripley there is only two idents which is less than there was for Begin Again. This doesn't take up a lot of time and the film starts with the director who is only on the screen for a few seconds then it starts to show what stars are in the film. As it gets a few minutes into the film the title is then shown. A few seconds after the rest of the cast and crew is shown whilst the film is starting and the names are shown by a coloured strip and either the top or bottom of the screen showing their names. This is effective because it is subtle however you are able to notice it and are still able to read them.

However the opening for The Hunger Games is different to both The Talented Mr Ripley and Begin Again as the main credits are at the end of the film therefore the director or cast and crew aren't recognised until the end. this means that the beginning of the film is quickly over and goes straight into the film. Another reason why this opening of the film was different was because the film showed a back ground story on a black screen with white writing this meant that the audience was able to know the basic story, this part of the opening was only on the screen for a few seconds as it wasn't that much to read. It then left this page and showed the title which then went into the main film by zooming out.

Opening of a thiller

I looked at a thriller opening to see what ideas I could use for my own production. I looked at the thriller 'Inner Evil' which had a girl on her own, which could suggest loneliness and as if no one is able to help her.

In this opening sound was used to suggest the viewer’s know that it is a thriller. This was done by music being added in which was old fashion music this gave the atmosphere that it's quite scary. Also another sound is the heavy breathing that is added in throughout the opening. This gives the sense of panic to the audience and can signify that something is going to happen. One last thing is the real life sounds that are within the opening as it can suggest that it is reality and can be associated with the audiences own life.

Mise-en-scene is used within the opening to show that not a lot is going on which means that the audience hasn't got a lot to concentrate on. Within this opening it is shown that her bedroom is white which could suggest purity. The house that is shown can be linked with safety as it is known to be somewhere for people to go for safety. However when she goes into the street it can suggest that she is on her own and has no one there to help her if anything happens, this can mean that there is a sense of danger.  When she goes into the backstreet it can suggest that something will happen to her as the backstreet is seen to be quite rough and can signify that something is or will happen.

Camera angles are also shown in this opening to create an atmosphere. Close ups are used to help creating this. For example a close up of the girls face is shown to create an atmosphere of panic which can suggest how the audience should be feeling. Another close up is of the key which contrasts the close up before as this close up is used to create a atmosphere of safety as a key can signify a lock which can be connected with being safe. However something that links to this is a mod show of the key cutting the girls throat which can show the audience that even something safe is still able to hurt the girl and nothing in the film is able to help her. Also a high angle is used in the opening which shows the girl walking down the stairs this can show that the girl is powerless and nothing she does will help her during the film as whatever is trying to hurt her is higher than her. Lastly a long shot is used to show safety as the house is shown to be the only place nothing bad has happened to her therefore signify safety.

Editing is used in this to show sense of panic. Fading and flash back is used to show that lots have happened within the film which is showed in the opening. Flash back is used to show that what has happened is haunting which can suggest that a lot is happening which can suggest to the audience that the girl is panicked and there is a hectic atmosphere within the setting of the opening. Telling the audience that the audience should feel as if they are confused this is giving the idea of mystery. Also fading is used to show that nothing in the opening is going to finish signifying that the story isn't able to finish due to the mystery.

From this I have learnt that everything plays a part in my opening to create an atmosphere of a thriller.

What I hope to get out of AS Media

Media production includes any type of communication, entertainment or information that is able to reach a wide range of people. Media production refers to the professional creation of such content. This means that the public are able to find out anything due to media. This can include music shows, magazines and TV shows. To me this means that I am able to find out information in a way that interests me, also it means that it is an interesting way to be entertained.

The areas of media I am interested in are films, TV shows and magazines. I am interested in films as the uses of techniques make me want to watch them more. For example in films the way that the producers use music to suggest how you should be feeling throughout the scene makes it more dramatic. Also TV shows mean that I able to find out what is happening in the world. For example by watching American TV shows it lets me find out how teenage life if like over there. Magazines means that I am able to read about things that I am interested in as there is a variety of different genres of magazines. The type of magazines I like to read is fashion and beauty, these interest me as I am able to see what is going on celebs life and able to get beauty tips from top stylists.

The strengths I already have are that I did GCSE Film and Media; therefore I am able to use things that I learnt to help me with my A-Level Media. This means that I also have covered the basic terminology which enables me to concentrate on the new terminology that I learn in A-Level. Also another strength I already have is that I’ve already done an exam in Media which means I already know how to manage my time whilst watching the clips and making effective notes. Another thing that is a strength is that because I have already done an exam on Media I am able to know what parts of the exam are my weak spots therefore I am able to work on them.

I hope to develop skills and knowledge that I don’t already know. This may consist of the new terminology that I didn’t learn in GCSE Media. Also I need to practice my exam techniques as I haven’t done an exam in Media for a while therefore I need to make sure that my strengths that I mentioned are still my strengths. I also need to be able to learn how to use different shots and angles to produce the best opening scene I am able too. I also need to learn how to use editing to help complete my coursework.

My ultimate aim for this course is to be able to remember the terminology. This then means I am able to use the terminology in my exam in the end which will enable me to get a good grade. That will be able to contribute to my UCAS points for university.