Movie Research: The King of Comedy

Movie: The king of comedy (1982)
Website: Art of the Title

1. How many titles are displayed during the opening sequences to the film?
19

2. What images are prioritized in the opening sequence?
In the beginning, there was a shot of a lady banging and screaming at the window, then after all the titles were shown, the same shot was shown

3. What connotations do the images carry?
I have not watched this movie so 'm not completely sure what these images were showing.

4. How is genre reinforced through symbolic and technical codes from the outset?
 Genre is reinforced because it is showing a lady with a crazy hairstyle, yell out the window to paparazzi taking photographs of her while she is trying to get them to stop.

5. How does the film establish an enigma from the outset?
The title sequence gives the audience questions like who is this lady, why doesn't she want photos taken, what are the photos being taken for, and etc.

6. What strategies are used to ensure the film appeals to its target audience?
The strategies used are, since a lot of questions are being raised from this lady's actions, it would make the audience want to finish the movie to answer these questions.

7. How has technology been used effectively? You want to consider camera angles, transitions, and camera techniques.
There was camera angles such as over the shoulder shot and wide shot used.

Title Research on Comedy

Title sequence: The Interview

Viewed on: www.artofthetitle.com

Number of titles: 20

Images that are prioritized: Images seen throughout this title sequence are war-like images that appear that they are from an ethnic group different from the main characters. The sequence shows military actions, missiles, and weirdly basketball in it. 

Connotations these images carry: The images may hint that the movie has something to do with war or violence between nations. The different race of people goes to show that the main characters may need to stop that race of people from starting a war against their people. 

How the genre is reinforced through technical and symbolic codes: Though there is not much in this sequence that resembles comedic features there are a few bits that can hint towards this. The use of a baby and basketball player image can show a bit of off topic-ness which can prove appealing to some as humor. The Hispanic-like music when images that were described are shown is a bit humorous as well. 

How the film sets an enigma: It leaves the audience questioning why these images are being shown. Is there a war the movie is based on? Is there a reason such violent images are being shown? Why is there a war in a movie called The Interview?

Strategies used to appeal the targeted audience: Some strategies used to attract their targeted audience is the use of pictures. The pictures can be viewed as graphic for some which can mean their targeted audience is older in age than most other comedies target for. 

How technology was used effectively: The use of editing with pictures is genius because it goes to show what the movie will be about or the setting of the movie. Also the sequence has a lot of jump cuts and burn-ins in it. The sequence also uses the editing of sound (music) to lighten or create a mood for the audience.

Research on Titles (Comedy)

Title sequence: Are We Done Yet?

Viewed on: www.watchthetitles.com

Number of titles: 29

Images that are prioritized: Images that are used a lot are cartoon animations of Ice Cube (the main character) and kids. The kids seemingly make fun of him and laugh at him while e fails to fix the title sequence which can hint at what's to come in the movie.

Connotations these images carry: Since I've previously watched the movie, the animations of Ice Cube repairing/fixing the title sequence does indeed hint at what's to come in the movie. It shows humor is the way he plans and carries out repairing a specific object, it doesn't end up being fixed or is made worse, thus leading the kids and audience with a laugh.

How the genre is reinforced through technical and symbolic codes: The background of the title sequence shows moving pictures of floor plans and tools that may hint at the building of a house. The title also hints that the build may take a while. The use of repairing gone wrong can be seen as humorous which is essential for a comedy. The fact that children in the movie are laughing hints and shows that the action that was previously shown was meant to be funny.

How the film sets an enigma: The title sequence gives the audience questions like, who is this character and their importance. Since Ice Cube is shown a lot we know he will be a main character, along with the children. It also sets a question as to why is everything not being fixed successfully in the titles and why is Ice Cube beginning to become tiresome towards the end.

Strategies used to appeal the targeted audience: The use of animation may have been used to draw in a younger audience or a seemingly more childish one. The music used is upbeat and a bit fast which also appeals to younger audiences or those who find this kind of music enjoyable (music is used to draw attention and keep it on the sequence).

How technology was used effectively: The animation used is creative and unique in a title sequence of a movie that has actual actors in it. The editing in the repair and break of the titles helps shows and create a mood for the movie within the first minute of watching. Camera angles used in the sequence are low angles and a couple eye level shots. Camera movements used are tracking shots and a pan shot.

Title Research (Comedy)

Title sequence: Grease

Viewed on: www.artofthetitle.com

Number of titles: 21

Images that are prioritized: Most images that were prioritized were the characters in animated form, it focused a lot on hair products, cars, characters looking in mirrors, and many images from that time period (70s).

Connotations these images carry: The shown images in the sequence suggest what's to come in the movie. The use of grease for hair in the beginning show that it may play a role in the movie. The use of many images help show the time period for the movie which will justify certain aspects of the movie.

How the genre is reinforced through technical and symbolic codes: The use of funny and cartoon-ish animations make the film seem, so far, that it will be an enjoyable movie. The opening sequence gives you a laugh or two especially the scene where the guy is repairing a car.

How the film sets an enigma: The enigmas set are ones on who the characters will be and how they will impact the film. Also another enigma is the role of hair products since it's shown a lot in the title sequence which can draw questions as to why it is so important.

Strategies used to appeal the targeted audience: Some examples of the filmmakers trying to appeal to their targeted audience is the way many of the characters are dressed, the showing of hair products targets those who regularly use them, the use of 70s propaganda targets those people that lived in the 70s, and the use of cartoon-like animations may have been used to draw in a younger audience.

How technology was used effectively: In the title sequence, they used a form of moving animation which was not used a lot during the time the movie was made and put out into theaters. On top of that the use of tracking shots and low angles were seen a lot during the sequence.

Watch the Titles

I'm back! So for this blog, I researched this website, Watch the Titles. Like the previous website, Art of the Title, This website is used to research titles in movies. I mean it's even in the website name! When first getting on the website, a movie called Panic Room #18 is the first to pop up. If you click on the picture, it brings you to a separate page which talks about the movie. Watch the Title also shows the beginning titles of movies. If you click the three bars on the left, it shows some options to choose from such as event titles, video games, feature films, etc. Watch the Title and Art of the Title are both similar to each other but they have different movies and Watch the Title has many more options to chose from.This website is very interesting because they even have an option for video games. Along with the video games, there is an option to watch interviews. For example, there is an interview of Kyle Cooper. Kyle Cooper is an American designer known fr his work of creating title sequences for motion pictures. This website has many additions that could help with research. Like always, see you guys in the next blog!

Art of the Title

Hey i'm back!! For this blog, we're using this website to research Art of the Title, which is a website used to see the titles and first two minutes of a movie. We're looking at his website to research comedy movies. This website is straightforward and easy to navigate through. When first getting into it, the screen above is displayed. On the home screen, there's two options at the top which are "Title sequences" and "Designers + studios." Title sequences is the option used to look at different movies. When you press on title sequences, it shows many different options such as "Top 10 Title Sequences of 2019." When you click on those options, it gives a brief summary on what it's about.You can choose to look through movies by looking by features such as when it was published or by the name. Designers + studios shows a list of designers and the studios used for these movies. When you click on either a director or a studio, it also gives a brief summary about themselves or about the studio.  This website is used to look at the first two minutes of a movie, which includes titles of the opening sequence. I learned that the very last title is always who the movie is directed by. I also learned about some of the directors who have made some movies we all love. See you guys in the next blog !!

Comedy Movie Research

Film #4: Grown Ups

Camera Angles:
Common camera angles used in this film are wide shots, two shots, aerial shots, and long shots.

Mis En Scene:
In Grown Ups, the costumes and make-up consist of normal items that people would normally wear everyday.  The lighting in this movie is more of a highkey lighting. This makes the film give off a happier vibe or maybe show that it's comedy. There's many different settings ranging from the house they stayed at, to a lake, and a park. Some props include basketballs and everyday used items.

Editing:
Editing techniques in this film included cross cutting, reaction shots, establishing shots, and eyeline match.

Elements In The Film:
This film produces a funny movie with comedic actors. There was jokes going on throughout the whole movie ranging from corny jokes to people actually roasting each other. Not only where there jokes but there was funny scenes.

Sound:
The most common sounds used in Grown Ups were diegetic sounds and ambient sound

Elements I liked:
I liked how the whole movie was put together. I like how the group of childhood friends came together due to a funeral and they ended up having a lot of fun together despite some things that got in their way. I also like how most of the scenes were really funny.

Elements That Did Not Appeal To Me:
Overall, I really like this movie and I couldn't find anything wrong with it.

Chosen Film Genre Research

Film #3: Big Fat Liar (Netflix)

Camera Angles:
Common camera angles used in this film are low angles, eye level shots, two shots, and long shots.

Mis En Scene:
The main character, Jason, usually wears what seems to be baggy clothes like long sleeves and over-sized jackets. Some props used a lot are Jason's phone he uses to text and get out of certain situations, he has Marty Wolf's phone which he uses to his advantage against Wolf, and Jason's watch. The film is set in Hollywood, California and also has a lot of scenes at Wolf's filming studio.

Editing:
Editing techniques used in this film are split screens, shot/reverse shots, fade outs, and graphic matches.

Elements in the film:
The film consists of many enjoyable/laughable moments. The constant practical jokes played on Wolf are hilarious and unique which sets this movie aside from those like Home Alone. The happy ending where Jason wins his parents' trust again and also gets back his film is expected, but pleasurable. Also many other characters find their happy endings as well when Wolf's downfall occurs.

Sound:
Throughout the film certain sounds like diegetic and non-diegetic, dialogue, score (when the pranks begin and during the pranks), voiceovers, and ambient sound are used commonly.

Elements I Liked:
Some elements such as the happy ending made me enjoy the movie because it made a heroic mood for Jason as he took down Wolf and pathed the way for many others to thrive. Another element I liked was the character development of Jason. Making him a pathological liar helps make the film make more sense and why he wrote the paper about a liar.

Elements That Did Not Appeal To Me:
I did not like the character development of the antagonist, Marty Wolf. The film doesn't explain why his business isn't booming and why he had to steal a child's school paper to keep him afloat. It also doesn't explain why he's such a bully to everyone that works for him.

Comedy Film Research

Film #2: True Memoirs Of An International Assassin (Netflix)

Camera Angles:
Some common camera angles used in this movie are eye level shots, long shots, two shots, and over the shoulder shots.

Mis En Scene:
Since the main character, Samuel, works at a business of some sort he wears formal wear to work. Later in the movie he tends to wear a lot of buttoned up long sleeves especially during the climatic part of the movie. Props that are used a lot are Samuel's computer which he uses to write, guns, and Samuel's glasses which he seems to only wear when he's working. The film is set in Atlanta, Georgia
and Venezuela.

Editing:
Some editing techniques used commonly in this movie are graphic matches, cross cutting, action matches, and reaction shots.

Elements in the film:
The film produces a funny yet on the edge of your seat mood. The constant jokes make you laugh and make the film appealing, but it's action portion balances the movie out. There wasn't a lot of character development within the film which made most characters bland and normal which makes the film more of a "getting to the point rather quickly" type of plot. The movie also ends with a comedic yet sappy happy ending with Samuel's new book becoming a success.

Sound:
Types of sounds used in the film are dialogue, internal diegetic (usually when he writes or being questioned), ambient sound, score, and a soundtrack (typically used when there is an action scene taking place).

Elements I Liked:

The ending which really put the movie into perspective and made it more of a "re-watch" for me. The ending was happy and comedic which really sums up the movie as a whole and the fact Samuel gets the success he deserves makes it ten times more mood lifting.

Elements That Did Not Appeal To Me:

The element that did not appeal to me was the lack of character development. Throughout the film the audience is left thinking what makes this specific character this character. It doesn't help the audience understand why they do most of what they do and makes certain parts of the film confusing.

Film Genre Research

Film #1: The Water Boy (Netflix)

Camera Angles:
Some common camera angles used throughout the movie are eye level shots and high angle shots.

Mis En Scene:
The mis en scene used in The Water Boy helps make the film unique. Some common props in the movie are the occasional football, Bobby Boucher's water coolers/cups, and the coaches' whistles. Most of the film is set at a football field or Boucher's house.

Editing:
Some common forms of editing used in this movie are jump cuts, cutaways, and montages.

Elements in the film:
Some elements conveyed in this movie are a happy ending, a sort of heroic mood as Boucher comes in and sets a new tone for the team he now plays for/gives water to, and sometimes a sympathetic mood is set at various points in the story to help the audience have a better understanding of Boucher as the main character.

Sound:
In this movie, a lot of music is used. For example, during football games upbeat yet hardcore music is used to set a tone and when Boucher is having a sympathetic feel to him, melodic like music is played.

Elements I Liked:
I love that the movie ended happily benefiting Boucher, his mom, and the team Boucher played for. I also like the heroic mood Boucher sets for his team and all who have drank his water.

Elements That Did Not Appeal To Me:
I didn't like that they made Bobby Boucher stutter even though that displays his character as a person. Even though Boucher isn't as mentally developed as everyone else I feel his stutter kind of makes his character vulnerable to more bullying.

Chosen Genre

     Hey I'm back !! Me and my partner have both agreed to a genre. The genre me and my partner have chosen is comedy. We came to the conclusion of comedy because we're both interested in that particular genre. We think that we could come up with a funny opening sequence that is along the lines of a comedy movie. We are both excited to start our projects. See you in the next blog !

Genre Research

Romantic genre

Common camera angles -

• Two-shot
• Wide shot
• Eye level shot
• Over the shoulder shot
• Close shot
• Mid shot

Common Mis-En-Scene -

• A lot of props are used in romantic films. For example, wedding rings.The actors are usually dressed according to their character. A high key type of lighting makes the film feel more real and helps set a happy mood. A low key lighting helps set a more romantic mood.

Common editing -

• Cross cutting
• Cutaway 
• Reverse shot

Elements of the genre -

• Emotional tension
• A sympathetic heroine 
• A believable plot
• A happy ending

Example films -

•  About time
• A star is born
• The fault in our stars

Common sounds -

• Incidental sound
• Internal diegetic 
• Voice over

What elements do you like ?
I like how romantic movies always have a good climax and I like the happy endings.

What elements do you dislike ?
Overall I like romantic movies but sometimes i don't like how corny they are.


Action genre

Common camera angles -

• Dutch
• Wide shot
• Eye level shot

Common Mis-En-Scene -

• Costumes - The costumes depend on the type of movie. For example, some action movies use super hero costumes
• Lighting - Usually low key lighting
• Make-up - Some makeup used is to show the results of an action match. For example, bruises, cuts, etc.
• Props - The main props used in action films are guns, knifes, planes, etc.
• Settings - settings of action movies are very varied 

Common editing - 

• Cross cutting
• Cutaway
• Eye-line match

Elements of the genre -

• Typically includes violence and a lot of action
• Typically involves individual efforts on the part of the hero

Example films of the genre -

• Avengers endgame
• Captain Marvel
• John Wick

What elements do you like ?

I like the plots of action movies and how after every scene it gets more exciting and pulls you in.

What elements do not appeal to you ?
I think some action movies don't make sense and feel as if they're just thrown together with no purpose.

Genre PowerPoint Research

Horror genre

Common lighting - 

• Uplighting - lighting from the floor, pointing up
• Silhoutte - defined as an outline that appears dark against a light background
• Spotlighting - projects a bright beam of light onto a performance space

Camera angles -

• Close up shot is commonly used to scare and make the audience feel uncomfortable by invading the characters privacy
• Establishing shot is typically used to show where the scene is set
• Over the shoulder is used to build horror and suspense during a conversation
• Long shot is used to show the characters figure

Camera movement - 

• Pan shot (Usually paired with music that has a climax)
• Handheld shot is used to create a sense of reality and makes horror films scarier
• Tracking shot is used to follow someone throughout the scene 

Common Mis-En-Scene -

• Settings and props - dark setting, typical rural setting or deserted area. The main props are weapons such as chainsaws and knifes
• Lighting and color - Set in the dark. Black, red, and grey are colors mostly used to represent horror films
• Costumes and makeup - Mostly dressed casually with effort put into the outfit for the  hunt of their roles. Some horror films have characters with full body costumes or makeup to add suspense and fear 

Elements of horror -

• suspense building up to a climax
• Provoking fear or terror to the audience 
• Plot contains frightening and unexpected incidents

Common sound - 

• A waterphone is used to create the creepy sounds used in horror movies
• "Nonlinear" sounds - very high amplitude in comparison with the sounds produced by normal musical instruments (ex. a child's cry)
• Horror films also use a series of diegetic sounds, sound motif dialogue, etc.

What elements do you like ?

I really like the suspense and music elements in horror films because they keep you on your feet  throughout the whole movie and keep you pulled in, ready for the next scene.

What elements do you dislike ?

For the most part, horror films are very interesting to watch but some films can get very confusing easily. Also some scenes can be very stomach churning and explicit

Examples - 

• The exorcist
• Friday the 13th
• The exorcist
• Poltergeist