Opening Sequence Continuity Analysis

• Starts with a close up of the main character in a conversation, and using the 180 degree rule, we are switched between both characters points of views.
• A mid shot is then used to introduce the next character and a straight cut is used to jump from a close up to a mid shot.
• It zooms from a mid shot to a two shot close up is used to show the secrecy then back to a mid shot of the two characters. This is as if the audience is drawn in to the secret as well.
• A master shot is then used to establish and how the inside of the room to the audience, the room where all the 'magic' happens.
• The 180 degree rule plays quite a big part in this scene, since the girl is introduced to the other characters as well as the characters being introduced to us.
• The zoom out slowing changes the perspective of the audience to the perspective of the girl.
• As the graphics of the title start showing, it goes to the actual credits of the film.
• The credits roll for about 1 and a half minutes, then goes back to a direct addressing close up shot of the girl to emphasise her reaction.
• The fast pace editing after that point, fits well with the music and also expressed the feelings of the girl.
• Then an extreme close up is used when she slowly says her lines, which links to the previous shot.

Accident Sequence

This is the accident sequence we made for our blog. In this, we specifically cut on action so that it would create a continuing action through different shots, however it was hard because we weren't able to physically film the actor falling out the tree since we didn't want any actual injuries. So we used the cut on action technique to film the actor falling from the tree to the floor, from a medium close up to a long shot.

We could've used a variety of shots instead of using a lot of close up shots. Since this causes confusion for the audience we should use a more varied shot type so the audience can focus on the things that are more important in the shot. We could've been able to make it better if we were able to have a bit more time on planning.

The Prestige

• The film of the opening sequence I'm going to analyse is called 'The Prestige', which is a thriller drama mystery.
• The story takes place in London 1995, as you can tell from the characters' attires as well as the accent of the narrator.
• As the narrator talks through the three main parts of a magic trick, the clips are shown corresponding the explanation of the three parts. Until it comes to the third part, the hardest part, called 'The Prestige'. When the third part is explained, the clips show one magic trick going right and another life-threatening. Once it shows the drowning of one of the main characters, it goes on into the court scene where they debate about the death of this magician. The order of the events in the opening sequence is really significant as it is repeated again throughout the film. And the contrast between a simple magic trick that goes right according to the three parts and one that kills the magician itself, shocks the audience and allows it to be engraved in the minds of the audience so when they film progresses, the audience will start to understand how the plot unravels.
• The events that occur in the opening sequence link together very distinctly without any further explanation needed.
• The first character that is shown is Cutter(Michael Caine), the mastermind behind the magic tricks of the victim that drowned who was Robert Angier(Christian Bale), one of the main characters. We were also introduced to the other main character, Alfred Borden(Hugh Jackman) who was the man being accused of setting up the trap and murdering Robert Angier. All this information is shown clearly throughout the whole opening scene, especially the court scene.
• The information provided to the audience in the opening scene is only enough for the audience to understand that a magic trick has gone wrong and it was possibly a murder. Not much of the whole plot is revealed; the whole story plot itself is a twist. No one would ever think of what the ending would be like despite knowing the genre conventions and watching the opening scene. Since it's about magic, and like a magic trick, a secret cannot be told, so they have made the opening scene very open ended, so that it could only be revealed what is happening, near the end of the film.
• In my opinion, the audience must know that who the main characters are, even though in the opening scene, one of them dies. That scene is very significant in the film in many ways, so if you do not remember the main characters as well as that scene, then the whole film will be very confusing for the audience.

Reflection on shots

For this activity, we were split up into groups to capture stills of different genres, and my group chose horror.

The still we took above is a medium shot representing the theme 'horror'. The red low-key lighting in the still symbolises blood and death which foreshadows the deaths that is to come. As well as foreshadowing the deaths, it also connotes an ominous feeling towards the audience. The character in this shot is directly addressing the camera allowing the audience to see from the point of view of the victim; this gives the audience a better understanding of the 'horror' as well as experiencing the horror 'first-hand'. Since this is an action shot, the audience is not able to do anything but watch as the victim is able to be killed by the bat which is swung so quick, it is blurred. The blurriness also adds to the sense of shock from the character as well as the feeling of mental instability.

To achieve this shot, we were able to go into the darkroom of the art block in our school, which is where photographs are developed. And using the red light to light up our shot, we were able to create the ominous atmosphere. The actor had to wear a mask and dress in complete black, to make the character seem more mysterious and eerie. During the shots, the actor had to swing the bat as quick as possible to get the effect of the monster about to attack the victim. However it had to be blurred so that it is shown in the still that the monster is in action and not standing falsely faking to hit the victim. It had to seem realistic, so we had to have it blurred to give that effect.

In my opinion, the shot overall was fairly successful. The genre was successfully conveyed through the costume, lighting and pose of the character. If I were able to retake this specific still, I would try to get the mask to be more clearer so then there would be more focus on the monster itself as well as it's action. Also to clear away some background objects that are unnecessary for the shots. However, the stills came out better than expected.