Genre
The genre of our film is sci-fi/action. In order to keep within the guidelines of the genre we had to ensure that our opening adhered to some specific conventions of the genre so the audience would immediately be able to tell the theme of the opening and film as a whole. These were:
- One thing that we decided on from an early stage was to begin the sequence with a chase scene to immediately throw the audience into the action of the film and grip them, making them want to continue watching. This is also done in a number of action films, one example being the Bond series as a whole, but namely Casino Royale, another action film which contains a chase scene in the opening sequence, specifically, an on-foot one, as shown below.
- One theme that conforms to the sci-fi genre is the inclusion of time travel in our opening sequence. This theme is one of many ideologies used in sci-fi films. In our film we see Leora jump from the future to the present day. One real life example of this is Looper, where, again, characters are jumping backwards in time.
- The soundtrack was also important to our opening. We needed a soundtrack that would add to the tension and pace of the opening, without distracting from the action and confrontation and becoming the focus of the sequence. For this we chose the soundtrack that you can hear below, which begins slow and quiet, building suspense. This then becomes a fast paced, heavy drum beat as the chase begins, adding to the action.
Narrative Structure
There are a number of theories that we took into account when deciding our narrative structure. We also challenged these theories.
Form
The main function of an opening sequence is to act as an introduction of the film and everything it contains. Our opening follows this introductory format as shown below, alongside a real life example from Casino Royale:
- Todorov's theory
- Equilibrium - Disruption - Hero's journey - New equilibrium.
- We took this classic narrative pattern but also challenged its form, deciding to begin with the disruption (Leora running away from the Henchman) before the journey and new equilibrium.
- Propp's theory
- 8 character roles: Villain, hero, donor, helper, princess, father, dispatcher, false hero.
- Although we could not include all 8 of these stock characters, we included 2 clear roles in our opening. These were a villain (The Henchman) and a hero (Leora).
- Levi-Strauss' theory
- Binary opposites.
- Our film contained a number of opposites. One of which was good vs evil which we portrayed through the rivalry of Leora and the Henchman; we also had present and future with the characters beginning the scene in 2017 and Leora ending up in 2014; Finally, we had known and unknown as Leora begins in her own familiar time period before jumping back in time to an unknown period.
Form
The main function of an opening sequence is to act as an introduction of the film and everything it contains. Our opening follows this introductory format as shown below, alongside a real life example from Casino Royale:
Style
We had to decide on a specific style for our opening and keep to this style throughout, in order to make the film look as professional and true to the genre as possible. For this we took inspiration and ideas from a number of other films and incorporated them into the post-production of our own film.
Grading
For grading, we wanted to choose a colour typical of the sci-fi genre. We took inspiration from a number of sci-fi films and found a common colouring of cold, blue colours. One example of this is shown in Blade Runner, shown below, followed by an example of blue grading in our own sequence.
Titles
We used titles, similar to those of various action films that have already been released in the UK and worldwide. Our titles were one hugely important aspect of the opening sequence of our film. We immediately decided that we wanted our titles to be integrated into the action of the sequence and add to the action as opposed to appear intrusive. On further research we discovered and took inspiration from the titles of Zombieland, which were integrated into the scene and the characters interacted directly with the titles, as shown below.
We had to decide on a specific style for our opening and keep to this style throughout, in order to make the film look as professional and true to the genre as possible. For this we took inspiration and ideas from a number of other films and incorporated them into the post-production of our own film.
Grading
For grading, we wanted to choose a colour typical of the sci-fi genre. We took inspiration from a number of sci-fi films and found a common colouring of cold, blue colours. One example of this is shown in Blade Runner, shown below, followed by an example of blue grading in our own sequence.
Titles
We used titles, similar to those of various action films that have already been released in the UK and worldwide. Our titles were one hugely important aspect of the opening sequence of our film. We immediately decided that we wanted our titles to be integrated into the action of the sequence and add to the action as opposed to appear intrusive. On further research we discovered and took inspiration from the titles of Zombieland, which were integrated into the scene and the characters interacted directly with the titles, as shown below.
Our 'Quantum' title at the end of the opening sequence was very different from this. Since it was the name of the film we decided that, in accordance with the conventions of the sci-fi genre, it would be a static title on a black background. We saw examples of this in Looper (shown to the right) and Attack the Block.
Overall, we used a number of different real life media products in the production of Quantum. We used conventions of genre and style of other films, in order to ensure that our own film adhered to the classification of its genre. We also developed the form of opening sequences from real films to make sure Quantum carried out the correct functions of an opening sequence. Finally, we challenged the theories relative to the narrative structure of a film, creating a more original storyline.
Overall, we used a number of different real life media products in the production of Quantum. We used conventions of genre and style of other films, in order to ensure that our own film adhered to the classification of its genre. We also developed the form of opening sequences from real films to make sure Quantum carried out the correct functions of an opening sequence. Finally, we challenged the theories relative to the narrative structure of a film, creating a more original storyline.
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