Film Research: The Town

In the opening of The Town it begins with 3 robbers running, breaking into a bank. It is easy to infer that the movie will be solely based off of this crime. Throughout the scene you can tell that these 3 robbers has a strategic plan and know what needs to be done. The director incorporated many camera angles and movements, editing techniques, sound, and mise-en-scene. You can tell that they used a handle held camera to give the audience the feel of how hectic it is in the bank. The director also chose to do many short takes which also gives the effect that a lot is going on and a lot needs to be seen. There is also an insert shot of one of the robber's tattoos on the back of his neck; this must be of some significance. There are a series of action matches as well as the use of ambient sounds (screaming). The guns in the scene also give a realistic effect of the robbery. It gives the audience as well as the actors a sense of fear. There were no credits in this opening scene. The budget was 37 million and they made 154 million. Its awards included: The Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association award for Best Assembled, and the AFI Award as Best Movie of the Year.

Film Research: Baby Driver

In the opening of Baby Driver it begins with 3 men and a woman preparing to rob a bank. They are all sitting in a red Subaru WRX giving each other the look as if they were ready.  When the cops showed up "baby driver" took off in reverse and the four experience a very intense cop chasing scene. In the first 2 minutes you can infer a lot. It is going to be about a talented driver involved in helping crimes take action. The opening consisted of sharp consistent close ups of each of the characters: 3 robbers and the "baby driver".  After they robbed the bank the director, like I said, takes the audience through a dramatic chasing scene. It includes an insert shot of the shift knob, eye line matches of the driver, tons of action matches with the cops and surrounding cars, intense incidental music as well as ambient sounds to make the chase more intriguing. The opening credits only consisted of the main actors. The budget was 34 million and they made 227 million. Baby Driver has won many awards, one being Golden Trailer's best action film. Another award Baby Driver won was The Half Way award for one of the best film editing.

Film Research: Death Race

In the opening of Death Race it begins with a black screen with text appearing. As it streams it begins by a camera rolling through an animated car engine. On the screen is white text that gives a background of what is going to happen in the movie and why; giving the audience a clear understanding. The letters appear with the effect of a type writer. In this explanation it lets the audience know that there must be violence within the film. It tells us that in 2012 the United State's economy crashed, leading to unemployment rates sky rocketing. A group began taking prisoners and associating them with "cage fights" and posting them to make money. The director made the opening very straight forward. You get a clear understanding of what will take place in the movie. The opening doesn't consist of any camera shots, rather special effects. It began with the pulleys of the engine leading to the more intricate parts within it. However, the incidental music gave it a suspenseful feel. In the first 2 minutes there were no opening credits just a clear introduction. The movie's budget was 45 million dollars. In the end it made 75.7 million dollars. This movie won many movie rewards. To list a few it won the Saturn Award being the best supporting actress (Joan Allen), The DGC Craft Award for sound editing, as well as the Taurus Award for best fire stunts.

Film Research: Point Break

In the opening of Point Break it begins with close ups of ocean waves. As the opening credits are appearing, it begins to show a guy surfing and a guy shooting at multiple practice targets. Within these two minutes not much of the story is told. I can figure out that the movie will have to do with some violence dealing with the surfers. In the opening the director chose to use a non-continuity system; jumping from one scene to another. These mismatched scenes almost disrupt and interfere with time and makes the audience wonder how they relate. The director also chose to incorporate the transition of fading while the opening credits appeared. The incidental music in the background gives a suspicious and intense mood. The words on the screen began with them sliding in and out of each other. It then changed to them fading and sliding across the screen, so it isn't all the same. To also bring the mood out the color design was rather dim. The opening credits include who produced the film, who castes the film, the co-producers, the music supervisor, who chose the music, who edited, the production designer, the director of photography, the executive producer, and some main actors. The budget for this film was 105 million. After being produced it made 133.7 million. The movie won MTV's movie award for most desirable male; Keanu Reeves.

Film Research: Fast and Furious 5

In the opening of Fast and Furious Five (Fast Five) it begins with 3 cars and a prison bus. Attempting to catch up to the prisoners, the 3 people driving the cars are racing. The setting is very rural and the road seems as if it never ends. From the looks of it they were trying to get the prison bus to crash. Suddenly, the girl in one car turns around making the bus swerve, the bus is then flipped by the driver swerving due to the man in the other car slamming on his breaks. In the first two minutes of this opening I can tell that there is some sort of conflict with these racers and the law and prisoners. There isn't any dialogue; however, due to their determination to get the prison bus to crash it is clear to the audience that they have a reasoning behind it. When it comes to the film making process the director took advantage of many camera angles and movements. For example, an establishing shot. The scene opens up to a long shot of a rural setting, a long road, and mid-day. This gives the audience an idea of the setting and time. The director also incorporated close ups of the actors: the prisoners and drivers. The close ups show the actor's feeling of determination and confidence which makes the scene more intense. To give a sense of speed and how fast they're going there is use of a track in front and behind the cars racing down the road. The use of the sound of the cars racing and the fast incidental music intensifies the scene as well. The scene is clearly shot on location; a desert. In this opening there were no credits present. I believe the director wanted to catch the audience's eye and incorporate the credits later in the scene after the 2 minutes. The film's budget was 125 million dollars and they made 626.1 million. It was clearly a successful movie. It also won the Teen Choice Awards for best action and adventure movie.

Project Selection - My Decision

After contemplating my two options; I have decided. I will be proceeding to complete the film aspect of the project. The reason I chose this over the magazine is because I will be filming something I enjoy. I always can manage my time very well, so I won't need to be worried about running out of time. I am creative when it comes to writing; therefore, the script making process shouldn't be too difficult. I also have chose to do my project with a group: Josh, Jane, and Trey. We all share a common interest in cars and each have our own dominate traits. I am very good at keeping things organized like a director's assistant, Josh has a strong leadership trait and could be much like a director, Jane is very good when it comes to brainstorming ideas, and Trey is good in the editing aspect of things. Together I believe we will be able to work together and have a good turn out. Our project is going to be a Fast and Furious inspired action film.We have a close group of friends who all have cars that they have worked on and would like to show in our film. I also have close relations with a cop and we may be able to have him be in our film. I can't wait to begin the process.

Project Selection - Film

After viewing multiple films like Ferris Bueller, All of the President's Men, and the Newsroom I have seen the aspects of film making and production. I personally have always enjoyed making films ever since I was a child. I would always make short iMovies on my phone, whether it was horror or comedy. I now have the opportunity to use professional equipment. A setback with the film selection for me would be the creativity of different shots. I am better at gathering information and writing an entertaining essay rather than planning a set scene. On the other hand, I am very organized and always meet my deadlines. I am responsible and will be able to manage my time well and be able to brainstorm ideas for the film, especially if I choose to be in a group.