The document summarizes the creative process behind developing the opening title sequence for a new British social drama film. It describes how the sequence follows conventions of the genre, such as using natural lighting and locations reminiscent of films like "Ill Manners" that focus on social issues. It also discusses how the sequence challenges some conventions, like having a predominantly female cast rather than male-centered. The creative team developed ideas from titles of films like "La Haine" while seeking to establish distinct identities for each main character through their costumes and makeup. A variety of camera shots and framing techniques were used to convey emotion and continue genre traditions.
1. In our opening we have followed the conventions
normally used in an opening title sequence. These include
the order of title’s, the length of each tittle which we
found is between 3 to 4 seconds and the sense of enigma
being created. As well as the introduction of genre, tone
and the average length of the whole sequence (2 to 3
minutes long).
We have developed ideas from La Haine title sequence –
The font, black/white titles. We developed this convention
by making the titles appear to type and they appear from
left/right/top/bottom of screen etc.
Genre conventions Used:
We have created the opening title sequence to a new
British social drama film. They are usually low budgeted,
set in a city/real-world locations. An example of this is Ill
Manners which is set in the centre of London in a real life
council estate with natural lighting and is biased about
social issues including crime, relationships, politics etc. Ill
Manors is largely based around drug deals and crime, This
is England focuses on politics and race. They include a
predominately male cast. However we have challenged
2. this by using three main women actors in our opening.
This is a scene from Ill Manors witch has used natural
lighting and we have chosen to also use this type of
lighting.
We have tried to create a different identity of each of our
characters. The girl below is wearing a costume not
normally associated with a social realism film. She is a
shown wearing rubber duck earring and a indie jacket
with chunky white shoes.
3. The girl in the middle is wearing a bold, bright and vibrant
red lipstick, which sets a sense of mystery. She is wearing
a full tracksuit. This outfit can be seen almost all social
realism films.
This shot has been taken from the La Haine.
4. We have used different camera shots including
Establishing shot, close-ups (to convey emotion) , reaction
shots, 3-shot Framing etc. We have looked how the
framing and composition has been used in other social
realm films and have tried to do the same in our opening.
Extreme close up-
Our film Shot from Brick
Medium Shot from behind-
Ours Shot from Ill Manors
5. Low angle medium shot-
Ours Shot from kidulthood
Extreme long shot-
Ours Shit from Brick
Challenging the Convection – We have used a
predominately female cast which is very rare in social
realist films:
For example, in most British social dramas women are
subordinate to men and are normally just girlfriends or
wives in the background. In our opening women have
been casted as the lead roles. The men’s role in our
opening is much less significant. This is unusual for a
6. social realist film.
These stills have been taken from British social realism
films, this is the generic way in witch women are
represented in this style of film. However in our the
women have all the power and are shown as important
and powerful.