Difference between mainstream and independent films

Difference between mainstream and independent films

• Big star names such as Daniel Craig
• Popular songs and music used in the films opening sequence 
• The genre they use is a safe genre
• The film will have high production values
• They will be able to use better technology
• Font and titling are key

• Independent genres are specific, they are not afraid to do risky genres
• Low Budget
• Not as good technology as mainstream
• Gritty
• Independent film opening use less titles because there is less personnel
• Less distribution compared to mainstream films

This will help me when it comes to making my own film opening because it shows me what the difference is between mainstream and independent.

Film Openings and Audiences

Film Openings and Audiences

Film openings could attract audiences by using two theories, the first theory is the hypodermic needle theory which is where the media has a direct and very powerful effect on its audiences.



A famous example of the hypodermic needle theory is when Orson Wells was reading the War Of The Worlds and he was interrupted by a news bulletin claiming that Earth was being attacked by martians and that their landing point was Grover's Mill, New Jersey and this caused mass hysteria.

Film openings could also attract audiences by using the second theory which is the uses and gratification theory and this is different to the hypodermic needle theory because it assumes that the audience are not passive and that they take an active role in putting media into their own lives.



For example people may watch the Indiana Jones franchise because they want to escape what is going on in their life and join in the Indiana Jones world and enjoy it.

This will help me when it comes to making my own film opening because it shows me the two main audience theories I could use in my film opening.

Making a film opening with jelly babies

Making a film opening with jelly babies

In class we were told to make a film opening using only post it notes and jelly babies.

The reason we did this was to plan a film and to also put all of the film titles in the correct order and to also see what other people in our class made.

This will help me when it comes to my own film opening because it showed me what I could do for my film and where all the titles in a film opening should appear

Generic Conventions in Film Openings

Generic Conventions in Film Openings 

In films different genres show different generic conventions, for example comedies have light hearted music and horrors have lots of death shown. This means that at the start of the film the audience will already know what the genre is and will not be confused because they will see all these typical generic conventions. 

Toy Story - Generic Giveaways - Animation/Family

• Happy upbeat music       
• The name "toy story"
• The titles are all in lower case
• Animation
• Non diegetic sound - Song is about friendship 

The Shining - Generic Giveaways - Psychological thriller

• Non diegetic sound - music is dramatic and frightening
• Not much of the film shown
• Not a lot given away, audience have to watch it to understand it

Superbad - Generic Giveaways - Comedy

• Music is light hearted and upbeat
• Comical Dancing
• The colours in the film opening are all bright and vibrant

Dawn of the Dead - Generic Giveaways - Horror

• Lots of death is shown
• Music was ironically upbeat
• Close up shot of zombies
• Smeary blood writing used for the titles
• Diegetic sound - Screams and the news reporter 

Drive - Generic Giveaways - Thriller/Crime

• Dark Background
• Not much given away in the film opening
• A lot of low key lighting is used in the opening

The Vow - Generic Giveaways - Romantic

• The title of the film "the vow"
• The man singing I could do anything for love
• Quite a slow pace

This will help me when it comes to making my film because these all tell me what to include if I was to do that certain genre.

The Impact of Certification

The Impact of Certification

The reason films need certification in the UK is because it is a law. The law is the video recordings act of 1984 which is where all video recordings that are for sale or hire in the United Kingdom must have a certification that has been set by the BBFC ( British Board of Film Classification ). The reason they do this is to stop young children from seeing gruesome images and strong language in films they would watch.

 For example Pineapple Express which was made in 2008 had a section of its film cut because it included a bit where schoolboys were were sold drugs by someone and this made the rating a 15 instead of an 18.
 Another clip that had its clip cut and its certification lowered was Welcome To The Jungle and they cut scenes that had a lot of violent action and the glamorisation of weapons. These scenes were cut and the rating went from a 15 to a 12A.

This will help me when it comes to making my own film opening because it tells me the scenes that would get cut and what to put in each age range so your film does not get cut.

Certification in films

Certification in films

This will help me when it comes to making my own film opening because it tells me what I need to do to get each specific certification.

The first certificate used is a U which means universal. A film that has a rating of a U is available for everyone including very young kids to see because these films are always upbeat, reassuring and positive. Two examples of a U rated film are Chicken Run and Finding Nemo.

The second certificate used in films is the PG rating which means parental guidance. If a film has a rating of PG it means that everyone is allowed to see it but children under the age of eight have to be with a parent while they watch the film. Examples of PG rated films are Short Circuit and Grease.

The third certificate used when judging films is the 12A. A film that gets a rating of 12A only applies to the cinema because this means that no one under the age of twelve are allowed to go to cinemas and watch 12A films. Examples of 12A films are Meet the Parents and the Bourne Identity.

The fourth certificate used when determining an age certification for a film is 12. If a film gets a certification of 12 this means that no one under the age of twelve is allowed to watch it anywhere including on a DVD or at a cinema. Examples of a 12 rated film  are Step Up 3D and Fast and Furious .

The fifth certificate in filming is the 15 certification. Films that get a rating of 15 mean that no one under the age of fifteen may see the film because these 15 rated films often contain a lot of strong language and violence. Examples of a 15 rated film are Hot Fuzz and Rush.

The sixth and final film certification in film is the 18 certification. If a film gets an 18 certification it means that only people over the age of 18 are allowed to see these films because these 18 rated films usually have a lot of strong violence, gore and frequent bad language used. Examples of 18 rated films are Trainspotting and Sin City.

Film Opening Timelines

Film Opening Timelines

Watchmen

For my first film I chose to do the film Watchmen, this film will help me when I make my own film opening because this film shows me where I should put the institutional logos and what order each person should go in during the opening sequence.



The Shining

For my second film opening timeline I decided to do the film called The Shining because this offers a different way on how to introduce everyone who has worked on the film and this film opening would help me when I come to making my own film opening because it shows me a different way on how to open a film and a set a scene.


Superbad





















For my third film opening timeline I decided to go with the film Superbad because this shows me a completely different way to open a film and will help me when it comes to making my film opening because it shows that their are many ways to open a film and set a scene.