1. It had to be simple, it couldn’t be too complicated otherwise we couldn’t get across to the audience the key ideas and storyline. It could be confusing for the audience to watch.
2. It had to have opportunity to show off a range of screen shots, to fit in with the examining criteria and for showing the knowledge of technical skill.
3. Something unique, so it stands out and is memorable. Also linking to other films that we could then research into.
4. Something we could actually create- achievable, so for example we couldn’t do helicopter shots, burning buildings etc. This would be extremely difficult if not impossible. Not to mention the budget and skills required.
From this, we then started to consider genres and which most interested us to focus on. For all of these genres, we researched only on the IMDB website. We thought about all the possibilities. Some of which are:
Action:
A. Inception: Starts with a shot of the main character being washed up on a beach (instant action- knowing it will be explained later on).
B. The Dark Knight: Starts with a bank robbery by the Joker (the main villain in the film). Again, it starts with an action scene, drawing you in, and introduction to the characters.
C. The Matrix: Starts with a phone message and then Trinity (one of the main characters) is introduced and this leads on to the chase scene. The instant action, unexpected signs of everything not being as it seems (making the audience question it).
D. Iron Man: Begins with army trucks driving and then being ambushed, also introducing Robert Downey Jr (actor of main character). Again, there is the instant action that we know will later be explained further.
Drama:
A. The King’s Speech: Starts with the comparison between a man speaking on the radio to then Colin Firth (actor of main character) about to make a speech. It very effectively introduces the main character and straight away getting to the point of the film- with Colin firth’s character stuttering during the speech.
B. The social network: Begins with a couple sitting having a conversation. With this it introduces the main characters and sets into motion the events of the movie- and the creation of facebook.
C. District 9: Starts with interview of characters which are connected to the main character. The characters talk about how they feel about events occurring in the film. With this you work out the personalities of the characters and also how they link to the rest of the film and the main character.
D. Gladiator: This film starts with an image of a hand stroking corn field and then goes straight to a battle preparation scene and then into an action packed scene. So to the audience- they would be very confused and want to know more. This works well as it draws in the attention of the audience, and introduces main characters.
Adventure:
A. Harry Potter and the deathly hallows Part One: This film begins with the 3 main characters’ and how they each start their journey and soon meet up with eachother. (This again introduces main characters and leads on into the film).
B. Sherlock Holmes: This adventure film starts with a chase sequence through London (introduces main characters, instant action that gets you into the film, this also shows the setting).
C. Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief: Shows God walking out of water as a giant. This opening sequence brings in the fantasy theme and also showing you what the film will be like. It introduces you to a character, with clues that are explored through the film. There is instant CGI that works well to grip you into the film.
D. Lord of the Rings the Fellowship of the Ring: Straight away it explains the story and prophecy of the ring. This helps the audience fully understand and put them on the same page. With this opening sequence there is instant action (showing a battle) and creates the setting of the film, also introducing some key characters.
Fantasy:
A. Harry Potter and the Philosophers stone: Starts with a man turning the street lights off down a street of houses. This brings in straight away the magical sense of the film. With this you get the introduction to a few main characters and creating the setting.
B. Pirates of the Caribbean- The curse of the Black Pearl: This begins with the prologue of the film- showing the main characters as young children and how they met. Its setting is on a pirate ship- automatically getting that idea of pirates to the audience.
C. Prince of Persia: The opening sequence to this film starts with a battle (again, bringing the action into it). They bring in the main characters and set the scene.
D. Hancock: Hancock begins with the main character flying through the city- bringing in the superhero element of the film. With this, it introduces the main character, action, setting and as an audience you understand that he has a supernatural ability.
Horror:
A. Alien: This film begins with a tour like view of around a spaceship and then the introduction to the main characters. They are all working on the spaceship- creating a normality to lead to the rest of the film.
B. Daybreakers: This film opens with a vampire committing suicide and sitting outside as the sun rises. With this it creates questions of whether this character is relevant. But this does introduce the theme of the film.
C. Sweeney Todd: This starts with setting the scene and a rough prologue of the previous events of this barber’s life. This, again, introduces the main character and a brief overview of his past.
D. Shaun of the Dead: Starts with the main character just waking up and having a relatively normal day. This does not bring in the theme of horror instantly- but builds up the story with the introduction to a man character.
Thriller:
A. Tron Legacy: Begins with a prologue of a father telling a child (who we then find out is the main character) a story that relates back to the plot of the original film. This cleverly sets up the film by linking it to the previous film- so the audience is filled in and understands.
B. The Girl with a dragon Tattoo: This film opens with a court case. This intrigues the audience and questions the audience. This again involves the main characters.
C. Public Enemies: Starts with them all breaking out of jail (instant action scene- drawing you into the main film with the introduction of main characters)
D. Jonah Hex: Starts with a prologue that tells you about events that lead on to the main plot (again with instant action and intro. to characters)
Romance:
A. The Notebook: An old man and women, having a convocation- starting to tell the story of the main plot. With this opening, it draws you into the main plot and builds up the story.
B. Date Night: Starts with a husband and wife finishing work, then going on a date to a restaurant. This starts up the main plot, brings in the characters and explains the relationship between the couple.
C. Enchanted: An animation opens this film, with a princess singing. This introduction briefly shows you what this film will be like- showing this animation straight away shows the audience that it contains both real actors/ actresses, mixed with animation.
D. The Time Travellers wife: This film begins with a mother and son driving in the car- then the car crashes, and the son disappears, reappearing in another location. With this opening, you understand straight away that the film is a supernatural film and also, starting with action, draws you into the film. You get the introduction to the main character too.
From looking at these genres (these being the most popular) we as a group agreed that there were problems with several of the genres when it came to fitting it with our criteria.
Adventure: On a general note for adventure films, the first 2 minutes are the introduction of the characters, this usually done simply with insight into their everyday life. As a group, we decided that wasn’t the genre for us!
Romance: Again starts with the introduction of the main characters and little else. It can be a slow start- with not a lot happening. So we all agreed that romance was not the genre for our production.
This then narrowed it down then to thriller and horror. From our discussions on roughly what we wanted the plot to be, and developing to having zombies- thriller/horror fit in very well! With the majority of researched horror/thriller films beginning with action scenes- we followed with that and developed our storyboard.
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