1) The document discusses editing techniques used in a 2-minute title sequence for a thriller film. Ellipsis and continuity editing were used to omit unnecessary elements and create a continuous flow between shots.
2) Shots were sped up to add urgency and pace, and fades were used between location changes. Black screens with diegetic sounds were inserted to let the audience use their imagination.
3) Match cuts and camera focus techniques were employed to smoothly transition between shots of a van and set up a video camera scene. Thin white titles on black screens were chosen to not distract from the thriller atmosphere.
2. We have used an ellipsis of time by which we have missed
out parts that aren’t relevant to the title sequence for
example the actors walking into the garage we did not
need to show them walking in we could just change from
shot to shot as the audience is aware of the location that
the actors have reached. We therefore did not need to
show elements that would slow down the continuity of
our piece. We have used continuity editing by which
each shot continuously forms into the next without stops.
It gives the impression of continuous time and with only
a 2 minute title sequence we wanted only to include the
significant elements required which would also keep the
audiences focus as shots change
3. • For each title we have included we have used a fade in
and fade out to black. As the van approaches the main
location we speeded up the time so that it would follow a
slightly faster and rushed pace to suggest there is some
form of speed within our opening. There is a shot where
the carpet roles open towards the camera. We decided
that as the carpet reached the camera the shot would go
black to appear as if the carpet is covering the camera
whilst they do something suspicious. During these black
shots we hope to have some dajetic sounds so that the
audience has to figure out what is happening behind the
black and uses their imagination. These black shots also
involve Hitchcock’s idea of “Let em play god” as the
audience has to decide what they think is going to
happen and/ or is happening.
4. • We have speeded up the pace of the car, for a rush
almost urgent effect. This pace of the cars also matches
the pace of the opening thriller to help it to look
specifically urgent. The red street lights at this point are
beaming which connotes danger may be ahead. The
lighting for the overall thriller is dark and the street lights
have created a red tint which has helped for an alerting
effect. We also speeded up the pace of the car
sequence as the car reaches location to continue this
sense of urgency. We have edited our match on action
shot and cut as the back doors of the van are opened to
then inside of the van looking out. We did this first during
filming by first filming a shot from outside and then a shot
from inside the van, the during editing we cut these two
shots in order to produce a match on action shot.
5. • As the garage door is opened by the male
kidnapper, the red light from the street light is
further shining in order to promote this sense of
danger. For the set up of the video camera we
have used 4 different shots in order to show this
process. We have edited a fade out and then
back in during one of these camera shots, in
order to enhance the depth of field used in the
shot. The depth of field has helped in order to
ensure the video camera is the main focus within
the frame
6. • We have also incorporated a fade to black
between the location of the isolated
garage to the two kidnappers inside the
van. This ellipsis of time has been
enhanced and made clearer by the fade in
order to show further urgency to our
opening title sequence.
7. • Regarding the titles, we decided to use a
thin white font, to not create distractions
from the thriller. We decided not to place
these on the action itself but instead on
the black screens which are in-between
the shots. We thought this would help the
overall mood and promote a further
darkened atmosphere.