Film Name/Plot

We have decided to call our film "Devotion".

Definition:  commitment; loyalty.

I think that this ties in with the theme of the plot line for this film, and the emotions that the main character feels throughout the film.

Plot line:

"Devotion" is the thrilling period drama of local farm boy, Billy Walters.  Raised in the small village in Kent, Billy  is a hopeless romantic, who meets Elizabeth Harding, well respected primary school teacher, who is involved in charity work through the community, and in particular, local farms.  This is how the two become to know, and fall in love with each other.  Philip Jeffories, is in a desperate search for an heir to his inheritance.  He over sees Elizabeth's charity work, and instantly sees her potential as a outstanding mother.  He forces the arrangement of their marriage, and takes away Elizabeth from her community, and from Billy.  Billy desperately tries to maintain the relationship by continually writing letters to Elizabeth.  He can not understand why she will not reply.  We follow the story of how Billy tries to discover why his soul mate will not keep contact, and the struggle he goes through to maintain his love for Elizabeth.

Timeline of Credits:

Job roles within Production Comany:

Produced&Directed by -  

Miranda Amess & Hannah Emery

Light/Sound - 

Miranda Amess & Hannah Emery

Camera - 

Miranda Amess & Hannah Emery

Musical Director - 

Jamie Rogers/Miranda Amess

Costume - 

Miranda Amess

Set Designer - 

Hannah Emery

Make-up Artist - 

Miranda Amess

Actors - 

Rachel Bothamley/James Clayton/Daniel Macleod/

Kate Ferrett/Miranda Amess

Stunts - 

Jade Gothard

Opening Sequence Analysis

The Duchess

Diegetic sound of birds and farm animals, is the first thing the viewer hears.  These create the homely country feel, which in the main character, Georgiana's opinion, is the safest environment.  A Clock chime is also heard when the marriage arrangements are taking place between the mother and the Duke.  This gives the audience the feeling of time passing, and emphasises the awkwardness of the conversation/company.

The opening sequence introduces the audience to Georgiana's characteristics as a young woman, and her playfulness and happiness amongst her friends and loved ones.  It also shows the audience one of Georgiana's bad habits, which is gambling, which becomes increasingly worse then the character begins to rebel further on in the film, and the audience will be able to cons

The close fondness of Georgiana and Earl Grey is also suggested to the audience.  Further on in the film,  Georgiana has an affair with Grey, and gives birth to his son.  It is important for the audience to be introduced to this relationship at an early stage, so that the affair does not seem to start quickly.  They can see that from a young age they have had a connection.

The status of Georgiana's family is also cleverly shown to the audience.  Long shots of the friends with the grand house stood firmly behind them, suggests the family's wealth and status in society.  This is then emphasised by the rich clothing, and flamboyant hair styles that the women and Georgiana wear.

The mother, and the Duke both wear red to show their dominance and confidence over Georgiana, whose innocence is shown through the pure, off-white gown.  In the Duke's case, it can be said that his clothing could suggest the danger, and power he has over his new wife.

This is an effective opening sequence, because the main themes of the film, such as money, marriage, heirs and lack of love  are shown to the audience during this opening sequence.  This is important for the audience to know the themes so they know the mood/atmosphere the film will possess.  We are also shown the relationships between the main characters, and the emotions they will feel towards each other.  We are shown the status of the characters and who will dominate who, through the colours and the style of costume.

Dorian Grey 

The first thing the audience hears in this opening sequence is strange syths.  These are not natural sounds.  Throughout the film, we learn that Dorian Grey never ages, but his portrait does.  Obviously this is not a natural thing that happens, so the syths illustrate this.  His supernatural appearance which is shown through the music, is then contrasted with the piano, which is a natural made sound.  This can be connected to when Dorian Grey first came to London, and was completely naive and innocent.  The music built the tension gradually throughout the sequence, and high pitched strings gradually began to dominate the music.
Throughout the opening sequence, greys, browns and blacks, created a muddy, dark atmosphere.  This creates the feeling of the unknown, and emphasises the tense emotions that the music has created.

The first shot we see is of Dorian in white clothing.  This could have been used to show the characters naivity and innocence.  However, when he stabs something, we see that the character in in fact violent and aggressive.  The white clothing was also used effectively because the red was emphasised by the white background.  This made a point of the danger and death, and illustrated that this would be a main theme in the film.

After Dorian has finished stabbing the object, he smells the blood stained scarf.  This suggests that the character is obsessed with the person/creature it has just killed.  It also suggests his carefree and emotionless feelings towards the other.

This squence is effective, because we are introduced to what characters in the film think of Dorian, for instance, the Policeman has not stopped Dorian with his blood leaking box.  This suggests that Dorian is high up in society, and is a well trusted/respected man, who would not be questioned.  However, throughout the opening sequence, the audience discover the murderer that Dorian becomes through mise-en-scene, and instanly become intrigued to watch how the character became like this, and why and who he has killed.

Spider Diagram of Chosen Genre

Costume Moodboards

Maid Costume Research

Ladies/Lead Female

Film production Logo Ideas:

Idea one:  QuilTech

The idea was that we would bring the regency method of media, such as novel/letter writing together with modern methods of media through new technologies.

After looking at my research on Film Production names, and how they fit in with the film genres they make, we decided to call our production company SkyLine.  We have also drafted, and developed a company logo (displayed below).

First Draft

Second Draft

Final Draft

After feedback, we found that this logo did not fit in with the theme of our period drama.  This is because the logo is set in a modern skyline.  We felt that the background needed to show the time period of our film.  

We decided to re-think our ideas.  Here are examples from our second brain storm.

Idea 1

Idea 2

Film Production Company Logo's

DreamWorks Animation

DreamWorks Animation SKG is devoted to producing high-quality family entertainment through the use of computer-generated (CG) animation. Their aim is to release two CG animated feature films a year that deliver great stories, breathtaking visual imagery and a sensibility that appeals to both children and adults.

DreamWorks has used a cloudy, 'dreamlike' background to their logo.  This is effective because it builds on the fantasy within the content of most children's animated films (such as Shrek).  However, the boy sitting on the moon is very realistic.  This will appeal to the older generations watching the film, because it makes the animation seem more life-like.

The different, vibrant colours make the font stand out from the background, and also appeal to the younger audience, and make it more exciting to view.

Universal Studios

Founded in 1912 by Carl Laemmle, it is one of the oldest American movie studios still in continuous production. On May 11, 2004, the controlling stake in the company was sold by Vivendi Universal to General Electric, parent of NBC . The resulting media super-conglomerate was renamed NBC Universal, while Universal Studios Inc. remained the name of the production subsidiary. In addition to owning a sizable film library spanning the earliest decades of cinema to more contemporary works, it also owns a sizable collection of TV shows through its subsidiary NBC Universal Television Distribution. It also acquired rights to several prominent filmmakers' works originally released by other studios through its subsidiaries over the years.

Because the name of the company is called 'Universal Studios', the artist has chosen to use a space view of the world.  Although colourful, children would find this less appealing.  This, I feel, is because a formal, business like font has been used.  Whereas, 'Dinamo Productions' have used a more artistic, fun font.  A easy colour scheme has also been used.  In comparison, 'DreamWorks' have used colours that clash, and create a play-like feel.  'Universal' have used colours that all go together.  This would also appeal to a older audience, and would fit in with the atmosphere of most film genres.

BBC Film

BBC Films is the feature film-making arm of the BBC. It has produced or co-produced some of the most successful British films of recent years, including Stage Beauty, A Cock and Bull Story and Match Point. It currently produces approximately eight films per year.

Up until 2007, BBC Films was run and funded as a private company, with its own offices (in Mortimer Street around the corner from Broadcasting House), while still under the full control of the BBC. A recent re-structuring of the division integrated it into the main BBC Fiction department of BBC Vision. As a result, it moved out of its independent offices into Television Centre, and its head David M. Thompson left to start his own film production company. Since April 2009, BBC Films has been led by Christine Langan and Jane Wright.

The BBC Film logo is very plain compared to most film production logos.  This will appeal to an older audience, and ties in with the type of films that they produce.  For example, Becoming Jane is one of their recent releases.  To some, because it is not as action-packed as American blockbusters, it would seem dull to some.  I feel it appeals to a older audience because of its content, and so the logo connects to the film.  They have also taken the well known, and seen 'BBC' logo.  As soon as the audience see this, they know of the production company, and the type of media texts they produce.

First Draft - Title Sequence

These slides are not in the time that they will be seen in slide.  Cross dissolve will be slower in transitions.  The pan will be smoother, and steady.  Pan/tilts will be more clearer when filmed. 

Shot 1 (Opening shot/logo) - Production Logo with appear on this shot.  The logo will fade in and out.  Once faded out the camera tilts downwards to show shot 2.  

Shot 2 (Establishing shot of area) - Titles will appear in the centre of the screen.  Pan camera right slowly.  Cross-dissolves into shot 3 when reaches the end of tree line.

Shot 3 (Introducing Billy) - Camera will tilt downwards slowly to shot 4.

Shot 4 - Camera then follows the horse (at same speed) by panning to the left, and stops at shot 5.  This shot will introduce to the audience how atheletic the character of Billy is.  And will also connect Billy to a working class background due to his horse/costume/appearance.

Shot 5 (Long Shot) - This shot will show the audience how far away Billy is from Elizabeth - Distance between the characters emotionally and physically. 

This  footage will an black ink drawing effect, on brown parchment.  This will connect to the letter writing, and will also establish the period of the film.  When it comes to shot 3, the picture will transform to reality.  And example of this is in this student made title sequence of 'Pride & Prejudice'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMXSXTo0yhA

Pride & Prejudice - Title/Opening sequence

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6RI7Rb2g6k

Title Sequence:

The Focus Features & Working Title logo's are the first thing the viewer sees.  This informs the audience of what to expect from previously produced films from the same company.  Focus Features and working title are highly rated production companies, so the audience will know of their previous success, and will expect the same from this media text.

The first thing the audience hears is a diegetic sound of a bird and the sound of water dripping.  This created a country/pastoral atmosphere.  Cold greens, which were then contrasted with the heat of the rising sun, developed on the warm country atmosphere, and created a positive vibe for the rest of the film.

Clear, formal font was used for the titles.  A warm golden colour was used to contrast with the cold greens of the morning dew.  This can be seen as a metaphor for the family remaining positive through hard times, and somehow pulling through, to make a positive ending.

Romanic music can be heard throughout the entire title, and opening sequence.  The main instrument used was a piano.  This ties in with two of the main characters, Elizabeth, and her sister Mary Bennett, who both play the piano in the film.  The music played was of a romantic theme, and this also ties in with the main genre of the story.

Opening Sequence:

From the opening sequence, we are informed of Elizabeth's main hobbies.  These are reading and walking.  This quickly develops the character as a "different model" of woman to the society of the time.

From the establishing shot of the Bennett household, we can see the the family are not financially stable, from the messiness, and disorganisation of the farm animals, and staff.  When the camera travels through the house, we can also see the that house is not well kept.  This implies that the family is not concerned with the appearance of the house.

However, we learn that the Mother's and all but two of the daughters, are only concerned with marrying well, and creating financial support for themselves, and the rest of the family.

We are also introduced to the main location of the film, and also to the family of Elizabeth, and some of their characteristics and hobbies.  We learn that Mary is interested in the piano, and is calm and peaceful, that Kitty and Lydia, are excitable, childish and mischievous, Jane is only concerned about the welfare of her sisters, and cares dearly for them, that Mrs Bennett is only interested in making sure her daughters are married to amiable men, and that Mr Bennett wants to keep peace and happiness in his household.  During Mr&Mrs Bennett's "secret" conversation, we are also introduced to the character of Mr Bingley, who we learn has recently taken  residence close by and is in need of a wife.  This sets the viewer up for the main objective to the family, and what how they will achieve it.

IN conclusion, I feel that this is an effective opening title/squence.  Warm colours created a warm atmosphere, which was reflected by the positive vibes of the family. We were introduced to the main characters of the story, and their main objections.  As an audience, we are intrigued to find out, whether they will achieve these objectives, and how they will go about achieving them.  This makes the opening most effective.

Emma - Title Sequence

The film production logo, 'Miramax Films', was the first thing the audience see.  This informs the audience of what they may expect within the film, from previous films Miramax have produced.

We then see a quickly spinning globe.  When we are given a close up of the globe, it slows down, and tells the viewer of the film the main location of the story, which is London, Highbury.  As the globe continues to move round, we are cleverly introduced to all of the main characters that will appear in the film, and also the houses that they live in.

These images are given to us through miniature portraits.  These were popular in the period of the film, and also, we later discover painting to be one of the main characters hobby's. The form of painting was water colours, which is also a popular form of art.  Brown, green pastoral colours were used to create the warmth, and positive vibe of a country village, and the positive atmosphere of the film.

The globe could also represent the little world that 'Emma' lives in.  Mentally, and physically.  As a character, we learn that Emma see's the world through rose tinted glasses.  It could also represent how she knows little about the world outside of Highbury.

Peaceful, romantic music can be heard throughout the opening title sequence.  This creates a calm, carefree atmosphere for the rest of the film, and informs the viewer that it will include romance, and happiness.  Soft instruments, such as the flutes and soft strings create this atmosphere.  These instruments are usually used for romanic music, and are often used in folk music.  This connects with the dancing of the period, that we see in the film.

Floral patterns and a formal font are used for the titles.  These set the high status of the Woodhouse family within the village.  Floral patterns were also very popular at the time.  These patterns also develop on the pastoral theme of the title sequence, and the warm atmosphere.

Overall, this opening sequence is very effective.  It informs the viewer of all of the main characters, and the locations we will see them in, and also creates a warm, positive atmosphere for the remainder of the film.

Main Influence: JANE AUSTEN (Novelist)

Jane Austen

Jane Austen was a major English novelist, whose witty, elegantly structured fiction marks the start of the 19th century romanticism.

At the age of 14 she wrote her first novel, Love and Friendship, and then A History of England by a partial, prejudiced and ignorant Historian, and others.  In her early twenties Jane Austen wrote the novels that were later to be re-worked and published as Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice and Northanger Abbey. 

As a young woman Jane enjoyed dancing (an activity which features frequently in her novels) and she attended balls in many of the great houses of the neighbourhood. She loved the country, enjoyed long country walks, and had many Hampshire friends.

Jane Austen then went on to write Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice and published them in 1811 and 1813.  Mansfield Park came out in 1814, followed byEmma in 1816 and she completed Persuasion, which was published together with Northanger Abbey in 1818, the year after her death. None of the books published in her life-time had her name on them — they were described as being written "By a Lady". In the winter of 1816 she started Sanditon, but illness prevented its completion.

Jane Austen had contracted Addisons Disease, a tubercular disease of the kidneys.  Tragically, there was then no cure and Jane Austen died in her sister's arms in the early hours of 18 July, 1817. She was 41 years old. She is buried in Winchester Cathedral.