similar product research

1. RESEARCH:
The Spy Who Loved Me:
I chose to study the film opening for the spy who loved me, due to the fact that not only is it a
similar genre to the film I would like to film (action), but it also includes a similar unusual opening to what
I had in mind for my film. (a ski chase). This film is set in the alps which therefore fits perfectly with my
wanted location for my film. Due to the fact that the area is known for its vastness and un predictability it
adds to the action and un predictability of the film, and therefore creates a tense and ‘on the edge of your
seat’ film.
At the start of the bond film you have the iconic bond girl and bond scene, which is abruptly
interrupted by a message from Q. This tells the viewer that something is wrong. A t the same time the
shot occasionally swaps to a view of the ‘baddies’ which are represented as ;baddies’ by there black/dark
clothing and weaponry. When bond then leaves the woman we then realise that the ‘innocent girl’ is
actually part of the scheme, as she radios in to the baddies. This then lets the audience know that a chase
is going to happen between bond and the men in black/ dark clothing.
In comparison to the film I will shoot the bond film doesn’t introduce the characters with names
on screen, but in stead in credits after the first couple of minutes. I will use to first scene to introduce the
characters with names under Neath them on screen. The opening chase in the bond film is edited very fast
with often cuts and changes to the camera angle. This means that due to the fast editing it makes a fast
and action packed scene. This building the tension and increasing the pace and speed of the scene.
The setting for the scene is introduced well as to begin with they are in a log cabin, which shows
the scenery around (snowy mountains) clearly through the windows of the cabin. It then switches to the
men in black and skis and therefore show us the potential theme and further setting of the scene.

2. RESEARCH:
Bourne identity:
The reason I chose this film opening was due to the fact that, not only does it follow the same
genre as me, but it also introduces the scene and characters in a way that makes sense to the audience
even though it sometimes skips ahead without subtitles to explain the situation. The film opens with a
shot of a body floating in the sea. Its also night time and therefore dark. It then switches to an establishing
shot of a boat out at sea, very much looking alone and without land insight. This then tells the audience
that not only does it tell us the location roughly (sea) but also the exact location of people (boat). The
scene then consists of either the people in the boat playing cards, or the man floating in the sea. As well as
this The people in the boat playing cards are not speaking English which tells the audience where in the
world this might be located, and also gives the impression that its not happening in English waters. You
then see a man walking (in full waterproofs telling us its raining) through a corridor in the boat and
eventually outside on the boat. The whole time that this man is walking he is swaying and falling over
which also represents how the weather is bad and the seas are choppy. The music in this scene shows is a
gradual increase in volume and pitch, but this music is used as more of a background noise to build up the
tension in the scene. The main noise is the weather. When in the boat the sound of rain in the deck above
them is predominant, whereas when outside the sound of torrential rain hitting water and the occasional
crack of thunder. Again representing the weather around, giving the impression that it could be a leading
factor to something that’s about to happen. We as the audience know that something is going to happen
due to the fact that the music is tense and gradually building to a climax.
One aspect of this film opening is that no characters were introduced with actor names.
Although I imagine some of the characters are insignificant, the man floating in the sea is clearly a main
role and therefore in my opinion would need to be introduced. If I were to change anything that is what I
would do.
We are clearly told as the audience the genre of the film due to the serious music, dark setting
and the body floating. These things all add to be quite disturbing and tense and therefore show us how the
film is serious and potentially an action crime, rather than a comedy or romance.

3. RESEARCH:
Top Gun:
The film Top Gun has appealed to me greatly due to the fact that it is of the same genre film
opening as the genre I am intending on doing. This film has many factors in which I would like to use in
my film opening. To begin with in the credits section of the film showed a feature that I haven't yet seen
which is; the better/more well known the actor is the longer their name stays up on the credits for. This
helps emphasise the importance of some actors in comparison to others, and show a potential of the
hierarchy of the characters. Nearly straight after this a similar page appeared with a fair amount of writing
on. This writing was explaining what had happened previously to the scene that was about to be shown.
This helps the audience gauge background information and therefore be able to understand the goings on
of the next scene better.
A way this can be adapted is to give writing to briefly explain, and then snap to a short shot of a
scene giving imagery of what happens. This helps develop a better view and wider image for the audience
to further understand the plot and history of the characters or the situation. When the actual titles are
running in the background there is a dim, darker, silhouette of what the film is predominantly about. This
lets the audience know what they might be about to view and start speculating on the plot and getting
excited about what might happen. In top gun there are obviously jets in the background. These jest are
very clearly getting ready to launch as there are uniformed people below giving signals of what to do. Not
only does this introduce the theme but also gives an idea of what the uniforms and human story might
revolve around. For example in this film you get a strong idea that it will be about a pilot and his life story
about flying. To adapt this and make it appropriate for my scene it could be a ski chase or a chair lift
moving in the background, This showing people how/what the film might be about.
During the titles also rather than music playing, there was background noise of jets and planes
with the occasional radio message as if it were through ear phones a pilot would be wearing. This helped
the audience acclimatise to the situation they would be in if they were in the fil. And gives an indication of
what its like for the actors in the film.

4. RESEARCH:
The A Team (original):
I chose The A Team film opening credits scene for many reasons. Firstly due to the fact that it’s
a classic, old film and for that reason the credits are at the beginning. (unlike most modern films). As well
as this the film has the same genre as I intend my genre of film to be. This opening credits scene has many
valuable quality's, which could come in very useful when it comes to making my own film opening. These
quality's were. Firstly, when showing any wording such a credits and or actor names, the credits were in
time with what was happening. For example if there were clear special affects, then the SFX editor name
would appear. Then when mentioning the actor the character would appear on screen and do something
personal to them. For example Hannibal would be smoking a cigar with a determined expression on his
face, and in the background something extreme would be happening, such as being in a helicopter, or an
explosion in the background. Whilst this is happening the actors name would appear in large font, then the
characters name would appear in a smaller font underneath.
Another important aspect of this opening that could play an important part in my own film
credits scene, would be the action sequence, and the techniques used in order to capture the viewers
attention. The shots throughout the film constantly changes in quick succession, which then gives that
quick paced action effect. Meanwhile in the background, intense and fast paced music which gradually
builds up add to the tense and on edge theme of the film. This opening scene has to catch the viewers
attention and ensure there eyes do not flicker off the screen at any point.
Finally, what I enjoyed most about this opening credits scene was the fact that, even thought the
audience hadn’t yet at this point been told the plot, and reason to why this specific chase was happening,
they could still understand who were the good and bad guys, as well as who was dominating the
chase/fight. This was cleverly done and emphasised with a mixture between; costume, colours, music to
each character, what happened to particular people. For example the ‘bad guys’ were in black and were in
monotone coloured cars. (many of which crashed and blew up, therefore indicating they were loosing the
battle/fight) as well as this individual faces weren’t shown which tells the audience that this particular
character isn’t important in comparison to the ‘good guys’