Ideas for Titles 2

Further ideas for titles

We felt that having one continual background through our credits would not interest our audience.  We started to plan ideas for titles as a pair, and decided to put screenshots from the film as the background.  After watching the opening of Sherlock Holmes, we felt that this was an effective way of using screenshots from the film, yet still have them as credits.  We wanted to keep the parchment background, so added a drawn effect to the screenshots.  Here are three examples with comparisons from Sherlock Holmes on the left of the grid.

In comparing the two, I feel that our actors images do not blend in with the parchment background.  I will need to change this before putting these images on our titles so that we create the correct effect.

Filming

Thursday 3rd February 2011: (Writing Sequence)


We recorded and filmed the letter writing sequence from 1:30 - 2:30pm.  In this scene, Billy is writing his letter to Elizabeth.  The narration is what he is writing in his letter.  The narration took 20 minutes to film.  5 minutes for rehearsal, and 15 minutes to make sure that the sound was correct, and that our actor, Ash Coombs, portrayed the correct emotions of Billy through just his voice.  We successfully did this after 2 recorded attempts.


We then had half an hour left to film the footage that would accompany the sound.  Ash quickly changed into costume, we set the scene, and used the lighting within the drama room to create the right lighting state.  This added mood and tension to the scene.  


Myself and Hannah took it in turns to shoot and direct the scene.  We worked quickly and effectively as a partnership, making sure that the time we had was used correctly and efficiently.  


Saturday 12th March 2011:  (Letter Sequence)

Today, we planned to film the letter sequence.  In this scene, Billy is giving Elizabeth's hand maid the letter, which he trusts will be delivered to Elizabeth by the maid.  However, at the end of the scene, the maid throws the letter away.

(Maid - Jess Oxley)

Because of difficulties with location, we lost time trying to think of a suitable, alternative location.  We moved our location to Fishers Gate.  (Image below)  Because of the lose in time, we began to rush, and therefore missed out little shots, that when filmed, will join each main shot together to make it flow.
Myself and Hannah both shared filming and directing roles in turns, sharing each others ideas, and overall, working well as a team.

(Fishers Gate)

I feel the main problem that we encountered was the surrounding sound.  The location was very public, and was close to a busy car park.  This meant that any dialogue filmed would have car engines and talking in the background.  We will have to record the dialogue separately and match it to our footage when we edit on Wednesday (16th March)

Tuesday 22nd March 2011: (Walking Sequence)

(On location - Walking Sequence)
Today we planned to film the first part of Billy walking to deliver his letter.  Whilst filming, we felt that each shot we produced was effective, and engaging for the audience.  However, because the sun was bright, in some of our shots, dust on the camera lens was visible.  This created marks on the footage, and so we were not able to use any of the shots created on this day.  (Examples below).  We plan to reshoot as soon as possible.

Example footage (dust on lens)

Wednesday 23rd March 2011:  (Walking Sequence)


Today we re- filmed the first sequence of Billy walking to deliver his letter.  This time, we took into account what happened yesterday with the dust on the lens, and tried hard not to direct the camera into the sun.  When we watch our footage back, we found it much clearer than the previous footage and therefore useable.

Title Analysis

Sherlock Holmes

http://www.artofthetitle.com/2010/01/21/sherlock-holmes/

"Detective Sherlock Holmes and his stalwart partner Watson engage in a battle of wits and brawn with a nemesis whose plot is a threat to all of England."

 

This title sequence introduces its audience to the period of the story, the witty and light-hearted feel of Sherlock and Watson when solving their cases, and the strong "brotherly" bond between the two main characters (Holmes &Watson).

Sketched images and titles presented in a hand written font, convey the period. The writing and the page is often messy. This suggests that the film will be fast paced, disorganised and spontanious. After watching the whole film, the audience members re-watching the title sequence or who have read the books, will also understand that the disorganised, spontanious characteristics are that of Sherlock Holmes.

The images used in the title sequence are the main events within the rest of the film.  These show again the witty atmosphere of the film.  (For example, the scene where Sherlock is handcuffed to the bed, naked, with just a pillow to cover himself with).  The image of No. 221 Baker Street, which to readers of Sherlock Holmes, or who generally know, shows us a familiar location within the story.  This connects the viewer to the story, and they become familiar with the characters of Holmes and Watson, and therefore emotionally connect with the characters quicker.

The selected images are used to introduce the main characters and actors of the film, and in doing this, the close friendship of Holmes and Watson.  The images are go from moving images to still frames.  They then transform from clear images to sketched images on parchment or newspaper. This conveys the period of the film, and also introduces us to the idea of note taking, which both Holmes and Watson do within their investigations. 

Personally, I believe it also introduces us to the main spread of information and fear.  Within the film, we learn that Holmes and Watson's main concern is to lower the fear level of London.  At the time, people's main form of gaining information would have been through newspapers and word of mouth.  I believe we are introduced to this idea so that we feel like a Londoner living within the period of Holmes and Watson, and are interested to follow their investigations and see the result.

Also, because we are looking at future scenes within the film, it implies that we are looking back on one of their cases.  Readers of the newspapers would find out the details of their investigations after the events have happen. 

Because the images are placed on a parchment background, most of the colours used within the title sequence are muddy, dull colours.  This suggests the personality of Sherlock. He is continually trying to keep a low profile within society.  Using muddy colours which do not stand out convey the secretive character of Sherlock.

However, reds are used within some of the images.  For instance, the fight scene.  The red could be used because of the blood, however, I feel it is used because it is one of the only scenes where Sherlock is the centre of attention amongst strangers.  Throughout the title sequence, we are shown how Sherlock's personality changes continually throughout the film. 

Weather Forecast (12th March 2011)

(Saturday 12th + Sunday 13th March 2011)

This weather forecast will be perfect for our film.  Because we are filming with an animal, we needed to make sure that the weather conditions on the day of filming were safe for the horse.  Weather has been a problem for us.  However, if these weather predictions are correct, weather on these two days will be safe for the horse, and we will therefore be able to film. 

Audience Research

We handed out 7 questionnaires to people that are interested in the film industry.  Here are the results...

("X" marks what people answered)

How often do you watch films?

2 or more?

1 a day?

1 every other day? (X)

Once a week?     (XXXXXX)

Once a month?

Hardly?


Favourite film genre?

Rom-Com? (XXX)     Action? (XX)       Period Drama?  (XX)         Romantic?  (XX)      Thriller? (XXXX)
Chick Flick? (X)      Comedy? (XXXX)        Sci-Fi?  (X)

We are producing a period drama.  What do you expect the content to be in a period drama?

• "High quality standard filming, acting and editing.  Authentic sets and props which match that of the period."
• "Extravagent costume, romantic storyline expensive looking set.  Sophisticated language and script."
• "Story to be set in the past.  Characters and sets to be accurately portrayed for the relevant.  Language used also relevant.  No modern day language/props etc."
• "Romance and Tragedy"
• "Historical"
• ''Sets and costumes that reflect the time period, old fashioned language, historical elements.''
• "How people lived, worked and played."

What do you expect the characters to be like?

• "Quite posh, well spoken.  Dressed smartly.  They should conform to social hierarchy."
• "To have a social divide and for it to be apparent in their costume and dialogue."
• "Definite 'period' roles for men/women e.g. men seen as breadwinner/provider, women as homemakers/servants for the wealthy."
• "Stereotypical "Mr Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet" Characters, for the leading roles."
• "Polite, and well mannered.  Respectable"
• ''Well presented, well mannered, pretty.''
• "Characters would depict different classes - upper class/lower class, servants, colourful personalities."

What do you expect the locations/set design to be like?

• "Grand manor houses, with extravagent props inside"
• "To appear expensive, with reasonably bright colours."
• "Relevant to the 'period' e.g. Georgian, Edwardia.  Use of horses + carriages.  Regal setttings for country houses + the wealthy"
• "Expensive.  Posh.  Elaborate designs, for house and surrounding gardens and landscapes."
• "Large manor houses.  With colourful, expensively decorated rooms"
• ''Expensive looking, big, grand, posh.''
• "Old fashioned, cobbled streets, horses, grand houses, slums"

What sound/music would you assume to hear within the film?

• "Gentle music which fits the mood of the film"
• "Classical music with the use of instruments such as piano and violins."
• "Classical pieces"
• "Relaxing string music, for example violins, cellos and harps."
• "Classical.  Relaxing music.  Piano/strings are often used"
• ''Soft, gentle music, string instruments.''
• "Classical music"

What type of costumes do you want to see within this genre?

• "Suits, dresses, posh costumes"
• "Suitable for the time period and to be extravagent"
• "Formal wear for both men and women.  Men wearing hats, even working classes.  Servants dressed in aprons"
• "Upper classes - suits (Men) and dresses (women).  Generally pastel colours for the women's dresses, such as pink, white, yellow and light blue.  These colours usually become more elaborate in evening dresses, becoming deeper purples and dark greens."
• "Respectable.  Hair smartly held back to show their faces.  Men in suits, and women in dresses."
• '' Men should be well presented, dressed in suits and smart wear. Women should be in dresses, light colours, something very pretty looking''
• "Grand dresses, long skirts, long sleeved tops, mens suits, shirts, jackets."

Weather Forecast

Weather Forecast (5th Feb)

This weather forecast made it hard for us to work with the horse.  We were informed by the horse-rider that the weather conditions on the day would have scared the horse.  We have rescheduled our filming to be on the 12th Feb.

The Letters

Billy's Letter

We felt that the letter we wrote for Billy to send to Elizabeth was over-exaggerated in the language that we used.  When read aloud, it sounded forced and feminine for a male to read.  We felt that further research into letters written by men of the time would  give us more knowledge of the language used, and the tone of the letters men would send their lover/wife.

"Sweet incomparable Elizabeth, what a strange effect you have on my heart! I look back, and in every one point, every word and gesture, every letter, every silence, you have been entirely perfect to me, I would not change one word, one look. 

God knows I wish you happy, & when I quit you, or rather when you from a sense of duty to your husband & mother quit me, you shall acknowledge the truth of what I again promise & vow, that no other in word or deed shall ever hold the place in my affection which is & shall be most sacred to you, till I am nothing.  

 You know I would with pleasure give up all here & all beyond the grave for you.  I was and am yours, freely & most entirely, to obey, to honour, love & fly with you when, where, & how you yourself might. 

Forever, Your Billy"

Elizabeth's Letter (Won't appear in film)

After writing Billy's letter, I decided to look at letters written by women of the period we are closely researching, and who had especially experienced the same emotions that we want Elizabeth (Devotion) to go through during the film.  I did this to research into true emotions of the period, and to develop the my writing style so that it fits into the genre and period of the film.

"My dearest Billy,  I write to tell you that my brother, Robert,  is at least a little better this morning. We had a long conversation yesterday that has helped him to come to terms with his grief.  He knows that I wish for a divorce.  Yet, he is still reluctant to give us his blessing.

Robert has asked if you will visit us soon. He wishes to meet you, dearest, and he is very much on our side. I know that my brother would stand by us if we chose to leave England together.   If you are certain that you feel able to leave everything behind and seek a new life together please come to me here soon.

Robert has urged me to do what will bring me happiness in life and I believe that I can never be happy without you. However, I could not leave my brother until he is able to cope for himself. I know you have been patient with me and I beg you to remain so until we can take our happiness at last.

Your own Elizabeth"