Accident Sequence

What techniques did you specifically use to create continuity (narrative flow) in your accident sequence?
The sequence was started with a master shot which established the setting of the sequence and introduced the two characters.

This was followed by a low angle shot of my character when he was angry. This low angle increased the level of authority of this character as well as making him appear more intimidating and serious to the audience for them to be able to feel the same fear that Kayvon's character felt.

This then cut to a mid shot of my character hitting character as he fell into the wall. This then cut to a close up of Kayvon sliding down the wall as he fell unconscious. We used a match on action by ensuring that Kayvon and the camera remained in the same positions in order to give a seamless transition between the two shots.

My character then shook Kayvon's character to see if he was conscious before running away. The low angle allowed the audience to see the scene from the point of view of Kayvon's character.

In hindsight, what could you do to improve the continuity (narrative flow) of the sequence?
One main mistake that we made was not abiding by the 180 degree rule. In the second shot my character jumped from the right of the shot to the left. This may have caused confusion for the audience in terms of the positioning. We should have kept each character on their respective sides of the shot.

Continuity - Killing Bono Opening Sequence

Immediately we see a shot of a car coming down a narrow street at night, which allows us to see the setting of the film and the area in which the opening sequence is set. Also the fact that the car is all we really see highlights its importance throughout the scene.

The car turns round a corner and the scene cuts to a master shot of a group of tall buildings behind the car. Again this master shot allows us to see the overall setting of the film which is a old and run-down looking town. Also, by the car, again, being the main focus of the shot the audience is forced to notice it. furthermore as the car goes round the corner and the shot changes there is a match on action.

We then see a close up of the hands of the driver on the steering wheel, before the shot cuts to another extreme close up of the driver's eyes in the mirror of the car. This slow reveal adds to the tension and suspense of who this character is and why he is so important, the fact that we do not yet see his who face also adds to this suspense.

Another pan of the car is shown, again highlighting its importance. This is followed by a number of cross cuts between the driver's face and the car itself. We know that these shots are happening simultaneously and this allows us to see that he is on a journey while he gives some sort of monologue.

One technique repeated throughout the scene is the 180 degree rule. throughout the scene all shots of the driver's face are either from in front of from his left side which creates a sense of continuity as it is clear that he is always facing and travelling in the same direction.

Opening Sequence - Casino Royale

http://www.artofthetitle.com/title/casino-royale/

This is one of the many extremely successful films in the Bond series. This film takes place at the beginning of Bond's career during which time he is only beginning to earn his "licence to kill."

The scene is immediately set with an extreme long shot of a building with the setting, Prague, shown to us in large letters. This immediately sets the scene for the audience as they know exactly where they are and the type of setting the opening scene takes place in. The clear night time also allows the audience to understand the sort of criminal or underground behaviour that is about to go on, as you would not normally be in a large office type establishment like this during the day.

We then see the antagonist appear with a stern look on his face. The shot is taken at a low angle, which gives the character an element of authority and makes us fear him and see him as a threat. However as he enters the lift inside the building we see him from a high angle, which is strange considering the low angle from which we just saw him. It is as if the power has been taken from him and he is about to face someone who will challenge his power and authority and become a real threat to him.

We soon find out that this is James Bond, the main protagonist of the film and series who we know is not beaten. We see the antagonist enter the room, thinking he is alone, before we see a closeup of his confused face as he notices a calm looking Bond who has been awaiting his arrival. This immediately shows us the character of Bond who is a cool, calm hero who does not become at all worried by the presence of this man.

We begin to see part of a flashback, which we soon find out is Bond's first kill, and the murdered man was a worker or acquaintance of our antagonist. Giving us an insight of what has previously gone on in Bond's career, as well as what might happen due to his previous actions. All this comes before he kills both antagonists in the flashback and real life.

This is a great effect and very typical of the action genre as it gives us a snippet of action and gunplay before we jump into the main film. This gets the audience in the mood for the film and allows them to begin to see what sorts of things the can come to expect over the course of this great action film.

Still Shots - Reflection

  

REPRESENTING THE GENRE

This is an over the shoulder shot. This type of shot was used in order for the audience to be able to see the scene from the point of view of the protagonist, who is in this case, a spy who is attempting to gain information from these two characters. The main focus is the secret exchange between the two characters. The genre I chose for this still frame was a crime thriller and I believe this represents it well due to the secretive behaviour of the two antagonists.

ACHIEVING THE EFFECT

in order to achieve this effect I took the photograph from behind the actor in order to gain the over the shoulder effect. He also put his hood up in order to add to the mystery of who he is. By having the 2 actresses, who played the antagonists, so close together I was able to give the effect of them being secretive and not openly showing their shady behaviour.

SUCCESS

This is quite clearly an over the shoulder shot and the positioning of the camera and the protagonist are accurate and display this kind of shot. Also the natural lighting  gives the effect of them being outdoors, which is a more likely setting for a scene like this. 

WHAT I WOULD CHANGE

I would have changed the lighting to make the scene darker. This would make it appear as if this was at night, which would give this a more mysterious look and be more suited to the crime thriller genre. However this was not possible due to the time of day at which this was shot and the positioning. I would also have had a more stern or threatening look on the faces of the antagonists as to highlight their evil intentions.

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