3 Opening Sequence Analysis

Edward Scissorhands (1990) — Art of the Title

The opening of Edward Scissor hands is very dark and although not black and white uses colours (black and blue) that seem cold rather than horror like, this may represent that he isn't as dark as he may seem and has a source of light within him but still having a deeper sadness inside. However the font of the film is very classic old fashioned horror in the shape of scissors. The fact that the shot of the font is black and white represents that the name, his identity, is judged to others in a horror type way being outnumbered. The camera movement is very smooth and unique showing the detail of the inside of his home being a machine work shop with shots of his inventor looking dead. I think this represents a lot about the film as the main scenes are of a pristine neighbourhood filled with colour which contrasts greatly with the opening of the film. I think it represents the juxtaposition between the two settings of a utopian to distopian scenery, also the inventor being the dictator of inventing machine like figures, representing machine like society. What the machines may represent is what is down below in the neighbourhood, the idea that they are a machine human system being the same as Edward Scissor hands himself. What I also noticed is that where he lives is above the people showing he is a representation of the deeper meaning to the film. Throughout the opening title there are many hints to who Edward Scissor hands is, a statue of a monstrous looking figure with cobwebs surrounded symbolizes that he is behind on the world and fragile with understanding situations as he has been locked up in a large house. The other detail that mixes with the inventors face is of a pair of hands, this symbolizes the characters goals but also suggesting wanting hands as a symbol of identity, wanting to be individual being human (having humanity).



The Forbidden Room (2015) — Art of the Title

I really like this opening title, its very different compared to the original openings in films nowadays, it has a very 1930s film credits theme with a variety of flickering coloured shots. The opening reminds me of American Horror Story's style of a burning effect, the music is very similar as its on edge with uncomfortable noises mixed with what sounds like a fast-forward rewind of classical music. The opening also includes quotations that are similar to the idea of the ten commandments quoted on American Horror Story. I think the theme of this opening is very similar to the theme I've intended to make with an 8mm camera effect of the shots. The colour change is also linked to the change from utopia to dystopia that is our main narrative.

Marvel's Daredevil (2015) — Art of the Title

This opening is similar to Edward Scissorhands sharing similarity in music and colour code. The music is soft with high notes of piano tunes but having an intense background of deeper notes. They both share colour codes meaning the whole opening, for example Daredevil, is based around a thick liquid red shaping silhouettes of key meanings to the television show. Edward Scissorhands, based around cold blues and black, representing metal. 
Daredevil is more clean, smooth and basic compared to the other chosen openings. However, the idea of this thick red blood-looking idea is something I want to include to my opening title to represent the distopia. 

Three Photograghs

Shot 1:

 This is taken on a film camera which creates an effect that makes the image slightly faded, not perfected and unclear. I like this effect as it adds more to the image, the colours change making everything seem to look good as everything isn't totally focused showing imperfections. What I also love about film cameras is the idea of not being able to see what you are going to take a shot of, the fact that you only have one shot as its costing to print, it makes the whole picture seem very in the moment and atmospheric. This image was taken on holiday in Dubrovnik with my sister, who is the main subject of the image, she is slightly off but able to see the whole of her in this long shot as she is walking as well as other people in the background. This really makes the photograph realistic in a way that everything that is going on is unexpected.

Shot 2:

 This is also taken on a film camera but during the day when the flash doesn't destroy the details as shown at night in shot 1. This shows a different perspective in film cameras as the image is clear but still has that effect of color. The reason I like this photograph is that there are many layers containing a front, middle and background. It also captures an unexpected moment where nothing can be deleted and re-taken. This was taken in my garden at my sisters birthday party during a drinking game, this reminds me of Gia Coppola's short film as the scene is very young and detailed.

Shot 3:

These two images are basically the same but not quite. I took these on my iPhone in Dubrovnik when my sister and I were walking on the city wall and happened to bump into my parents who were down below walking around. I like this image as the angle looking downwards is different and questions what the two figures are looking up at. But what I do regret is that angle I had taken these photographs as I missed the chance to include the maze of buildings and streets behind them but then also include the moment they throw their hands in the air. Other than that the idea of the image is something I like as it really shows how small we really are.

Montage

Honeymoon from Natalie Brooks on Vimeo.


This is my own montage of videos that I have selected and put together. I have used an 8mm effect because I like the idea of old fashioned clips put together along with music in the background, it reminds me of a cameo of nostalgic memories. I have chosen to put in the song Honeymoon by Lana Del Rey because her music is very personal and reminds me of summer which links to the videos I have taken.

Short Film - Candy

These are pictures I have took a few months ago for a project and think it links well with our Candy project as we are doing a stop motion picture which links to these photographs being a selection of different shots as well as a story line that include candy. The narrative to these photographs is about a person who is basically having a war between herself, the idea of utopia vs dystopia and utopia turning into dystopia.