Brainstorming Summary

RISE
      The close ups of the different items such as the shoes and the backpack were really cool, it gave a sense of preparation and also told the audience what the 'character' was about to do. The fact the music got quieter when the camera shifted to a different 'character' allowed us to make the assumption that the music we are hearing is in the 'character's' headphones which created a cool effect. The extreme close up shot at the very end allowed us to see the character's face clearly, the fact they were so calm and emotionless while staring at each other created suspense which left the viewer wondering how they know each other and what will happen next.

OFFLINE
      The over the shoulder shot of the hooded figure created a sense of suspense right off the bat, we could see what the person was doing on their phone but we did not know who it was. The music suited this clip very well. The contrast between clips of the girl in the past when she was free and the present when she was in a cage highlight the drastic change in her situation.

DEAR LOVER
      The film opening starts with a close up shot of water, followed by an establishing shot of a brook. This set the scene for the film and highlighted the peaceful nature of where they were. The music chosen also went well with the tranquil atmosphere being created. The voice over used is a really effective way of explaining the situation in a subtle manner. By ending the opening halfway through the character's sentence, the students not only created anticipation within the audience but also effectively set the plot for the rest of the film.

DARE TO THRILL
      The beginning of this film opening was slightly confusing since there was no real explanation of the events that were going on. The rest of the clips were extremely action packed which led me to believe that it was supposed to be an action/adventure genre. The close up shots of the car lights and the dashboard were also very cool, the follow shots of the car driving on the highway also added to the genre. The end was kind of confusing.

ALWAYS WATCHING
     The opening started with a voice over which sparked a bit of interest at first, unfortunately due to the lack of realism in the 'actor's' performance the opening lost its momentum rapidly. The close up shot of Kane's face did create a very creepy atmosphere due to his eerie expression coupled with the music. Unfortunately the contrast between the volume of the music and the character's voice made it all too unrealistic which made the performance lose its effect.

THE BLUE BOAR
     The beginning of this opening did a good job at providing enough background information to set the overall plot for the rest of the film without giving too much of the story away. The high key lighting set the mood for the rest of the opening which went well with the positive tone trying to be conveyed through the character's hopeful singing. The drawing at the very end seemed to be a symbol for something important in the story, hence the title.

WHITE COAT
     All of the shots in this film opening were very high definition and of good quality, it made it seem like a professional film rather than one conducted by high school students. The music went well with what was being shown to the viewer and when combined both set a very suspenseful mood. They did really well at explaining the main idea of the story while still leaving some things up to the viewers imagination, which can be assumed will be revealed further in the film.

STALKER
     The beginning was very long and dragged out, the overbearing silence at the beginning kind of made it difficult to sit through. The sound effects and music were also not effectively added to the story. Not to mention that if all she heard were pictures being taken suspiciously one morning then there is nothing that could be written in the note she found that should cause her to react the way she did, especially since she didn't have any real suspicions. It all just comes off as very unrealistic. More knowledge on how to develop the opening would have made it more appealing.

NOSTALGIA
     Although the shots in the film were visually aesthetic and worked well with the music being used, there was no real explanation or hint as to what the plot of the film might be. This made it difficult to see the genre they were trying to recreate. Despite this, they did do an effective job as setting a very calm and peaceful atmosphere.

LOST & FOUND
     Although the film techniques, animation, and music worked well together as a whole there was no real plot set up. It's not clear to the viewer what story is being told or what the main conflict of the film will be.

Summary:

     The most important aspect in the making of a film opening is setting up a clear plot or story that will develop as the film goes on. I found that even if one uses good camera shots and techniques accompanied with appropriate music and sound when there is no distinct story line it distracts from all of the good things about the opening which lessens its effectiveness. I found that the right lighting and  music at the appropriate volume really makes or breaks the scene. If used constructively, they really are what sets the mood and tone of a scene. I think that if my partner and I can find a way to constructively use all these aspects and make sure that the viewer can understand the story then we will be able to make a successful film opening.