CREATIVE CRITICAL REFLECTION (FOUNDATION PORTFOLIO)

Q U E S T I O N   1

Q U E S T I O N   2

Q U E S T I O N   3

Q U E S T I O N   4

FINAL EXPORT

CREATING THE LOGO

LOGO TIMELINE

PROBLEMS & SOLUTIONS OF THE LOGO

FINAL EXPORT

PRELIMINARY TASK 2: CCR

LOGO OBSERVATIONS

PRELIMINARY TASK 1: CCR

OPENING SEQUENCES

Vertigo (1958)  [Vertigo Clip]

Vertigo’s opening sequence is very unique to other thriller sequences, making it so engaging, although the codes and conventions it follow are similar, it creates suspense and anticipation in the viewer through the lack of an establishing and extreme close ups shot giving very little context to the viewer as to where the woman is, what she is doing and even what her emotion is. Then when the extreme close up pans up to her eyes, the woman's eyes begin to dart from left to right, raising the question of what she is looking at and why does she look so paranoid and or scared. The camera moves in to just one of her eyes, and every thing in the shot becomes washed with a red filter, this no only creates the feeling of mystery but also one of intrigue as to; ‘why red’? The word “VERTIGO” emerges from the centre of the pupil, But then coloured spiralling shapes come from the centre of the pupil and then the centre of each other, the spiralling images are called lissajous waves. These lissajous waves create quite a strong feeling of disorientation with the viewer which Saul Bass did very intentionally to try recreate the disorientation related to the feeling of vertigo. The other key thing that keeps thing that keeps the intro engaging apart from all the incredible imagery is the intense music, it is quite eerie which helps the reader know there is something suspect with the woman.

North by Northwest (1959) [North By Northwest Clip]

The key in this opening, which is strongly linked to the title of the film, is directionality. The opening sequences starts with a blank green which evokes its own emotions and would have been used to a particular purpose (could have been a recurring motif). This green then has lines running across it, not directly up and down but from random angles. This creates intrigue with the reader with the question; ‘what are these lines’? Then credits proceed to run from all directions and going in different directions, creating confusion. It then fades into a building and reveals that these lines aren't so random in fact, they are the window pattern crated by the C.I.T building in manhattan, which is a key building in the movie, which creates its own set of questions and sense of mystery, why is this building linked with this strong sense of directionality, with different lines going in different directions in it. It then fades into a shot of masses trying to find their way, again, going in all different directions, but now since it is significantly more on mass in creates a sense of disorientation. But the engagement in this opening is found in the mystery and initial vagueness.

Skyfall (2012) [Skyfall Clip]

This opening credits uses classical codes and conventions linked with thrillers such as low light, intense music, mystery and various other conventions such as mirrors and shadows specifically as he attempts to kill them, but the key things in this opening sequence are the symbolic imagery in it thats creates intrigue in the reader but send an intense message. First of all he gets dragged down by a big hand which is most likely symbolic of a higher authority establishment, this hand pull hims under ground this could represent hidden secrets or how he is kept away as a secret. Then there are masses of targets with him in the background, this could be just showing how he was shot but also how his job makes him a target, and is always putting him at risk and these are the first few of many different symbolic imagery but most of the different images are to do with either death, weapons or himself dying. So this concoction of symbolism and imagery and music makes for an extremely artistic and intriguing opening sequence.

Cabin in the Woods (2011) [Cabin in the Woods Clip]

(Up to 2:50) These opening  credit are different to the others chosen. Its starts similarly with running blood with different mythological and ancient messages inside the blood but as soon as that is done it goes extremely normal with the conventions of either a comedy of another light hearted genre with high light, no intense music, no action just plain conversation. This is simply trying to create the equilibrium explained in the first stage of Todorov's theory with the two character in routine and gleeful. But the audience from the premise of the movie and the opening credits (with the blood dripping) are, whether subconsciously or very eagerly looking for something out of the ordinary. This makes the title jump scare with the non-diegetic scream so frightening.

THRILLER SUB-GENRE: Codes & Conventions

THRILLER TYPE	DESCRIPTION / CONVENTIONS
Psychological	Examples: Silence of the Lamb (1991), The Shining (1980), Momento (2000), Vertigo (1958) Content: Psycho Thrillers includes and emphasises characters and their unstable emotional state. They usually include a plot twist, an unreliable narrator, and a macgriffin (an object/goal that helps the story to progress). Common Themes: These include reality, as some of the main characters have an unstable emotional state it is the link between what they think is real and what society thinks is real. Also linked with that is both perception and the mind. Other common themes are that of death, existence and identity. Sound: As in most thrillers music is very eerie and chilling but quite often they will use different styles of music between sane characters and insane characters. Mise en Scene: Quite often in psycho thrillers they use mirrors to portray different effects, such as the ‘dark side’ of someones personality.
Mystery	Examples: Gone Girl (2014),  The Prestige (2006), Shutter Island (2010), North by Northwest (1959) Content: Mystery films focuses on the attempts of a detective or someone like a private investigator to try and solve a mystery. Although every thriller has a sense of suspense, it is crucial in a mystery thriller to have mystery throughout. This is usually done by use of sound (diegetic & non-diegetic) camera shots & editing, heavy shadows and plot twists. Common Themes: these include Crime, there are few mystery thrillers that don’t involve the law in some way, making crime thrillers and mystery thrillers nearly interchangeable.
Comedy	Examples: RED (2010), Wild Tales (2014), Bad Boys (1995), Sholay (1975). Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005). Content: This genre is usually very different to other thriller sub-genres because it is a hybrid of two very different genres. They usually are light hearted or use sadistic or dark/black comedy Music: This is dependent of what other sub genres it becomes a hybrid with, because if is more of an action (Mr. and Mrs. Smith) then the music will match a action movie, intense, loud and exciting. Whereas is it is leaning more towards a supernatural or psycho thriller comedy (Housebound (2014)) then it will have intense suspenseful music.
Political	Examples: The Bourne Identity (2002), Z (1969), JFK (1991), The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956), All the Presidents Men (1976) Content: Political thrillers usually have to do with a political power struggle. They can be strongly based on a true story or a fictional adaption. There is usually one party with power and another party trying to remove that power. Common Themes: usually have to do with political corruption in some form, giving one party incentive to act against the corruption. Another common themes are terrorism and warfare.
Legal	Examples: A Few Good Men (1992), The Verdict (1982), The Firm (1993). Content: These are thrillers where the major characters are Lawyers and their employees. The intense scenes and excitement are quite often created in a court room, and these don’t lean as heavily on lighting as they do on sound, mise en scene and camera angles. These usually are more thrilling in a dramatic sense, than in the use of jump scares and other frightening elements. Common Themes: Common themes usually are along the lines of law, crime, justice and right and wrong usually plays a key part in the film.
Spy	Examples: Casino Royal (2006), Argo (2012), Tinker, Tailor, Solider, Spy (2011), Army of Shadows (1969) Content: Spy Thrillers have many cross overs with mystery thrillers, they are just specific to spies. They deal with fictional espionage, they show the   espionage agencies and their risk of being exposed by their enemies.
Supernatural	Examples: The Ghost Rider (2007), Carrie (2013), The Gathering (2003) Content: Supernatural thriller include content and characters that is not natural.  Supernatural thrillers are not always horrors, although the movie industry often do make hybrids of the two. The fundamental difference is in the name, horror movies aim to horrify the viewers with gore (e.g. torture, graphic violence, vulgar and petrifying imagery) whereas thrillers have the purpose to excite and thrill the viewer without the purpose of disgusting them. Common Themes: Avery common theme is possession where a character or object is possessed with an evil spirit, other themes include death, exorcism and fear Sound: Usually very tense since supernatural thrillers rely heavily on suspense. Editing: Editing is usually very quick and commonly includes shots such as low angles, fast/shaky tracks,

Note: I have not commented on styles, contents and conventions of the thriller genre, I have attempted to comment on how this particular sub-genre is different and or similar to other sub-genres.

REPRESENTATIONAL CODES

MARCO POLO S01E01

GENDER ROLES

This series is based in the 13 Century, so it was common for men to be doing the majority of important work, and this is seen throughout the first episode for example in any important governmental meeting the only people of importance, giving strategic advice, or involving themselves in important conversations are the men.Whereas the women are just there observing not giving input. Another key example of this is Niccolò Polo wife is left behind as he travels, it was very common in that day, that the man would do his job, even if it included traveling, and the woman would be expected to stay home and tend to the needs of the house.    

AUTHORITY

In china there was a lot of respect for authority, wether for Kublai Khan or for the other Chinese emperor, which was stereotypical of that age where one leader would have such a strong rule over particular empires/dynasties. Through out the film the viewer gets a strong sense of the hierarchy of authority in China.

SOCIAL PRESSURES & EXPECTATIONS

There was a social pressure and expectation at that time for Marco Polo to be an merchant like his father, Niccolò Polo, because in that time it was common for son to take up their fathers profession.

ETIQUETTE & VALUES 

In Kublai Khan palace people must follow a set of etiquettes such as bowing at his feet a certain amount of times, not turning your back to him, not speaking out of line etc. And there is a juxtaposition of etiquettes, because Marco Polo is European and he is in an Asian culture there is a strong contrast of the Western and Eastern sets of etiquettes and values.

LIFESTYLE & LIVING CONDITIONS

There is a strong contrast shown with the lifestyle in the peasants on the streets, and how people live in Kublai Khans Palace. There is also a strong contrast between living conditions in Venice and in China. As Venice is very romantic and beautiful and China has a strong traditional look to it. And overall the living conditions of people who are not royalty are below average.

FREEDOM 

Under the governmental rule of the mongols there is little freedom in China for many villages, and civilians under the power of Khan and his soldiers. This is clearly shown in the very first scene of the episode with a village than has been entirely wiped out by Khans men. There is also a contrast between the Eastern and Western definition of freedom, Kublai Khan says to Marco Polo "I'm giving you freedom" but he's is not allowed to leave, and he is told what to do on an almost hourly basis, so this emphasises the lack of true freedom under Khans rule.

RACIAL & RELIGIOUS DIFFERENCES 

Marco Polo is segregated, he is known as the foreigner and treated differently because of his race. There is a strong feeling of unwelcomeness towards Marco Polo due to his race. And there are many religious differences such as Kublai Khan forces everyone to bow to him no matter their religion (e.g. a priest)

TECHNOLOGY

Since this series is set in the 13th Century there is a big technological difference between then and current day. This had and effect on there living conditions, and many other aspects of day to day life, such as simple things like electrical lights did not exist so candles had to be used, to more serious matters like when Niccolò Polo went on a long journey he came home to find out he had a 17 year old son and his wife had been dead for over a decade, and this was all due to a lack of technology not allowing communication internationally. Also a lack of technology meant that they were travelling over dangerous waters in boats that were very dangerous and life threatening. 

MISE EN SCENE 
Costumes: Depending on what the characters may be doing, or the scene they are in dictates the clothing/costumes they wear. For example in the opening scene when they are walking in to an abandon village they are wearing clothes commonly associated with eastern travellers in that era, allowing the reader to immediately draw the conclusion that this group of people have been traveling. Also costumes separate the poor, the travellers, the warriors and the wealthy.

Props: In the opening scene there are many graphically dead bodies, this is not for the soul purpose of making the show more graphic and violent but to represent to the viewer how violent, brutal and relentless song dynasty and to show the viewer that they are feared.

Lighting: There is low light setting quite a somber and depressing mood. There is also very little colour in scenes in China  There is a strong bright light on the leader Kublai Khan when he is sitting on his throne, this may represent the authority that he hold within his dynasty yet when Khan sits back his face is in complete darkness, showing he is very mysterious. When there is a flash back to when Marco Polo lived in Venice there is use of bright lighting, and a vivid use of colours to give a positive and less oppressive feel.

Setting/scene: In the opening scenes there is the destroyed village and mass amounts of smoke surrounding the village which reinforces the point of how feared and powerful the Kubali Khan and his men are, and the smoke gives and extent to widespread attack was.

All mise en scene has a main purpose, especially in a show like this which is set hundreds of years ago and that is to increase the verisimilitude for the viewer so it is more incapsulating and believable. 

SOUND
Diegetic: There is a strong use of diegetic sound when Marco and Niccolò Polo are escorted into the presence of Kublai Khan and when they encounter all those beggars and people trying to sell goods on the street. Another Situation with a strong use of diegetic sound is in Venice (e.g. vendors talking and the bustling/movement of the people by the docks) to show how busy it is. The diegetic sound in the Chinese streets and at the Venetian docks are very different though. In China there is a lot of screaming, yelling, and different imposing and unpleasant sounds. Whereas the coastal diegetic sounds of Venice are very much background talking showing the viewers how much more peaceful Venice was.

Non-Diegetic: In the music there is a lot of traditional Chinese to match the era. This helps to build the scene and easily separates when the setting changes between Venice and China.

EDITING & CAMERA
In sequences where there is few people, and of those few people they are all allies (like when Marco & Niccolò polo are traveling, or when they looking at the destroyed village) there is slightly longer shots and a good flow to the shots giving a feeling of calmness to the reader, but when there is a lot of unknown people whether unknown, or enemy the cutting is a lot more harsh and disjointed. This gives the reader the feeling of being overwhelmed and confused, quite similar to how Marco Polo must have felt at the time.

BLOG ASSIGNMENT: Opening Sequences

What is the purpose of opening credits?
Opening credits aim to inform the audience of the main of the members of the production, it usually includes the key creative roles such as the name of the studio, production company, main members of the cast, music scoring, etc. The opening credits usually have a similar order of mentioning across different films.


What is the difference between opening credits and a title sequence?
Opening credits are usually nothing more than informational text superimposed in post production, where as the title sequence is how the film chooses to present their title. The title sequence is stereotypically what separates the main action from the opening credits. The two included examples are some famous and iconic title sequences.

Vertigo (1985)

Anatomy of Murder (1959)

What techniques can be in an opening scene?
Opening scenes employ a variety of different techniques and methods. In terms of camera shots often there will be establishing shots that allow the viewer to draw their conclusion of the setting and time/era. Media with opening scenes such as these will often include camera shots like extreme long/wide shots, shots of the scenery or landscape and can include other techniques like time-lapse, birds eye view shots, PoV and many more.  But the convention of starting with an establishing shot is not the only way of starting a film. They may start the with the opposite of a establishing shot, an extreme close up, this also sets the scene but in a very different way, it uses mis en scene to imply to the viewer what the setting is. A good example of this is To Kill a Mockingbird (1962), where the close ups of a toy box, crayons and pencils show the viewer that the film is set in a some sort of children's area, the reason this technique is usually used is to leave the viewer with a sense of mystery. Other film starlings include stating with intense action to draw in the viewer, and allows them to get a grip of the setting slightly later in the opening scene, such as the film The Hurt Locker (2008). These more abstract beginnings to films don't give much idea of setting because it is not their main purpose they usually have the purpose of intriguing the viewer and giving a sense of genre, mood and tone of the film.

In terms of sound there is usually a variety of diegetic sounds (e.g. voices, moving cars, animal sound, etc) depending of the setting but in more abstract opening there can be silence, muffling, heavy breathing and all sorts of different sound effects that evoke certain felling amongst the viewers like fear of suspense. The non-diegetic sound in opening scenes is usually typical of the genre of the movie. Editing in opening scenes will vary from movie to movie, some will start with very fast cuts, but other movies feature very long cuts for example the movie Gravity (2013) has a first cut that last 17 minutes. There can be harsh cuts, fades to white, black or simply to the next image and all these different cut types and length are used to particular purpose within the film.

In terms of Plot, a opening scene is usually at the beginning of the storyline, but it doesn't have to be, an opening scene may start in media res, where the movie starts in the middle of the plot such as Iron Man (2008). This technique is used to get the reader on the edge of their seat. Also a movie can show the end of the plot in the opening scenes and then reveal how they got to that point such as the movie John Wick (2014).