Notes on Sound

In Media, there a variety of different sounds which are communicated through films, TV programs and in general every day life.

Examples of these sounds include:

Diegetic Sound:

Diegetic sound is sound in which can be heard within the frame. For example; the sound of a kettle boiling is classed as diegetic sound, as the characters can hear this piece of sound.

Non Diegetic Sound:

Non diegetic sound is the complete opposite to Diegetic sound. For instance, non diegetic sound is when sound is not heard within the frame, so basically it has been dubbed over. A prime example of non diegetic sound is sound effects, or music which has been dubbed/edited over a particular sequence.

Dialogue:

Dialogue is speech which is communicated between two or more characters in a particular sequence. Dialogue is always Diegetic.

Leitmotif:

In music, a repeated phrase or them used to suggest an idea or character in the story.

Contrapuntal Sound:

Contrapuntal Sound is sound, but in particular music that contrasts or conflicts with the action in a film. It may cause disorientation, which may make the audience question what they are seeing.

Synchronous Sound:

Synchronous sound is sound in which matches the visual image such as dialogue matching up with the characters talking.

Asynchronous Sound:

Sound that isn't in time with the visual elements. For example, characters aren't speaking in time.

Audience Profiling Notes

What is Audience Profiling?

Audience profiling is when a market researcher attempts to find out what audience they are most likely to target andy why they should target this particular audience.

Audiences within the Media are organized into several different categories and demographics.

For instance, some examples being:

- Age, Gender, Race and Sexuality

-Education

-Occupation

-Annual Income

-Disposable Income

-Current Lifestyle

-Aspirational or desired lifestyle

-Culture

-Media Interests

-Buying Habits

- Loyalty to Brands

Film Pitch - Lesson Notes

A pitch is a concise verbal (and sometimes) presentation of an idea for a film or TV series which is generally made by a screenwriter or director to a producer or studio executive in the hope of attracting development finance to pay for the production.

Pitch - Brief - Must be one short, effective and catchy sentence. For instance: "Snakes On A Plane"

Notes:

- People should always understand the building in the blocks

- Everything must have a subtext

In order to make a successful film pitch, the following questions should be asked or be able to get across:

• What genre is your film?
• What other films in this genre have inspired your film/is your film similar too?
• Who is the target audience for your film?
• When will your film be released (Summer, Spring, Autumn, Winter, awards season)?
• How much money will your film cost ?
• How much money will your film make?
• Who will star in your film?
• Who will direct your film?

Film Distributor

What is the purpose of a Film producer?

- To help release films

- To help promote films

-To gain recognition for films

- To help create Synergy/Partnership with a film company in order to create a successful film

A film distributor is the link between the producer and the exhibitors (the cinema chains/Television Networks). There aim is to get as many people as possible watch and know about the film.

The distributor markets the film and develops an appropriate advertising campaign.

- A distribution is in charge of getting the film to the audience

- This involves organizing for the film to receive an age certificate/rating.

In addition, a film distribution company arranges for prints of the film, marketing and the overall publicity. Distribution includes marketing films as well as providing the actual film it self to cinemas, TV networks & Digital Services.

Distribution

An example of a film distributor is: Warner Bros.

Some of their films include Austin Powers, Rush hour and more recently The Dark Knight.

Brief information regarding Warner Bros:

- They are a part of "The Big Six" which connotes they are a huge film distribution company.

- They were started by four brothers. Their surname being Warner, hence the name being Warner Bros

-They on average produce 300 films a year

-Warner Bros have the ability to produce big budget films.

Presentation - Film Pitch Task

Media presentation film pitch

The above presentation is the film pitch in which we as a group had to create. The purpose of this task was to enhance our knowledge and skills regarding the media/film industry and also the ability to create a successful film pitch.

The presentation required us to try and sell a film in which we had to think of on the spot. The film in which we designed is entitled 'Betrayed'. The synopsis of 'Betrayed' can be found on the PowerPoint Presentation.

In addition, the powerpoint consists of vital information regarding our film. This vital information being: The target Audience, the demographic, the release date, the actors and the cast and crew.

The Art of Film Title Design throughout History

As part of this weeks homework, we were asked to research into "The Art Of Film Title Design Throughout History".

After researching online, I managed to find an interesting and rather reliable article!

The Article being - Reference:

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2010/10/04/the-art-of-the-fi

lm-title-throughout-cinema-history/

Below is some relevant and suitable information I found from the article:

Titles in Silent film:

• Words and lettering played an enormous role in films of the silent era. Film titles made their appearance in the earliest silent films, along with letter cards (or inter-titles), which provided context.


• Lettering Artists within Silent Films collaborated with the scriptwriter and director to create narrative continuity so that audiences could follow what they were seeing.

Why have I extracted the above information?

I decided to extract the information above, mainly because I found the information to be useful. Furthermore, the article is reliable;therefore I automatically am aware that the information is correct and accurate.

Still Images:

Below are some interesting images from the main title release “The Cabinet of Dr. Calligari” (1920). I decided to extract these images mainly because they are from one of first ever Titles in a silent film. In addition, I must admit the typography within both still images is bold, in which I believe is eye-catching to me as the audience.

The true birth of Title Sequences:

• Breakthrough ideas in titling, such as timing the typography to interact with metaphorical imagery or to createits own world, were largely innovations that came from outsiders to the Hollywood studio system.


• Figures such as Saul Bass, Pablo Ferro, Maurice Binder and Richard Williams arrived on the scene in the 1950s, at a time when the studios were starting to flounder in their fight with TV.

Why have I extracted this information?

I have noted down these two facts above, mainly because I found them to be interesting and

very informative. Adding on, the second fact in which I've noted down is fairly important, especially seeing as there is a mention of some prolific title designers. For instance: Saul Bass

The above still image is an image from the film "North by NorthWest". I have decided to use this image, mainly because it has been extracted from a title sequence in which Saul Bass had designed and created. In fact, it is from his first ever title sequence in which he designed.

What do I like about the image?

The typography in which has been used is creative and rather colourful; therefore I get the feeling the rest of the title sequence is like this.

The Digital Era, And Modern Trends In Film Title Design:

• Every sphere of contemporary life — and especially the film business — has been affected by computers. For designers, creating film titles meant participating in the apprenticeship tradition


• The Internet-enabled archiving of everything and the plethora of schools that propagate countless design disciplines. Most significantly, we see designers working like filmmakers and filmmakers working like designers.

The above information has been extracted mainly because I found each fact to be useful, appropriate and suitable to what I was looking for. Furthermore, the above facts also state about how the computer and internet have revolutionized the way in which we see and view title sequences.

Typography Resources:

• HPHLS Vintage Prop Fonts -n amazing collection of revived vintage fonts, many of which were used in early cinema. Among them are faces based on the National Old Style, Colwell Handletter and Post Monotone no. 2.


• Silentina -The Silentina font family is a great modern take on typography from silent film inter-titles. Designed by Ray Larabie in 2004.


• Hitchcock -Hitchcock was created by designer Matt Terich as an homage to the lettering style of the iconic Saul Bass.

Independent Media Work

Media Terms I have independently researched into:

Enigma:

A question that is not immediately answered and thus draws an audience into a text

For example; a body is discovered at the beginning of a TV detective drama. The killer's identity is an enigma. We watch to find out who the killer is.

Intertextuality:

The influence that media texts have on each other. Sometimes this is the result of direct cross-references

For example;

The way gossip news items regulate the way we view a star's performance

Narrative:

The way in which a story, or sequence of events, is put together within a text. All media texts have some sort of narrative, from a single photographic image to a sports report to a feature film.

Narrative may be reduced into one small equation. This equation being:

Equilibrium>Disequilibrium>New Equilibrium

Signs & Signification:

Sign - a symbol which is understood to refer to something other than itself. This may be very simple - think of a "No Entry" road sign. it may get more complicated when reading media texts, where a sign might be the bright red coat that a character is wearing (which signals that they are dangerous)

Signification - the process of reading signs. For example: Denotation & Connotation

Journal - Week 1

My journal - Week 1

From now on, I shall be posting a journal on a weekly basis, mainly so that I can keep track of what we have done in media each lesson.

Furthermore, I believe by keeping track of a journal, it shall be beneficial as it'll be easier and simpler to revise from.

What will I have on my journal?

- Notes from each and every lesson

- Independent Research

- Explanation of what we do in each and every lesson

- Other important and relevant information in which I believe will be beneficial to me.

My first journal - What we did in media this week?

This week in media, we started to brainstorm ideas for our design of our title sequence.

my group consists of four members.

Our group members being:

- Tolga (Me of course)

- Alex

- Ryan

- Sam

Whilst we were brainstorming ideas for our title sequence, we came up with a lot of different ideas. Some of the genres we considered were: Horror, Thriller, Comedy, Musical & a Superhero style movie for children.

We have not yet decided what genre we shall be designing a title sequence for, however we hope to have decided by our next lesson with Miss Whittaker.

Saul Bass - Title Sequence Designer Research

Research into the title sequence designer: Saul Bass

Saul Bass was a well-known and highly recognizable title sequence designer. He was commonly referred to as a "Commercial artist" as he was a prolific graphic designer who designed some of the best title sequences to date.
For example, some of the most prolific title sequences in which he designed include:

- Carmen Jones (1954)
- The Man With The Golden Arm (1955)
- Around The World In 80 Days (1956)
- Storm Center (1956)
- Attack (1956)
- Psycho (1960)
- Spartacus (1960)
- Ocean's Eleven (1960)
- West Side Story (1960)
- Seconds (1966)

As you can see above, this is the opening title sequence for Ocean's eleven in which Saul Bass designed. The ocean's eleven title sequence turned out to be one of Saul Bass's most prolific title sequences mainly because of all the positive feedback this title sequence received.

In my opinion, I would also say I like this title sequence mainly due to the fact that the title sequence gives an insight into what the film is about. For example, a female is featured throughout the the title sequence. This connotes to us as the audience that a female character must have a huge impact into what the film actually is, and what the film is about. In addition, the sequence is very colourful, a variety of different colours have been used. The majority of the colours are bright and eccentric. This gives me as an audience member the impression that the film must be set in Las vegas, mainly due to the colours used and also the money chips in which appear during the title sequence.

Saul Bass then took a 21 year break from desgining title sequences. The following title sequence he then designed was "Broadcast News" in 1987. Saul Bass decided to take a break on title sequences mainly because he wanted try other projects. For instance during the period of time in which he took out from designing title sequences, he started designing logos and film posters.

Interview with Saul Bass:

During the interview Saul Bass states " I want to make beautiful things, even if nobody cares"

After hearing this quote, I have been given the impression that Saul Bass doesn't necessarily make title sequences for money, but because of his love for his job. This suggests to the audience that he genuinely cares about designing a title sequence.

Title Sequence Notes

A title sequence is the method by which cinematic films or television programs present their title, key production and cast members, or both utilizing conceptual visuals and sound.

Why is a title sequence important?

- Introduction to characters
- Establishes the scene
- Insight to what a show is about

Title Sequences: First impressions are everything.

Title Sequence - Order of Titles:

- Studio
-Director
-Stars (in order/reverse order of fame/status
-Crew
-Editor
-Writer (Screenplay)
-Producer
-Director

Codes and Conventions of Title Sequences

Codes and Conventions of Title Sequences:

1. Details of cast and crew
2. The films title
3. An introduction to character or character type
4. Indication of place
5. Indication of historical period
6. Information regarding mood and tone
7. Introduction to signature theme tune
8. Information about Gender
9. Questions that the viewer finds interesting (Sets up Enigma's)
10. Patterns and types of editing that will be echoed in the remainder of the film
11.Mise-en-scene or cinematography that will be echoed or elaborated upon later in the film

My Title Sequence Analysis

Priceless & after you

View more presentations from Tolga22.

The presentation above is the presentation in which I analyzed a title sequence designer. I decided to analyze Deubal. Deubal are a French based title sequence agency, in which they have created some of France's most prolific films. Some of these for instance being: Priceless & After You.

Throughout my powerpoint, I have included interviews with the designers, brief information and a catalogue of the designers work.

ZombieLand Analysis

Complete an analysis of the title sequence of the film Zombie land


The film Zombie Land’s title sequence features an interesting font. The font throughout ZombieLand helps establish what the film is about. For example, the font is red with a tint of orange. The colour of the font connotes fire and danger as we as the audience associate the colour red with blood and violence. This therefore links in with the genre of the film. The genre being horror. The font is also very bold and powerful; this therefore suggests the film is also bold, strong and one in which contains a powerful meaning.

The lighting within the film is generally quite bright and eccentric throughout. This is rather unusual as we don’t normally expect a film from the horror genre to be bright. I would describe the lighting as ironic as it doesn’t really give a good understanding of what we expect to be later on in the film, based on what we’ve seen during the title sequence. The lighting however is symbolic towards the Zombies, as the lighting is High Key. This suggests to us as the audience that the Zombies are powerful, therefore they are able to come out during the day as well as during the night.

The opening title sequence is full of different camera shots. Some of these shots being for instance, close-ups, mid shots & medium long shots. During the title sequence there are several close-up shots of blood and people being tortured. This gives the impression that the film involves a lot of iconography of the codes and conventions of a horror film. For instance, especially with the inclusion of blood.

The music in the sequence is from the musical genre of rock. The band being played is Metallica. This denotes to the audience that the film is an ‘on edge’ film which features a lot of suffering and torture. On a final point, the band being played Metallica feature the term 'metal within their name. This denotes to us that the term 'metal is associated with death, as metal is a strong and deadly weapon.

Opening title sequence images

GroundHog Day

For the design of my title sequence, this is the image in which our group has created and the one in which we shall use for the main image.
We created this image by extracting an image from Google, and then editing it via photoshop.
We decided to use this image as it is symbolic & prolific to the setting/location in which our title sequence shall be taking place. For instance, our title sequence will be taking place in London

This is another image in which I created as part

of our GroundHog Day title sequence. This image features an iconic figure in which can be found in London. In addition, the typography in the sequence consists of one of the actors names. The actor being of course

Emma Watson.

Audience Feedback on our GroundHog day images:

As part of the task, we were required to present our GroundHog day images to the class. Most of the feedback in which we received were positive. For example, one of the other groups in the class stated that our images were colourful and realistic.

Other feedback in which we received were as follows:

• The images resemble a positive part in London; therefore it is likely that the title sequence shall be good.
• The images are also cohesive and consistent; therefore it is obvious that the images have been worked on to a successful standard.

How could I improve on these images?

• More images could of been constructed
• Less of the animated theme

Continuity Editing Evaluation

The video below is our continuity editing sequence. For this task , we had to create a piece of editing in which had to consist of three main elelments. These elements being: Match on Action, 180 rule and the shot reverse shot.
In addition, the main aim of this task was to enhance our editing skills, and sucessfully it did. My role for this task was to be the main actor, and to asist my fellow group members in shooting the sequence.
I would say one factor in which we as a group achieved on, was the great editing throughout the sequence. For instance, all the editing features what is required.
One factor we could improve upon, is the location of our sequence. For instance, the location in which we used isn't very interesting.
However overall, I would say we as a group did incredibly well during this sequence, as we got all the editing accurate.