Film Openings

Zodiac: (2007)

 Background:

Zodiac based on the true crime investgation in 1968  thriller and mysetry film about the manhunt of finding the infamous Zodiac Killer and the causes behind the terrifiying killings in San Fransico. Focused on three crime agents involved such as the reporter, inspector, and cartoonist. With the gentlemens obsessions to find this killer and desphire the codes and clues left behind each killing to figure out the person responsible for this terrifiying crimes agains the civiliians of San Fransico. The film itself release where mystery films in the 2000's were often used for developing crime investigators and enforcement obsessing of finding the truth and solving crime. This film was no excpeption to that as shows into a new light while this case was still happening in real time a visual concept of what many involved in the case felt and obsessed during the case. 

Analysis:

In the opening of the Zodiac sets the clear setting of San Francisco with an establishing shot of the city overlooking the water. As well as the following scenes showing the bustling city life of civillians and children as setting the scene of what a regular day is like in the eyes of the Cartoonist getting ready to go to work and drop off his son to school. Throughout the excerpt focuses on the surrounding as well as key element see in the bustling city which is the mail postal service. The camera has clear focus and stays the truck for a a while as well as we see it parked at it makes a delivery to the back of a warehouse or we assume is the agency of the Cartoonist. The following sequences show personnel going through and sorting the mail between piles. Throughout these scenes alone the film is already slowly developing the scene and who exactly is involved and the emphasis of the mail shows how a letter in this mail will  evidently for what will take in place in the rest of the excerpt. This approach in the opening inspires me to give my portfolio project the same ending, leaving with mystery or questioning of something symbolic that will carry out through the rest of the film if were an entire production. 

The Sixth Sense: (1999)

Background:

The sixth sense is a psychological horror and mystery film about a young boy who can see and speak to the dead. As well as child psychologist who attempts to help the young boy. It was released in August 6th 1999. The film uses supernatural elements to explore the psychological elements incorporated within the film adding mystery by seeing how a young boy (Cole) is going to handle the secrets of the dead. 

Analysis:

The beggining of the opening shows a orange-yellowish light bulb lighting a dark room, with sound of door opening the light inside the bulb shines brighter. Cutting into the next scence which we see the bulb again in a lot smaller perspective in poorely lit basement. From the setting alone we already have idea of the type of tone and lighting the director will set with this movie. Sequently a woman in a purple dress goes down the stairs into the basement. Her apperance overall contrasts with the environment around her. She looks to be ready to go out for an evening with her hair pinned up in a bun with drop earrings and black kitten heels. In the following sees we see the woman is looking between a shelf that is dusty looking between bottles of wine. When she finds the bottle of wine she is looking for she pauses and her expression changes. She looks alarmed as we get a long shot of the woman looking off with her shadow displaying on the back walk. This technical element use of the lighting to creating a darker contrast works well with this piece and many horror or mystery films. Which is a key note I took when watching the opening for this film along with camera shots, angles, and composition. Furthermore, the woman begins to get cold. Quickly runs back up the stairs then cutting to where then the scene ends of a fireplace mantel. The fantel covered in list candles and homemade cards made by what we assume a young child. The entire opening inspires me on how I would like to start and end my film. Relaying to my audience what kind of setting and tone the film while still leaving room for questioning of what events to come.

Missing: (2023)

Background:

The film Missing is about a girl June and her mother disappears on vacation. June tries to find answers about her mothers disappearance. The film is psychological horror and mystery. The film develops mystery of the unexpected disappearance of Junes mother in a foreign country in Colombia. Adding mystery to how Junes Mother has disappeared and who is the one responsible will June be able to rescue her mother. This film was popular on its cast of actors choosen but as well as the plot and overall development of the storyline. It represents mystery and suspense with the use of technology. Its movie poster caught many audience's attention with June being the main cover and picture of he rmother in the corner with voice memos and news headlines and pictures intergarted a blue background as shown above.

Video: 

The video below is a create review and breakdown of the editors and directors perspective when making the movie Missing. As it based on technology and its editing and details made the movie keen to its plot.

Missing Movie- Review

Analysis:

The opening of Missing begins VHS style where we see the year 2008. The recording begins of Junes father trying connect the camera where at first his face is slightly covered and we see the date April 13th 2008 and time at 10:25. Additionally her father gets the camera to work and shows off to little June that it is working. The young June is excited and wants the camera while she is playing and talking with her dad. When June has the camera it zooms into her dad's face with a small kitten in his hands caressing it. Then Junes mom walks in and is happy but surprised to see the camera working again. The camera is then taken by mom as she doesn't want June to break. The camera then Captures dad and June on the floor teasing mom until June notices that her dads nose is bleeding. His expression grows grim as he reaches for a tissue and the clip ends. Where is seen that the recording was being played through a computer. My analysis of this opening is it creates background of the character through this clip of another point of view the characters. It adds a heavy use of technology as the main focus of the film. While I am not planning to rely my project on technology, the overal editing style used to capture the scenes is something to take note of when editing my portfolio. 

 Haddon, C. (2023, July 18). On screenwriting: What about THE SIXTH SENSE? On Storytelling. https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/on-screenwriting-what-about-the-sixth

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0167404/

Opening Scence Zodiac

Costuming Options

Inspiration:

My overall inspiration and thoughts for the are inspired by horror and pyschological horror movies that take place in mental asylum or ward. Typically patients in these settings have hospital gowns, have disheveled hair, faces look dreary or soulless to give off the appearance of looking mentally unstable. In Static we want our main protagonist to give off this same apperance. Making our character look like she has been in this mental asylum room for some time and see how her body has been let go and is in pure chaos. Drawing the auidences attention into how did this woman end up this psychotic state, where both her mind and body are in disarray. Most Media people are represented to look their best and representable. It is common in genres of horror and mystery films where characters look distressed and in chaotic state. 

Costume Options: 

Using the reliable source (hopefully) Amazon to be able to create the entire costume design for our charcater. In the images below are examples from the website of what the gown will look like on our character. While in these images the gown looks plain and simple with details of white and blue on the gown, my team and myself plan to (break in) the gown by adding dirt and purposeful staining to give the gown a more lived in and rough look to it. Visually displaying that this character has been mentally spiraling with no other clothing besides this gown so sequently the gown will be covered in and filth and dirt, opposed to the clean and new look when purchasing the gown. 

Makeup:

While the outfit itself is important to the overall appearance of character, the physical details that the auidences notices are what ties in the overall look and inspiration to a characters development in media. Makeup is used to add the extra details to the face or body to add depth to the characters costuming or overall appearance. For example in the Nextflix original series Stranger Things, special effects makeup was used to display the anatognoist Vecna to add to the half alien and human form of this character. For my project the goal of how the makeup is used toward the actor is give off the appearance of mentally drained and fatigued character. Typically most would approach with some sort of bloody elements when thinking of mentally ill patient makeup concept; the best way to capture the story in this case is capturing well enough to the auidence that this charcater is in distress and unstable without making the makeup itself to heavy on the eyes. 

Timeline/Schedule

Establishing Schedule and Why?

It is essential in all work and not just Media there is a set of instructions and schedule to follow by to keep yourself and work organized. When working in group the goal is to have set outcome, schedule for everyone to follow, and presenting the best work as possible for your project or task. The Timeline below is basis of schedule along with tasks each week myself and group work towards to accomplish in order to display the best work possible as well as feel confident about the work accomplished. 

Key Componets of the Project: 

Analysis and Research

• Research opening films from vast genres to get an idea of what opening film looks like
• From the analysis of opening films decide on interest or approach of what kind of genre choosen for the film

Planning 

• Discuss final choosen genres after all research and evaluation 
• Create a storyboard to visually see and plan of the approach going for
• Finding actors and deciding on editor, director, and filmer
• Choosing times and location for filming
• Plan or sketch any mise en scene elements such as costume design, set designs, props

Filming

• Begin filming scences 
• Record any voices or music needed that cannot be done over editing 
• Review footage for any mistakes or reshooting
• Behind the scenes footage

Editing

• Add all footage together 
• Make changes of saturation, lighting, etc
• Overall sound and music on top of footage

Revision

• Reflect on overall experince planning, creating, and executing the portfolio
• Research and review for CCR

Timeline: 

Week 1: (01/16 - 01/23)

• Start the formation of blog posts and getting idea of what genre chosen  for the portfolio
• Pick group members
• Analyze and do research on films that best displays the vision for the portfolio 
• Finalize set genre and theme for portfolio

Week 2: (01/26- 02/01)

• Finalize planning of our portfolio project
• Discuss and plan Storyboard 
• Discuss filming dates and times
• Buying and discussing mise en scene elements such as costume, props and backdrops
• Discuss the use of technical elements (camera shots/angles/composition, lightning, and sound)

Week 3: (02/02-02/08)

• Group meet up on Thursday to go over plans for filming, costume design, and additional actors needed
• Storyboard Drawn and written in detail
• Reflect about the first group meeting
• Analyze Media Theories and decide which theory best incorporates with portfolio (logical as well as meaning and how the portfolio reflects, not only technical elements as well understanding how theory and technical techniques integrate throughout Media within our own media production.)
• Blog on the dedication and inspirtation for creating the film
• Friday-Sunday dedicated to filming
• Review footage over the weekend and make any critiques for the following week

Week 4: (02/09-02/15)

• Discuss and Blog more analysis of who our main character is (overall development)
• Discuss and develop mise en scene elements such as costume design, props, lightning, and set design
• Decide what audio needed (Foley, non digetic sound recordings, digetic sound, copy wright music)
• Review footage from past weekend and work on revisions
• Begin editing footage 

Week 5: (02/16-02/22)

• Discuss a production company and logo
• Illustrate in blogs the process of production
• Include behind the scenes of production process
• Continuation of editing and revisions on footage

Week 6: (02/23-03/010

• Blog of editing process 
• Begin research for CCR
• Start wrapping up portfolio and think of reflection 

Week 7: (03/02-03/08)

• Continuation of research for CCR
• Group reflection along with personal reflection of project
• Have everything finalized and turnt in before due date

Week 8: (03/09-03/17)

• Blog about production of CCR
• Posting final reflections to blog
• Make sure to post links and film opening 

Credit Sequences

 Pyscho (1960):

Opening scene to Pyscho

Background: 

The famous thriller by Alfred Hitchcock Pyscho based on novel by Robert Bloch's novel. A motel owner with mysterious connection to his deceased mother. One of the most famous scenes from Pyscho is the shower scene that captures pure terror and horror. Many classes study the attention to the diverse technique and theme that Hitchcock added to the film. As this film being the first media text excerpt viewed in my Aice Media class has inspired me to use this film for inspiration for my project. While this film is notable for the technical elements and themes used within the film. The credit sequence is a great inspiration and idea on how to make something as simple as credit scene unappealing.  

Credit Sequence:

The credit sequence begins with white bars and serif font text of the director and cut offs. This while short is very unique and visual way to display text and sequence of crediting of cast involved. The use of bars continue for the rest of the sequence ranging from the lines starting from left, right, and  up. While the sequence uses simplistic style font text and color its adds more depth and makes it visually appealing to the viewer to watch something as simple as the credit scene. With viewing the opening scene to Pyscho the credit sequence inspires to create a unique approach for the credits. It shows the audience that both crediting and film itself can have visually appealing and editing to capture the attention of the audience.

The Sixth Sense (1999): 

Credit Sequence:

Discussed in my previous blog posting about the film The Sixth Sense. While the film is as well is great inspiration for its opening scene, it has interesting credit sequence that adds to the horror and mysterious theme of the film. What is eye catching of this credit scene is the fast paced editing. Auidences now attention span has grown shorter: suquently making the perfect auidences for this technique and style of editing in this credit sequence. Contrary The Sixth Sense technical elements throughout the film contrast to its opening. The director used long take shots that is known to loose audiences attention. From my research and analysis director of this film isn't afraid to use and enhnace technical elements that are bizarre or rarely used in media, and tunt them into creative style and realism to towards the film. M.Night Shyamalan expresses this in other signature pieces for example Unbreakable (2000), Signs (2002) and Lady in the Water (2006). With the research from both blogs should highly inspire me to have the same creativity and fresh approach to my portfolio. 

Vertigo (1958):

Vertigo Opening Credit sequence

Background:

Alfred Hitcock film Vertigo is about an ex police officer suffering from fear of heights is hired to protect a friends wife from commiting suicide. With director of Hithcock the story will not be all as it entails to be. Hitchcock theme of this film revolved around the pyschological aspects of the characters within the film. Using common fears and phobias such as Acrophiobia (fear of heights) to add common fears that humans face adding realism to evoke mystery and fear within the film. Hence the title Vertigo (dizzness or false sensation) reflecting its theme towards its auidences.

Credit Sequence:

The credit sequence of Vertigo takes a unique approach with a begining of an extreme close up shot of woman's face. That specifically focuses on her nose and mouth.  The camera pans across to her lips and then moves upward toward her eyes. Within these shots the rapid non digetic sound that rises and falls with each credit displaying over the shots of the woman's face; adds theme of mystery as well as makes the credit sequence intriguing. With the technique of zooms of the woman's pupil as the screen fades into red followed by layering spirals over the pupil. Hitcock signifies to his audience a sense of danger with the color choice of red. Within some of Hitchcock's films he uses eyes as core portal to represent something more (pyschological) for example the shower scene in Pyscho. Overall this credit sequence incorporates the use of camera techniques, sound and editing to add suspense within the sequence of its film.

Hopp, G. (2023). Psycho becomes Hitchcock's most famous film. In Research Starters. EBSCO. https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/history/psycho-becomes-hitchcocks-most-famous-film

Radatz, B. (2011, December 13). Psycho. Art of the Title. https://www.artofthetitle.com/title/psycho/

Arc Studio. (2022, August 23). Psycho: Screenplay breakdown. https://www.arcstudiopro.com/blog/psycho-screenplay-breakdown

https://www.facebook.com/groups/346724357341839/posts/711046077576330/

Richter, P. (2016, December 15). Vertigo (1958): Opening title sequence analysis. Patryce Richter AS Media Studies. https://patrycerichter.wordpress.com/2016/12/15/vertigo-1958-opening-title-sequence-analysis/

Portfolio Project Genre #2

What is Psychological Horror?

In accordance to horror psychological horror is the most considerable approach I would take for my portfolio. Unlike conventional horror with main antagonists being monsters, ghouls, or killers psychological focuses how the mentally plays a threat in this scenario. Psychological films have been commonly popular in the 21st century and appealing viewers that seek mystery and mental challenges. An example of this would be the film Saw focused on games that mentally and physically torture its victim. 

Target Audience:

In contrast to horror with a specific target audience, psychological horror has a wider audience. from people in their 50s to those as young as 15. This is because the vast majority of psychological movies feature complex stories that call for viewers to focus on tiny details in order to solve the problem. It also draws intelligent, creative people who like to solve puzzles or have mental challenges.

Conventions of Psychological Horror: 

Similarly, to the horror incorporates elements of sound, setting and character development. Common settings in psychological is woodlands, schools, warehouses, and hospitals. Creating a eerie atmosphere. Throughout most psychological films they focus on emphasis on development of the characters; who they are throughout the film to lead to their mental demises. Just like horror it uses all these elements to create the tone and and message across of psychologically terrifying its audience.

Planning Portfolio Project

Initial Planning:

My initial plan was to create a horror opening. My team memebers and I ultimately decided on gpoing for a Mystery as our genre for this film opening. Horror has been common choosen genre for this project my group and myself would like to give off something different but as well as give that same eerie and omionious feeling. Focusing on a female character adding some female representation as the main focus of this film. In the next upcoming week we will focus on a more thought out plan and vision for our film. 

Approach:

Our main focus will be lighting, mise-en-scene, characters, and tone of the opening. We will be discussing the necessary technical techniques needed to look visually appealing while still capturing the necessary framewrok needed to capture all the important details. Using shots such as extreme close up, tilts, wide shots, and mid shots. As well as focusing on implementing editing techniques of overlaying voice overs and lower contrasting as well saturation to add to the setting. Our main protagonist focus will showing her mental state with use of mise-en scene of costume design, and environment. That will set the tone like the picture below of a mental asylum. Overall our goal is to set the stage of mystery film opening of our protagonist lost in her mental demises as her thoughts become into a large Static forms the reasoning of what led to her to this place.

Final Draft:

The final concept of our storyline for the portfolio is a mystery film developed through our main female protoganist. The title of the fil will be called Static, the director will be Emma Gonzales, Producer will be myself Jade Baynes. The baseline of the story will capture a setting of our main character in asylum room filled with writings and symbolic writings on the wall. Technical elements will focus and enhance the characters mental state and give slight detail into her mind and how she has ended up here without revealing to much of the plot. There will be four main scences to split up the editing and review process when shooting. Ideally need 2-4 actors involved as well as proper setting of somewhere darker setting. As well as props like notebook, mattress and necessary items to create the look of mental hospital room. Mise en scene let's will focus on using makeup and costume design to give off a deshivealed appeal to our character making her see visually and mentally unstable. In the upcoming week we will focus on making a more organized storyboard and visual representation to showcase our vision into this project.

Portfolio Project Genre #1"

Horror as a Genre:

Horror's purpose is intended to scare and thrill its viewers. Often having a villian or monster involved in most plots to add threat and reflect humanities fears. Some horror reflects of different cultures and stories. For this reason is why it is still well known and popular and constantly adding new themes and stories since their are many diverse cultures and stories that implement horror or frightful accounts. I believe choosing horror adds some many creative opportunities toward my portfolio as it has so many elements and subgenres that there is no single topic alone just for horror. While this genre can be over used and boring with the right techniques and plot can really draw an audience in with fear and excitment.

Target Auidence:

The audience for horror typically appeals to younger adolescents such as teenagers or adults in their mid 20s. However, the range has widened since their are so many sub genres that appeal to other viewers. Whether its classic slasher film like Scream or twisted pyschologcial horror film US theirs auidences for everyone in the horror film world. The film itself is what makes it a good horror film one that completely isn't worth the watch. Auidences today are intriguied by gore, technological involvement, and pyschological horror. While there are still nostalgic fans of the traditional horror themes modern horror is a new hotspot in media.

What Makes Horror so Iconic?

What makes horror so iconic is all the movie trailers, posters, and campaigns before the actual film releasing. The trailer itself can influnce horror fans even without them watching the film. An example would be the movie franchise The Conjuring, the poster itself drawed auidences in with its titling of directors from other well known horror films, as well as significant details of old dying tree with hanging a noose around it; in the background misty atmosphere with a two leveled house seamlessly blending in with the dark and chilling atmosphere. The movie poster for The Conjuring captivates viewers and really peaked interest viewers way before the release of the movie. Showing how setting,marketing  and setting clear vision of the type of fear factor expressed to your auidences ties in the theme of what makes a good horror piece to keep many drawn. While marketing can play a primary role in the outcome of horror films, technical elements are equally as important. Lighting, sound effects and camera techniques used within the film-making itself enhances the horror and thrill aspect to the film. Lighting sets the overall tone of the film either making the surrounding space feel uplifting or eerie, creating shadows. In connection to lighting sound works to add non digetic and digetic sounds to add suspense. Loud pitched music adds to the suspense as what following events will unfold, and digetic sounds when filming can draw attention or subtle something lurking or jumpscare incoming. 

Films That Display This Best:

Two Films that are in my opinion best display horror is the movies Get Out and The Shinning. Both having different elements of horror. Both films represent pyschological horror however both use different technical techniques and representation to add to their films. The Shinning is known to focus on supernatrual mixed with mental and domestic dread elements. Throughout the film you see the directors work to fully transform the film into both visual appealing but as well as frighting and chilling experience. Although being a film based on an adaptation of Stephen Kings book, many fans debate whether the movie is better than the book. On the contrary Get Out offers a different type of representation that The Shinning. Instead of having an antogonist of monster or killer, it introduces a family that on the outside represents standard suburban family. In the movie it adds on other themes of racial acceptance and twisted mind games almost like a cult like following that a family influences on their targeted. It topped charts in 2017 the wide spectrum of representation while still adding that pyschological horror that twistes the brain. These two films although in the same subgenre both depict where modern horror as genre will most likely continue to head as it continues to captivate audience's and keep them intriguied and looking for more pieces with this same factor of fear.

Scott, J. (2025, February 4). What is horror? Definition, history and examples. StudioBinder. https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/what-is-horror-definition/

Media Studies. (n.d.). The codes and conventions of horror films. https://media-studies.com/horror-genre/

Sherlock, B. (2019, April 19). 10 reasons why The Shining is the greatest horror movie ever made. Screen Rant. https://screenrant.com/shining-greatest-horror-movie-reasons/

Tibbs, R. (2022, May 4). Why Get Out is the best horror movie of the 21st century. Medium. https://rosietibbs-co-uk.medium.com/why-get-out-is-the-best-horror-movie-of-the-21st-century-c00fc8e33b8f