PRELIMINARY EXERCISE: FILMING AN OPENING SEQUENCE

This post models for you what you will writing on your blog this weekend for PREP but obviously don't just copy this 

This week, we made practice film openings using the idea of 'table top' filming. Our brief was to film in one continuous take and to include a tiny live action element within this.

RESEARCH

We viewed three examples of opening sequences filmed in a similar 'table top' style.

Using Art of the Title, we watched Delicatessen (1991, Jean-Pierre Jeunet) and noticed how its inventive camerawork tells a story and sets the theme. Another excellent title sequence was that of To Kill A Mockingbird. 

We also viewed work created by last year's students.

We then use these as inspiration to create an original title sequence in groups by setting up the mise-en-scène using props from our props collection.

PLANNING

Before filming started, we laid out all the props that were elements of our film narrative's mise-en-scène on the table.

We also researched and discussed music tracks for the soundtrack. One option for our title sequence uses the soundtrack Nostalgia by Emily Barker (the Wallander theme tune). Another was ....

FILMING

We then filmed the 'live action' element, uploaded the footage into the editing software and planned our titles, credits, editing, special effects and soundtrack.